Of High Tides and Homes A recession is when your neighbor loses their job. A depression is when you lose yours. –Harry Truman A good economy is when you get a raise. A great economy is when you get a raise and a promotion. –Corollary, Ross Kaplan What do those observations have to do with...Read More
Counterpart to The Motivated Seller “I have a buyer coming to town and we will be buying a home for them, next Tuesday/Wednesday.” –Realtor “broadcast” email, describing the Buyer’s price range, desired home criteria, geographic preference, etc. When you think about the housing market and motivation, most people think about Seller motivation. “Why are they...Read More
On the Other Hand, You Don’t Need a Lawnmower Some people’s idea of the perfect backyard is room for a garden, pets, and kids, with plenty of grass (not necessarily in that order). Some people’s . . . isn’t. This home would appeal to the latter (that’s a shed in between the house and the...Read More
“Your Buyer? Show it Yourself!!” After my own vent, what’s next most cathartic? Another Realtor’s. So, I enjoyed fellow blogger Teresa Boardman’s recent post about having other Realtors’ clients call to have you show them properties that you’re listing. With 30 minutes notice (maybe). Nope, actually that’s their Realtor’s job. Mine is to make sure...Read More
Working With Buyer Objections (Or Not) One of the things that happens when you list a home is that you find out all the reasons it doesn’t work for a given Buyer. So, the home’s too . . . big/small/expensive/cheap/dated/updated, etc. When that’s the case, a good Realtor — with extensive local market knowledge — will...Read More
Cost-Effective Home Improvements What are the most cost-effective home improvements? Actually, homeowners’ biggest bang for the buck isn’t improving anything — it’s fixing something that’s broken. As a listing agent, I’ve seen Buyers deduct $3 (or more) for every $1 in needed repairs. Why so much? A) because it’s a hassle; B) because the amount...Read More
