What I do.

The following is from my most recent monthly newsletter. One of the things I struggle with is not only sharing the importance of using a broker when buying or selling a home but then also why that broker should be me. Below you will find my best justification to date.


When asked what do you do, I often reply “I sell real estate,” or I might say “Real Estate Broker,” or maybe even "I am a Realtor," but those are all wrong. Anybody can do those things. Here is what I do.I help people protect and harvest the equity in their homes. I help people buying homes do so in a manner that builds wealth. I make sure a home buyer does not
make mistakes that will cost them later. When you are my client, I am your conscience,
your hired gun of reason, the guy that tells you the truth if it hurts, the guy
who knows that often little things make the difference and what those little things
are. That’s a lot to put on a card, but there it is. For a fun look at where I do it,
check out my new google map, the modern day equivalent of cork board and stick
pins.

Free Credit Report

Wonderful spoof of that "free" credit report site that requires you sign up for a monthly service.

Remember, if you want a real, free credit report, go to http://www.annualcreditreport.com You can get your free report from one of three major reporting service once every 12 months.

FSBO

It might as well be a four letter word at my house. I have seen a couple potential listings go the way of For Sale By Owner. "If we list it eventually, we will list it with you," one said. The other felt their hands were forced based on the money owed the bank and the current value of their condo. FSBO can work, it has worked and it might work. It will be harder than you could even imagine, frustrating, and in the end it might not work. Can you get lucky, sure, so can I. Do you have a thousand agents scouring your listing for the next match? No. Do you have the ability to within 15minutes of a prospect clicking the non-committal "more info" button connect that person with an agent and the requested information? Can you research hundreds of previous sales and lean on years of experience and market trends to determine the probable sales price? Can you be available at any hour of the day to show your home, return calls, set up appointments and confirm showings? Can you let the dog out, light candles put on sexy music when you should be at work? Can you shovel the drive for a showing while you are out of town? Can you look objectively at your home and its shortcomings, really?

I could go on, really I could. Here are a couple key points.

With more than enough homes to choose from you can not limit your exposure to only the people that check the fsbo site.

Buyers are more likely than ever to use an agent to buy. An agent can help you make sure you are not on the "Morning Show" in two years asking an "expert" why my house only worth 75% of what I paid for it. Agents are far less likely to show your home as there is no guarantee that they can get paid for selling it.

The perception of many fsbo homes is that they are overpriced an are the sellers inflexible. I would agree, and I am not just saying that.

The Spring Thaw

I just got back from my first closing if the year. January was a busy month. Buyers can't wait to get out and see what their money can buy them in this new market. You CAN get more for your money. Buying now also means you get more money to buy with. The government has offered up $8000 free money to first time home buyers via a tax credit. Most of my buyers will be first time home owners and look forward to the manna from Washington. With several more closings already on the calendar, a couple of sellers making preparations for listing, and the weather slowly warming, this year is sure to be a good one.