agent: Tips to survive in a down market - 08/02/08 02:59 PM
I have only been in real estate to know what a down market is. The broker I started with lost my real estate application to send to the DRE for three months, so I ended up missing the end of the Great Central Valley Seller's Market. I can't wait for the market to turn, but am focusing on the here and now.  Many Realtors in my office can't figure out the success I have been having the last few months.  Well, it has been nothing short of lots of hard work.  I have found some tips that have doubled my production, without … (16 comments)

agent: Finding your niche - 05/22/08 03:25 AM
Many Realtors are having a hard time. In my area it is not uncommon for a Realtor not to have sold a house for the entire year. Many Realtors have not adapted to the change in environment and have abandoned the industry altogether. However it does not have to be that way. 
All you have to do is find your niche. By figuring out what to specialize in and perfecting it, you will provide your customers the best option available for that market, whether it be short sales, REO, etc.
The question is, how do you find your niche and refine … (17 comments)

agent: Get the highest price on a property in a Buyer's Market - 05/16/08 02:55 AM
In the current buyer's market that many Realtors across the country are facing, homes prices are falling very fast. A home that sold for $350,000 two years ago is now selling for about half that in Modesto at roughly $200,000.  So what techniques can you use to make your property stand out to where you can maximize profit for the homeowner and yourself, without pricing it too high as where all the other agents in the area won't show your property.
The ways to do this is very simple, but it is not greedy.  For example, pricing a property $100K above … (6 comments)

agent: Welcome Beverly Eagle-Rodriguez - 03/30/08 02:12 PM
Hi Everyone, Matthew Zgonc here and  I just wanted to take this moment to introduce Beverly Eagle-Rodriguez to the Active Rain Network. 
She is a Realtor at the ERA Village ONE Office in Modesto and is a rising star to real estate. She and I started at the office at around the same time period and she is one of the nicest people that I know.
I hope that all of you take the time to welcome Beverly here and make her feel at home.
 
(22 comments)

agent: Consumers: Qualities of a Good Buyer's Agent - 03/18/08 07:03 AM
There are tons of real estate agents out there.  Many people are innundated with the choice as to which agent to choose when buying a home . Here are some hints for the consumer to realize the difference between an average and a great agent:
1.  The agent will present to you a list of homes in a binder of some sorts that lists all the homes that you will be looking at.
2. The agent will have no homes that do not meet your original criteria.  For example, if you specify at least 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, there should not be any homes … (5 comments)

agent: Are you being innovative? - 03/13/08 04:57 AM
With a possible recession looming over the horizon and dismal sales in many parts of the country, some Realtors are thriving.  How can this be? What are they doing that is different than other Realtors who are leaving the business?
The answer is simple,  they are being innovative!
They are doing various things that other Realtors are not.  Some are finding niche markets, such as REO's, BPO's, or specializing in short sales. While others are getting back to the basics and focusing on Search Engine Optimization. The best thing for you to do is very dependant upon your market.
The key thing … (6 comments)

agent: Consumers: Are you considering a short sale? - 03/12/08 09:16 AM
Many people are in the situation where their home is actually worth quite a bit less than what they purchased it for. When they bought the home, they were told that refinancing it would be no problem and that they did not have to worry about the bubble bursting in that particular market. This type of thinking is what is causing the foreclosure crisis throughout the Central Valley of California and other parts of the nation. Now that the President has passed a law eliminating the taxation of short sales as income, a short sale is a very viable option if … (4 comments)

agent: Finding out what a person wants in a home. - 03/11/08 04:28 AM
I have found through experience that the most essential thing a Realtor can do is find out the specifics a person is looking for in a home.  It is essential that you listen when a person tells you that they need a 3 bedroom 2 bathroom home at the very least.  That way you do not waste your time in showing them potential properties with 2 bedrooms and 1 bathrooms.
Some of the questions that I ask buyers is what are you definite needs in a home.  After they tell me, then I ask them what is their list of wants … (12 comments)

agent: Introducing Constance Robinson - 03/07/08 01:10 AM
I just wanted to introduce Constance Robinson from ERA Village One Real Estate to the Newbie group.  She has been in the industry for many years and is a multi-million dollar agent (Realtor).  She is also the lead agent and office manager for my office and actually was the one that hired me on. Her area of expertise is on acquiring listings and she is a great source of information for all of us learning the ropes of the industry.  She is a wonderful person and I know that you all will make her feel welcome and at home.
Matthew Zgoncwww.buysellmodesto.com
 
(17 comments)

agent: You got the House!!! Oh Sorry You Didn't!!! - 03/06/08 03:55 AM
I have encountered a situation recently that really has me concerned and would appreciate your input on this.  I made a bid on a short sale property in Manteca and a week later received a counteroffer from the agent stating that the hot tub wasn't staying and that the property was a short sale. We signed the counteroffer and no boxes were checked that multiple counteroffers had been made.
I had a concern about the fact that the stove was removed a few days later and called the agent. I received a call back stating that we did not get the property, even though the counteroffer mentioned … (17 comments)

agent: Steps for Obtaining a Home - 03/05/08 02:22 AM
There are many people out there that see houses for sale and want to buy a home, but do not totally understand the process to obtain one. They call the Realtor whose home is for sale, but have no idea where to really begin.
The first thing a person needs to do is to obtain pre-approval.  This not only speeds up the process for the acquisition of the property, but also lets a person understand the amount of home that they can purchase. There is no sense for a person to look at a home for $500,000 when they can only obtain … (4 comments)

agent: How to sell a home in a Buyer's Market in Modesto or Your Area! - 03/04/08 02:11 AM
I have had the great fortune lately of being in the middle of a tremendous bidding war for houses. Buyers have a wonderful opportunity to buy in this market.  They are all looking for a deal and many people are looking for an all out steal.  With home prices changing fairly quickly in this market, how do you sell a listing.  I have tons of people that are calling me wanting to purchase a home.  The problem is that there is a 13 month inventory of houses that are out there, and it seems like many of those are in bad … (0 comments)

agent: Do you know your neighborhoods? - 02/29/08 02:00 AM
Customers are looking for Realtors or real estate agents that are knowledgeable in their field.  One of the main things that they are looking for is your knack of knowing the different aspects of each neighborhood. By having the knowledge of different neighborhoods you are able to help them find an area that is most suitable to their needs:  such as schools, parks, housing types, etc. It will allow them the best opportunity to buy or sell a home that fits their desires and needs.
If you cannot provide them with the information that they need, then they will turn elsewhere.  My … (15 comments)

agent: Introduction to group - 02/16/08 04:20 AM
I wanted to introduce myself to the Learn How to be a Top Producing Listing Agent Group. I am Matthew Zgonc and I am a reator from Modesto, CA. I am primarily a listing agent, but do have buyers as well. I have been in the industry for about 2 years and am still learning a lot. I look forward to being a part of this group and networking with all of the members in the future. … (3 comments)

agent: Introduction to group - 02/16/08 04:09 AM
Hi! I am Matthew Zgonc. I wanted to introduce myself tothe Agents Who Want Referrals Group. I have been a Realtor for a few years and have been established in different systems. I try yo incorporate the best of these and apply them into my business. I have many contacts that are moving out of my area (due to relocation issues) and am looking to share these leads with agents in other areas. … (2 comments)

agent: Introduction REO group - 02/16/08 03:57 AM
I just wanted to introduce myself to the REO group. I have been working with REO's for a while now, with most of my work providing BPO's for various companies. I feel that I will be a good contributor to this group and will respect the code that has been established. I work in Modesto, CA, and stick primarily to Stanislaus County. I look forward to associating with everyone here and look forward to being part of this group. … (9 comments)

agent: Introduction - 02/16/08 03:44 AM
I just wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself to the photography group. I am a realtor in Modesto, CA, who loves photography and wants to learn more about taking good, quality pictures. I believe that good pictures can be the difference between a good listing and a great one. I look forward to meeting thw wonderful people in this group. … (3 comments)

agent: Creekside Neighborhood - 02/06/08 08:31 AM
When it comes to neighborhoods in Modesto, most people know Del Rio, Village One, and Dutch Hollow, which are some of the most prestigious neighborhoods.  However most people do not know about probably the best kept secret in Modesto, known as Creekside. 
This area is located in South East Modesto, between Claus and El Vista (Oakdale) Rd and Scenic and 132.  Almost everyone in town knows about the golf course that is there, but most know nothing else about this neighborhood. 
First, it is a family-oriented environment.  There are many parks and schools located very near the golf course. In addition, there is … (0 comments)

agent: Localism: Is it important? - 01/31/08 08:32 AM
I have seen many people inquire about Localism is and how to post listings to it and do people really go out there. 
To post listings or blogs to Localism all you have to do is write a blog on active rain and include the listing and data using html, then at the bottom where it asks for consumers, only select that box. Then select the state, county, city, and even neighborhood that you are posting it towards.
The real question is do people go out there and the answer is absolutely, positively yes. Consumers do search localism and it does provide … (23 comments)

agent: Property Taxes: Based upon an outdated value? - 01/29/08 08:04 AM
In many areas, such as Florida, California and Seattle, mortages obtained during the height of the sub-prime loan debacle are higher than what the home is currently worth in todays market.  So what can be done about it?  First of all, there is hope out there for people who are being over-taxed.  If you are in any other state than California, than the advice I give may not be totally accurate and I would suggest that you contact your local tax board or county assessor's office on how to deal with this.  In the Modesto California, area, we can appeal the old assessment to … (4 comments)

 

Matthew Zgonc

Realtor, CFS, CVS

Modesto, CA

More about me…

Aksland Real Estate

Address: 105 S Yosemite Avenue, Manteca, CA, 95336

Office: (209) 918-7416

Mobile: (209) 918-7416




Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog