Sierra Vista, AZ

Buying takes skill. It's a lot like extreme couponing. You get your ducks in a row and wait for that perfect sale so everything falls into place. But what if you don't have the time? It all depends on what you want, where you want it and how much you are willing to pay for it.

Here are some vital tips to buying Sierra Vista real estate.

We love our area and having an agent that knows the area can make all the difference in the world. If you use an out of town agent that may not know the market trends and what homes should be priced at, you may end up paying a lot more for a home. If you can wait and be patient for the right home the payoff can be amazing.

Do you have a home sell before you buy a new one?

If so, don't wait to sell before looking. It's ok to look and if you speak to a lender ahead of time about a possible bridge loan if your home doesn't sell in time you may find yourself a great deal. Get everything ready to buy a home before you sell. I'm not saying that you're guaranteeing a double mortgage but if you're ready now, you won't miss a great deal on a great home if it comes and goes quickly on the market.

Do you have buy quickly?

If you don't have the time to sit and wait for the perfect home, the second best option is to find an experienced agent to do all the work for you. An experienced agent, like myself, knows almost all the listings on the market at a given time. My connections with other Sierra Vista Realtors in the area can help you find the right home before it even hits the market. This can save you time and money by finding the right home at a killer deal before anyone else can.

Are you an investor?

Investors sometime have the luxury of waiting out the market. If you're a first time homebuyer, and you only have to pay rent for your current home, you may have the luxury of sitting and waiting for the right home to become available. Investors typically have cash to put down and lenders like this type of sale because they know they won't have to deal with the home in foreclosure or loan default again. Many time first time home buyers get beat out by the cash buyer but most of the time investors have a waiting period once a home is listed to give actual owner occupied buyers a chance at a great home.

So can you buy the right house at the right price at the right time? Yes! It takes skill, patience and a great Realtor!

Your Sierra Vista Area Realtor

With so many amazing places to settle down, retire or stop off on your journey through life, why wouldn't you make Sierra Vista one of your all-time favorites. I would love to help you buy or sell any home in the Cochise County area including but not limited to: Huachuca City, Sierra Vista, Sierra Vista Southeast, Nicksville, Charleston, Fry and many more. Call or email me today at 520-266-0026 | 800-763-5094 | Info@TimBullington.com or send me an email below and I would be happy to search out the best Huachuca City real estate for your needs. Post Originated here http://tbullington.com/how-to-buy-sierra-vista-homes_226.html by Tammy Emineth

The Dreaded Open House

I love Open Houses! I know that makes me brain dead, because so many in our industry disagree with me. But, you know what? I'm sitting in one as I write this blog post, and I'm having to get up and answer the door; show the home; then sit back down; resume my blog; and then, the doorbell rings again. It's hard to get anything done at an Open House! Dang!

I've met four of the neighbors, and had three unescorted buyer-prospects come in... two of them unrepresented, and the other unaccompanied by their agent. Double Dang!

None of the buyers I met wanted to buy this home. But, they are interested in buying SOMETHING. Triple Dang!

Three of the neighbors told me that the home is overpriced, while the last guy is considering selling and moving closer to Tucson. Now, I have to do a Market Analysis for him. Quadruple dang!

I always hold Open Houses on Saturdays, further evidence that I am brain dead. Most of my brainier compadres, if they do Open Houses at all, do them on Sundays. But, you know, I figure that lots of people are in church, or just relaxing on Sundays.

On the other hand, there's lots of traffic on Saturdays:

• · Many (most) people either grocery shop, or head out on Saturdays to buy parts for something or the other, at Home Depot, or Lowe's.

• · Most Garage Sales are on Saturdays, generating lots of their own traffic.

• · Lots of agents are showing homes on Saturdays, and they may stop by.

• · I put up six or eight directional arrows, that say, "Open House."

So far, it's been a pretty good day. I've almost finished this blog post. Uh-oh, there goes the doorbell again. (Whatever comes after quadruple) dang!

Seismic Shift

Large earthquakes occur when tectonic plates, normally pretty stable, suddenly “shift.”

Depending on their location, the damage can be immense.

Gary Keller, in his great book “Shift,” several years before our current real estate turmoil, wrote that markets tend to “shift,” and that we must “shift" with them, if we wish to survive.

None of us, in our lifetime, has ever seen a market like this. Has it “shifted?” You bet!

When markets change, we must change, too… or we fail.

Necessary "Shifts” are described in Keller’s excellent book.

Read it… heed it.

For $ale By Owner

Myth: Most REALTORS^® Call FSBOs, And Ask For Their Business.

Au contrair… Most REALTORS^® (falsely) assume that all of their competitors are calling the FSBOs, but, in fact, few of us do that. Don’t get me wrong: the best of us do it as part of our business, but the vast majorities think that they don’t have a chance against the “fast burners.”

Fact: Every statistic says that, although many FSBOs do sell their homes (often regretting the outcome) most of them will list their home with a professional at about the three week mark.

Wow! You have a motivated seller, disappointed that they could not solve their own problem, and they will list at the three week mark… often with the last REALTOR® that they happened to talk to. Wouldn’t it make sense to make sure that REALTOR® is you?

It’s easy. I go knock on the door of any new FSBO I see. After convincing them not to call the police, and to set aside their shotgun, I ask them if they will pay me a commission, if I bring a buyer. They always say “yes.” I do not ask for the listing at that point.

After previewing their home, I offer solid advice to help them sell their home, on their own. Then, I stop by a couple of times a week, sharing market data, tips on inexpensive improvements, mortgage rates, etc.

So, during that crucial three-week period, I meet with them face-to-face, as many as a half-dozen times... for about 5-10 minutes. Then, if (when) they realize they are swimming upstream, and could benefit by listing their home, I am often the name that pops up.

My experience is that, if I am “Johnny-on-the-spot,” for a mere two-to-three week period, I will often wind up with a listing.

If they do manage to sell their home with no professional assistance, they still may have a warm fuzzy feeling for me... because I helped them. Often I can get a referral from them.

Does anyone disagree?

REALTORS® Have Friends, Too!

Image courtesy of Lumaxart

My friends deserve the best. They deserve me.

I know many real estate professionals who refuse to do real estate transactions with their friends (or family).

I've heard it said, "Jack and Jill, your friendship means more to me than a business transaction. And, I'd hate for this to interfere with our friendship." Usually, then, they refer the clients to another professional.

i've always disagreed with this idea, for the same reason: these folks ARE my friends! They deserve the best.

Who is more likely to handle them with care, providing the ultimate service... a "stranger," or someone who knows and loves them?

This forum, consisting of real estate and associated professionals, is hardly the place to boast. But, if you are a real estate professional, you had darn sure better believe that you are the best!

My reply when my friends ask me to represent them is an emphatic "Yes!" Then, believe me I would walk over hot coals to give them the best possible representation.

There are plenty of great REALTORS® out there who are my equal... but I know none who are better than me. My friends deserve the best. They deserve me.