You’ve been waiting for this…the best possible news for our housing market to get the right kind of boost! If you have been Pre-Approved – you need to be in contact with your Lender NOW, rates could DROP dramatically and those who are watching will greatly benefit. If you aren’t Pre-Approved but have been considering a purchase – NOW IS THE TIME. (more…)
This message was pulled from a blog on www.headofrealestate.com.
The Real Estate World will Change Posted on February 26th, 2009 by admin As I sit in my office thinking of how the real estate world operates, and I’m talking to Realtor’s and Real Estate Franchises, I see the world changing before my eyes. Since I am one of the highest ranking ERA Agent in the world, I feel like I can honestly evaluate all franchises models and tell you why I don’t think they can or will survive this downturn. ERA for example, charges me a 6% franchise fee on every dollar (gross) that I bring in. Newer franchise owners are charged 8% of every dollar. When my contract with ERA expires, they will try and stick me with the 8% number for certain when they ask my company to renew the agreement with ERA. RE/MAX, Century 21, Prudential and Coldwell Banker are similar models. If you are a new or low producing agent, what you get for that 6%-8% is tons of support and or training and a generic “box” of marking tools to boost your self esteem and make you look like you have experience to the uneducated consumer. If you make $50,000 per year, that $3,000 to $4,000 per year in franchise fees is well worth it. After all, you are giving 50% to your broker anyway. Once agents start to get it (the few who do) and start to sell more real estate, that 8% number starts to choke us. When you factor in what you get for your money, those figures are so unwarranted that you start to wonder why you pay them? In 2008, my Team, The Arcuri Team paid over $57,000 in franchise fees to ERA. Did I get a free ticket to the ERA Convention? NO! I’m was in the top three Teams in the world in 2008 for ERA. Has anyone called me? I have been one of the top agents in the world with ERA since 1995. Have I ever shaken hands with the CEO of ERA? NO. Those privileges are reserved for “the good ol boy network”, the same agents every year. One agent who is on the lecture circuit with ERA is the wife of a big military man. They live outside the20Base in their town. Her husband sees to it that she gets all the leads from that Base. WHAT CAN SHE TEACH ME OR ANY AGENT? She is jet set across the country by ERA to tell everyone how her magnets are prettier than everyone else’s and that is why she is so good! She does not know why she has success! 2 + 2 = 4. It really is insulting. Agents are getting tired of the “same old same old” and we are expecting marketing in exchange for our dollars. I pay for 100% of my marketing! What was ERA’s part in my 2008 success? I really don’t know. I saw ZERO ERA ads in Tampa, no T.V.. ads in Tampa. What I DO know is that with that $50,000, I certainly could have used that money in the TAMPA market! How do I benefit from handing ERA $50,000 per year and nobody knows your name? New franchise models like EXIT Realty are the future. They are not taking advantage of their agents and they allow the agent to keep more money and make more money with their referral program. Agents there can make more than 100% of their commissions. MORE THAN 100%! Other franchises like Charles Ruttenberg and Future Home Realty in Tampa Bay charge a small fee off each closing. Models like this are popping up nationwide and those models ARE the future of real estate. GREED will kill the traditional model and in five short years, the Broker landscape in this country will look very different than it does today. The greedy dinosaurs of today will fall to the wayside just like the real dinosaurs of yesteryear.
It can be confusing, especially since all the “hype” of last year’s tax credit. This easy to understand chart will help spell out BOTH tax credits and offer you a quick glance at whether or not an additional incentive for you to consider BUYING NOW… tax-credit-chart
The “Big Day” is planned and an Open House is just around the corner – QUICK, what do you do??
If the home is currently lived in, my best advice is to make the home feel warm and inviting – yet, less “personal.” I don’t think it is necessary to hire someone to clean your house, unless you just don’t have the time or energy. When a home is lived in, there are going to be “things” out and the house will look lived in (especially if you have young children.) IT’s OK – really. The expectations of the buying public would be able to walk-thru (without having to step over laundry or “stuff”) and actually SEE what the home has to offer for them. Meaning, if you are a hunting enthusiast and you have a room dedicated to the collection of “heads” or skins or even stuffed animals – it might not really represent the STUDY the buyer was looking for.
The most important rooms are the Kitchen and Bathrooms, to offer the cleanliness and space that most everyone is looking for in these rooms. If you are not using the canisters – take them off the counter. Think about what you LIKE about the house and spotlight those features. Now, think about what you DON’T like and either do something to “fix” the problem or at least not draw attention to it.
VERY IMPORTANT: While everyone does there best to keep the flow of the Open House moving, sometimes there will be groups of people that attend and walk-thru. For this reason, ANY personal / valuable items you have should be removed and certainly OUT of plain sight. Medications in the bathroom should be something most people would not even look at – let alone bother, but it is BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. Jewelry boxes and personal effects should also be considered OFF LIMITS to look at – but again, BSTS. I do my best (as do most agents) to try and watch over the house and the contents while the Open House is going on.
You will be amazed at how much just de-cluttering a place can do to make the house feel more spacious and welcoming! You do want good lighting – open curtains, blinds or replace light bulbs. Strong odors are not recommended (either good or bad) so don’t go too heavy on the potpourri or spices while cooking before you leave. YES, I did say “leave.” It is strongly recommended that Sellers NOT be present while the Open House is taking place, simply to allow for buyers to walk-thru and make comments without causing any uncomfortable situations. If there is a reason why you are not able to leave, make sure you discuss this with me (or other agent should I not be the one who has your property listed.) Given ample notice of particular circumstances allows for everyone to be more comfortable with how the day will need to proceed.
If you have pets, take them with you or have them in an area that will not be expected to be explored by Potential Buyers during the Open House. If your pets roam the yard and may have “used” the bathroom, it is best if the area is cleaned so that no-one has the misfortune of stepping in and bringing into the house.
Also, if you are not sure how your house will be perceived, ask a neighbor or friend to come over and give you their opinion. Sometimes, a fresh pair of eyes or a new nose will help offer an impartial yet friendly guide to what you could do to make the house “better” for the Open House.
If the property is VACANT – sometimes, a little furniture is better than leaving everything out of the home. It just helps for people to walk into a room and know this is where a chair could go – or they decide they wouldn’t have a chair. While “neutral” has been the thing – it is still good to have a splash of color (either a picture or a scarf over a chair will work.) Again, think of what attracted you to the property and spotlight that feature.
With the media coverage of recent crimes involving Realtors and Open Houses – I do take precautions to provide for my own protection and that of the house and property I am given charge of for the event. Your understanding and cooperation will not only help to make the Open House a success – but also a Safe Event for us all. I do ask for guests to Register, just as a means of knowing who has had the access for that time. If a guest does not sign in, I can ask them to leave or allow the access with limitations. If at any point I feel either I or the property are in danger, necessary actions will be taken.
I will provide you with an update as to how things went, usually within a day of the event taking place. Sometimes I can update you right away, but other times – if appointments are set for after the open house – I may not be able to respond as quickly.
Variations on Open Houses are sometimes MORE appealing – it you’d like to talk about what that could mean – I’ll be glad to share some ideas that have worked really well in the past. Afterall, my purpose is to get as many people through your property so that the right buyer can be found!
Exit Realty continues to grow and MORE Exit signs are coming to Ohio! This monthly newsletter is just one way we keep posted on the growth… CLICK HERE. (Oh yeah, and they included an article on my latest achievement!!) Take care – more good things to follow!
Not just in one particular area, but nationwide – EXIT REALTY is committed to bringing homes to those in need. CLICK HERE to read this article and learn more about our involvement with various types of community programs.