How Much Do You Value A Free Home Warranty?

What value do we place on FREE? For the past 9 years we have placed free warranties on all the homes we list. Our team incurs the cost. In our listing presentations we highlight this feature as an added value to working with The Wells Team. We receive acknowledgment from the potential client but it does not add as much weight to their decision as we thought it would. That being said we continue to list of very high percentage of homes after giving them our marketing presentation. So here is my thought to all of the potential sellers out there: If the agent does not offer a free home warranty ask them why. If the agent offers a warranty ask about the details. Overall it is a great program as you sell your home. Looking in the North Atlanta, Lake Lanier, or North Georgia area? Check out our website: www.randywellsteam.com

Selling Your Home, Back to Basics

We are nearing the end of a very busy 2013 housing market. What a change from previous years! Even though houses are selling at a much higher rate than last year, I need to caution the sellers. The selective buyer is alive and well! They watch HGTV, keep up with the latest trends in design, and have particular criteria. There is also new construction available which is used as a benchmark. Preparing your home for sale is still a crucial part of the marketing process. Putting a little money into the home will help sell it that much quicker. Interior paint in neutral colors New hardwoods, carpet, or other updated floor coverings Latest counter tops or fixture To the sellers: Put yourself in the situation of a buyer. Look at your home in their eyes. Be willing to invest a little in order to sell your home quicker. Work with your real estate agent not against them. Their advice is based on experience. GO BACK TO BASICS! If you are in the north Atlanta area look us up! www.randywellsteam.com

BACK TO OUR OLD HABITS?

My fellow real estate agents have been busy and it is a great thing to see! Unfortunately I am seeing the return of some bad habits. Specifically I refer to showing appointments and lack of feedback. My partner and I are experiencing numerous occurrences where appointments are scheduled and the agent "no shows". We understand if the agent falls behind or the buyer does not like the curb appeal of a home. However the agent needs to remember that our sellers have moved their life around in order to be out of their home for a showing. As a result my partner and I receive the honor of explaining why our sellers left their home and the home was not shown. In the past I have received mix reviews from my fellow agents regarding feedback. Some believe in it and others do not. We ask for feedback in order to give our sellers something, anything, to give them an idea on why their home is not selling. We realize that if an offer is not received the buyers are not interested. However if my sellers can make changes they are willing in order to sell. So here is what I am asking my fellow "professional" real estate agents. Communicate with sellers agents if you are not going into a home or are running excessively late Take a few minutes and give us some feedback.

Percentages!

After 8 years, and multiple listing presentations, I can throw out a lot of statistics. In a listing presentation the most important statistic is: How much am I going to receive for my home? In my experience, 90-92% seems to be a general average. However I am going to have to reassess that percentage based on the current market, and the price of homes. This year we have sold two homes in the high $600K price range. They both received 96% and 97% of asking price. Why? •Because the sellers had priced the home below their original purchase price. •Because a sales price at 90% of asking price represents a significant amount of money. (approximately 60K) •Because the market is allowing them to hold out for a slightly higher price. This is also the case with homes priced in the $130,000-$170,000 price range. Of course that is a direct effect of the demand for homes in that price range. So how do I answer that question from the beginning of the blog? How much will you receive for your home? I now dispense with the generalizations and provide the potential seller with more specifics on solds in their neighborhood. This is now allowing us to be a little more precise and realistic. Bottom Line: Provide your potential seller with the most precise numbers possible instead of using a generalized statistic.