Questions for your real estate agent, Internet marketing.

Unless you are in a cave, with no access to technology, then you know how important the internet has become to all of us. The National Association of Realtors tells us that approximately 92% of buyers start their search on the internet. If this statistic is true then why dont potential home sellers "grill" me about my internet marketing? Here are a couple of suggestions for the home seller as you interview real estate agents. •Ask the agent how the internet marketing works. In other words when the agent inputs your home in a computer how does it appear on other websites. •What are the top websites that are being used for real estate searches? •How do I know if people are seeing my home on these top websites? •How many pictures appear on the internet? •Do you, the agent, take your own pictures or use a professional photographer? What am I doing before a listing appointment? I email one of my listings to my potential client. I send links from four major real estate websites (Trulia, zillow, realtor.com, and yahoo.com) so they can see the quality of my listings. I also email the potential client the professional virtual tour I have done on my homes. I send them links where my virtual tours are located including obeo.com and youtube.com This gives my potential clients the ability to see my product before we meet in person to discuss other details. Final word to the sellers: After you choose your real estate agent, have them send you the links to your home on the internet so you can see the finished product. I say this not to bash my fellow agents. However I am amazed on how bad some homes appear on the internet. A picture of ceiling fan, an open toilet, or a picture so dark that it is a mystery, is doing the home seller a disservice. If you find yourself in the North Atlanta, Lake Lanier or North Georgia area, look us up. We are The Wells Team, www.randywellsteam.com

Home Remodeling and Home Value

How much value does a home remodel add to my home? A very good question. I attended a seminar taught by a fellow Keller Williams agent and 29 year appraiser. We discussed the difficulties, as agents, trying to assist our sellers with the proper pricing of their home. For many sellers pricing becomes an emotional and frustrating issue. A couple of suggestions: Get a good idea of your competition from you agent. Look at all of the features of your competition's homes. Look for new construction in the area. Assess your homes value based on its current age of features Assess your homes value based on doing various remodeling projects Determine if you need to do some remodeling in order to be competitive with other homes. Try to look at your home through the eyes of a potential buyer. The same potential buyer who watches HGTV for the latest trends in housing and wants a "move in" ready home. Work with an experienced agent. The chart shows expected returns for various remodeling projects in the Atlanta area and the Southeast. If you find yourselves in the North Atlanta, Lake Lanier, or North Georgia area look us up at www.randywellsteam.com

Our Monthly Real Estate Update for the North Atlanta, Lake Lanier, and North Georgia Area!

This is our last update for 2013. Thank you for a successful year! If you are in the North Atlanta area, Lake Lanier, or North Georgia area, please look us up. www.randywellsteam.com http://www.icontact-archive.com/yiOThMH64xldx9FOWSbirLWk2f5QXs2H

Sorry But You Have Closed

I write this brief blog based on my experience representing a buyer, a seller, and purchasing my own home. You close on your home, move into the home, and find a problem. What do you do? Recently I closed on a home representing the seller: The buyer had the home inspected. My seller complied with the inspection report and had items repaired. Seller provided buyer with all receipts. The buyer had concerns about the roof. My seller provided the buyer all receipts showing recent repairs. The buyer's agents did a walk through to confirm all repairs had been made. The buyers did a walk through the day of closing to check the home. Closing proceeded normally. The next day I received an email from the buyer's agent saying that the home was filthy and there appeared to be roof issues. Two weeks later I received another email from the buyer's agent showing me a roof leak in the attic. The home has closed. My seller is not under any further obligation to the buyer. My thoughts: Regardless of a proper home inspection, due diligence on the part of the buyer, and their agent, homes can still have problems. I would consider buying a warranty for the home. I would also make sure I had a very thorough home inspection. Home inspectors cannot see everything but I have seen buyers go for the lowest price inspector instead of the most experienced. My seller did not do anything to mislead the buyers. Unfortunately the buyers, and their agent, felt differently. It was a bad situation but: Sorry we have closed

Know Your HOA

If you are buying, selling, or living in an Atlanta area neighborhood, you are familiar with a Neighborhood Homeowners Association. (HOA) The HOA is a fact of life. The intention of the HOA is simple: •Keep the integrity of the neighborhood •Have a written plan for violations of covenants •Promote transparency of finances •Help to keep home values up I live in a very unique neighborhood. The developer is the architectural committee. He approves new construction and improvements to existing homes. He also owns the common assets including the pool, tennis courts, and pavilion. We have an elected board. They make covenant decisions, financial decisions, and make more day to day decisions. We have a management company. One hour away from my neighborhood we have a professional management company. They send letters for violations and provide legal help Confused? You should be because the majority of my neighbors do not understand this very unique situation. And in many cases they do not care. Moral of this story: Your house represents your largest investment. How your HOA performs will have a great impact on your investment. GET INVOLVED, STAY INFORMED, & DO NOT BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS! If you find yourself in the North Atlanta, Lake Lanier area give us a call. We are The Wells Team of Keller Williams Community Partners. www.randywellsteam.com

New Lake Lanier Listing

Take a look at our new, deep water, Lake Lanier Listing

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