Stephanie Jacques

"Help! I need to sell and my home's not selling!" Often I hear some variation of this phrase though the "!" is removed. It's usually followed by a distressed look and a tone of "learned helplessness". I'm not putting down these sellers but they should not be at the point of desperation!

The system I use is so simple yet so challenging to convince sellers about. The 5 steps I take to get the price right begins after a careful CMA takes place to determine fair market value. Even if a fair market value is determined there are time when the market decides it's still not priced right. There are also times when the seller says they want to start it higher.

5 Steps to Getting the Price RIGHT, without Losing Thousands of Dollars

1) Establish fair market value (usually the agent will do a Competitive Market Analysis on your property to determine the most reasonably expected price range your property falls into.)

2) Price your home on the higher end if you have the time, but stay within the price range established by the agent.

3) Listen to feedback! Not getting showings after a couple of weeks but other homes in your price range have gone "pending" while yours has not? This feedback tells me your price requires a reassessment. If a seller of mine has not had showings in a few weeks and I'm certain I've given the property enough exposure, the we need to attract buyers to the property- physically!

4) Reassess and reduce the price on a regular basis until you begin getting regular showings. Listen to feedback again! If they are "finding other properties more suitable", or your home "isn't ___ enough" or "needs too much work", then your price is still too high.

5) You will not underprice your home, the market will not allow it as long as you are not pressed for time! If you are getting showings and people are beginning to show interest, it's time for your agent to encourage offers and to encourage objections. Knowing objections from buyers is the agent's opportunity to handle them so that negotiation can begin.

This week BH&G The Masiello Group has the following open houses in Keene, Swanzey and Chesterfield:

Saturday, January 9^th

26 Meadow Lane, Swanzey 11-12:30

28 Owens Drive, Swanzey 10-12

128 Talbot Hill, Swanzey 10-11:30

62 Timberlane, Keene 12-1:30

162 Talbot Hill, Swanzey 11-1

168 Talbot Hill, Swanzey 11-1

92 Streeter Hill, Chesterfield 1-3

Sunday, January 10^th

76 Howard Street, Keene 11-12:30

28 Owens Drive, Swanzey 11-1

Please contact me if you are just beginning your home search!

www.stephaniejacques.com

I've looked forward to this event for weeks now. Ever since physically last attending the REBarCamp Boston (visit site for upcoming live events) I've wanted to attend another.

I drove 2 hours to Boston, took a 30 minute train ride, walked 30 minutes toward an old building, go stuck in an old freight elevator with REBarCamp attendees and presenters, watched and participated in live streaming videos and tweets going in and out from the stuck elevator as we waited for our rescue, and had a great day!

I'm looking for an equivalent virtual experience today. I may not get stuck in a virtual elevator but I may find myself getting stuck in a virtual world of technoproblems. Hopefully not.

If any of you will be attending, here's the schedule I hope to make throughout the day (maybe I'll meet you there!)

• Media Marketing
• Next Generation Brokeratge
• Social Media Beyond Manstream: Augmented Reality and More
• The Lost Art of Listening
• Leverage the Power of Social Media in Real Estate
• 10 Ways to Lift, Tuck and Firm up your contact follow up so your front end takes care of itself (sounds intriguing)

I'm looking forward to gaining new insights about the future of the real estate industry from a social media perspective!

Over the past 18 months I've often written articles about first time buyers. They are truly the most rewarding clients to work with, for me, because I often relate to them in several ways. The ability of an agent to relate to their client, I feel, is important. Sure I can work with a buyer or seller who has little in common with me, it becomes easier to find property for, to negotiate in partnership with, the buyer who I understand at a deeper level. At times I'm told not to focus so much on building this niche market but I can't help it, those are the people I am meeting at this stage of my life, and those are the people I understand best.

My first time buyers will grow up some day and I will continue to get their business in other forms. I will no longer be able to call them first time buyers but, maybe, first time sellers, or move-up buyers. I am still in the minority age group for real estate agents both nationwide and in our region. Though first time buyers often choose to work with their parents' favorite agent, not everybody does.

On January 12, 2010 I will be presenting at a workshop for first time buyers. This two evening workshop will be attended by several presenters from reputable local companies who regularly provide services during a real estate transaction. From what I've heard in the past, my buyers have recommended every buyer go through this particular workshop to enrich their knowledge about the process and to meet people in the industry who will be working behind the scenes on their transaction at various stages of the purchase.

Happy New Year!

No, the tax credit is not just for first time buyers anymore! I still hear people asking about this tax credit and confused over who qualifies and who doesn't. Move up buyers purchasing a primary home can qualify too, up to $6500. The IRS site will explain in detail the qualification requirements for move up buyers.

For many who have taken their homes off the market for winter, I have to ask "WHY?" They are missing the opportunity offered by the government to create activity in the real estate market this winter- and it is working for those who are playing the game.

In Keene, NH we currently have 16 pending/contigency properties and 91 active listings. Our active listings have recently dropped slightly partially due to sellers removing their listings from the market for the winter. If I were trying to seller a home between the price range of $115K and $360K this year, I might reconsider this move and keep the home on the market followed by a reassessment of the price.

True it's a tough market for sellers right now, but if you're in this price range there is proof that activity levels are not dormant this winter. Best of luck!