seller representation: Sold in Two Days! 6225 E Kacena Ave Marion, IA 52302 $179,000
- 07/11/14 09:09 AM
Sold in Two Days! 6225 E Kacena Ave Marion, IA 52302 $179,000
This beautiful and affordable ranch had 5 showings in two days resulting in an offer! The sellers are thrilled and the buyers are relieved as they had already sold their current home and time was of the essence in finding a replacement. Time to start packing!
Keep smiling!
Karen
… (1 comments)
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seller representation: You Need to Call Your Buyer's Agent, That Isn't Me!
- 07/07/14 02:08 PM
You Need to Call Your Buyer's Agent, That Isn't Me!
I represent the sellers on their current home. It is under contract and we have already negotiated inspections, appraisal has been completed and we are waiting for the closing at the end of the month.
Prior to meeting me, they had listed their current home with another broker and agent AND executed a subject to sale purchase for a replacement home. After three months on the market with little to no activity, they decided to change agents. They called me based on a referral from a friend.
… (38 comments)
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seller representation: Flash Flooding is Not Funny...Especially the "Debris"!
- 07/01/14 06:58 AM
Flash Flooding is No Laughing Matter--You Never Know What Kind of "Debris" You Could Find!
Someone has to be the one to lighten the mood. We suffered round two of severe storms dumping over 6 inches of water in less than 48 hours. With power out, flash flooding, and straight line winds, you can only imagine the helplessness that we all are feeling.
Whether you were affected by your car floating away in the street, or a tree hit your house and left a hole, or you still don't have power, Iowa is no stranger to severe weather this … (6 comments)
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seller representation: Is There Such a Thing as Selling a Listing TOO Fast?
- 06/11/14 08:43 AM
Is There Such a Thing as Selling a Listing TOO Fast?
As a listing agent, you prepare for the best and the worst. Selling with only two days on the market can be the best AND the worst at the same time. Here are some of the questions or concerns that a seller may face with a quick offer:
1. Exactly what did I personally DO to earn my commission? I prepare my sellers up front for a quick offer, especially when there is low inventory. I also send my sellers all of the links to everything that I … (10 comments)
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seller representation: Seller Tip #6: Have You Seen the Photos of Your Home....Recently?
- 06/11/14 12:21 AM
Seller Tip #6: Have You Seen the Photos of Your Home....Recently?
When your home enters the market, whether it was six months ago or three months ago, the time that your home was originally photographed showed a "different picture". Let me explain....there may have been snow on the ground and likely the grass could have been brown and the trees were bare. You were still living there and there was furniture and pictures on the wall.
Fast forward a couple of months and not only has the exterior of your home changed, but maybe the inside has too. … (4 comments)
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seller representation: We Might Want to Try Selling It Ourselves For a Month
- 05/19/14 07:41 AM
We Might Want to Try Selling It Ourselves For a Month
This happens a lot this time of the year. Especially with the current market in the Cedar Rapids area where the number of active listings is down 25% from this same time in 2013. It is a seller's market in most price ranges with very little inventory.
It is my own fault on this one. When we were out looking at homes to buy, these future sellers were asking the right questions. How is the market? Do you think that we should list our house first? Or should we … (7 comments)
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seller representation: Seller Tip #5: Are Closing and Possession Always on the Same Day?
- 05/19/14 04:19 AM
Seller Tip #5: Are Closing and Possession Always on the Same Day?
It is the age old question that home buyers and sellers deal with every day. Do you sell your home first or do you buy a new one first?
Most homeowners are not fortunate enough to be in the position to choose. Most buyers need to sell and receive the proceeds from their current home in order to purchase the new one. It is easiest and less stressful for a seller to know that their home is sold before offering on a new home. That way, they can line … (1 comments)
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seller representation: Sale Pending After 24 Days on Market! 7022 West Park Rd NE $229,500
- 05/08/14 07:33 AM
Sale Pending After 24 Days on Market! 7022 West Park Rd NE $229,500
You will love this Boyson Park 2 story! Natural light from all angles, corner fenced lot, Linn Mar Schools, and convenient to shopping and area employers too! Step into the 2 story foyer with laminate flooring that flows into the kitchen and dining area. Updated kitchen with center island and granite counters! All appliances will stay including the washer and dryer. Formal living and dining rooms plus a main level family room open to the kitchen with a gas fireplace. Upstairs, there are 4 bedrooms and 2 … (3 comments)
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seller representation: "I Only Work Evenings and Weekends By Appointment." Are You Sure?
- 05/08/14 12:43 AM
"I Only Work Evenings and Weekends By Appointment." Are You Sure?
Let me explain...I recently went on a listing consultation for a potential listing in a very desirable area. They greeted me at the door and wasted no time asking me their most important question.
"Do you work evenings and weekends?"
It seemed like a reasonable question. After all, much of my job happens when other people are NOT working, because well, that is when they are available.
I replied that I often do work evenings and weekends when buyers are looking for a home or a listing receives … (10 comments)
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seller representation: Turns Out That Steep Driveway Wasn't THAT Important to the Buyer!
- 05/07/14 04:31 AM
Turns Out That Steep Driveway Wasn't THAT Important to the Buyer!
When I had represented the seller on this home less than 4 years ago, the would be buyer lamented what it would take to "fix" the driveway. Going to the time and trouble to have estimates submitted to the then seller for the "repair" that was necessary to buy the house. It was obviously very important to the buyer that this was addressed in order to move forward to purchase this particular home.
In the end, through negotiation, my seller discounted the house for a good chunk of the estimate … (7 comments)
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seller representation: Why an Accepted Contract is Just the Beginning
- 05/02/14 01:25 PM
Why an Accepted Contract is Just the Beginning
After 10 years in this business, I think that it is about time that I educate my buyers and sellers a little bit on why I get paid a fee.
No, sellers. It is not to put a sign in the yard ( I've got a guy for that!) and put it on the MLS.
No, buyers. It is not to have a key to open all the doors to every house that you would like to see.
As a buyer or a seller, you breathe a sign of relief or do … (32 comments)
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seller representation: Choose Your Words Carefully, Especially in the Contract!
- 05/02/14 12:47 PM
What a Difference a Few Words Can Make in a Contract
When you are representing your buyer, your intent is seemingly clear. The buyer is specific in asking the seller to have something specific done prior to closing. In this case, the seller had some unfinished trim work and painting to do. No big deal. The listing agent had warned them before they viewed the home that there were a few details to be completed.
So the buyers wrote in that they wanted the painting and trim to be completed by the seller prior to closing. Seems straight forward enough … (6 comments)
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seller representation: Taking Your Property Off the Market
- 02/18/14 02:17 AM
Taking Your Property Off the Market
Sometimes, sellers find that their situation has changed. Their motivation to sell is gone. Whether it be because their dream home that they wanted to buy sold to another, or they no longer qualify for the program to build a home, there are some reasons that a seller may want to go off the market to regroup.
A couple of things to be aware of when you leave the market.
1. You will be bombarded by other agents that don't know your situation that will try to be your savior. They will tell you … (5 comments)
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seller representation: Sellers: Your Procrastinating is Hurting the Buyers Too!
- 02/18/14 12:50 AM
Sellers: Your Procrastinating is Hurting the Buyers Too!
I know that the process of selling your home is not easy. Especially if you are going through a life change, like a divorce or a downsize due to illness.
But here is the thing, you told your listing agent that you wanted to sell right away. You directed your listing agent to market your home as a quick possession. You listed your home at just below the market value to entice buyers to see and offer on your home.
And guess what? It worked. A buyer saw the value and … (4 comments)
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seller representation: Social Media Killed the Deal!
- 02/17/14 06:40 AM
Facebook is NOT for Sellers, or Buyers for that Matter!
Think about it....they say that there are six degrees of separation between strangers, meaning that everyone knows someone that you may know. There are connections everywhere, making Facebook very dangerous if you are buying or selling a home.
I let my buyers and sellers know that they should keep their thoughts off Facebook during the process of buying or selling a home. Because you never know who your friends might know.
Let me give you an example.
A seller is desperate to sell. The husband is already relocated … (105 comments)
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seller representation: We Hate to Say No to Showings, But it Happens!
- 02/03/14 12:56 AM
We Hate to Say No to Showings, But it Happens!
It happens to the best of us. We haven't had a showing since Christmas. No one came to the last open house. The weather has been horrible with subzero temperatures for weeks.
My seller has always been accommodating for showings. Especially when the agent calls with 24 hour notice, which is always appreciated. The showing desk has instructions to call me first and then I contact the seller to confirm.
But when I called the seller, she said no. It happens. Life happens. She has been very ill, in the … (9 comments)
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seller representation: When the Seller Cannot Sign the Offer, Who Can the Buyer Trust?
- 01/27/14 12:09 PM
Relocation Sellers Don't Sign Any Offers!
The biggest rule in the real estate business might be the job of the agents to get the contract in writing. Unfortunately, homeowners that are part of a relocation package do not sign any documents. There are able to negotiate only verbally with buyers until an agreement is made.
This can cause a lot of uneasiness for the buyer. They are not sure if they can trust me or the seller since everything is verbal. Especially if there are other possible offers in the mix. Because on a weekend, the relocation company is not available … (0 comments)
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seller representation: Sellers: I Must Present All Offers. Even When You are Sale Pending
- 01/25/14 12:54 PM
Sellers: I Must Present All Offers. Even When You are Sale Pending
I am speaking about the state of Iowa here. All offers must be written, so no verbal offers or contracts because they are not enforceable. No matter how ridiculous the offer may be, I may know with every part of me that you will reject it, but I still must present it to you.
Why? Because I cannot filter what you see. You must have the opportunity to make those decisions for yourself. If I don't present an offer to you because I think that it isn't worth … (8 comments)
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seller representation: Biggest Home Seller Mistakes
- 01/24/14 12:44 PM
This month, as a community in Active Rain, we were challenged to highlight what we felt were the biggest home seller mistakes. I was tickled pink to see that one of my posts this month was featured in this community post. All 10 of these articles are great, especially #9 (that one is mine!). If you are considering a move in Cedar Rapids in 2014, or if you know of anyone that is, make the great decision of including me when you interview possible REALTORS to represent your home. I will be diligent about making sure that all 10 of these … (0 comments)
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seller representation: A Really Expensive Typo
- 01/22/14 04:46 AM
A Really Expensive Typo
I will give you an example of an extreme situation that happened to me early in my real estate career. The condo had been listed for a long time. It had recently changed listing agents and the seller disclosure was the same except that a new date was added and the seller re-initialed the documents for the new listing agreement. The MLS sheet AND the disclosure both stated that a washer and dryer would be included.
Problem was, there was no washer and dryer in the unit to be included, they were already gone. The listing agent never corrected the information, … (90 comments)
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Sold in Two Days! 6225 E Kacena Ave Marion, IA 52302 $179,000
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