Is your real estate agent doing the Job

5 Ways to know if your real estate agent doing the Job
by R. Parker guest author

You have listed your home you have high hopes to be packing up and moving shortly, so why are the offers not pouring in and is this your agents fault or another reason?
Real Estate agents can facilitate the sale of your home and generally they are a good investment in marketing your home at the best possible price and in the shortest amount of time. Realtors do have connections and they have access to the MLS system and the network of agents that this represents. It comes down to having more contact with potential buyers than you will have as an individual trying to sell your own home.

However not all realtors are created equal. How can you determine if your realtor is doing the job?

1. Check the MLS listing on realtor.com and ensure that your home is listed and that there has been effort put into writing the most appealing description possible as well as ensuring that all the details are completed for your home. Having said this don't expect your realtor to outright lie on your behalf. While he/she does work for you and it is in their best interest to sell your home there is no point in wasting their time or yours showing your home to potential buyers that have been misled as to the desirability of your property.

2. Assuming that your realtor works for a company that maintains an office website and with a realtor that maintains their own website (2 points to ascertain before listing with anyone), do the above check on these websites as well. Ensure that these websites have the best possible pictures to highlight the best features of your property. Do not immediately assume that if your realtor has only posted one outside shot of your home that this means that they are falling down on the job. Depending on the type, age and condition of your home this may have been a conscious decision of less is more. While the realtor has no control of the size or quality of pictures on the MLS system, he/she should have on their own website. Therefore ensure that pictures are a minimum of 640x480 pixels in size and the quality is good. Pictures sell homes!

3. Does you realtor check in with you on a regular basis? Regular can have different meanings and will be related to the type of property that you are trying to sell. If you are selling bare land the time required to sell the property may be greater and therefore as there is historically less action you may not hear from your realtor as often as a home sale in a hot area. However you should be aware that your realtor is still in the business as he/she should call at least once a month and as often in a hot market situation as weekly to give you progress reports.

4. In the case of home sales, has your realtor held an open house? Now you should realize that open houses are generally held only for properties that will show well. These are homes with curb appeal as well as well maintained interiors, so if you have a small older home as you will find often in PEI then your realtor may not see an advantage in an open house. Likewise if your home is not kept clean and tidy, your realtor will not want to put the effort into an open house. So do your part and ensure that your home is viewing ready.

5. Finally although the web has taken a lot of emphasis off local media advertising, there are opportunities to market your home through ads in the local paper which will often have a real estate section as well as other local advertising, cable TV channels, real estate publication, mall based kiosks etc. Depending once again on the value of your home and the likelihood of sale, based on value to price, your realtor may advertise in these other ways

Realize that realtors are independent while working within a brokerage. They are responsible for their own costs and some have greater budgets to promote your home than others. However they will always weigh the likelihood of a sale with expense and costs. If you are asking a very high price for your home in a lower market your realtor is not going to spend that much advertising it. Likewise if you aren't willing to do your part and get your home ready for sale as well as keeping it 'show ready' this will affect the amount of money and effort any realtor will invest in your home sale.

About the Author
R. Parker works with local realtors to promote PEI and help residents and visitors alike enter the PEI real estate market. Check out PEI real estate listings.

Buying Real Estate

http://blogs.nwihomefinders.com/wordpress/2010/01/10-budget-tips-to-buying-real-estate/

10 Budget Tips To Buying Real Estate

18 January 2010, 2:06 am

10 Budget Tips To Real Estate Purchasing
by Calvin Tan, guest author

1. Get pre approved for your home loan
This signifies, fill out a loan application and go through the process of securing financing. That way, when you are prepared to evaluate real estate seriously, you will know exactly how much home you can afford. Furthermore, you can certify to a seller that your offer is honest.
2. Check up on creative financing options
During the home loan preapproval process, ask about alternatives to get creative with your financing. Low down payment choices, first and second mortgage combinations and first time purchaser programs might help you afford more funding. Many lenders are now selling interest only home mortgages; just be sure you thoroughly evaluate the terms for this form of home loan. Down payment grants are also available in a few instances and may be worth investigating or discussing with your realtor.
3. Sell your existing home first
Although offering your existing home before finding new real estate to purchase can be slightly nerve wracking, any inconvenience will be offset by your skill to commit an offer with money in hand. Contingent purchases are not the best when negotiating to purchase a home. Having your financing in order and your bags packed will give you the advantage in a competitive market.

4. Look for vacant real estate
Perhaps a seller’s job has transferred him out of the ground. Alternatively, perhaps a family bought a new home before placing their existing one on the market. In the end, a vacant home may be just the deal for a perceptive homebuyer, so have your realtor look for vacant property in your preferred neighborhoods. In addition, remember that the longer a house stays empty the larger your negotiating power will be.
5. Consider cosmetic fixers
If you are handy with a paintbrush, a toolset and gardening equipment, consider purchasing real estate in require of cosmetic fixing. Property that lacks curb appeal requires minor handiwork or the yard overhauled could end up being the home of your dreams for a price you can afford. You just require looking beyond the ho-hum to see the potential of a cosmetic fixer.
6. Purchase a home that is a radical remodel project
If you need to live on Lake Washington, but cannot afford a $2m home mortgage, consider purchasing a dilapidated cottage on a fabulous lot with western exposure. In time you will require gutting the existing home and construct from the area up or contract significant home improvements. However, after all your property value will skyrocket. Furthermore, if your carpentry and other construction capabilities are well developed, you can save even more and accrue “sweat equity” all through your remodel by doing much of the work yourself.
7. Do not discount bank foreclosures
One person’s loss may be your gain if you purchase real estate in foreclosure. Despite the fact the search for a decent foreclosure may take a while, your realtor should be able help. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development can be an amazing resource for foreclosed properties. Because that Housing and Urban Development houses are sold at market value, your best bet will be homes that require cosmetic work or even major restore.
8. Land with a manufactured home
Sometimes to purchase a home on a budget, you require looking beyond convention. Despite the fact that your want is to purchase real estate, you may have to settle for a piece of property in an outlying ground with a mobile or manufactured home. Discuss this possibility with your real estate agent and try to keep an open mind about this opportunity.
9. An older, smaller home
Older homes are generally priced much less than newer construction and do not tend to originate buyer bidding wars. If you can enjoy life in an older and smaller home in a district or suburb offs the beaten path, this may be your ticket to real estate ownership.
10. The cheapest house in the best neighborhood
You have your heart set on a specific, and costly, neighborhood, perhaps that you are interested in the schools. Alternatively, maybe it is the nearby proximity to downtown or the waterfront. In the end, a budget savvy purchaser will look for the least costly home for sale in the neighborhood. If you are not in a hurry, you can even play the waiting game to see what properties come on the market. Your real estate agent may be a real asset in this case by investigating potential sellers.

Buying real estate without breaking your budget will require exploration and compromise. On moving day, however, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that your homework paid off!

About the Author
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