By: Alex Capazzolo There’s no easy answer if you have a client trying to decide whether to buy or rent a home. They might feel like renting is throwing money away but think buying is too far out of reach. You might even feel like you don’t have any advice to offer to them since the decision is so personal. …
Helping Homebuyers Prepare for Life’s Stages
By: Barbara Ballinger Homeowners’ needs change as they ramble through life. One minute a two-story house with a landscaped yard fits their family’s needs. Before too long, they’re empty nesters who find it hard to navigate stairs and handle maintenance. They begin contemplating a condo with a small deck. Help your buyers match the type of house that will bring …
So You Didn’t Get the Listing. Why Not?
By: Tim and Julie Harris Fact: Of all activities in real estate, listings require the highest level of skill. Working with buyers is physical labor; working with listings is mental labor. Myth: In terms of listing appointments versus listings taken it’s okay to expect to list 50% of what comes your way. Fact: That’s NOT ok. You wouldn’t accept a …
Love Letters to Sellers: Why They’re Not a Good Idea
By: Neil Goradia Letters to home sellers from buyers may seem innocent enough, however, they pose a very real legal threat. As a real estate professional, you must steer your clients clear of using love letters during the buying and selling process. Useful Resources: Here are some resources to get you started. Use these to educate yourself and to provide …
Preparing Clients for Appraisal Gaps
By Neil Goradia House prices are skyrocketing! (YES, we already know that—old news.) Winning a bid can be tough and you need the “secret sauce,” right? (We’ve heard that before, too.) But have you put thought into how to address appraisal gaps for your clients? Appraisal Gaps Are on the Rise I’m seeing an increasing number of houses fall out …
Does Home Maintenance Deter Millennials?
By Barbara Ballinger Millennials are buying houses—many for the first time—and in doing so they’re learning that houses require maintenance, which can often be pricey. These days, repairs can also be a challenge if the homeowners are not handy since contractors can be as scarce as the houses in some communities. Puronics, a Livermore, Calif.-based company that develops pure water …
Love Where You Live and Business Will Follow
By John Donnelly, CENTURY 21 North East, Woburn, Mass. As in life, the youth in society represent the future—and the real estate business is no different. In a field where the average age is 52, younger real estate practitioners often strive for a way to connect and build relationships with home buyers, sellers, and other industry professionals. They’re seeking an …
Understand Your ‘Why’ and Put It to Work for Your Clients
By Kyle Seyboth From CENTURY 21 Real Estate: Kyle Seyboth had the honor of being named the nation’s number one real estate agent according to the 2020 RealTrends and Tom Ferry “The Thousand” ranking. After choosing to affiliate with Century 21 Real Estate earlier this year, he now heads up the CENTURY 21 The Seyboth Team in Seekonk, Mass., with …
Sharing the Relief Every Homeowner in Your Database Needs
By Lee Davenport There may be someone in your database who has experienced a layoff due to the coronavirus pandemic. But you won’t know until you ask. Right now, during these challenging times, it’s more important than ever for real estate professionals to make meaningful connections. There are resources available for homeowners affected by the pandemic, which they should pursue …
Heads or Tails? Making Sense of a Shifting Market
By Samantha Jones It’s no secret most of our markets rival the uncertainty of a roller coaster ride at an amusement park these days. Buyers expect to pay less; sellers don’t want to drop their prices. Pristine homes that should seemingly sell in hours, sit on the market stalled. Deals falling apart multiple times for the same client. You feel …