real estate: Good News - Home Sales Pick Up Slightly in September
- 11/02/17 01:05 PM
The real estate sector is still humming along, but has been showing signs of tapering off in recent months. Economists are generally predicting that home prices will continue to rise in 2018, just not quite as fast as they did in 2017. The most recent data from the National Association of REALTORS® shows reasons to be encouraged as well as areas for improvement. Existing-home sales up 0.7% After declines in June, July and August, sales of existing homes inched up in September to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 5.39 million. That is still 1.5 percent lower than last September, however. Median home values still rising The median price … (0 comments)
real estate: What Seniors Look for When Buying a Home
- 10/10/17 04:39 PM
Senior citizens are a growing demographic that represent a valuable market for REALTORS® we work with. Many seniors are looking to sell their family homesteads and move into smaller houses and condos that are more affordable, easier to maintain and provide easy access to amenities and services that they are more likely to depend on as they age. Low maintenance Many seniors who are looking for retirement homes have had it with decades of home maintenance. They are less likely to be excited by the prospect of fixing up an old house than a buyer seeking a long-term home for a new family. … (2 comments)
real estate: 7 Proven Ways to Rid a Home of Pesky Pet Smells
- 09/28/17 12:43 PM
A lingering pet smell can really put a damper on an otherwise appealing home. But there are proven ways to get animal odors out of houses. They’re worth learning since they are bound to come of use in a long career in real estate. Start with the vacuum Before we get into specialized techniques, you have to have the basics covered. That means a thorough vacuuming to pick up every remaining pet hair in the house. Pay particular attention to carpeted areas, since they have likely accumulated thousands of hairs over the years. Vinegar You’d be surprised how far a little vinegar can go in … (0 comments)
real estate: 6 Kitchen Trends to Make a Home Listing Sizzle
- 09/19/17 10:19 AM
For many buyers, there is no part of the house more important than the kitchen. The fact is that many people spend more time in that room than any other because that’s where they prepare three meals each day. They want it to be a pleasant, comfortable place to be. For Realtors® we work with at eCommission - these are the important kitchen trends they find generate great offers for an otherwise lackluster property. Granite counter-tops They’ve been in style for awhile and they don’t show any sign of going away anytime soon. Granite is still a staple of newly-refurbished kitchens. According to the National … (1 comments)
real estate: When to Walk Away From a Deal
- 09/05/17 09:47 AM
As a real estate agent, your job is to look after your client’s interests. That means explaining the pros and cons of every potential deal, including offering your own opinion. This is especially important when you believe a client is at risk of making a bad purchase. Here are some situations when it may be appropriate to strongly advise a client to ditch a deal. Seller demands an appraisal clause If the listing agent demands that the buyer commit to the purchase even if the appraisal comes in below the sales price, that’s trouble. A bank will usually only offer a loan to cover … (0 comments)
real estate: Which Type of Real Estate Agent Are You?
- 08/29/17 01:19 PM
While there are certain traits that nearly all real estate professionals possess, by no means is there one type of personality in the business. In our years of working with Realtors® at eCommission, we've started to notice some common character types that pop-up among successful agents. Here are some of the most common ones you’ll see: People person This is the most classic agent personality that exists. An ability to interact well with people is absolutely essential to success in real estate. As a result, many agents are good at their job precisely because they are social butterflies who enjoy talking and sharing their opinions … (0 comments)
real estate: 6 Things Corporate Executives Look For in a Home
- 08/24/17 08:32 AM
Selling homes varies considerably based on the income of the clientele. High net-worth clients are obviously able to demand larger properties in more desireable areas, but they are also likely to have a number of different concerns than middle-class buyers. Corporate executives are a sub-category of wealthy clients, since they have the resources to buy top-of-the-line property. But, they are also very engaged in their professional life and likely seek a home that aligns with their career. The following are ideas to consider when trying to help C-Suite buyer clients. Airport access Ask your clients how much they travel, and whether quick access to the … (1 comments)
real estate: Dogs & Home Listings: How to Keep Home Buyers & Fido Safe
- 08/10/17 10:45 AM
When helping Realtors® with commission advances, we get a lot of insight into the challenges and successes of the real estate industry. One sensitive and often polarizing issue for real estate clients is dogs. Some people love them while others are terrified of them. Finding pooch-friendly housing is often a challenge for those seeking new digs, particularly for buyers looking into condos that may be governed by strict anti-pet rules. But just as big of an issue for real estate agents is making sure that buyers aren’t turned off to a house because of the seller’s dogs. Here are a number of strategies … (1 comments)
real estate: How to Use the Simple Rules of Persuasion to Sell More Homes
- 08/02/17 09:24 AM
Contrary to popular belief, selling homes is not about being a slick, fast-talking salesperson. What it really is about is showing customers that you know what you’re talking about, that you’re trustworthy and, most importantly, that you have their interests at heart. Here are a few principles of persuasion to keep in mind. Show that you’re listening There’s a big difference between listening to somebody and simply waiting until they’re done talking. And the person you’re talking to can tell the difference. If you want to gain their trust, you have to show them that you’re processing what they’re saying. That way, they’ll … (1 comments)
real estate: How to Turn $1,000 Into a $5,000 Bump in Home Value
- 07/26/17 01:13 PM
Making improvements to a house raises its value. That much is undebatable. But how do you find the best bang for your buck when it comes to renovations? That is a much more complicated conversation. Here are a number of strategies the Realtors® we work with at eCommission have used to successfully increase value of a listing. Keep them keep in mind when deciding what renovations to do on a home you’re trying to flip or when advising clients on how to boost their property value. Spruce up the john A new toilet or sink can come pretty cheap but dramatically enhance the aesthetic of … (1 comments)
real estate: The 5 Best Summer Home Staging Tips
- 07/19/17 09:46 AM
At eCommission we try to keep the content we cover timely and frequently talk to Realtors® we work with on commission advances about what's working right now. Staging homes is crucial at all times of the year. A buyer’s interest is much more likely to be stimulated by a home that they can visualize fully furnished. There are usually season-specific considerations to staging, however. That is particularly true in summer, when buyers are paying more attention than usual to the outdoor opportunities afforded by the property. Here are a few things to consider when staging in the summer. Deck and porch Don’t leave a deck … (1 comments)
real estate: Why You Should Be Selling Condos Now
- 07/12/17 11:39 AM
When we start seeing trends among the Realtors® we work with on commission advances, we always like to share the knowledge. One of the keys to success in real estate is adapting to changes in the housing market and the earlier you can perceive new trends, the better. Condos is an area we're seeing a lot of action. So we asked why? An important part of anticipating changes is understanding how the next generation of homebuyers differs from the current one. What is their financial situation? Where are the jobs they are taking? And most importantly, what is it that they want out … (1 comments)
real estate: 5 Hot Business Books For Your Summer Reading List
- 07/05/17 12:16 PM
I've found that just because you’re in the real estate game doesn’t mean you should only be reading business books written by others in the industry. There is a ton of insight to be gained from other great business reads that comment on subjects that affect anybody with ambition, such as work/life balance, perseverance, productivity and happiness. I've decided to share a few favorites that have improved our work lives over here at eCommission. Tools of Titans: The Tactics, Routines, and Habits of Billionaires, Icons, and World-Class Performers Tim Ferriss, best known as author of “The 4-Hour Workweek,” shares ample advice on how to bolster productivity that … (0 comments)
real estate: Door Hanger Advertising: Do’s & Dont’s
- 06/21/17 10:19 AM
Embracing the new ways of marketing is critical for real estate agents. You can’t get ahead in this industry if you’re shunning online advertising, social media and other forms of internet-based communication. But the old school methods still have their place and in some instances remain more effective. Perhaps no means of REALTOR® communication is more cherished than the door hanger. But there are some important guidelines to take into account. Do: Consider hanging them yourself Distributing door hangers can be a great form of exercise. Depending on the size of the area you’re targeting, you might want to consider hitting the streets on your … (1 comments)
real estate: 6 of the Summer’s Hottest Marketing Tips for REALTORS®
- 06/14/17 12:35 PM
Summer is upon us! The hottest time of the year for listings differs based on your market, but it’s safe to say that the end of spring and beginning of summer are very active just about wherever you are. Families are desperate to get moved before the school year starts and those in cold climates don’t want to deal with moving in the dead of winter. Now is the time to boost your marketing efforts to try to get a piece of the last big wave of sales that are likely coming in June, July and August. Here are a number of … (2 comments)
real estate: Five Ways Waze Delivers for Real Estate Agents
- 06/08/17 08:15 AM
Realtors® spend a lot of time in their cars and a lot of that time is either meeting clients or driving clients. It's incredibly frustrating for agents and clients when things don't happen on time because of something on the road you could have avoided. Which brings me to Waze..if you don't use it yet, I would highly recommend checking it out. Waze, the GPS navigation app that was developed in Israel beginning in 2006, is considered by many the best navigation tool that exists for Android and iPhone users. Even though it was acquired by Google in 2013, it remains distinct from Google Maps. … (3 comments)
real estate: Diet Hacks for Busy Real Estate Agents
- 05/31/17 09:40 AM
It's hard for any professional to stay healthy when we work almost as many hours as we sleep and in the case of Realtors® - even more. The busier you are, the more likely you are to resort to fast food or processed snacks throughout the day and as we get older, our metabolism gets slower. So we asked our favorite personal trainer, Dane Boyle, for some easy tips. The key to avoiding the grab-and-go trap is planning. Check your appointment calendar each day and decide when and what you will eat. It’s pretty simple once you get started. To make it easier, here are … (0 comments)
real estate: Seven Real Estate Reasons REALTORS® Can Thank Mom
- 05/17/17 10:01 AM
In honor of Mother's Day this past weekend - here are some real estate-specific reasons to be thankful for mom if you didn't already have enough :) Manners Having good manners is key to being an effective real estate agent. Being courteous with clients is not optional. It’s absolutely crucial to winning new customers and facilitating the sale. Few of us who know how to politely interact with others can honestly say that mom had nothing to do with it. She was probably the number one reason! Appreciation of homes What drove you to become a real estate agent? Whether you realize it or not, … (0 comments)
real estate: Seven Reasons Why Joining a Real Estate Team May Not Work for You
- 05/03/17 05:44 AM
Due to working with Realtors® and commission advances for over a decade I've seen many good team dynamics and not so good team dynamics. There are many young agents who dream of one day being part of a prominent sales team, perhaps teaming up with veterans whose status they covet. But there are more than a few drawbacks to joining forces with other agents depending on your personality and the personality of your potential partners. What are you getting out of it? A large team of successful agents will generate major income. But is there any evidence that you’ll generate more individual income than … (1 comments)
real estate: How to Write a Killer Real Estate Sales Email
- 04/26/17 12:11 PM
Email marketing has certainly been overshadowed in recent years as social media has grown. But make no mistake, it’s still an important part of the sales process. In fact, it can be a major advantage for those who do it right. But as is the case with social media marketing, it’s not worth bothering with email marketing if you’re not going to do it right. The response rate to email sales pitches is tiny even if you do it well. Although, it will almost certainly be non-existent if you do it wrong. Here are the key rules to follow as you compose your … (1 comments)
The real estate sector is still humming along, but has been showing signs of tapering off in recent months. Economists are generally predicting that home prices will continue to rise in 2018, just not quite as fast as they did in 2017.
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