I have heard about the 3 P's for a year now, they are Put up a sign, Putin the MLS and Pray. but I believe there is a fourth P - Put in the Newspaper.
If over 80% of home buyers are stat ring their search for their new home on the Internet, why do we insist on advertising Real estate in the newspaper? Many of the buyers who I have successfully help find homes started their searches in places like Trulia, Zillow, Realtor.com or any of the other real Estate web site. Yes, I have even got clients who have found me here at Activerain.
These site are easy to use, and in many cases they are free.
If you are thinking of putting your home on the market in this area and want to learn more about marketing your home on the Internet, come see us at http://www.WeSellPekin.com or http://www.TonyBrust.com see what an e-PRO can do to help you with your Real Estate needs.
Now there is a phrase I am hearing all of the time! I start working with a client and the next thing I know, they are calling me telling me about the advice they are getting from friends, family, neighbors, gas station attendants, etc....... Ok maybe not the gas station guy! The point is, as soon as you start looking to buy or sell your home, it seems everyone you know is an expert in the field.
I know that they are only doing this because they care about the other person and want to give them their advice. They mean no harm, but the fact is they are not the experts in the field. Many agents work long and hard to keep up with market trends and local statistics. Family and friends know what they hear on the news.
I called a client just the other day after she sent me a text about family advising her on her real estate need. I ask her "How many of the people close to are now EXPERTS in Real Estate now that you are looking to buy a home?" She laughed out load and told me she couldn't believe the number!
Friends and family mean well, heck even the gas station guy means well, but your agent will give you the best advice......Provided you did your homework and picked the right agent!
I was surfing the Internet the other night and I found a seller who had posted a question on a sight I often read. She was confused and concerned about "Dual Agency". She did not understand it, she had a listing appointment in 2 days and she was concerned.
Illinois allows for Dual agency. Dual agency occurs when a real estate agent is representing both buyer and seller in the same transaction. Since the agent has promised a duty of confidentiality, loyalty and full disclosure to both parties simultaneously, it is necessary to limit these duties in this situation, if both parties consent.
You might note that I bold faced that last part. You have a right to say no to dual agency! Many people do not understand that. If you want your agent to represent ONLY you in a transaction, say no to dual agency. If the agent "tries" to convince you it is ok to have dual agency, tell them you are not comfortable with it.
I do not practice dual agency. It is a personal choice. I want you to know you also have that choice.
FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT
As Modified in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
Major Modifications Italicized
February 2009
|
FEATURE |
CREDIT AS CREATED JULY 2008 APPLIES TO ALL QUALIFIED PURCHASES ON OR AFTER APRIL 9, 2008 |
REVISED CREDIT - EFFECTIVE FOR PURCHASES ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2009 AND BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2009 |
|
Amount of Credit |
Lesser of 10 percent of cost of home or $7500 |
Maximum credit amount increased to $8000 |
|
Eligible Property |
Any single family residence (including condos, co-ops, townhouses) that will be used as a principal residence. |
No change All principal residences eligible. |
|
Refundable |
Yes. Reduces (or can eliminate) income tax liability for the year of purchase. Any unused amount of tax credit refunded to purchaser. |
No change Purchasers will continue to receive refund for unused amount when tax return is filed. |
|
Income Limit |
Yes. Full amount of credit available for individuals with adjusted gross income of no more than $75,000 ($150,000 on a joint return). Phases out above those caps ($95,000 and $170,000). |
No change Same income limits continue to apply. |
|
First-time Homebuyer Only |
Yes. Purchaser (and purchaser's spouse) may not have owned a principal residence in 3 years previous to purchase. |
No change Still available for first-time purchasers only. Three-year rule continues to apply. |
|
Revenue Bond Financing |
No credit allowed if home financed with state/local bond funding. |
Purchasers who utilize revenue bond financing can use credit. |
|
Repayment |
Yes. Portion (6.67% of credit or $500) to be repaid each year for 15 years, starting with 2010 tax filing. |
No repayment for purchases on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009 |
|
Recapture |
If home sold before 15-year repayment period ends, then outstanding balance of repayment amount recaptured on sale. |
If home is sold within three years of purchase, entire amount of credit is recaptured on sale. Applies only to homes purchased in 2009. |
|
Termination |
July 1, 2009 (But note program changes for 2009) |
December 1, 2009 |
|
Effective Date |
Purchases on or after April 9, 2008 and before January 1, 2009. Repayment to begin for 2010 tax year. |
All revisions are effective as of January 1, 2009 |
Congress is trying to help the ailing economy by opening the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit to ALL Home buyers and double the amount.
All week, Republicans and many Democrats have complained the legislation would not do enough to help the ailing housing sector, which is suffering from deflated prices and mortgage foreclosures.
This change, which must still be approved by the House of Representatives, could begin to address their concerns.
The amendment was offered by Sen. Johnny Isakson, a conservative Republican from Georgia, and Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, a former Democrat turned independent.
"It is time to fix America's problem, not throw money at the symptoms," Isakson said.
The amendment would expand for one year an existing $7,500 tax credit for first-time home buyers to all purchasers of principal residences. And it would boost the credit as high as $15,000, or 10% of the home price, whichever is less.
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The internet is key to selling your home! See me for the plan that will do that. Visit my websites for details or email Tony@TonyBrust.com. Agents, I am never too busy for referrals
www.TonyBrust.com and www.WeSellPekin.com
I started my Real Estate career in March of 2008 after selling a successful business, Brust Distributing Inc. I produced over 1 million in sales in my 9 months and was awarded the President's Club Bronze Award from the Peoria Area Association of Realtors. On August 24th I move to Jim Maloof Realtors to further the real estate experience for my clients.
In my first year, I achieved the designations of e-PRO (the only NAR approved Internet Certification Program) as well as ABR (Accredited Buyer's Representative) and passed the first of three phases of GRI (Graduate Realtor Institute)
For Sellers, I am able to promote listings, using Web 2.0 technology, going beyond using only print media. This helps my listings be seen sooner and by more people than relying on newspaper alone.
My internet skills also help buyers, I have the ability, using a computer program, to match my buyer's wants and needs to new listings that come into the area and send automated emails of those listings immediately! It is a great tool that saves my clients time and money and helps them see homes before the competition finds them.
In January of 2009, I formed WeSellPekin.com, a website dedicated to the community of Pekin.
Here is some info about me:
If you are selling your home see me for my comprehensive marketing plan.......a plan to move you to the next level of your real estate needs.
My Client-First Philosophy
There are many qualities and skills that go into being an excellent real estate professional - integrity, in-depth community and market knowledge, marketing savvy, effective negotiation skills and a high-quality professional network, all of which are hallmarks of how I work.
That said, in my experience as a Pekin real estate professional, I've also found that providing the very best service is essentially about putting my clients first. This means keeping myself accessible, being a good listener as well as a good communicator, and responding quickly to your needs.
This "client first" philosophy has always been my approach and it requires me to continually improve my skills and ways of doing business. In addition, I've found that the latest technologies are enabling me to do everything I've always done, only much more quickly and efficiently. They've also helped me to extend the range of services I provide to my clients.
So when you decide that you'd like to buy or sell a home in the Pekin or Peoria area, please contact me.
Here you will find a wide variety of useful information and resources designed to help you buy or sell a home more effectively in the Pekin and Peoria areas. From information on the local community, to advice about finding a mortgage or preparing your home to sell, it's all available here on my web site.
Want to se my current listings? Go to my "MY LISTINGS" page.
You can also search for your ideal home by viewing current listings with detailed descriptions and photos or send me an email of the property address you are interested in at HelpMeFindAHome@TonyBrust.com and I will email you the information that same day.
Feel free to use my "Search For A Home" page to search other listings in the Pekin and Peoria area and browse homes for sale.
You can also get help determining the value of your home by requesting a report that includes the prices of similar homes that recently sold or are currently for sale in the Pekin areas.
So whether you're buying or selling, feel free to contact me and I will be happy to help you with all your real estate needs.
I have formed http://www.WeSellPekin.com the only site you will need for the Pekin IL and Peoria Il area's Real Estate Needs. We have taken a new approach to selling your home. Instead of practicing the 3 P's of Real Estate (Put up a sign, Put in the MLS and Pray) we will use the internet to market your home.
The first 30 days are the most important in marketing your home. Our 30 day saturation plan is designed to maximize your homes exposure during this critical time. To sell your home we will do the following:
How will we market your Home?
The internet is becoming key in the marketing of homes today.
We go beyond print media to the internet to help Sell Your Home.
We will post you home on these sites:
backpage.com
craigslist.com
DotHomes.com
Google Base
HotPads.com
Oodle.com
Properazzi.com
Trulia.com
Vast.com
Zillow.com
WeSellPekin.com
TonyBrust.com
Realtor.com
PAAR Message Board
ActiveRain.com
Localism.com
VisualTours.com
All agents using IDX on their websites in the Peoria MLS (4 counties)
And more...
Jim Maloof Realtor
Has more offices in the area than any other brokerage
Your home will have its own email address for instant information to interested parties.
Market Plan for the First 30 Days
Week 1:
- Digitally photo shoot your home.
- Prepare your homes virtual tour for both VisualTours.com and YouTube.com
- Set-up Email address for your properties instant info
- Enter listing into MLS system.
- Submit your listing to Realtor.com.
- Submit your listing to Craigslist.com and over 50 other sites!
- Submit your listing to Search engines
- Put up "For Sale" sign.
- Install lock box.
- Review showing tips.
- Prepare property flyer/brochure.
- Post your listing on PAAR website.
Week 2:
- Announce your listing in Tuesday morning meeting to top agents.
- Schedule Agency caravan tour of homes.
- Invite local Realtors to tour your home.
- Submit to Relocation Department.
- Schedule your Open House.
- Run ad in Sunday paper.
- Email listing to top agents.
- Review status with clients.
Week 3:
- Hold Sunday Open House.
- Continue advertising
- Continue e-mail blitzing
On-Going:
- Report weekly to clients.
- Show property to prospects.
- Review price based on agent input & market conditions.
ASAP:
- Obtain an acceptable contract on your property!
Why use an e-PRO?
We undersatnd in today's market, consumers often turn to the internet before consulting a real estae agent. As an e-PRO I can take away some of the hassel to find information. I can do this by using some of the following tools:
I can get you more information faster and easier through technology!
Not an e-PRO? Agents click on my certificate to learn about taking the next step in your career. If you decide to take on this endeavor you can get a discount here also.
I am proud to be an e-PRO. To me it shows that I am dedicated to learning more ways to help my clients fulfill their dreams of buying or selling a home in the most efficient ways possible. An e-PRO's understanding of technology can be a very important factor for a buyer or sellers decision on whom they choose to help them in their endeavors in the process of Real Estate. Marketing Your Home on the Internet Your REALTOR® should advertise your home online. The Internet is a vital marketing tool for home sellers and has two important roles in the real estate selling process. First, it is a "place" to view real estate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and all from the comfort of home or office. There are many real estate sites, including individual agent sites, real estate franchise and brokerage sites, and also industry sites. Second, and equally as important, the Internet offers immediate communication via e-mail and instant messaging and gives REALTORS® and consumers more opportunities to keep in touch. Marketing your home works best using a combination of marketing strategies, knowing the local market conditions and having contact with buyers and other agents. Working with an experienced REALTOR® gives you valuable expertise in all areas related to marketing your home to buyers.
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
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