realtors: Customer Service is Key when working with agents
- 05/23/08 03:51 AM
When dealing with customers all agents know that customer service is the key to success in any client-driven industries. However, many agents do not apply that when it comes to working with other agents. I know that we are in competition with each other for that elusive sale, but do Realtors have to treat other agents with disdain and disrespect? The answer to that question is no! I had a property that was listed and it was falling out of escrow, due to loan issues, and when I asked for cancellation instructions I got the run around with no calls back … (23 comments)
realtors: 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)
realtors: Where do you find clients?
- 03/19/08 03:34 AM
When I first entered the Real Estate Industry I had no guidance or clues what to do to obtain or keep clients. I got a few through paying a monthly fee on RealtyTrac, but had only 1 sale within the first year. That is when my wife discovered Active Rain and I have been more busy than I could ever imagine. Most of it has been due to page ranking, which has steadily improved through the months. I also have been doing traditional marketing, such as door hangers and leaving cards everywhere. Anytime I meet someone on the street I hand … (16 comments)
realtors: 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)
realtors: Your offer is not accepted until the bank accepts the short sale
- 03/07/08 03:50 AM
This is just a word of advice to consumers out there regarding short sales. Many people are encountering the following situation. You make an offer and the agent issues a counter-offer, which generally means that your offer has been accepted and that the escrow process has started. However, don't be quick to make that assumption when dealing with short sales. In the short sale process the bank is the one that decides whether or not to accept the offer. If another offer comes in prior to the bank accepting yours, then the bank can and will accept whichever offer is larger. … (1 comments)
realtors: Foreclosure Fairs Generate Huge Turnouts
- 03/06/08 04:08 AM
Many people know the Central Valley in California is the foreclosure capital of the nation, currently. You can go down any block and see REO properties left and right and can tell they are such by the front lawn. In this area, almost 40% of the loans that were made two years ago are in some stage of the foreclosure process. I have seen a few news articles that show that the turnout to the foreclosure workshops have been larger than expected. Having been through a foreclosure in the past, I know that this process is a very stressful situation that families … (4 comments)
realtors: Catch a Tour Bus; See some Listings!!
- 03/05/08 01:49 AM
I just read an article in the Sacramento Bee where investors are taking tour buses to view foreclosure to foreclosure listings. Has anyone else heard about this. I know of Realtors going in caravans to see actual listings that are on the market and giving feedback, but bus loads of investors looking to buy REO or foreclosure properties is just amazing to me. Don't get me wrong, I want to see these properties sold and not to be vacant, and maybe this is the best approach to having properties sold. I just think it is super sad that there are so … (4 comments)
realtors: Buyers: Now is a great time to buy in Modesto or elsewhere!!!!
- 03/04/08 03:53 AM
Right now buyers are out there looking for bargains in this market. Many buyers are hesitant and are waiting for the bottom to occur. Speaking from experience most people ending up missing the bottom and either catch it right before or right after it has occurred. In my area of Modesto, I have seen a huge increase in sales in just recent days. Usually this time of year is dead up until March or April, but there is a lot of people out there that are looking for the great deals that are in this market. The current inventory, according to the … (0 comments)
realtors: 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)
realtors: Are you doing your job?
- 03/03/08 07:47 AM
Being a Realtor in the Modesto, California area and helping people buy and sell houses is a passion of mine. It is a great way to meet people and help people realize the American Dream of property ownership. I only know how to exist in a buyers market. I got into the industry when the market was cold and it just now has started to get better. I have been doing farms, open houses, etc.. I am willing to go the extra distance to get results. The question I pose to Realtor's out there, is what do you do to get those … (12 comments)
realtors: Pricing
- 03/03/08 01:30 AM
In the area of the country that I live in, there are close to 13 months of inventory for the current market. This is actually down from 22 months that was 3 months ago. Many of the top Realtors in the area are either struggling profusely or are leaving the business altogether. What makes the difference between an agent that is being successful in this market and one who is failing? The answer is pricing. One of the techniques that is being used in my area is to drop a house 20-30K below market value and start a bidding war. This … (4 comments)
realtors: 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)
realtors: Mortgage Workshops
- 02/28/08 01:37 AM
With all the fall out with the subprime mortgage industry, it is good that communities are coming together to help homeowners that have questions about foreclosures or ways to avoid foreclosures. In Modesto, there is a mortgage workshop on March 7, 2008, that deals with that issue. They are asking for realtors and mortgage people to volunteer their time and train them on how to address the issues at hand. Mortgage workshops are a good way for communities to get involved in stopping foreclosures and for people to see that realtors care about them. I know that I plan on being … (2 comments)
realtors: 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)
realtors: Naymz.com
- 01/25/08 07:46 AM
I just wanted to spread the word for a good website for realtors called Naymz.com. It is a great website, whose sole purpose is to establish credibility on the Internet. Many high ranking active rainers are on the site, and I just wanted to share this information with everyone on the rain. It does show very well on Google and it just started up just recently. I realize many of you are very established and don't need sites like this, but some of you might need this. The more credibility you have, the better it is for you and your page ranking. … (17 comments)
realtors: The art of communication
- 01/24/08 08:18 AM
Communication can be either our greatest allies or our largest enemy when it comes to real estate. An agent or even a client that does not effectively communicate their needs or wants will find that they have great difficulty when facing challenges with transactions. Everyone knows what commuication is, but why do people have a hard time relaying the information to others. Well it is very easy.....fear. People fear rejection, conflict, loss of listing, etc. Disapproval or disagreements can be communicated in a very positive manner, in which everyone still feels safe to approach the other person. In real estate, communication is … (14 comments)
realtors: How do I survive?
- 12/12/07 06:39 AM
Big mortgage companies going out of business left and right and requirements changing constantly. Foreclosures at record levels. Buyers panicking that the bottom is not here yet. Sellers losing their homes. Scams happening left and right. So how do you survive as an agent? That is the question. There is no easy answer since each part of the country is experiencing different issues. In my part of the country, Modesto, California, the scenario above describes the issues I have been facing on a daily basis with a foreclosure rate close to 1 in 75 homes. Your situation is likely different so take part … (10 comments)
realtors: Four Ways to Spot a Scam
- 11/28/07 08:19 AM
With the trouble in the mortgage and real estate industry it is essential to your clients to be able to spot scams. Although some may be difficult to spot, others can follow one of these patterns. 1. They ask the seller to help mortgage the property, usually 10-20 percent. Although notes are common in many states, this is a different situation. In some cases, carry the loan altogether. 2. They refuse to give you their real estate license number, if asked. 3. They offer to buy up the equity in your home and allow you to stay in it as long as you … (5 comments)
realtors: Drowning? Customers are your life-line
- 11/20/07 07:15 AM
Many realtors are having a hard time in areas that have been severly affected by the mortgage companies tightening loan requirements and the sub-prime defaults and foreclosures. But many are thriving in this time where bargains are the name of the game. What separates out these realtors? Why are they thriving when others are drowning? It is very simple, actually. The following things are what the thriving realtors are doing over the ones that are drowning or barely keeping their heads above water. 1. Work smarter not harder. Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is insanity, … (6 comments)
realtors: What is the best camera out there for Real Estate?
- 11/15/07 07:49 AM
When I first started real estate, little did I know that I needed to take photography classes to capture the essence of a room. I soon found that the camera you have makes the difference between a room looking small and a room looking majestic. The camera is perhaps the most important tool that a realtor needs to present listings, next to their computer. I pass this question out there to all the different realtors in the business, what camera do you use? Why would you recommend it or not? … (20 comments)
When dealing with customers all agents know that customer service is the key to success in any client-driven industries. However, many agents do not apply that when it comes to working with other agents. I know that we are in competition with each other for that elusive sale, but do Realtors have to treat other agents with disdain and disrespect?
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