About Ottawa, ON

Sellers often feel that, once they sign an agreement with an agent to sell their home, everything is then out of their hands. Some Sellers seem to give up and think that the agent will - should - could do it all without them being concerned or involved. When would these same people pay tens of thousands of dollars to a contractor for a task in their home and not want to have some say? I think ....... NEVER. So, why do Sellers seem to give up control on the sale of their home?

I believe Sellers do not know what they can expect from an agent. They get overwhelmed when they meet to discuss selling their home and just do not get pen to paper on what they want and what they expect. For example, if the listing has spelling mistakes and errors, why are Sellers not calling their agent to get these fixed? If Sellers expect the agent (and not the team) to be available throughout the sale, why don't they put this in writing?

As you would with a contractor doing a $25,000 to $50,000 job in your home, set out what you want and expect and have a frank and open discussion with your potential agent .... before signing the listing contract. If you have some very specific requirements, then make sure that these form part of the contract so that, if these are not done, you have recourse to discuss this with the agency. Every agent that I worked with was willing to do their best to get a home sold. Things went awry when the Seller and the agent differed in what they assumed to be components of the sale. Good communications will resolve so many problems BEFORE they occur. At the end of the day

Who is driving the sale? My hope is that it is the Sellers.

Photo credit: Lourmanir - Namaste - three whelled vehicle

Like most of you, getting likes on your new facebook page can be quite hard! Here are 5 tricks that I have found helps getting a few hundred “likes”!

1) Suggest your facebook to your friends – and ask friends of friends to suggest your page.

REMEMBER: Sometimes your friends may not see or simply miss the suggest notice. If they don’t respond within a week or two, send them a friendly message through facebook – Check up on them, re-connect and at the same time, ask them to join your fan page!

2) There are actually a few sites like “Fiverr” that people are ready to suggest their page to all their friends on facebook for $5! Not a bad deal!

You will have to add these people on your admin page for them to suggest the page! Danger: Make sure you are getting valuable prospect in the right area of your market!!

3) Link your profile to all your linked, Twitter and other blog site!

Send a quick message to your friends on those other social sites and ask them to join your fan page! Also, return the favor and add “like” their page in return!

4) Upload some video on facebook!

Although we usually tend to upload all our videos to youtube, uploading them on facebook can have a very positive feedback! By doing this, people may tend to lend right on your page and like your fan page!

5) GET AN ATTRACTIVE PROFILE PICTURE!

Look professional! Dress to impress! First impression is everything!

I would love to help you out on your facebook likes! – Let me know what is your page and I would be glad to like your page!

And return, it would be great if we can connect on facebook!

Lucie Martel

Martels Real Estate Inc. Maison de courtage

http://www.facebook.com/martelsrealestate

Twitter: @The_Martels

A lot of buyers do not realize that they can use agents when purchasing a new home! It can benefit the buyer for better negotiation and help along the way! Plus it won't cost you more! It is so rewarding when clients write or do testimonials for you! Had a great time working with you Paul! Merci!

With no snow until Christmas, it has been a big adjustment to have had a couple of storm days with weather watches, icy roads, ice pellets and some very deep snowfalls. Even the Mountain Ash has taken to wearing a toque. Of course this 'hat' will only stay put until the next breeze comes along or we get rain.