Bad MLS Photos – Why can’t my house sell?
It’s been a while since I’ve written a blog about Bad MLS Photos. Here are several photos that may give you a few laughs and make you wonder how they represent a house in the best possible light. If you come across a bad MLS photo, let me know and it may be featured on this blog in the future. Email your name and a link to blog@metrobrokers.com. If you know the city where the listing is located and/or the MLS number, please include it. Feel free to make up your own captions in the comments below. Beware of dog – Hard to believe this photo is...
read moreWhen Ethics Come Into Question
“We start out wanting to do good and wind up wanting to do well” – Michael Josephson. Real estate is a complex business at its best. Meeting and cultivating prospective clients takes time, creativity, patience and stamina. Showing properties to prospective buyers or attracting prospective buyers to listed properties takes research, persistence and a LOT of energy. Overcoming objections to making an offer or negotiating an offer could try the patience of any of us. All this for a commission, IF the deal gets to the closing table. The...
read morePreventing Closings From Failing Due to IRS’s 4506-T
Most agents and homebuyers are not aware that the IRS is often one of the major delays to be able to meet the closing date on time. You may be asking, “How does the IRS delay the mortgage process?” Well, every mortgage lender in the U.S. today must obtain the IRS transcripts for the homebuyer’s last 2 years of filed federal tax returns. These transcripts are provided by the IRS once the mortgage lender sends in the signed 4506-T form that allows the release of the homebuyer/borrower’s filed tax records. The Mortgage Lenders must obtain a...
read moreTradeshows are a Great Source of Info for Agents
I’ve attended quite a few conferences and trade shows in my time, and I think it’s important for agents to regularly attend these local events. There are several benefits of attending – first and foremost being the opportunity to get a leg up on your competition by keeping up with the latest trends in the business. It’s also a great time to network with other agents to find out what’s working (and not working) for them. Trade shows are a particularly effective way to meet vendors whose products/services may benefit you. And let’s not forget...
read moreTop Remodeling Projects
Remodeling Magazine’s latest Cost Versus Value Report 2010-2011 has been released and it revealed that the recent declines in housing are having substantial effects on the remodeling market. Unfortunately for homeowners, there has been a downward trend since 2006 in the cost-to-value ratio, though now this pace has quickened, falling 3.8 percent in the last year. While homeowners were once able to make upgrades and additions to their homes and recoup this value during resale, these same updates now mean less return. An...
read moreWhy Own My Home?
A soft real estate market that is ripe with all the conditions that should entice people to purchase a home still has some renters asking, “Why own my own home?” Low interest rates, lower home prices and an improving job market still have some buyers sitting on the fence fearful of an uncertain real estate market. Real estate agents and even sellers are finding that prospective buyers (current renters) may need a little more “emotional” attention in these market conditions. They may need a little more explanation to...
read moreQuick Homeowner Updates
It happens to all homeowners. Rooms that once looked fresh and contemporary have aged themselves into drabness. For some it’s an excuse to redecorate. For others it’s a chore. Either way homeownership is an ever-evolving process. As one project ends, another peeks its head around the corner. To bring your rooms current, as well as to update worn and disheveled items, consider these five room freshening tips. 1. Paint: Paint is number one on the list because it is relatively cheap and easy to do yourself....
read moreSummertime Selling Tips
Summertime can be a great season to sell your house. Why? During these hot months, your landscaping and outdoor spaces come alive. Today’s buyers are looking for extended living areas and love usable outdoor space. According to HGTV, outdoor spaces can bring in big bucks. Jon Seppala, president of Action Builders, notes, “Backyards and outdoor patios have to be much more substantial than in the past. Built-in grills, outdoor fireplaces, gazebos — people are looking for these features. We’ve had people who have fallen...
read moreBest FREE Android Apps for Real Estate Professionals
Realtors and smartphones go together like peas and carrots. It’s an absolutely crucial tool for agents, since it allows them to get their email, search the web, and keep in regular communication with their clients. Nowadays, the most popular smartphones are Android devices. There are more than 50 Android phones currently on sale in the U.S. alone. In fact, Google’s Andy Rubin – Senior VP of Engineering who oversees Android – recently said that there are more than 500,000 Android device activations daily. Android currently holds more than 39%...
read moreWhat’s the Magic Color for Selling Your House?
Color plays a big part in selling a house. How you decide to dress your walls can convince a buyer that your home is move-in ready or leave them looking elsewhere. If the goal is to see the sparkle of “love at first sight,” consider picking the right paint palette to suit a range of buyer tastes. Proper Preparation When you paint your walls, make sure you prepare the walls properly. Before you start, use a pre-made crack filler or drywall compound to fill in minor cracks and old picture hook holes. Lightly sanding baseboards, window frames...
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