sell: The First Offer
- 11/06/08 06:08 AM
David Slavin, ABR, SRES www.SellMyHouseDave.com First offers in today's real estate market are golden. Don't let it get away if you can help it. The old saying, "A bird in hand is better than two in the bush" fits today's market. If you want to wait for the highest offer and your house sits on the market month after month and you keep making payments... what did you gain? It is better today to try and work with the first offer than wait for another. Many times it is better in the long run to make a deal and move on to … (6 comments)
sell: The Fort Bend County Fair is Here!
- 09/09/08 09:41 AM
by David Slavin, ABR, SRES www.FortBendHomeFinder.com www.SellMyHouseDave.com September 26 - October 4 2008 Fort Bend County Fair is the 72nd year of the fair. Visit www.fbcfa.org to get the information you need. There will be top entertainers and tons of activities for everyone including the popular carnival. Here is the opening day schedule: Opening Day - Friday, September 26th FREE Admission to ALL School Kids 'til 7PM 9 a.m. PARADE 10 a.m. - Midnight: Carnival Midway 1-9 p.m.: Ag'Tivity Barn - where agriculture comes alive! 2-4 p.m.: Student Fun Day Activities - Old Fashioned Fun & Games, Sack Races, Egg Toss … (1 comments)
sell: A Great Idea for Your Students at Home!
- 09/03/08 10:30 AM
By David Slavin, ABR, SRES www.FortBendHomeFinder.com www.SellMyHouseDave.com Have you noticed that the textbooks have gotten heavier? With school now in full swing, my daughter's books are almost the same weight as she is. When I was in school, I don't remember the books as heavy as they are now. Here's an idea that I have done and I want to share with those who have students at home. Buy a set of books to keep at home. This way your student will have the school issued books that stay at school and your set that stays at home. There … (4 comments)
sell: Does Coaching Work?
- 09/03/08 03:42 AM
I have been thinking of taking my business to the next level and I don't know if coaching is the way to go. I know that any system or program must be followed and coaching provides the accountability that's needed to stay on track. You can have the best plan in the world but it is worthless if you don't follow it. This is true for anything including weight loss, real estate, etc. If you have or are involved with or are being coached... DOES IT WORK? David Slavin, ABR, SRES www.SellMyHouseDave.com … (12 comments)
sell: Holiday Gifts
- 08/28/08 11:19 AM
By David Slavin, ABR, SRES www.SellMyHouseDave.com www.FortBendHomeFinder.com It is coming close to the time to start thinking about what gifts you want to give your past clients for the holidays. I have given different presents throughout the years. Here is a list of some ideas for presents, some I have given and some I haven't. Entertainment Book ( I gave this last year since everyone loves saving money ) Gift Cards ( Just don't look cheap with the amount ) Holiday Welcome Mat for the front door Personalized items (for example: ornaments, door knocker, photo box, etc.) Send them a smoked … (10 comments)
sell: What Kind of Seller Are You?
- 08/11/08 07:39 AM
By: David N. Slavin, ABR, SRES www.SellMyHouseDave.com www.FortBendHomeFinder.com
When thinking about selling your house, you'll need to ask yourself what kind of seller are you? Are you a wishful thinker? A realist? Or are you a member of the anxious and desperate? I always tell my clients in the Katy real estate market that there are three prices to every house. 1. The price the seller WISHES to sell the house for... 2. The price the buyer WISHES they could by the house for... 3. Then there's reality or the price the house actually sells for. … (2 comments)
sell: Your Safety & The Lockbox!
- 08/06/08 01:22 PM
By: David N. Slavin, ABR, SRES www.SellMyHouseDave.com www.FortBendHomeFinder.com
Lock boxes have become the standard for easy access to a house. Many agents use the combination lock boxes and the Supra lock boxes. You can decide not to have a lock box on your home but you or your agent will need to be there to give access to the potential buyer and their agent. Without a lock box, this method will become a hassle very quickly. The easiest method of access to a home is with the use of a lock box. The … (4 comments)
In recent years, discounting real estate agents have come into the picture. This has made people question if the commissions on selling a house are negotiable. The answer is yes. The next question should be, "At what cost?" This means that if you ask someone to work for less, will they be able to provide you with the same kind and quality of service that you would be receiving at the original commission? Many times the answer to this is a resounding NO. You'll be able to find numerous agents that … (14 comments)
When a buyer goes into a vacant home, it is difficult for them to picture how the house will look with furniture. Most people are visual and it is easier for them to get a feel for the flow of a house if there is furniture in it. This is only if the furniture is updated, not over-sized for the rooms, and not too much of it. The possitive aspect about a vacant home is if the buyer uses their imagination to mentally place their furniture in the … (11 comments)
sell: The Advice of a Professional!
- 08/03/08 07:43 AM
by David N. Slavin, ABR, SRES www.SellMyHouseDave.com www.FortBendHomeFinder.com There are so many times I ask myself, "WHY? Why do people hire a real estate agent?" The answer is simple... For their professional expertise. Then why won't sellers take the advice of the professional they hired? If an agent recommends using a home stager then make the investment and make your house the most desirable house on the market. Yes this will require an investment on your part. It will be a minor investment compared to your house sitting on the market month after month after month. If you make the … (0 comments)
sell: The Kitchen Mini Makeover!
- 08/02/08 03:48 PM
By David N. Slavin, ABR, SRES www.SellMyHouseDave.com www.FortBendHomeFinder.com
Many people think that you have to remodel the entire kitchen at the same time. This just simply isn't true. Think about doing a Mini Makeover. If you have the money to do a major kitchen makeover... Go for it! Not everyone has the resources to accomplish this at one time. It may make more sense for you to do one of these mini makeovers. Here is a list of mini makeovers. Refinish the back splash. Add or update an island. Upgrade the appliances. Revamp the cabinets. Upgrade … (2 comments)
sell: How to Get 10 More Deals!
- 07/30/08 01:15 PM
I went to a FREE (nothing is free) seminar today about how to get 10 more deals a year guaranteed. First of all, I enjoy going to these sales pitch seminars because many times they have good information and they have to at least sound like good ideas to entice you to purchase what they are trying to sell. This one was selling coaching. One of the biggest things they were talking about for prospecting(which is THE most important part of a Realtor's business) to reach 10 more deals sounds logical and easy to stick with. All you need to do is use … (18 comments)
From the time I submitted the offer till even after the closing, my frustration level was just like this picture. I'm shocked I still have hair. I could never make phone contact with the agent or his team throughout the process.
The title company had some many people with their hands in the file and they kept passing the file from one person to another to start again from square one. It was like pulling teeth to get things done with them. And the lender... Don't even get me started.
It was … (13 comments)
sell: WAKE UP!
- 07/26/08 10:14 AM
You may not want to HEAR it (don't hit the snooze button)but the alarm is ringing and it's time to wake up. It's time to wake up your business! Make you business lean and mean and (dare I say it) organized! Now is the time to make & create & stick to systems that work for you and your clients. If your systems are too difficult or tedious then you won't do them and that's bad business. Stick to the KISS (Keep It Simple & Stupid) principle for maximum efficiency. Good Luck and WAKE UP sleepy head! David … (5 comments)
sell: Getting Feedback!
- 07/23/08 05:12 AM
Are you having trouble getting feedback from agents that show your listings? We all know that many times it may be difficult to get feedback from agents that have shown numerous properties in the same day. It gets to be difficult to keep them separate. I have come up with a simple idea to make sure I'll get feedback over others. Offer fellow agents a gift card for their feedback. I give a Starbucks gift card for showing & giving feedback. If an agent shows and doesn't give feedback then no card is sent out. Agents have … (6 comments)
sell: Declutter the Clutterfest!
- 07/12/08 06:19 AM
If you are trying to figure out where to put more stuff or you can't find something you've been looking for but you know it's here somewhere? Then it's time to get rid of your stuff if you are planning on selling anytime soon. Clutter is one of the biggest turn-offs for buyers. They can't see the house for all of the clutter. Their eye is drawn to the clutter instead of the house. Hold a yard/garage sale and make some money while you're getting your house ready to go on the market. If there is anything that you can't sell, … (1 comments)
A prospective buyer's first impression of your home can or break a successful sale. A poorly maintained lawn, peeling paint on a wall or windowsill, even a cluttered room can cause buyers to move on to the next home on their list. So take a little time to make certain that buyers love what they see at first glance. The rewards might be huge. After all, your home is usually the largest asset. Below is a checklist of steps to take before that first potential buyer arrives at your house. Straighten up messes - newspapers, china & nick knacks in the china cabinet, and … (5 comments)
sell: Creative Selling Techinque
- 08/17/07 08:54 AM
How do you make your listing stand out in today's market? Here's a techinque that is very similar to an auction without it becoming an auction. Let me explain. There was a house for sale in a neighborhood in Sugar Land, TX that I sell a lot in and these sellers were needing to sell quickly. They were trying to sell in the $150,000 range for about 60 days and didn't get any offers they liked so what the agent was very creative. They reduced the price to $75,000 and set a cutoff date of 2 weeks and said the … (5 comments)
sell: Why Am I The Way I AM?
- 07/04/07 02:15 AM
This is a poem that my wife recieved from a friend of hers. The author is unknown. Keep in mind that my wife works in the title business and I'm in real estate... I wonder what she's trying to tell me? WHY AM I THE WAY I AM? Last night as I lay sleeping I died or so it seemed, Then I went up to heaven But only in my dream Up there St. Peter met me Standing at the pearly gates, He said, "I must check your record Please stand here and wait." He turned and said, "Your record is covered with terrible flaws, On earth I see you rallied For every losing … (8 comments)
sell: Do Open Houses Work?
- 06/30/07 02:09 PM
I can't give answer for any other area except for the Houston, TX area. The answer in my experience is NO! Why would a seller want the agent they hire have them wake up early on a Saturday or Sunday morning to make the house sparkle and then get kicked out for three to five hours? There aren't that many things that the seller can do weekend after weekend while their agent is holding their open house. Secondly, holding an open house really isn't productive. It's considered passive. This is because the agent advertises the open house but has NO control over … (30 comments)
Real Estate is my life! My goal is to make your life less stressful during the buying or selling of real estate. I strive to make your real estate experience as pleasurable as possible. I'm Always At Your Service!
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