Month: October 2009

Understanding the Real Estate Agent’s role in the buying process

/ David Crombie / Leave a comment
Real estate consumers are bombarded with seemingly a never ending supply of property and market information. Information that attempts to answer all possible questions, such as:
• Is it the right time to buy or sell?
• Where are the hot spots?
• What about the demographics, the median price, and
• What are the local schools like?
If you are looking to buy a property and you want information that is relevant and specific to your individual needs, where do you go?
The real estate agent
The role of the real estate is to match buyer expectations with sellers and their properties. A professional real estate agent has expert understanding of the home buying process and you can benefit from their local market knowledge, experience and wide network of contacts. Guiding you through the home buying process these resources can save you time, stress and possible disappointments.
Selecting the right property
A professional real estate agent can help navigate through the maze of properties on offer and help you with:
  • Targeting your search. Help you focus on the ones that meet your budget and requirements.
  • Knowing where to look. Sometimes the home you are seeking is available but not publicly advertised.
  • Being objective. They can provide objective and factual information about each home e.g. neighbourhood data, utilities, schools, zoning and more so your decision is well informed, considering today and future resale.
Negotiating
A professional real estate agent plays a pivotal role in the negotiation process. They can bring realism to your expectations. A very low offer on a fairly priced home has the potential to upset a seller to the point of stopping all further negotiations.
Some times the difference between reaching and not reaching an agreed price could involve an agent’s skills in negotiating terms and conditions such as a delayed settlement, a lease back, the inclusion or exclusion of repairs or furnishings or the distribution of incidental costs.
Monitoring to settlement
Your real estate professional is the best person to help you understand the issues that typically arise and move the transaction smoothly to settlement.

Social Media Marketing Setup Testimonial

/ David Crombie / Leave a comment
David, thank you so much for setting up our Social Marketing Media. There were so many components required in the set-up process yet you made it seem effortless. Your proficiency and knowledge in being able to link all the elements & websites together has been impressive.
The procedures that you set up for us have been straight-forward and easy to follow. We now have followers on all of the social marketing media sites that you set up which allows us to reach a bigger group of potential clients that we wouldn’t have had access to before.
Thank you once again for all of your assistance. Your expertise throughout the whole process is to be commended.
Joyce Mantuano
Sales Co-ordinator
Dougmal Harcourts Oak Flats

Showings and Open Houses – What should you do!

/ David Crombie / Leave a comment

Successful showings and open houses

When you plan open house appointments, it allows you time to prepare, but there are times when you won’t have the luxury of advanced notice and your property needs to look the best that it can to entice the motivated buyer.

Remember, every time you leave your home, you need to make sure it is ready for an unexpected showing… here’s how.

General Preparation

· When preparing your home, think about the interior decorating ideas used to show display homes and how you would be wowed if you were the potential buyer.

· Remember the pointers from “First Impressions” checklist, especially regarding cleanliness, clutter and repairs – interior and exterior.

· Open curtains and put on the lights including those in wardrobes and cupboards, the basement or attic – creating as light, cheerful and calm environment as possible.

· Make the potential buyers feel welcome by having a bowl of sweets and putting out fresh flowers.

Bedrooms

· Make the beds and put away clothes and toys.

· Open the blinds so they are uniformly open and don’t forget to put on the light if the room is dark.

Bathrooms

· Put out a clean hand towel, fresh soap and clean soap dish, and make sure there is a full box of tissues.

· Put toilet lid down.

· A Potpourri dish can provide a nice sight and scent.

Kitchen

· Put away all dishes and discreetly conceal countertop articles.

· Simmer a few drops of vanilla on stove for a relaxing fragrance.

Dining Room

· Arrange inviting centrepiece and turn on the lights/chandelier.

· Consider setting the table with fine china and linen.

· Living Room, Family Room or Study

· Straighten pictures on walls and wipe all tabletops.

· Fluff and arrange couch cushions and throw pillows.

· Dispose of newspaper and any clutter.

· Light fireplace in winter.

Entryway

· When exiting just before buyers arrive, turn around at front door and review the “First Impression” checklist. What is the first thing that catches your eye from that viewpoint? Will it help or hinder the appearance of your home?

· Notify your neighbours and friends of scheduled Open House days. You never know if they have friends or family that are in the market for a home.