Laura Kombrink

The economy is slow and when I speak with sellers, there's a certain level of hesitance about listing their homes. Some sellers are still hanging onto the idea that their homes are worth more than what buyers are willing to pay. Some sellers are in a tough spot because they find that they need to sell their homes. Some have taken all the equity out of their homes and find that the sale price won't cover all the expenses that go into selling a home.

This being said, I am happy to say that homes are still selling. People are just being very careful to make every dollar they spend stretch as far as possible. When it comes to purchasing a home, people are looking to get the most "BANG" for their buck.

What does this mean to a seller? It means that you really need to evaluate what has sold in your neighborhood and what is currently on the market in your neighborhood. Your home needs to be competitive. You need to be priced below everyone else and have the nicest home out there in that price range.

Many people would love to own an new home with all the wonderful updates and features. They fear, however that purchasing a new home is much like purchasing a new car. It goes down in value as soon as you drive off the lot. So, buyers are looking at homes that aren't so new...with the same bells and whistles as a new home.

For instance...updated kitchens and newer flooring are very attractive to buyers right now. Bathrooms that are updated and comfortable. People want homes that are freshly painted in neutral tones. They like little details like molding and contemporary light fixtures.

People are also thinking about energy efficiency. Does the home have energy efficient heating and cooling and newer windows?

People are also downsizing. Smaller, more comfortable homes are very popular right now.

So, who is the current home buyer and how do you get their attention? With all the benefits offered to first time home buyers, I have found that many buyers today are indeed purchasing their first home. What is a first time home buyer looking for?

A home under $100,000 with two to three bedrooms and two bathrooms is a winner in my market. If it has an updated kitchen and is energy efficient, that makes it even better. If it competes well in the market place...priced right...people will take notice.

If you are thinking about selling your home, there are a few things you will need to think about. First think about how you are spending your money. Everyone is looking for a deal. Everyone is looking at getting the most for the dollar...and so are you. When you place your home on the market, expect low offers to be made, even if your home is perfectly priced. Don't take it personally. If your home is in great shape with nice features, people will be interested. When an offer comes in...make a counter offer. Negotiation is a part of the game. Buyers are asking for a lot, however if they truly love your home, the expect to have to negotiate. Remember, if your home is the best priced home in your area, they will be open to counter offers. Be flexible and work with a real estate agent who is creative.

Which brings us to why you should work with an agent. Many people feel they can save money by selling their home themselves. Many people believe that an agent just puts a sign in the yard and runs a few ads and you can do that yourself and save the money...right?

The statistics show that 85% of homeowners who attempt to sell their homes themselves fail. Of those that do manage it, the end up getting less money than they would have if they had used an agent. A real estate agent doesn't just throw a sign in the yard and run a few ads. A good agent is doing much more marketing than that. A good agent has relationships with buyers, other agents, and their buyers.

A good agent is up to date on marketing techniques that drive sales. They will have an internet presence, a community presence, and a great reputation. A good agent will tell you what you need to hear, not always what you want to hear about your home and the market you are in.

If you are thinking of selling your home, but you are concerned about the current market conditions in your area, do your research. Talk with a few agents in your area. Let them do a market analysis for your home and tell you what they think it will sell for. Don't choose the agent that promises you the highest price or the lowest commission. Remember, a good agent is laying out money up front to market your home. Ask yourself, how much marketing is this agent going to do? Typically the more marketing an agent uses, the higher the cost...the better the results. After all...if no one knows about your home, how will they be able to buy it?

If you would like a market analysis and an honest opinion of what your home is worth and you are not currently working with an agent, please give me a call. It would be my pleasure to answer any questions that you may have and show you how I do business.

Laura Kombrink
Kombrink Real Estate Group
RE/MAX Alliance
531 Belt Line Rd
Collinsville, IL

618-345-2111
618-363-2452

www.KombrinkMetroEast.com
www.LauraKombrink.com
Laura@KombrinkRealEstate.com

My Broker, Tammy Anderson-Owens of RE/MAX Alliance in Collinsville is back!!!! She took a trip to Colorado to the RE/MAX headquarters for some training. She and her husband Rick Owens are opening a new office and we are all so excited.

Anyway, we had our business meeting this morning and she shared some things that she learned while on her trip. I am happily sitting here implementing some of the tools that she shared with us that are available to us as RE/MAX agents. I can't tell you how much fun I've had today updating my website. You can check it out at www.KombrinkMetroEast.com

Her enthusiasm is contagious and her committment to helping everyone in her office succeed is so refreshing! I've heard so many horror stories about brokers...and I have to say that Tammy is so different and the environment in our office is electric!

Tammy is also a member of Active Rain and I would encourage you to look her up and read her blogs. She certainly has her act together and just has the most positive attitude that I've ever seen. She is very successful, yet down to earth.

As I type this blog she is in the new office with her husband working very hard to get it ready for the move this weekend. After my showings tomorrow I fully intend to throw on the scrubby jeans, roll up my sleeves and dive into the fun!

Laura Kombrink
Kombrink Real Estate Group
RE/MAX Alliance
Collinsville, IL

618-345-2111
618-363-2452
www.KombrinkMetroEast.com
Laura@KombrinkRealEstate.com

When I was coaching Real Estate Agents, I would get calls from agents who had just gone to some seminar and came back with many great ideas for their business. They would ask my opinion on what they had just learned and we would lay out a plan of action for them to implement these wonderful ideas. I would, of course, follow up with them only to find that they had not implemented the idea. When I asked them why they would usually respond, "I just don't think that would work in my market," or "That's just not something I would do."

As agents we spend a great amount of time educating ourselves about marketing and business in general. We spend money and time on products, ideas, scripts....the list goes on and on...only to leave these items on the shelf never to be used.

A couple of months ago, my preferred lender and myself attended a seminar to listen to a gentleman talke about how he had built a very successful real estate business in the area. He outlined exactly how he had done this along with his lender. His lender even wrote a book about how they had done this. The gentleman is from my area and market, so he knew exactly what my market is like.

I sat at the table with another agent from the area and after he was finished speaking, I asked her what she thought. She replied, "I just don't think that would work in my market."

Keep in mind that we had to pay to attend this seminar. We sat there for 3 hours during the middle of a weekday afternoon. The question that came to my mind is why? Why would someone spend hard earned money to go to a seminar to increase their productivity, take time away from their business to listen to someone who has a proven track record to simply disregard everything he said out of pocket?

I have had the great advantage of working for a real estate consulting & coaching company prior to starting my real estate business. I have implemented many of the things that I learned and work very closely with my lender and broker in continuing to implement good, sound, business practices. And I am seeing results! When other agents approach me about the things that I am doing, they look at me like I've lost my mind. Here's what I often hear. "That won't work here, people just don't do things that way around here."

I knew that my ideas would be a little out of the norm for my area, but good business is just good business. The basics are the basics. What works...just works. I see no need to re-invent the wheel. If I can sit under someone who has been successful and glean some knowledge from their experience to save myself some time and money...then why not?

There is something to be said for finding a role model and modeling yourself after them. Don't be discouraged by others who tell you "That just won't work in our market." I prefer to surround myself by people who will jump on the bandwagon with me and make our futures happen!

Laura Kombrink
Kombrink Real Estate Group
RE/MAX Preferred
201-a West Main Street
Collinsville Illinois
office phone: 618-345-2111
cell phone: 618-63-2452
www.KombrinkMetroEast.com

It's been a while since I've posted on AR and I've taken today off to catch up with some house work and my blogging.

I'd like to catch everyone up on all the things that have been going on.

My broker, Tammy Anderson-Owens with RE/MAX Preferred is working hard to get the new office open for November 1st. We are all very excited! Tammy is an AWESOME broker with a great deal of experience and knowledge. She is well loved by everyone...even her competition! That speaks volumes about her integrity and great attitude!

I have been working very hard in conjuction with my preferred lender on some really great marketing strategies and we are beginning to see the fruits of our labor. Customers are visiting our websites and we are generating both buyers and sellers. We present the full package when it comes to servicing our clients and have the home selling and buying process down to a fine art!

I am currently working with some clients who are opening a wonderful Sushi Bar in Granite City which they are opening on November 3rd! They are super busy, but are making time to locate a home for both themselves and one to rent to their employees.

I have appointments set for over the weekend and next week with buyers and have been working on getting some listings as well. Things are starting to pick up for me and I have a list of buyers that are looking for homes all over the metro east. If you know of anyone who is considering selling their home please let me know. I have buyers looking in Granit City, Collinsville, Highland and Godfrey prices ranging from $100,000 to $250,000.

Fall has arrived and since we've had a Great Summer...the leaves are going to be beautiful. Many people don't realize it, but our area is up and coming for it's wonderful wines. There are many wineries in the St. Louis area. I love to take a drive in the fall and sit on the patio of some of these wineries enjoying the view and their products. I can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Many have live bands and their own snacks, while others encourage you to pack your own picnic basket.

I know that some sellers are nervous about putting their homes on the market, however I would recommend striking while the iron is hot. Although we hear a lot of negative news, the area I service is still holding it's own and homes are being sold! Get yours listed before the holidays! You could be enjoying Christmas in your own new place!

Until next time....

Laura Kombrink
Kombrink Real Estate Group
RE/MAX Preferred
201-A West Main
Collinsville, Illinois
Office Phone: 618-345-2111
Cell Phone: 618-363-2452
www.KombrinkMetroEast.com

Breast Cancer has touched my life in many ways even though I have never had it. When I was a girl, my grandmother had breast cancer. At that time the treatment was very radical. She had both breasts removed and the doctors even removed the underlying muscle. I can remember the horrible scars that covered her entire chest stretching under each of her arms. I remember how hard it was for her to find prosthetics and how much she changed after her surgery. She lived a very long life, but she was never the same.

In my twenties I had a friend who got breast cancer. She had two young children, the oldest, her daughter, was 8 years old at the time. She fought her cancer with every thing she had and died when the cancer returned and spread throughout her body. I remember the day I was told that she had passed away. I cannot describe how it felt having 3 children of my own and how it still brings me to tears almost 20 years later.

In my lifetime I have known many women who have had breast cancer and survived. I can't tell you the intimate and moving battles these women have fought. I can't describe the victories they have achieved and the things they are doing with their lives now. These women are stronger and have influenced all they come in touch with their love, compassion and dedication to helping others.

About 3 years ago I found 2 lumps in my breast and after the anguish of multiple tests and waiting for the results it was determined that they are not cancerous. I do breast self examinations often, however not often enough.

I know that many people are probably writing about October being Breast Cancer Awareness month. I just feel it is so important to get your check ups and do the self examinations. The world could always use more strong, compassionate, loving, positive women. Give a hug to the women in your life that have made a difference and support the ones who are fighting this horrible disease.