This week is the best week to get your home on the market. It is going to be a very competitive selling environment this selling season. It is important to be one of the first in your neighborhood to get your house on the market.
Call my office today, to get a free copy of my real estate report, "Home Buyers; How To Sell Your Home For the Highest Price Possible".
Monday, March 31, 2008
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Energy star features
As the cost of energy and the continued concern over the environment, it is becoming more and more important to make sure that we purchase appliances that save us money. The energy star program is a good resource to use to determine which appliances are going to save you money and that could also help the impact on our environment.
Click on this line of text to be taken to the energy star website.
Click on this line of text to be taken to the energy star website.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Celebration of freedom in planning stages
The Melissa Area Chamber of Commerce is taking on a huge and new undertaking for the 4th of July. Celebration of Freedom is the Chambers grand community plan that will bring neighbor, business and city together to celebrate our nations freedom.
Melissa's Celebration of Freedom will include a parade, community fair and a firework show that will top off the day. For more information about this even, including sponsorship opportunities, please call J.J. Chapa.
Melissa's Celebration of Freedom will include a parade, community fair and a firework show that will top off the day. For more information about this even, including sponsorship opportunities, please call J.J. Chapa.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Open house announcement
Please visit my open house at 3301 Heritage in Melissa.
Saturday March 29, 2008 from 12 to 3 p.m.
Saturday March 29, 2008 from 12 to 3 p.m.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Happy birthday Liberty, Happy Anniversary Danielle
While not as busy as a month as September (we have 4 birthdays to celebrate); March is a busy month for my family.
My wife, Danielle and I, celebrated our 12 years of being married to each other. Not quite as impressive as a client that I recently picked up who is celebrating their 40th anniversary. In our years we have seen many happy moments but we've faced the challenges that most families suffer. Probably more. We have faced challenges from our sons autism, our two businesses, going through the terrible twos four times and the list can go on and on. I couldn't have asked for a better partner to march with me through the trials of life. Danielle gives me the courage and strength to continue every day. Thanks to you!
Liberty is our NOW four year old. She is one day into her new age but she is still as sweet and sour as she was the day before. We had an awesome family meal together last night to celebrate. Nothing really planned. It was just one of those last minute things that was thrown together that turns out really spectacular. We took her to a little mexican food resturant and then treated all the kids to an ice cream sunday at a little whole in wall. Liberty (also called LuLu) will have her big birthday tomorrow at her school when the pettying zoo will come out to celebrate with her.
My wife, Danielle and I, celebrated our 12 years of being married to each other. Not quite as impressive as a client that I recently picked up who is celebrating their 40th anniversary. In our years we have seen many happy moments but we've faced the challenges that most families suffer. Probably more. We have faced challenges from our sons autism, our two businesses, going through the terrible twos four times and the list can go on and on. I couldn't have asked for a better partner to march with me through the trials of life. Danielle gives me the courage and strength to continue every day. Thanks to you!
Liberty is our NOW four year old. She is one day into her new age but she is still as sweet and sour as she was the day before. We had an awesome family meal together last night to celebrate. Nothing really planned. It was just one of those last minute things that was thrown together that turns out really spectacular. We took her to a little mexican food resturant and then treated all the kids to an ice cream sunday at a little whole in wall. Liberty (also called LuLu) will have her big birthday tomorrow at her school when the pettying zoo will come out to celebrate with her.
To discount or not to discount
One Realtor offers to list your house (that’s “market your house in an attempt to get it sold” in the real world) for 6% commission; the next person you interview will do it for 5%. No brainer decision, right?
Give it some careful thought.
As I explained in some excruciating detail in a former post, the listing agent collects all of the commission for both the Buyer’s and Seller’s sides of a transaction. In Albuquerque right now, you offer 3% to the Buyer’s representative or you can pretty much forget about your house ever being shown. That means the agent willing to take 5% will collect 2% for herself and give 3% away. That same agent didn’t HAVE to take 5%. In fact, she may have other listings at 5.5%, 6%, 7%, etc.
On a typical morning, after getting the kids off to school, going to the gym, showering, starting a load of laundry, taking something out to defrost for dinner, eating some bon bon’s she finds in the freezer next to the peas (ah, the leisurely life of the Realtor), she gets going on some "real" work.
Looking at her listing inventory, she (perhaps subconsciously) sees her work in this way:
House 1 (YOUR house) – 5% commission, 2% to her
House 2 – 5% commission, 2% to her
House 3 – 6% commission, 3% to her
House 4 – 6% commission, 3% to her
House 5 – 7% commission, 4% to her
As Homeowner #1, where do you think you rank in your Realtor’s list of priorities for the day?
Give it some careful thought.
As I explained in some excruciating detail in a former post, the listing agent collects all of the commission for both the Buyer’s and Seller’s sides of a transaction. In Albuquerque right now, you offer 3% to the Buyer’s representative or you can pretty much forget about your house ever being shown. That means the agent willing to take 5% will collect 2% for herself and give 3% away. That same agent didn’t HAVE to take 5%. In fact, she may have other listings at 5.5%, 6%, 7%, etc.
On a typical morning, after getting the kids off to school, going to the gym, showering, starting a load of laundry, taking something out to defrost for dinner, eating some bon bon’s she finds in the freezer next to the peas (ah, the leisurely life of the Realtor), she gets going on some "real" work.
Looking at her listing inventory, she (perhaps subconsciously) sees her work in this way:
House 1 (YOUR house) – 5% commission, 2% to her
House 2 – 5% commission, 2% to her
House 3 – 6% commission, 3% to her
House 4 – 6% commission, 3% to her
House 5 – 7% commission, 4% to her
As Homeowner #1, where do you think you rank in your Realtor’s list of priorities for the day?
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Dallas real estate is holding value
Nationwide home prices are likely to keep falling into 2009, predicts economist Mark Zandi with Moody's Economy.com. But Dallas-Fort Worth home prices are forecast to remain relatively flat in Moody's latest estimate.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Rain....
Showing houses in the rain is not a whole lot of fun. However, for my clients, I'm like the US Postal Service. I work through anything. In fact, I'm better than the US Postal Service because I work Sundays if need be. The only time I schedule off, however, is Sunday mornings from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
If you need the best in real estate customer service, give me a call today.
Also, my insurance business in taking off. Why? Because I can give you competitive rates from several of the best insurance companies in the business. I just saved a client over $300 every 6 weeks on their auto insurance AND they got better insurance coverage.
If you need the best in real estate customer service, give me a call today.
Also, my insurance business in taking off. Why? Because I can give you competitive rates from several of the best insurance companies in the business. I just saved a client over $300 every 6 weeks on their auto insurance AND they got better insurance coverage.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Don't panic
The job of the news media is to make us all scared so that we'll turn on their newscasts again tomorrow evening.
While the real estate market is not in great shape, people still have to buy and sell. Typically, when you see the national media talking about the real estate market, they are talking mostly of Florida, New York, California and Illinois.
The DFW market is slow but it is not terrible. Yes, it is taking more patience to get a home sold, but it will sell if it is priced and marketed correctly.
While the real estate market is not in great shape, people still have to buy and sell. Typically, when you see the national media talking about the real estate market, they are talking mostly of Florida, New York, California and Illinois.
The DFW market is slow but it is not terrible. Yes, it is taking more patience to get a home sold, but it will sell if it is priced and marketed correctly.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Pricing your home
Pricing Your Home
When selling your home, one of the hardest things can be deciding on the price. You’ve called us in as experts to sell your home and to help you price it so it will sell. We’re truly dedicated to getting you the most money you can receive from that sale. In addition, we recognize there are many reasons you may already have a certain price in mind. You may be considering…
Your Original Purchase Price
Chances are you paid market value. However, markets change, and today we have to deal with the current market conditions. If you inherited the property and paid nothing for it, would you sell it for next to nothing? Of course not. You’d price it at fair market value and sell it for what the market will bear.
Improvements
Improvements should be made for enjoyment, not resale. You cannot add an item to a home, select it to your style, use it, then expect a buyer to pay the original cost. Likewise, maintenance preserves the value, but does not create value. If you needed a new roof, it was needed as a maintenance requirement and cannot be added to the market price of your home.
Your Need For Money
Your need for money or the fact that you’re moving to a more expensive area where you will have to pay more for a home has nothing to do with the home’s current market value.
The Cost to Rebuild Your Home Today
Construction cost does not take into account market value.
Your Personal Attachment to the Property
The factors above may influence the price in your mind, but as you can see, they really have nothing to do with what your home is actually worth in today’s market. Over the years, we have often heard these comments from sellers.
“Another agent said it was worth more.”
“People always offer less than the asking price.”
“The buyers can always make an offer.”
“My neighbor was able to get his price.”
“My house is better than these other homes.”
“We paid more than that for our home.”
“We just painted and added new carpet.”
“I need this much money for our next house.”
Although some of these comments may be true, they are not valid when deciding on the right price.
When selling your home, one of the hardest things can be deciding on the price. You’ve called us in as experts to sell your home and to help you price it so it will sell. We’re truly dedicated to getting you the most money you can receive from that sale. In addition, we recognize there are many reasons you may already have a certain price in mind. You may be considering…
Your Original Purchase Price
Chances are you paid market value. However, markets change, and today we have to deal with the current market conditions. If you inherited the property and paid nothing for it, would you sell it for next to nothing? Of course not. You’d price it at fair market value and sell it for what the market will bear.
Improvements
Improvements should be made for enjoyment, not resale. You cannot add an item to a home, select it to your style, use it, then expect a buyer to pay the original cost. Likewise, maintenance preserves the value, but does not create value. If you needed a new roof, it was needed as a maintenance requirement and cannot be added to the market price of your home.
Your Need For Money
Your need for money or the fact that you’re moving to a more expensive area where you will have to pay more for a home has nothing to do with the home’s current market value.
The Cost to Rebuild Your Home Today
Construction cost does not take into account market value.
Your Personal Attachment to the Property
The factors above may influence the price in your mind, but as you can see, they really have nothing to do with what your home is actually worth in today’s market. Over the years, we have often heard these comments from sellers.
“Another agent said it was worth more.”
“People always offer less than the asking price.”
“The buyers can always make an offer.”
“My neighbor was able to get his price.”
“My house is better than these other homes.”
“We paid more than that for our home.”
“We just painted and added new carpet.”
“I need this much money for our next house.”
Although some of these comments may be true, they are not valid when deciding on the right price.
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