Raine Spivey, BUYER AGENT

So are Zillow & Trulia the real estate "experts?" I am confident, and brave enough to say NO!

The real estate industry has seen many changes within the past few years, from technology advancements, to the role of a Realtor, and the changes happened so fast and furious its no wonder there are many that are confused.

Because of this fast pace of change, the creation of businesses like a Zillow, and Trulia, and blog sites that allows anyone to "ask an expert," the public (whom the majority always had a negative image of a Realtor) were convinced they can do their real estate work themselves, and have not a need for a Realtor!

>>>MY OPINION<<<

This way of thinking is flawed.

As a full-time Realtor, over the years I have had many experiences with both sides of the public's feelings about the value of a Realtor. Some love, and respect what we do, and some simply do not! And with such extreme emotions, I decided to be a Realtor that strictly takes on the role of educating, involving, and assisting customers in need of real estate transaction assistance, with the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth given to them. And you know what I've found to be true? Most people looking to buy or sell real estate are mostly concerned about the commission!

Recently, I had the privilege of speaking in front of a group of people whose ages varied from mid 20s to mid 80s! The topic, of course was real estate. Not so much as to what is happening in the market (even a blind person can see that), but more informative as to the true value of a Realtor.

After my speaking time, the feedback was incredible. I had older folk tell me "in all my years as a homeowner, and buying and selling real estate, you said things that I never heard of...things I never knew." Some of the basic things I spoke about, you know, things that everyone should know when buying or selling real estate, was new information to this group of intelligent people, which really didn't come as too much of a surprise.

Folks had no idea there were 4 types of agents. Some had no idea how the commission worked. Many didn't know the difference between a licensed individual, and a Realtor. And I feel safe to say, all had no idea the value of a Realtor!

Today, with websites like Zillow, Trulia, and the like, it is easy to understand why the public seem to think these sites are experts in the real estate industry.

This flawed thinking is what me and my collegues must correct.

I have had buyers say they thought sites like these have ALL the properties that are for sale, and that all the tools on their sites is enough to help them buy real estate without a licensed Realtor. The biggest misconception is that these sites data is totally accurate, and most updated.

FACT: Realtors are the gatekeepers of data for every property in the Multiple Listing Service that are for sale, and their status' thereafter. Some of these websites are synced with the Realtors database, making Realtors the source of information.

FACT: Some of these websites are businesses that advertise products and services to the public. In other words, they are for profit companies with real estate as the hook to attract consumers so they can sell other products and services by advertisers that pay for a spot on some of these websites.

Its the real estate firms that hold written agreements between the homeowner and the firm in respect to marketing properties on such sites. Not all homeowners, nor brokerage firms, want that kind of mass property exposure, believe it or not.

With that said, know that not all firms participate in this information sharing of listing information, nor allow sites like those mentioned, and others, to display certain information on their sites about a listing for many reasons.

FACT: Realtors adhere to a code of conduct / rules when it comes to the maintenance of listing in the MLS system. It must be timely, accurate, and has legal aspects as well.

Not only do Realtors have accurate information, but we also have a team of volunteer Realtors, and staff members on all levels of our associations that are constantly looking out for the general public at large - homeowners, land owners, and buyers of real estate!

Realtors have a political action committee that are like watchdogs that look for pieces of legislation that may adversely affect, or have barriers to equal opportunities to homeownership, or the purchasing of real estate like additional fees that will, or possibly have a negative effect now, or later.

The value of a Realtor is more than just someone to open a house for those seeking to buy after researching a particular property for months on the internet, or to put a sign in the yard when selling.

Let me be clear, I will not say all Realtors are tactful, or honest in their approach. Nor will I say we are all the same. What I will say is there is value in any licensed agent that has taken that additional step of paying for a Realtor membership. And anyone interested in transacting real estate should research that aspect - the value of a Realtor, as well.

Instead of looking at a Realtor's commission as the sole basis as to why you don't want to hire one, it would behoove you to educate yourself more on exactly how a Realtor can benefit you in your transaction so you have the most assuring experience as possible.

Nowadays, Most people research properties on the internet and feel they know all there is to know about buying real estate, or a particular property. But the reality is, most people don't really know the complex process, nor do they really have the confidence to handle such a major purchase without the assistance of a Realtor.

Think about this: If being a Realtor was not important as some websites prompt others to believe, why would your state require someone be licensed before transacting real estate purchases when dealing with the public?

Sure there are "investors" that purchase real estate without a Realtor. But, the majority of them still use Realtors because Realtors have the tools, and other information necessary for an "investor" to transact a real estate purchase, or sale.

Let me ask you: Would you hire a plumber to do your dental work? Or hire your mother to defend you in court? So why would you opt to purchase such an important, major item as real estate without a Realtor?

Why envy, or hate someone who has chosen to feed their family strictly on commission? You, too, can do the same...become a full-time Realtor that is. The question is, will you?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

All expressions are soley those of Raine Spivey. Raine is a Broker Associate of Reign Realty representing Buyers for over 7 years in the Charlotte, NC market. Have a question for Raine? Email her at RealtorRaine77@gmail.com.

According to the Charlotte Regional Realtor Association, the following is new data showing how our maket is fairing amidst global economic changes.

Charlotte Regional Realtor^® Association reports: The number of closings for October 2011 (1,882) increased 12.4 percent compared to October 2010 when closings totaled 1,674. Compared to September 2011 (1,968), closings were down 4.4 percent.

The average sales price in October 2011 ($194,837) was down 3.6 percent compared to October 2010 ($202,146), and down less than one percent compared to September 2011 ($196,649). The median sales price in October 2011 ($152,000) decreased 1.3 percent compared to the October 2010 median sales price of $154,000, and was up 1.4 percent compared to the September 2011 median sales price of $149,900.

The average list price in October 2011 ($230,163) increased 2.5 percent from last October 2011 average list price of $224,513, and was down 5.8 percent compared to September 2011 ($244,252). There were 1,748 pending sales in October 2011. This figure increased 14.1 percent compared to October 2010 when pending contracts totaled 1,532. New residential listings in October 2011 totaled 3,181.

Now this may sound like great news to many...and that's because what this data means is all real estate is local.

The housing news that is usually in the media tells of what is happening on a national level.

When looking for local market stats to help you decide if now is a good time to sell, or buy your new home, contact me! I am a full-time broker that has a passion for real estate, and love sharing information.

Email - RealtorRaine77@gmail.com

Believe it or not, there are some buyers still unclear as to what an FHA loan is, and how it can benefit them when purchasing a home.

Read my attempt to be candid as to what it is, what is going on with it today, and how it can help.

Well, let's see...say you are contemplating purchasing a new home, and you see alot of upgrades you want in your new home. Of course this will increase the price of the house by as much as the cost of the items. Agree?

Now, lets say, your cost is $275k. At current loan limits (depending on which county you live), you can only fund up to the maximum of 115% of your local area median home price (you can find this info on the census website, or from a Realtor). In Mecklenburg county (Charlotte, NC), the maximum loan limit (what the banks will lend you on a single purchase) is $271k. This would me, if you are purchasing real property in the Charlotte area, you can only be funded up to $271k, making you have to pay the balance of $4k as your down payment.

There is a legislative bill, H.R. 2112, that just yesterday had an FHA amendment approved by the Senate. If voted favorably upon by the Senate and House (hopefully next week), the FHA loan limit would allow the maximum loan limit to increase to 125% of local area medium home price. This would increase loan limits to $303k! (Whoo Hoo, you get to add more upgrades to your house), increase your loan, decrease your down payment, and get all that you want mostly financed.

This is all, of course, depended on the fact that you have applied, and been approved for an FHA insured loan product (which by the way requires a minimum of 3.5% down payment, mostly protects the borrower).

Feel free to go to the FHA website to learn more about their products.

As of yesterday, the loan limits have not increased. But I got my radars up. As soon as I learn of the status change, check back here (or my Twitter page) for an update.

If after reading about FHA mortgage insured products you are ready to talk to me and purchasing, give me a call, I am here to help!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Raine Spivey is a Broker at Reign Realty in Charlotte, NC - A residential, and commerical full service real estate brokerage . All expressions made are solely the responsibility of Raine. If you have any questions you'd like Raine to answer, send your questions to RealtorRaine77@Gmail.com.

So you came across websites that allow the public to "rate" real estate agents, and you think this is a good idea?

Well, let's examine closely exactly what these sites are saying, and then rethink your answer.

Most of these websites are not even real estate company websites. Most are private firms in the business of making money for their clients, who happen to be investors, or private owners.

They know they need timely, and accurate real estate data in order to forcast, or predict investment returns for their clients, and so, they look to REALTORS, or real estate agents for accurate real estate data.

But REALTORS are not apt to giving up their hard earned information to some company that wants the information for their own profit, with no benefit to the agent. So they solicit the REALTORS to advertise on their websites in order to get potential customers. And depending on the agent's need for business, they pay the high fees that comes with advertising on these websites.

The website then seek to contract with REALTOR MLSs to get timely data feeds, only not all MLS boards ascribe to this free giving, or sharing of information. So the company works with those MLS boards that want to work with them, making these websites data somewhat skewed because of lack of information in the entire markets that are not "sharing" their data.

Now, on these websites, any Joe can logon, see an agent they have no idea how they work, and write a review about the agent just because. Or better yet, someone that actually worked with the agent, and had a snafu during the transaction decided the day of closing to write a bad review because he or she was in the heat of the moment and knew there is a place where they can go to vent about an agent.

Guess what? This agent may find it difficult to find work and feed their family because of this one bad review. Not to mention, this one bad review may spur other bad reviews just for the heck of it.

How if you were at work and someone decided to create something like a "Rate Your Co-Worker" website, and you see people you don't even know write negative things about you and your work? Next thing you know, the boss fires you! How will you feel? How will you feed your family? Same concept, somewhat.

Real estate agents have chosen to get their income by selling real estate. It is not their fault that someone may have had extenuating circumstances and transaction didn't go as smoothly as planned. Sometimes the client have no clue as to what they are doing throughout the process because they are too busy telling the agent "I know...I know...I bought and sold real estate plenty of times, I understand," and really just have a bad case of egotism.

Or how about this truth...How can any one of those websites guarantee that you are actually reading a post from an actual client of that agent? What is the security measures on sites like these? If you'd like to see what I mean about strangers just posting anything they feel, go to any news website and check the posts after any story, and you will see exactly what I mean.

All to say folks, if you want to know, or get a gauge on how well a real estate agent may be when handling your real estate transactions, there are other reliable ways of finding this information.

For instance, you can always go to your state's Real Estate Commission's website and search the agent by name. This website will tell you first and foremost if the real estate agent is licensed (very important), when they became a licensee, and the firm's name.

From there you will get an idea as to their years experience. You will also be privy to the Commission's contact info to which you can call to find out if there are/were any complaints filed against that agent at any point in time.

Next step, if after reviewing this information and you find this agent worthy of an interview to get a full scope of the agent, feel free to visit their website, Facebook business page, and LinkedIn profiles to read about that agent. Or go to the Better Business Bureau website (BBB.org) to see if the agent or company is listed, and if there were any consumer complaints in their system.

And finally, contact the agent! Yes, this actually means speaking with the agent and making real world contact!

Today's society is so removed from person-to-person relations. Almost everything is done on the internet. But the reality is, You cannot purchase real estate from the web! You don't know the work ethics of the agent who actually took the pictures of the property. There could be drastic issues with a property that is not captured in any of the photos. Like the house is across the street from a waste management plant. Or, a treacherous hole in the yard that was somehow not photgraphed. Get my point?

Anyway, when seriously considering purchasing real estate, do not settle for the first agent you see on a website, or in a magazine. You should be more responsible with such a big purchase and do your homework!

Now that you have been schooled about the business, do you think rating real estate agents on these sites is worth their weight in gold?

If after reading this post you decide to move ahead with finding the right agent for you, please consider doing all the things I have listed above with myself. I am honest, love to sleep good at night, and not afraid to work!

I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

**********************************************************************************

Raine Spivey is a real estate Broker consultant in Charlotte, North Carolina. Any expressions made on this blog are solely the responsibility of Raine. If you have any questions you'd like to ask Raine, submit questions via email at RealtorRaine77@gmail.com.

If the answer to that question were as simple as it sounds, the economy would be booming. The mess of past years, would be a hiccup. And life would be flowing with Milk and Honey!

Since the beginning of this year, it seems the tide has changed. Buyers started coming out the woodwork as if someone told them there was Free money all over again. Whatever it was...or is...I am not complaining. Business has picked up and now this Realtor can dust the cobwebs from her eKey.

For the entire 2010, life seemed to had come to a complete halt. Changes had to have been made, and corners cut. However, it seems life has turned for the better.

According to my astrological research, Neptune made its way back into its native home of Pisces, and that could be the reason why we've had such a burst of positive energy.

Again, whatever it is, I must tell you it feels great! Now that my parts have been oiled, and the machine is rolling again, I must say, if you are serious about purchasing as a homeowner, or investor, now is the time!

Interest rates have been fluctuating, up and down, as if the Feds cannot quite make up their minds. But the minute they do it seems we hae another global catastrophe...i.e., Japan.

My advice, clean credit so you can take advantage of today's low pricing, and interest rates, and make up your mind to start on your home purchase. With the Feds itchy finger ready to pull the trigger on resolving our ongoing crisis, do not be surprised if you start seeing interest rates rise.

The economy is now being touted as having positive indicators, so you know what that means...the public will believe it and start spending again, raising interest rates. (Economics 101).

So where do you begin? Well, I say, with credit cleaning, some savings, and a great Realtor to "Show You The Money". There are programs available to help with down payment, closing cost, etc...and yes it is real!

Want referrals of past and current clients? Have questions about the Charlotte market? or feel ready to take your first step towards purchasing, or investing in real estate? I am just a phone call, or text away.

(704) 380-0178