When you want to sell your house, you want it to bring in top dollar. That means you want to find a Realtor^® in Washington County who has the characteristics of a top performer. He or she may or may not have last month’s highest sales volume, may or may not have page after page of onscreen MLS listings. However, there are characteristics you can look for that are bound to point to the best candidate to represent your home in your neighborhood. 1) Understanding You: the Client I agree with Realtor Magazine: "One of the strongest ways to increase likability and foster a connection is to demonstrate that [the Realtor] understands someone else's needs, and is happy to help fulfill them.” A great Realtor is inherently a great salesperson, and as such, automatically adapts his or her selling skills to each client. The evidence comes through demonstrating that if the need arises to step back, he or she will do so. Likewise, when a client needs a push, he or she knows how to give them that push -- gracefully. You can test this. When you are interviewing to find a Realtor, don’t just quietly nod and agree with everything you hear. Offer a few objections, even if they are only theoretical. See how seamlessly the candidate handles the change of direction. The ability to discern and adapt to various types of clients is the same ability that will help a skilled Realtor present a positive impression of your property. 2) Selling Advice It is essential to find a Realtor in Hagerstown who is a true professional – one who has the ability to approach your home from an unbiased perspective. Being able to provide analytical, accurate and fact-based market information is vital. It is this ability that is the basis for establishing a market position that helps sell your house for its maximum value…and in the shortest time frame. 3) Negotiation A great Realtor is able to successfully negotiate price and terms between you and your buyer. No matter what, there is likely to be an emotional component involved, so maximum success takes not only keen business acumen, but strong intrapersonal skills, too. When you are ready to find a Realtor for your Hagerstown property, look for experience, a full skill set, and confidence. Add in a touch of panache, and together you will make up a team that is fully armed to come to market. I hope you will consider me for your candidate list: I work tirelessly to help every one of my clients meet their own selling goals. Give me a call to hear what my marketing plan can do for you. Courtesy of RG REALTY INC

Managing Your Hagerstown Investment Property

Whether you are in the process of buying anincome property thisfall or are already an owner, your decision about whether to work with a Hagerstown property manager is pivotal. When you lack the time or capacity to effectively manage your investment, hiring a professional property manager is certainly the right business move. But suppose you have already decided that you will use a pro – does that solve all management issues for your investment? If you have chosen well, the answer may be almost ‘yes’ – but not quite. As you would with any service provider, keeping tabs on their performance is simply prudent.

The happy truth is that managing your Hagerstown property manager will not command a large amount of your attention: a little will go a long way. And some areas to monitor are more obvious than others.

Rent collection is one process that almost monitors itself. When the checks are slow in coming, you’ll know it soon enough. If a regular pattern seems to be developing, discuss your manager’s strategy to improve the tenant’s compliance. Good property management pros have proven strategies for timely rent collection.

Maintenance is one main reason a property manager is invaluable. When a repair issue arises, take a look at the invoices: not only at the cost, but also the time it took to solve the problem.  Your manager should have contracts in place with competent maintenance and repair companies, so complaints from the tenant should not be a regular occurrence. You can also ask for vendor references from anyone who performs services for the property. After all, they are really working for you.

If part of your property manager’s job is to act as a leasing agent (or to oversee one), be certain that he or she emphasizes the importance of ensuring that tenants thoroughly read and understand the lease terms. Ask how your manager would handle any tenant non-compliance if that occurs. Situations that could cause sleepless nights for you should be ho-hum affairs for your pro!

Buying an investment property in Hagerstown can be exciting and profitable, but it’s not usually fully exploited on autopilot. I strive to help my clients find and identify the right investment properties for long-term profitability.  If you are considering buying a Hagerstown property, contact me anytime to go over your options. You will find that good ones are out there!

Courtesy of RG REALTY INC

Sniffing Out Hagerstown Foreclosed Homes Bargains

If you have ever wanted to buy foreclosed homes in Hagerstown, a recent look at the market will have shown you that it is becoming more of a competitive exercise than was the case just a short while ago. Especially if you are an investor who is focused on the profit potential, not every offering will clearly fit the bill. Here are some ideas for sniffing out a profitable deal:

1. Look for a home that has been on the market for a while.

Low-priced homes which have been listed for a short duration often wind up fetching higher prices than higher-priced homes that have been idling on the market for a while.  If you are looking to buy foreclosed homes in Washington County, ask your agent about bank-owned listings he or she feels may be overpriced. Then, if you like one that has been on the market for a while, consider making a low bid.  Sean O'Toole, founder and CEO of ForeclosureRadar.com, says "The underpriced properties get a ton of activity and go quickly, but you can really get a better deal on an overpriced property."

2. Stick with homes that don't need repairs.

It’s different for those who are finding a property they will call home. For investors, foreclosure sales are only worthwhile if they will not have to spend more money and time repairing the house than the projected profit margin allows.  A great deal is not necessarily the lowest-priced home in a neighborhood; seasoned investors looking to buy foreclosed homes have learned to undervalue neither the financial nor time investments.

3.  Buy at the year- or quarter-end.

When you buy foreclosed homes from a lender, the situation differs from that with a traditional seller. Usually, you will be negotiating with a corporation. Since that is the case, their internal financial reporting can sometime make a difference. O’Toole advises to “…consider making a November or December offer highlighting the fact that you can close by the end of the year." You just might be able to get a lower price simply by taking advantage of the bank's timing.

If you would like to buy foreclosed homes in Hagerstown and could use an experienced agent to help, I will be there every step of the way.  Contact me anytime you would like to talk over how I can help you land a great deal!

Courtesy of RG REALTY INC