real estate: 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)

real estate: 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)

real estate: Now is the time to be in Real Estate!!!! - 05/12/08 09:13 AM
Many people feel that this is the worst market in decades and that many Realtors are dropping like flies.  How can I say that this is a good time to be in Real Estate?  The answer to that is two-fold.
First, although sales are off, now is an excellent time to create business relationships with people, such as networking and touching base with your sphere of influence. With the bottom at the end of the tunnel and some light appearing just ahead, it would be good to have customers for when they feel the market has turned.
Next, now is the … (13 comments)

real estate: Have we hit the Bottom? - 05/06/08 02:48 AM
In my part of the country, many professionals are speculating that we are a year or so off on hitting the bottom. Every time it seems that things are starting to get better, another wave of foreclosures hit the market extending the inventory from 11 months to 15 or more. In Stockton, national figures assume that 1 in 30 homes are bank owned.  That is just under 4 times the national average. There were almost 1000 homes put up for auction last month in Modesto, alone.
With almost every home being listed in some state of foreclosure or being a short … (8 comments)

real estate: 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)

real estate: 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)

real estate: Oakdale - 03/18/08 03:32 AM
Oakdale is known as the "Cowboy Capital of the World" and is a wonderful town to live in. It is located NortEast of Modesto and is located in Stanislaus County. I live in this town and have found it to be very, very quiet. It is a suburbia with a small-town feel to it. Last year when they celebrated their 100 year anniversary of being a town, Oakdale had an actual cattle drive through the main roads to thei city.
It is home to the Oakdale Rodeo which occurs the first weekend every year and features some of the top bull … (0 comments)

real estate: 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)

real estate: 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)

real estate: 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)

real estate: Open Houses Can Work - 02/28/08 01:31 AM
I have lately read quite a few posts on Active Rain that have said that it is not worth an agents time to do an open house.  What are the benefits of doing an open house, besides to reassure the home owner that you are doing everything possible to sell their home? There are many, and I recently have had situations that make it all worth it.
Two weeks ago I was doing an open house at a condo listing in Modesto and only had five or six people walk in that day.  I got all their information, but one person really … (10 comments)

real estate: Tips for Avoiding Foreclosure - 02/25/08 06:15 AM
Being in the foreclosure capital of America,  I thought the following tips might come in useful for people in San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Merced Counties. 
Here are some tips for avoiding foreclosure:
If you are unable to make your mortgage payment, don't ignore the problem. The further behind you become, the harder it will be to reinstate your loan and the more likely that you will lose your house. Contact your lender as soon as you realize that you have a problem. Lenders do not want your house, and they have options to help borrowers through difficult times. Contact a counseling agency … (0 comments)

real estate: Keep Active Rain in Perspective! - 02/19/08 06:44 AM
Many of us know that Active Rain is a wonderful tool that can help promote websites and be a place for referrals. I know that I have seen my share of the benefits of Active Rain.  This blog is not about how to promote websites, best techniques used for marketing, or SEO's.  This blog is about keeping Active Rain real and keep it in perspective. If you are like me, competition is what drives me to succeed, I strive to be the best I can be in all areas.  However once the points start accumulating, the euphoria that I got caused … (4 comments)

real estate: 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)

real estate: 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)

real estate: 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)

real estate: Introducing Lani Carlson - 02/12/08 07:37 AM
I wish to introduce Lani Carlson to the people of Active Rain.  She works for First Valley Mortgage in Modesto, California and has been in this business for a very long time (15 years). She is a loan specialist and is very familiar with all the new types of loans and packages that are available to consumers.  She also helps consumers do the things necessary to help them purchase a house in the future; whether it be three months or three years down the road.
I know that everyone will like her once they get to know her. I have learned a … (11 comments)

real estate: 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)

real estate: 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)

real estate: 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




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