The Business of Real Estate

Looking at all of the latest employment figures that have come out this week, it brings back memories of the time when I had a job in the normal work force. Going to work every day and taking home the paycheck every two weeks. I used to grimace just like everyone at the deductions and glare at the final amount that would go into my bank account.

Having worked in the Real Estate business for the past ten years, it reminds me of the differences in the way I provide for myself now as opposed to the W2 years.

Realtors and agents are an entity by themselves; we are self employed and responsible for every aspect of where and when the money comes into our bank accounts. Yes, we work for a Brokerage, but by law there must be an entity to carry out the transactions. The brokerage gets almost a third of every dollar we make. So you see the brokerage does not pay the Realtors or agents, they are not our employer.

Yes, it would be nice to have the steady paycheck coming in every couple of weeks, but in our industry of providing services of Real Estate rendered, we depend upon the commissions paid by the home sellers. I love this work and it works for me. I am the business of Real Estate!

Tours with Flair

Wow its cold outside but you still want to see houses that you have on the top of your list to view. What is the best way to do that without going out into the elements?

Take an online trip though the virtual reality of our MLS listings with virtual tours. These homes and property can be viewed from the privacy and comfort of your house via your computer or cell phone.

These virtual listings show homes with great pictures to see everything that is to offer on your prospective homes. I am providing you with a link to the home listings with nice virtual tours. If you wish to view any of the houses and homes then just email me off of the property information link. I will set up a real time to see it in person.

The Home Keys

What are the keys to the game when it comes to purchasing a new home? There is a plan of dos and don’ts that come into play if you are considering either buying a house for the first time or up grading your current residence.

Many of the challenges to buyers today are the same for everyone, having the ability to pay. If you are planning to make a home move, you will want to make sure you don’t hinder your ability to qualify from the start.

First do not make any major purchases such as a new car or even to pay off large credit card bills. Go to your trusted local home mortgage professional to make sure you don’t fall into the money trap. Next don’t make any job changes that are going to affect your overall standing. For instance to make a move to a job that is commission based if you had employment that taxes were taken out. When going for a loan for a home the companies are looking for stability and changing jobs (even for the better) could be a short term detriment.

Keep things as they are if at all possible, any change in your credit history for the good or bad can raise some initial red flags. Steady as she goes is a good thought until you talk to your mortgage person.

Something you should know (and do)

There's a site called spokeo.com that's new online USA phone book w/personal information: everything from picks you've posted on FB or web, your approx credit score, address & home value, income, age. Remove yourself by searching your name, find the URL of your page, then go to the bottom right corner of the page and click on the Privacy button to remove yourself. (Re-posted from face book)

This is only one in a small battle to protect your identity, but anything helps.

Surfing Online

More and more we are going to the age of everything being done online and Real Estate is no different. Chances are if you are going to buy a home this year, you will start out by searching the web for homes and home mortgages.

With the National Association of Realtors saying that more than 90% of all home buyers locate their Realtor or a home to buy by Google searching, this means we must pay attention to services offered online.

What are buyers and surfers looking for? They want to find property and homes that have the virtual tours showing lots of pictures and information about the subject properties. They also want to be able to send the web listings to other members of their family or friends email.

Before today’s buyers call a real estate agent they want to know what is available to them and have the information in their head before they make the call. Sellers are also requiring their agent to have the online marketing ability because they realize the importance of having their house displayed for all to see. Offering the tools and information necessary for buyers and sellers is the new real estate.

Price check in Isle one

Just like any of your investments it is a good idea to keep up on where the value stands with for many of us is your largest investment: your home. House values change on a weekly and monthly basis and you can track the prices.

Call it what you want, Home evaluation, CMA, Comparative Market analysis, competitive analysis it all comes down to what price the homes in your area sold for during a three to six month period.

If you are considering selling your home during the next year, then now is the time to track values to determine your properties price point. We can help you with the initial determination of value and then keep you updated during the year.

Fill out our form in the link to this posting, we will research and send you the current sales price and set you up to receive emails for future sales. When you are ready to place your property on the market we would be very excited to help you sell your home.

What it really means

Everyone probably recounts all aspects of the outgoing year to re-assess for the coming year in the life. I for one was not really sorry to see 2010 go by the wayside. Personal family sorrow was the main reason.

When you look back you must keep in mind the pain and agony that many of our fellow human beings endured last year. Losing your home to foreclosure or short sale turns everyone’s life upside down. Trying to pick the good out of a so so year is hard, until you get a note from one of your dear clients that seem to remind you what it is really all about.

Just when you are only flashing back to the not so good parts of the year, you get re-assurance that humanity will win out. The note simply reads: I would just like to tell you that you were my angel when you helped me buy my home last year; you made my life so much better! I didn’t have to let my mind wander any farther, THIS IS WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT!