Tag archive for "Real Estate Sales Tips" | Blog.PropertiesOnline.com

Tips for Encouraging Sellers to List Their Homes in Spring 2019

With real estate trends pointing to a slower sales pace in 2019, how can you entice sellers on the sidelines to make their way into the housing market?

2019 Might be Slower, but Trends in 2020 & 2021 Are Unknown

Put simply, it is better to sell on the tail-end of a record-year, rather than wait for upcoming years which may be nowhere close. Barring a major event, market changes typically happen slowly over time. Though interest rates are slowly rising, slowing sales, no crisis looms. Currently, home prices and demand are both holding steady.

Sooner is Better

In a recent survey of real estate experts and economists by Zillow, about half expect a recession to effect real estate trends in 2020, while 14% expect it in 2021. One-quarter expect the recession to sneak up sometime this year, making selling sooner as wise move for those who know they’re not staying in their house for the long-haul.

New Buyers Still Need Homes

Though the sales pace is slower, new buyers still need homes in a market with limited options. Millennials, the biggest segment of the market, are moving out and up, keeping the real estate realm active and enticing for sellers.

Interest Rates Are Still Low

Despite increases last year, interest rates are still at historic lows. In November, a 30-year fixed-rate was just 4.87% based on data from Freddie Mac. This is a far from those around 7% in the 90s, and even farther from the gut-wrenching historical, 18+% highs of the 80s. Though rates tend to mirror the Fed’s rate activity, they don’t follow that exact pattern, also reflecting the current market, the property purchased, and the buyers’ credit.

Don’t let false concerns over expected real estate trends put a damper on your business. Stay on top of things with the marketing tips and tools of Properties Online today.

Home Inspection Repairs – Should You Get the Repair or Take Money

New or old, the chance of a home in need of zero repairs is slim to none. There is no perfect house. Every component of every home has the potential for defect, poor craftsmanship, and wear-and-tear, with each part and parcel of a property reaching the end of its lifespan at varying times.

In today’s real estate buying tips, we’ll look at such common home issues, and whether it’s better to address common problems or let them slide.

Common Home Inspection Deficiencies
These issues, identified by an independent, qualified home inspector, could slow your sale. Most unfortunately, sellers often refuse these repairs due to cost. If your buyers aren’t willing to compromise on compensation, advise them to look at newer homes.

– Ungrounded Electrical
Pre-1960s homes with ungrounded electrical systems pose problems for today’s sensitive and expensive electronics.

– Galvanized Piping
Galvanized water pipes, rust, leak, and can suffer low-pressure due to buildup.

– Orangeburg Sewer Pipes
These pipes last 50 years, then disintegrate.

– Roofing Issues
Buyer beware: Many home inspectors don’t include roofs.

– HVAC & Water Heaters
Be wary with furnaces over 20, and HVAC systems over 10 years old. These systems are expensive to replace.

– Foundation Problems or Wet Basement
Think twice before making a purchase.

Real Estate Buying Tips for Negotiating Repairs
Don’t nitpick. Focus on major issues. Always give sellers the home inspection report – this will inspire them to be more agreeable to requested repairs when they see the number of deficiencies that buyers aren’t demanding to be addressed. On the buyer side, ask the sellers to pay for a home warranty. If the lender is agreeable, lean toward a cash credit toward repairs – sellers have little vested interest in what happens post-sale, and may look to bottom-line pricing over quality.

Don’t get left picking up the pieces of your next sale. Stay in-the-know with the real estate buying tips and technology of Properties Online today.

How to Help Your Buyers Win a Bidding War

Tips for Winning a Bidding War – How to Help Your Buyers Win

In this seller’s market, providing real estate buying tips for panicked shoppers who’ve had their dreams knocked out from under their feet with the reality of multiple offers is integral to cinching the sale, and ensuring the right buyers – your buyers – walk away happy.

How Can You Help Buyers One-Up the Competition?

These unexpected tactics have been known to win-over home sellers – without prompting a bidding war and the further bleeding of buyer bank accounts:

Work Your Connections

What unique items do you have access to that your seller might love? Do you know a high-end shoe designer? Landscape architect? Have easy access to Broadway or sporting event tickets? Coming back with these incentives in the event of more than 1 offer can seriously jazz-up yours.

“Move” Things Along

Offer to pay for moving services for your seller, making a connection and taking some of the stress out of the huge undertaking of moving.

Visit the Toy Store

Does the seller have kids? Butter them up too.

“Sweeten” the Deal

If the opportunity arises to meet the seller face-to-face, don’t waste it. If you’re returning for a second viewing, bring a sweet treat as a thank you for their inconvenience, and the privilege of viewing their home. While you’re there, be sure to comment about specifics you love about the house, and the ways in which you and your children will enjoy it as well. These seemingly simple gestures can make a huge impact.

Don’t Mess with Mortgage Contingencies

Waive the mortgage contingency. “Acceptable financing” is relative, giving buyers an easy out. Home buyers should have pre-approval for what they can afford, so no contingency is another way to beat the competition.

Be a Little “Cheesy”

Throw-in a cute family photo with your offer letter. It’s hard to say no to adorable kids/pets.

Smash the competition with the real estate buying tips and technology from PropertiesOnline today.

How to “Get Busy” During the Holidays to “Stay Busy” in January

Trying to stay warm this winter? Get busy with real estate selling prep. Really! Though the reputation for winter as a dead season abounds, there are tons of things you can accomplish in the winter that will allow you to make better use of your time post-tax season and when the summer rush hits. Ditch spring cleaning for the snowier variety!

Rather than waiting for warmer, busier seasons, take advantage of this time to:

• Check inventory
Ensure all inventory is as up-to-date as possible.

• Review listings
Look at spring listings now so they’ll be ready to post in the spring.

• Update contacts
Before it’s time to send holiday correspondence.

• Contact snowbirds
Let them know what’s new in the area.

• Reach out to clients
Keep in touch with those you have helped in the past. Oftentimes, the busyness and success of the spring season is based on what you accomplished the fall and winter before.

• Get sellers on the band wagon
Winter is also a great time for sellers to get ready for the spring season, preparing their home inside and out for the market. Get them on-board by explaining that it takes months to get a home truly ready for listing, and the best prepped, highest curb appeal, move-in ready homes will be the first to fly off the shelves come spring.

• Consider auctions
To boost buyer interest this time of year.

• Don’t neglect prospects
Those buying and selling this time of year tend to be serious.

• Catch up
On all those little things you let go the rest of the year when real estate selling is insane.

• Look ahead
Get your ducks in a row for the spring and summer market with a strategic plan.

Don’t hibernate this winter, get the real estate selling tips and tricks you need to set yourself up for a successful and happy new year with Properties Online today.

Important Trends to Keep You In The Know

Relocation Gurus Ride a Buying Crest From Interstate Relocations

Shy of the big three – Florida, California, and New York – very few individuals making moves across state lines have ever set foot in their soon-to-be new stomping grounds. As costs continue to increase for air travel and road trips, journey-centered travel itineraries are now much more infrequent. The result is the average adult today has traveled to a relatively few 12 states. For them, real estate buying can be a stressful shot-in-the-dark and their numbers are quite large: around five million Americans relocating annually

Become a balm for your baffled buyer’s frazzled nerves…

• Bridge the excitement gap.
Relocating buyers may be excited about a new job, but if they’re shopping in an area they’ve never even visited, that can seriously detract from interest levels.

• Be a tour-guide.
Differentiate yourself with service specialized for interstate buyers. Help them find their way, affirming the area’s strong points and that everything will be okay – and you’ll have a client for life. Not sure where to find the best 4-1-1? Your area chamber of commerce or visitor’s bureau will be glad to provide information – after all, your new clients will also be boosting the area economy.

• Expect freak-outs.
Real estate buying out of state – especially in a completely unknown one – is an entirely different experience than a move across town. Expect clients to be more freaked-out than usual about their purchase, so come packing with that tour-guide hat, brochures and maps at the ready.

• Don’t waste time.
Even large corporations “specializing” in moving employees climbing the corporate ladder often give only a few days to shop and purchase a home in new locales. A daunting endeavor for uninformed buyers. Agents who push homes outside of budget or listing requirements may find themselves sidelined by frustrated, time-strapped buyers. Have relevant home listings at-the-ready, making optimal use of time, and your clients will thank you.

Take the stress out of the real estate buying and selling process. Discover the benefits of Properties Online today.

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