Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Fielding a Lowball Offer on Your Home

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Copyright 2010 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Listing...Listening Presentations

Listing…Listening Presentations
As an agent in the Fort Myers Real Estate Market I meet with tons of sellers. Sometimes I am competing for their listing with other agents. I often wonder why they choose me to sell their home. I know the obvious. I have experience, a great listing presentation, quality charts and graphs. I know the Lee County Real Estate market. But aren’t the other Real Estate Agents showing them similar presentations? Don’t they have access to the same MLS information? I wanted to think it was just because I was better looking that the sellers chose to go with me to sell their home…but I know that is not the case.
I asked one of my sellers recently after we had built quite a bit of raport why he went with me over the other agents he had spoken with. He told me it was because during the presentation I did more listening than I did presenting. I asked questions. I found out what their motivation for selling was. The seller was impressed that I included them in the process and tried to get to know them. He said that other agents just came in with a fancy presentation and told them how they are Super Agent, blah, blah, blah. I was the only one who really sat down with them to develop a plan to accomplish their goals.
Someone once told me that you can’t learn with your mouth open. Make sure you are doing at least as much listening as you are talking the next time you are on a listing appointment.
TO FIND OUT WHAT YOUR NEIGHBORS SOLD THEIR HOUSE FOR GO TO: www.resuperstars.com

Monday, June 28, 2010

Get Ready for Fourth of July- Gas Grill Info

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Copyright 2010 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Cape Coral's Red, White and Boom Entertainment Schedule Announced

The Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral proudly welcomes Universal Music Recording Artists Trailer Choir as the headlining act at RE/MAX Realty Team's Red, White and Boom.

Trailer Choir will take the stage at 8:00 p.m. as the feature act before the Heroes and Leaders American Tribute kicks off the spectacular fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.

Discovered in 2007 by superstar Toby Keith, Trailer Choir has been performing on his national tours for the past three years. He featured the group in his 2008 film Beer for My Horses, so Trailer Choir's "Off the Hillbilly Hook" video featured Toby and the movie's co-star Willie Nelson. Keith also co-produced their debut CD. In 2009, Trailer Choir exploded on the airwaves with the merry, rollicking "Rockin' the Beer Gut," a song that has sold more than a quarter of a million copies. "Last Man Standing" was used by ESPN and ABC in a national NASCAR promotion. In 2010, the filming of its jaunty "Rollin' Through the Sunshine" video became a feature story in Country Weekly.

"Red White & Boom proudly welcomes ROGER DEAN CHEVROLET OF CAPE CORAL as the Stage Sponsor," said Bob Knickman, Special Events Director for the Chamber. "We are happy to have the support of Cape Coral's only new car dealership. Also, special thanks to our radio sponsor Cat Country 107.1 for lining up our headlining act Trailer Choir."

Rounding out the entertainment schedule are local bands Retro Light (5:00 p.m.) and The Mixx (6:00 p.m.)
RE/MAX Realty Team's Red, White and Boom kicks off at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday July 4th.

The mission of the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral is to promote and serve business and community. The main Welcome Center is located at 2051 Cape Coral Parkway E. For more information please call the Chamber at (239) 549-6900 or visit www.capecoralchamber.com

If you would like to search Cape Coral Florida properties like a Realtor® go to: www.resuperstars.com

www.jonesandcorealty.com

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Six Reasons to Reduce Your Home Price

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Copyright 2010 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Improve Your Credit

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Copyright 2010 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Understanding Real Estate Representation

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Copyright 2010 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Save Youself the Aggrevation

I read a blog post by another Realtor the other day about Lookie Lou’s. She was asking how to deal with people who just like viewing homes for fun. Apparently a lot of agents have spent countless hours, gas, mileage on their cars, and a few lunches taking people around to see houses that they have no intention of buying.
I won’t show a house to anyone who doesn’t have proof of funds or a pre-approval letter. This is a rule of mine. It is mandatory. If a potential buyer is willing to give you their bank statement or go through the trouble of getting pre-approved then they are probably serious.
I also make them sign an Exclusive Buyers Agreement. I don’t want to waste my time showing people houses all day long for them to call on a sign the next day and buy a house directly from the listing agent. I want them to be committed to doing business with me.
Why do so many agents have such a hard time asking for these things? Are you afraid you are going to lose a deal? Who cares? If potential buyers aren’t willing to make a commitment to you for all your time, research, expertise, then you don’t need them anyway. As soon as you stop worrying about losing a deal I promise your business will increase. Instead of spending all day Saturday taking Lookie Lou’s on a tour you could be prospecting for some real buyers.
I encourage you to put your own personal policies in place to make sure you have a real buyer. Make these stipulations required. No exceptions. It will save you a ton of aggrevation.

www.jonesandcorealty.com

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Keep Your Home Purchase on Track

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Copyright 2010 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

What Sells Homes?

What sells homes? Better yet...What sells anything? I was told since I was very young that something was only worth what someone was willing to pay for it. So when selling a home, the value of that home is only what someone is willing to pay for it.

Price sells homes. If you are in a gated community like many communities here in SW Florida then most of the homes are the same. There are very few differences between them. Sure you may have upgraded carpet or the nicer appliance package but for the most part they are the same.

The condition of the property is very important however I have found in most of our upscale gated communities here in the Ft. Myers area that most people take extremely good care of their properties. Staging your home properly can definitely add to the appeal when people walk through it. Staging a home properly will increase your chances of selling but ultimately it comes down to price.

If there are three very similar properties on the market in the same community the one with the smallest listing price will almost certainly sell first. If you are motivated to sell then you need to work with a Realtor and receive accurate information about the community and stay abreast of current pricing of competing properties within it.

Click here to see what your neighbors' homes sold for here in SW Florida!

Monday, June 14, 2010

Negotiate Your Best House Buy

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Copyright 2010 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Websites Suck!!

A year ago I attended a webinar called "Websites Suck, Squeeze Pages Rule." In developing our company website recently I was reminded of this information I learned. A typical real estate website consists of a bunch of information. We have information about our company, our associates, the local community, even our listings. What we lack however is a call to action.

There are thousands if not millions of real estate related websites that are all very similar. They have tons and tons of text. What they don't have is a compelling reason for a prospective customer to contact us or to enter their contact information. What good is it having tons of people looking at your site if you don't know who they are or how to contact them?

For those of you who don't know, a squeeze page is a website whose only goal is to get you to fill out a contact form in order to create a lead. You have all seen them, and most of you have probably filled one or two out in an effort to get the information you came to that site looking for. The squeeze page offers you something in return for entering your contact information thus creating a lead. Isn't that what we should be doing with our online marketing? Creating leads!

To do this you must have a compelling call to action! A couple examples would be:

Sign up here to receive a FREE Foreclosure List!

Search our MLS like a REALTOR!

These would entice a prospective customer to enter their information thus giving you a workable real estate lead. What other call to actions have you seen that really entice people to give you their information on your website?

Please share any really good results you have had with calls to action!

Friday, June 11, 2010

7 Steps to Take Before Buying a Home

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Copyright 2010 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Consistency is Key

I work with Realtors all the time who seem to be going in so many different directions that they really aren't going anywhere. They try one type of marketing for a short period of time and then if they don't see immediate results they start trying something new. They seem to always be searching for the next gimmick that is going to fill their in box with fresh new leads. If their latest letter to expired listings doesn't land them a few new listings they switch tactics completely and start marketing on Craigslist.

While both of those methods are fine you need to do them with consistency. One expired post card typically won't win you a new listing. You should follow up with multiple letters or cards and of course a phone call.

Posting listings on Craigslist is a wonderful way to generate buyers leads. But you have to do it over and over again to keep them fresh. I know a young lady who got in this business with very little start up capital. She posted 10 Craigslist adds before breakfast and 10 before lunch four days a week. That was the only advertising she could afford. In her first year she made nearly six figures. Her key to success was she picked doing one thing and doing it consistently.

My suggestion is that you sit down a create a plan of action. Block out time in your schedule to implement your plan and stay the course. Make sure you set goals that are realistic and achievable. Then track your efforts and measure your results. Make small adjustments to your plan as needed. But don't just throw up your hands and go in a completely different direction because you didn't get instant gratification

Search the SW Florida MLS just like I do! Get a free Listingbook account:

www.resuperstars.com


www.erikelsea.com


www.jonesandcorealty.com

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

How Much Mortgage Can You Afford?

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Copyright 2010 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Monday, June 7, 2010

Home Buying Tips

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Copyright 2010 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

The Numbers Don't Lie

My focus in the SW Florida Real Estate market is to go after listings. Competing with all these short sales and foreclosures has made it difficult for conventional sellers to get what they want out of their properties. The market determines value. My father used to always tell me something is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. So arming my sellers with accurate information on market conditions is the only way I can show them what the market is doing.
Even though most of the foreclosures in this market are distressed properties and it shows in their condition they are usually priced to reflect that. Explaining this to my customers can be difficult but with the online tools I use I can show them real up to date accurate information. This makes my job of getting the listing and subsequently a sale much easier.
A CMA used to be a really good tool for doing this but having a cyber CMA to give my sellers updates and reports for the ever changing market not only keeps them informed constantly but makes my job easier when it comes to price adjustments.
An educated seller is the best kind of seller to have!

Friday, June 4, 2010

6 Tips for Buying a Home in Short Sale

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Copyright 2010 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Congratulations JJ Jones

JJ Jones is pleased to announce the creation of Jones & Co. Realty. Imagine finally working with a brokerage that has created a community of successful professionals, a synergistic environment of collaboration and support where all can prosper.
JJ Jones, past President of the Greater Ft. Myers & the Beach Association of Realtors, Real Estate Coach and Trainer brings you the best of both worlds. 100% Commission plan coupled with:
-A Fun, Professional Environment
-Full Broker Training and Support
-State of the Art Technology
-Lead Creation Program
This is what the Real Estate Market has been waiting for!
A company who helps you realize your dreams and realizes your business is “all about YOU!”
$99.00/mo $129.00 per transaction 100% commission.
Or
$0/mo $129.00 per transaction 80/20 commission split.
Its that simple!
We are committed to coaching you to meet and exceed your career goals.
Contact us today for a confidential meeting to discuss YOUR career!

www.erikelsea.com
www.resuperstars.com
www.jonesandcorealty.com

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Change is Good

I recently moved my license to Jones & Co. Realty here in Fort Myers Florida from a company I have been with in one fashion or another since 2004. It was a very difficult decision because I consider my old owners as close personal friends. I have been loyal for years. Even through the ups and downs of this crazy real estate market.
But I felt like I needed a change in my career. Things have been good here in Ft. Myers this past year due to low prices and government incentives. Foreclosures in Lee County are at their lowest levels in three years and the median price has crept back up to over $100,000. I believe this market is ready to make a long sustained run of growth. So now was the time to make a change.
My difficult decision was made easier because I was going to work with someone who I have so much respect for. JJ Jones is past President of the Ft. Myers Association of Realtors, a corporate trainer for Listingbook, long time Broker and Manager, and real estate coach.
What really excited me was the business plan Jones & Co. Realty. They are a true 100% Company. I have seen ads and received emails from other 100% Companies in the area but they offered very few services and usually charged large transaction fees or desk fees. Jones & Co. Realty only charges $99.00/mo. And $129.00 per transaction. Its really that simple.
When I think about how much money I have given my past company for what ammounted to very little in the way of training, coaching, support, leads, etc. I can’t believe it. I have created my own business and leads my entire career. I created the business I have and now I get to keep the rewards. I will miss my friends at my old company but now with my extra commission I can afford to take them out for drinks from time to time.

www.jonesandcorealty.com

www.resuperstars.com

www.erikelsea.com

7 Tips for Short Sale Success

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Copyright 2010 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®