Michael Field

Its been 5 years and a lot of clients, meetings, showings, appointments, inspections and closings. This week, I will have the first closing where a seller is bringing their checkbook and it has nothing to do with the market. This house has been on the market for over three years and unfortunately, after a long long time on the market, this home seems like its going to close. The good is that this house is going to close and the owners never have to deal with it...The bad thing is these folks are also looking at the reality of bringing a checkbook to the closing table. Every single time (until now), in every transaction that I have been involved in, the seller has received the checks -even if they are receiving a little less than they think its worth!!! We all know the sellers who are reluctant to accept a great Offer!!!!

As I get calls in our listings from buyers who are looking to gain information, I would say that 85% of the time they are NOT working with an agent. This is one of the biggest nonsensical decisions I come across in my position as a real estate professional. With that being said, I don't blame them but for the following reasons PLEASE take a deep breath and try to understand the BENEFITS TO USING AN AGENT:

1) It's a FREE service to you.

2) They have your best interests in mind and will work for you to get the best deal on a particular property.

3) They DO ALL THE WORK! We all have full time jobs (at least you should if you're looking to buy a home) and why would you want to take on the work load of trying to stay up to speed on the market.

4) You WILL LOSE out on the REALLY GOOD DEALS! A good agent constantly prospects the market for new listings and notifies you immediately as they hit the MLS.

5) Most Real Estate search sites take up to 3-4 days AT LEAST to land the new listings. AKA "Missing the boat!"

6) Creating a relationship with a good agent will make life easier on you because they have a feeling after looking at a couple of homes what you actually LIKE & DISLIKE. Thus, not WASTING YOUR TIME looking at homes that don't fit your criteria.

7) A good agent has the resources to provide you with service professionals (Attorneys, inspectors etc.) that can help create for a smooth transaction. NO GYPSIES!

8) Before you get too deep into unfamiliar territory, an agent will discuss the necessary steps & possible risks with buying a home.

9) Calling on a "for sale" sign of a listed property puts you in first position not to get individually & fully represented by the listing agents whose FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION is to the SELLER!

10) ITS A FREE SERVICE TO YOU, a BUYER"S AGENT GETS COMPENSATED by the owner of the house your interested in buying!

This is a little belated, but definitely worth writing...Two years ago, Keller Williams Realty was a young Capital Region Real Estate company that was just learning the in's & out's of this great real estate franchise....We were figuring out what the difference between the MCA/MC Tech/Dofi and TL were...I think it took about 3 months for me to figure it out! Anyways, I think it is worth mentioning that now that the Keller Williams name is here in Albany to stay. In knowing the company, I knew that this would be a success (as it is across the country) but it was hard to talk with other agents because their broker/owners were infiltrating them with the slander based on fear of losing the agents. Based on the nationwide success this company has accomplished, a lot of the other companies knew that our model was attractive to agents (especially CAPPERS) because let's face it- at KW we take home more...Isn't that why we are in the real estate profession? To make an income to provide for ourselves with the freedom of being our own boss? Obviously there is more than making a living, for instance office culture, systems and education....But oh yeah, THEY ARE THE BEST AT KW ALSO! There's another reason that this company was right for us! The company is based on the foundation of God, Family Business. The agents who believe & follow this are the kind of people I want to be in business with & I am thankful to the almighty for bringing the opportunity along & for helping us listen to what has turned out to be a great career decision (in going to KW)!

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY CAPITAL DISTRICT (Albany NY) !!!!

Looking for owners of Colonie, NY Duplexes...It seems like these are fairly hot commodities these days. Every month I get a call from each of our investor types looking to get into one of these rentable, low tax, great schools duplex. The problem is finding one that someone is looking to get rid of...So if you are an owner of a duplex in Colonie NY or if you have a duplex in Albany County then let me know becuase I have your buyer...

Watervliet Shaker Rd. and Glennon Rd. are two of the latest sales we at the FIELD TEAM at Keller Williams Realty have helped two different buyers close on. Watervliet Shaker Rd. was only on for one day and we were able to get into see this immediately and boy did it pay off for our buyer. This place was immaculate, and priced great! 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, fenced yard all in the North Colonie School system...What a great deal at $180K!

Glennon Road was a Newtonville home that we got another solid deal on...This house is going to be totally rehabbed - the right way and we are going to put this back on the market as a 3 br, 3 full bath with a fenced yard, 1 car garage, granite, hardwoods, ceramic tile...THE WORKS! Call if you are interested in getting in line for this one as it will hit the market as a finished product in July sometime...