Feb
25
Act As If It Were Impossible To Fail.
Posted by juanmurdoch under Buyers, For Buyers, For Realty Professionals, For Sellers, General Information
I stumbled upon this quote today, “Act as if it were impossible to fail.” I don’t know who said it or where it somes from, but I like it! Right now things are a bit shaky in the Real Estate business. whether you are a buyer or a seller or a real estate agent, things aren’t as easy as they once were. People are scared of today’s home market. It is a different kind of market… it is a hard market. BUT, when I read this quote, it really hit home. As a real estate agent, I try to still do business with my customers and clients ” as if it were impossible to fail.” You only fail when you stop trying. Not only with the real estate market, but with the economy in itself is much harder than it has been for a long time, but you can’t give up hope. We as people of this generation are so used to things coming easy to us. we have high speed internet, email, texting, cell phones, internet on our phones, fast food restraunts, netflix.. need I go on?? The point is, we lead impatient lives compared to 200 years ago when people had to plan thier own crops, cook their own meals and go to person they want to have a conversation with. Now, don’t misunderstand what I am trying to say. I do NOT want to degrade technology because I love technology and the wonderful oppertunities it gives us, but sometimes I think we forget that success is not always as instant as our Big Mac in the drive thru! You really have to put in effort and work hard as if you weren’t going to fail… and if you do fail, try again. It is ok!! No one is perfect, but you can be perfect in your efforts. Not everything will bring success, but the failed attempts can only be building blocks to your future pyramid. Pyramids in Egypt took years to build, and I am sure mistakes were made, but people stand amazement at those “world wonders”. Don’t lose hope, and don’t lose the person you are suppose to become. Get out in that world and be the best you that you can be! In your next interview, make sure your future boss knows that you never plan to fail! Have a wonderful day everyone! And have a wonderful WEEKEND!!~ Juan Murdoch
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Feb
22
LOCATION!!!!
Posted by juanmurdoch under For Buyers, For Realty Professionals, General Information, Helpful Tips
For all you who are ready to buy, her is another great piece of advice from Keller Williams! This talks about the importance of the Location of where you plan on buying your home.
Where you buy not only affects the home’s current and future value, but it also affects your lifestyle. Your agent will be able to conduct a more targeted home search if you outline your preferences in neighborhoods and nearby amenities. Here’s a checklist of items you should consider and communicate to your chosen real estate agent.
* Urban, suburban or rural
* Commute time
* School districts
* Desirable neighborhoods
* Proximity to the airport
* Proximity to restaurants and retail
* Access to major highways and thoroughfares
* Access to public transportation
* Health care facilities
* Parks and recreation
* Length of time you plan to live in the home (Your agent should be knowledgeable about growth trends and projections that could affect your investment).
Location can be a big factor in how you live your lifestyle or how well your able to sell the home if you are not planning to be there forever! So sit down, figure out what things are of importance to you and things that might play a role in future market value of the property that you are wanting to buy! Thanks for reading and make sure you stop in tomorrow as well!
Have a wonderful day!
~ Juan Murdoch
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Feb
16
Opting for New Home Construction
Posted by juanmurdoch under For Buyers, For Realty Professionals, General Information, Helpful Tips
Read what Keller Williams Realty says about New Home Construction!!Whether to buy an existing home or have one built is yet another decision to make during the home-buying process. If you decide to go with new construction, a real estate agent can be a powerful advocate in your corner as you negotiate upgrades, a move-in date and other terms with the home builder.Below are some basic pointers to prepare you for the journey ahead.Selecting a builderShopping for a large production or custom home builder can be a daunting task. Start by defining what architectural styles appeal to you and then seek out the builders in your area who offer those styles. Due diligence is essential. Ask friends for referrals to get firsthand accounts; verify the builder’s state license status, if applicable; and check whether they’re certified by the National Association of Home Builders.The builder representative and your real estate agentA builder representative’s ultimate goal is to sell you a home. His or her role is to provide a wide range of information to help you in your decision-making, from building restrictions, roads and easements to inspections, warranties, rebates and upgrades. A real estate agent knowledgeable in new-home construction will be able to help you wade through all the data and point out the downsides and upsides of each line item. Your agent also can look out for your interests in reviewing the builder’s contract, which often contains more legal jargon than consumer-friendly language.It’s all about timingMarket conditions greatly dictate a builder’s incentive to make a deal you cannot refuse. When a builder has inventory on his hands, his carrying costs start adding up. When this happens, a builder might be more amenable to strike a favorable deal, whether it’s throwing in upgrades or taking a bit off the asking price. A real estate agent can help you know when market conditions are right for these benefits. Also, watch for builder close-out sales. Builders promote these special events when a new subdivision is near completion but empty inventory still remains.A word about paying upWhile there are always exceptions, most builders require a deposit when a purchase agreement is signed. They also require that the buyer pay for any upgrades prior to closing. If you back out prior to closing, unless the agreement states otherwise, you will lose that money. Make sure you understand every detail in the builder’s contract before signing it.Thanks for reading!! Stop in tomorrow for new help and hints!~Juan Murdoch
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Feb
15
Increasing Your Homes Appeal!
Posted by juanmurdoch under For Buyers, For Realty Professionals, For Sellers, General Information, Helpful Tips
Keller Williams gives us the extra special details to pay attention to that can really help to sell your home!!
Special details for showings
* Turn on all the lights.
* Open all drapes and shutters in the daytime.
* Keep pets secured outdoors.
* Buy new towels for bathrooms.
* Buy new bedding for bedrooms.
* Replace old lamps or lampshades.
* Play quiet background music.
* Light the fireplace or clean out the ashes and light a candelabrum.
* Infuse home with a comforting scent, such as apple spice or vanilla.
* Set the dining room table for a fancy dinner party.
* Vacate the property while it is being shown.
Thanks for reading and make sure you stop in tomorrow to find out some tips for buyers!!
~ Juan Murdoch
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Feb
14
Increasing Your Homes Appeal!
Posted by juanmurdoch under For Realty Professionals, For Sellers, General Information, Helpful Tips
Ok, so you already read how to make the exterior of your home more appealing so read on for the interior suggestions! What can you do to make the interior of your home more appealing to the possible buyers looking at your home? Keller Williams gives us the answer!Interior:
- Evaluate the furniture in each room and remove anything that interrupts “the flow” or makes the room appear smaller. Consider renting a storage unit to move items off-site.
- Clean and organize cabinets, closets and bookshelves.
- Clean all light fixtures and ceiling fans.
- Shampoo carpets.
- Remove excessive wall hangings and knick-knacks.
- Repair all plumbing leaks, including faucets and drain traps.
- Make minor repairs (torn screens, sticking doors, cracked caulking).
- Clean or paint walls and ceilings.
- Replace worn cabinet and door knobs.
- Fix or replace discolored grout.
- Replace broken tiles.
- Replace worn countertops.
Happy Valentine’s Day to you all! I hope you take the time this day to show the people that matter to you that you love and appreciate them! There is always someone to appreciate! I just appreciate all you who read my blog and do business with me. I couldn’t be a real estate agent with out the buyers and the sellers and all the others who are behind this business! Thank you so much and have a wonderful day!~ Juan Murdoch
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Feb
11
Increasing your home’s appeal!
Posted by juanmurdoch under For Realty Professionals, For Sellers, General Information, Helpful Tips
Provided by: Keller Williams Realty
Remember the 60-second rule: That’s all the time you have to create a winning first impression. Here are some simple to significant ways to maximize your home’s appeal.
Find out how to do this on the exterior, interior and special details! Today is the Exterior! Find out the interior and special details on Monday and Tuesday!
Exterior
* Keep the grass cut and remove all yard clutter.
* Weed and apply fresh mulch to flower beds.
* Apply fresh paint to wooden fences.
* Tighten and clean all door handles.
* Clean windows inside and out.
* Powerwash home’s exterior.
* Ensure all gutters and downspouts are firmly attached and functioning.
* Paint the front door.
* Buy a new welcome mat.
* Place potted flowers near the front door.
Check up on the blog on Monday to find out the rest of the help hints! Have a wonderful Weekend EVERYONE!
~ Juan Murdoch
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Feb
10
Practicing Good Seller’s Etiquette!
Posted by juanmurdoch under For Realty Professionals, For Sellers, General Information, Helpful Tips
Provided by: Keller Williams Realty
Let’s face it: When your house goes on the market, you’re not only opening the door to prospective buyers, but also sometimes to unknown vendors and naïve or unqualified buyers. As with any business transaction, there is an expected protocol to how sellers, buyers and their respective agents interact. Should you find yourself in a sticky situation, alert your agent so he or she can address and remedy the problem.
The aggressive agent
When your agent puts your house on the market, typically all promotional materials state clearly that your agent is the primary contact for buyers and buyers’ agents. However, sometimes a buyer’s agent will contact a seller directly to try to either win over their business or cut the seller’s agent out of the deal. This is not reputable behavior and you should report it to your agent immediately if it happens to you.
The unscrupulous vendor
Have you ever started a business or moved into a new house and suddenly found your mailbox full of junk mail? Unfortunately, this also can happen when you put your house on the market. When you sell your home, it necessitates all kinds of new purchasing decisions and less-than-ethical vendors are keenly aware of this. Though MLS organizations enforce rules on how posted information is used, some companies have found ways to cull information from various sources to produce mass mailing lists. If you find yourself regularly emptying your mailbox of junk, let your agent know. He or she can tap the appropriate sources to prompt an investigation into the matter.
The naïve buyer
Yard signs, Internet listings and other advertisements can generate a lot of buzz for your home. Some prospective buyers – particularly first-timers – will be so buzzed to see your home that they’ll simply drop by. If this happens, no matter how nice these unexpected visitors are, it’s best not to humor their enthusiasm by discussing your home or giving an impromptu tour. Instead, politely let them know that your real estate agent is in charge of scheduling tours and provide them with the agent’s contact information. If you attempt to handle these surprise visits on your own, you might inadvertently disclose information that could hurt you during negotiations down the road.
Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed the advise of The great Company I work for! Have a nice evening!
~Juan Murdoch
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Feb
9
Creating Your Home Wishlist!!
Posted by juanmurdoch under Buyers, For Buyers, For Realty Professionals, General Information, Helpful Tips
Thanks to Keller Williams we can check out what you buyers need to have on your checklist!!
Before the home search begins, your real estate agent will want to know as much as possible about the features and amenities you desire. To help your agent better serve you, analyze what you want and what you need in a home’s features and amenities.
Features:
Age: Do you prefer historic properties, or newer ones?
Style: Do you have a special preference for ranches, bungalows, or another style of construction?
Bedrooms: How many?
Bathrooms: How many? Are they updated?
Living and Dining Areas: A traditional, formal layout, or a more open, contemporary plan?
Stories: How many?
Square feet: How much space?
Ceilings: How high?
Kitchen: How big? Recently updated? Open to other living areas?
Storage: Big closets, a shed, an extra-large garage?
Parking: A garage or carport? Room for how many cars?
Extras: Attic or basement?
Amenities:
Office
Play/exercise room
Security system
Sprinkler system
Workshop/Studio
In-law suite
Fireplace
Pool
Hot tub
Sidewalk
Wooded lot
Patio, deck, or porch
Laundry room
So now you can get working on your wishlist so you can get out there and buyer your home! Make sure to contact me so I can help you find that home or find someone in your area that can!
~ Juan Murdoch
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Feb
8
How to Price Your Home to Sell and Make a Profit Too!
Posted by juanmurdoch under For Realty Professionals, For Sellers, General Information, Helpful Tips
How to price to sell and still make a profit ; Provided by: Keller Williams Realty
The asking price you set for your home significantly affects whether you will profit in the sale, how much you will profit and how long your home will sit on the market. Your real estate agent’s knowledge of the overall market and what’s selling – or not selling – will be invaluable in helping you determine the price. The objective is to find a price that the market will bear but won’t leave money on the table.
Here are some points to consider:
Time. Time is not on your side when it comes to real estate. Although many factors influence the outcome, perhaps time is the biggest determinant in whether or not you see a profit and how much you profit. Studies show that the longer a house stays on the market, the less likely it is to sell for the original asking price. Therefore, if your goal is to make money, think about a price that will encourage buyer activity.
Value vs. Cost. Pricing your home to sell in a timely fashion requires some objectivity. It’s important that you not confuse value with cost - in other words, how much you value your home versus what buyers are willing to pay for it. Don’t place too much emphasis on home improvements when calculating your price, because buyers may not share your taste. For instance, not everyone wants hardwood floors or granite countertops.
Keep it simple. Because time is of the essence, make it easy for the buyers. Remain flexible on when your agent can schedule showings. Also, avoid putting contingencies on the sale. Though a desirable move-in date makes for a smoother transition between homes, it could cause you to lose the sale altogether.
I hope you enjoyed this and learned something new! Make sure to comment and let me know what you think about this blog!! Thanks for reading! ~ Juan Murdoch
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Feb
7
Here it is everyone! The last set of questions to ask the Agent you are interviewing and WHY you should ask them!
What will you do to sell my home?
- Ask them what kind of techniques they use to get your home out on the market and SEEN! Make sure they aren’t just putting it on the MLS and then never giving your homes marketing a second look!
Who determines where and when my home is marketed/ promoted?
- Request samples or case studies of the types of marketing strategies that your agent proposes (such as Internet Websites, print magazines, open houses, and local publications). Ask them if you can choose which techniques they use. quiz them by asking them which advertising technique has proven to be the most beneficial.
Who pays for your advertising?
- Ask your real estate agent to present to you a clear plan of how marketing and advertising dollars will be spent. If there are other forms of marketing available but not specified in the plan ask who pays for those.
THERE THEY ARE!! That is the last set of questions, so now you know what to ask me when you are interviewing me as your potential Real Estate Agent! Thanks for reading! Make sure to stop in tomorrow! Have a wonderful Monday Everyone!
~ Juan Murdoch
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Juan Murdoch's Blog is authored by Juan Murdoch
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