But, the Seller (Understandably) May Not Go For It Show me a listing agent (representing the Seller) who’s supremely confident that their client’s home will appraise . . . and I’ll show you a home that sold for too little. Huh?? I only know of two ways to absolutely, positively eliminate the risk of a...Read More
Does Over-Interviewing Lead to Overpricing? Anxious Buyers aren’t the only ones bidding up home prices (or at least list prices) this year. So are some Realtors, including at least a few who should (and do) know better. “Buying the Listing” One of the things that can happen when prospective home Sellers interview lots of agents...Read More
“Covering the [Real Estate] Spread” (i.e., Commission) Call it real estate brokerage’s dirty little secret: a good Realtor can add more value in some deals than others. While a Realtor’s “value-added” should always exceed their commission — if it were otherwise, there wouldn’t (and shouldn’t) be Realtors — some types of transactions simply offer more opportunity to...Read More
Changing Mix of Comp’s (“Comparable Sold Properties”) It may strike non-professionals as odd, but real estate market values are established by “looking through the rear view mirror” — that is, by scrutinizing recent, similar sales as near to the subject property as possible. Every rule has its exceptions, but the conventions in residential real estate are: ...Read More
Why Didn’t That Home Appraise? Test your knowledge of today’s housing market, and answer the following question: What is the most common reason homes fail to appraise today? A. Buyers who pay an above-market price, perhaps in multiple offers. B. Appraiser inexperience (they use the wrong Comp’s, or get the adjustments wrong). C. Appraiser error...Read More
You Know They Know You Know (Know What I Mean?) Not all overpriced homes are created equal (and today’s housing market seems to have more than usual). In fact, it sure seems (at least to me) like they divide into two camps: 1) Sellers who are overpriced and know it; and 2) Sellers who are...Read More
