Okay people, it is now January and those of us in real estate are turning our thoughts to the up coming spring market.   Biggest issue:   LOW INVENTORY – especially in the West County area.   So I am sending out the appeal….if you are thinking of selling this year please contact me  so we can discuss market value and what you need to do to get your home beautiful for those on line daters – I mean on line buyers.  😉

Home buying and selling is very much a business deal but unlike other strictly business deals, home buying and selling has a huge emotional element.    I’ve said before, our homes define us and show the world a bit about who we are.   Thus, we have to love the home we purchase and live in.   So when folks are buying they are looking to fall in love so to speak.   It’s my job to make sure the beauty of the home they fall in love with not skin deep and superficial.   That not only is the decor nice but the bones too.     Sellers must remember when they make the decision to list a home, it is no longer theirs…they must have the attitude that the home is the public’s and make adjustments to decor etc. based on what the masses might be looking for.   The painter I use to neutralize decor for my listings calls it “boring”.   But by neutralizing your decor, buyers are not distracted by the decor and can see the house and how their own furnishing might look in the home.

One of the other things I want to address here is just some things to remember when you are thinking of buying or selling.     These thing pop up from time to time and can be frustrating for us realtors.

•  If you are planning to leave the area, I can refer you to an agent in the new city you are planning to move to.   The agent will be a Coldwell Banker agent and will keep me posted on your transaction in your new city.   I can also do the same for those who are selling in another city and moving here.
• If you are planning to build a home, don’t allow the builder’s representative to be your rep too.   A realtor can assist you in negotiating add on’s and upgrades in your new build.   As a buyer it costs you nothing to have your own representation.
• Don’t be afraid to use a friend as your realtor.   We don’t get all the detailed info on your finances….that’s your lender’s business.   And even if we do get some personal info we are professionals who will guard your info and frankly forget about it the minute the deal is done!  And a friend is going to care about you more than a stranger.
• Be careful when asking for info on Zillow…often listings have the names of agents who have paid for position on the site.   Once you start talking to an agent or they show you a house, it’s difficult to then call a friend to help you buy that house.   There is something called procuring cause that gives the agent who showed you a home in the first place rights to commissions.   CALL YOUR REALTOR FRIEND FIRST!

Let me know how I can help in 2018….I’m ready to go!