The Best Blog Fodder is Right Under Your Nose - Your Own Emails!!
I remember a while ago, Bob Stewart had a blog post challenge going on, and it's then that I realized that the best blog material comes from your own email to your clients.
I had a buyer client (they are in the $950k to $1M range) ask me a question via email earlier today. It was regarding the market in general, and also my opinion of some homes that were both in and out of their price range.
I thought the subject matter was so real and interesting that I've decided to make a blog out of it and pass it on since I feel the subject matter is so current, relevant, and important right now.
Here was my response:
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Of course you both know I am supportive of whatever you want to do, and I will write up an offer on anything you choose.
But I think it's important to realize that we are no longer in a market where offers $100k to $200k below list are conceivable.
Most sellers know what it will take to sell their property and have priced accordingly. And they also know the dangers of overpricing their property or "testing" in this market.
With interest rates being where they are and price points seemingly at the point where we've already hit bottom, the buyers are out there with strong buying power in just about all price ranges.
If the property shows well, is priced fairly according to comps, then if you really like the home it's starting to get to the point where you need to write at or above asking.
I NEVER advocate spending my clients money un-wisely, but I'm in the trenches 16 hours a day and know what the market is really like right now. The tide is starting to turn and people are once again looking to real estate as the stronger investment rather than the stock market.
And keep in mind that your accepted offer is always subject to appraisal. So regardless of what I think the price should be or what you think the price should be, whenever you utilize a loan to purchase a property, what it really gets down to is what your lender appraises the property for. And just about every lender is VERY conservative with their appraisals these days. So this should alleviate most of the worry about overpaying for a property.
And as I stated earlier, try to take a look at the bigger picture and know that ANYTHING you buy right now is at a historic, unbelievable price in the bigger picture.
You want to be able to take advantage of being able to purchase a home in this market with amazing price points.
So my advice is - "Don't sweat the small stuff"
Don't be afraid to offer full price and over asking as long as it's in your affordable range.
Hope that helps.
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Association of Energy and Environment Real Estate Professionals - You should consider joining
AEEREP is a great organization which through it's EcoBroker designation helps empower those real estate professionals to become advocates of energy conservation and environmental awareness to inform your clients of home safety and energy efficiency in their homes.
I've been an EcoBroker for many years now and it certainly comes in handy. I'm able to pass on vital information to my clients and all of them are very appreciative. Especially when it comes to the subject of indoor air quality.
Click on the logo below to learn more:
We even have an EcoBroker group that you can subscribe to right here on ActiveRain: http://activerain.com/groups/ecobrokers
Do not only yourself, but your clients a huge favor by becoming an advocate of sustainability and environmental awareness.
Every journey begins with the first step......
I just made a donation to a great organization that assists the homeless - ePath.org - Pay It Forward
I learned about EPath.org from an acquaintence I met recently. It's a great organization that helps those homeless to get back on a good path.
When I learned about this organization I immediately knew that I wanted to make a donation, and I'm also looking into how I can volunteer some time to help those of us that need a break and a helping hand.
To learn more about EPath.org, click on the logo below:
Here's the really nice email receipt I received:
On behalf of the entire PATH Board of Directors, staff and the individuals and families we serve, thank you for your generous donation. Your support helps us provide essential and life-saving assistance to thousands of people struggling with homelessness each year.
Nearly 600,000 people in Los Angeles County are unemployed, and many are struggling to pay their rent or mortgage for the first time in their lives. More and more hardworking individuals and their families are ending up homeless with nowhere to turn for help.
PATH is responding to this crisis by providing constant resources and assistance to families and individuals in need. Please get involved by joining us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pathLA or by reading Poverty Insights, a new online journal dedicated to poverty, housing and homelessness, at www.povertyinsights.org. Also, if you have not already done so, we invite you to visit the PATHMall at our Regional Homeless Center to see first-hand the impact of your generosity. For more information or to arrange a tour, please contact Katie Hill at (323) 644-2229.
In this time of unprecedented economic instability and state and local budget cuts, we must depend more than ever on the support of compassionate, caring people like you. With your help, PATH can continue providing housing, employment assistance and supportive services for the most vulnerable and marginalized members of our community.
Your generous contribution makes the difference between someone finding a permanent home or staying on the streets. We truly value your partnership to end homelessness in our community.
Sincerely,
Joel John Roberts
Chief Executive Officer
Multiple Offers Increasing in So California - The Tide has Officially Turned..........
We are seeing mutliple offers all over the place here in Southern California. And not only in certain price ranges, but across the board.
Our listing in Stevenson Ranch has 10 offers on it after only a week and a half!
Our North Hollywood condo listing that has been on the market for quite a while just recently ended up with multiple offers.
Not only that, but on the buying side we are ending up in multiple offers with the offers we're writing for our buyers.
Our Encino, CA buyers - 4 offers on the property
Our Stevenson Ranch buyers - 3 offers on the property
Our Calabasas buyers - 3 offers on the property
There was even one agent in our office that reported a Tarzana / Woodland Hills home that has 44 offers on it!
We've seen it before. This is the beginning of the tide beginning to turn from a buyer's "shooting fish out of a barrel" market more towards a seller's market.
Get your buyers in now while the price points are still low. Based on my experience, I don't think they're going to stay that way for very long.
Ralph's Helpful Tips: Make sure you load your buyers up with business cards for open houses
One thing you can NEVER have too many of is business cards. You really should be going through them like water. Why? Because each card that is floating around out there is just one more marketing piece that is reminding everyone around that YOU are the go-to person in real estate.
When working with buyers in the property viewing and discovery stage, don't skimp out on business cards and make sure you load your buyers up with at least 15-25 business cards. And if they run out, give them 15-25 more!!
Not only for the obvious reasons of possible referrals, but you and I both know that there are some unscrupulous agents out there who will try and "assimilate" your clients at open houses.
Give your buyers specific instructions to hand your card to the listing agent or agent that is holding the home open, and have them state that they are working with YOU.
And if you have the opportunity, on occasion when you simply cannot be there at the same time as your clients yet they are motivated to get out there to some open houses, find out which open houses they want to see and place a kind phonecall or email message to the listing agent and let them know your clients love the home, let them know they will be there at the open house, and provide the agent with your clients first names.
This will avoid any "mishaps" or "misunderstandings" (I'm feeling rather democratic today so I am using vague descriptives in quotes rather than any nasty adjectives......ah-hem!)
Each week I'll have a Helpful Tip posted for you to incorporate into your repertoire of savvy real estate professional techniques.
If you'd like to join our group, click here: http://activerain.com/groups/ralphshelpfultips
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Realtors / Relocation Certified / Eco-Broker Certified One of the biggest benefits to working with clients is the end result - making new friends for life.
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