WHY FSBO SUCCESS is AMAZING THIS SPRING!

Listed Homes for sale inventory is LOW in our area
Buyers finding them on internet 
Seller's are Utilizing the web opportunities
Researching asking price and asking  to the market value
Seek education on paper work
Not afraid to negotiate
Selling to their renter
Family to family sales
Co-brokering with real estate agents.
Staging  homes
Rely on Gateway Title for education on closing costs estimates and procedures.
What else comes to your mind.......?

RING... RING... RING!....MUSIC TO MY EARS

Everywhere I go, someone invariably asks me about the real estate market.
I have my own personal way of knowing how the market is going.
It's the ring of my phone at the office and the number of emails requesting
 our SMART SELLER'S kit.
I always ask how they knew to order it and it is usually because someone told them we can help
them know how to sell by owner from contract to closing or they used us previously and had a great experience. They  are buying or selling again by owner or they have an agent but still choose to have us do their escrow and title work. These folks make my heart sing right out loud!
I am finding out that they are finding us on our website, from Angie's List or just surfing  for help and found us. see www.gatewaytitle.com
   When I hear this and as I talk with these wonderful folks with increased frequency, I know the market is picking up!
Sounds so simple, but it works that way!
We also have  marked increase of sellers contacting us to register for our unique workshop that
again teaches selling your property from "contract to closing"
The terrible weather has had an impact on all of us for sure.
I think there is a big bunch of buyers and sellers out there chomping at the bit to get selling and buying those properties.
Get ready.
It's coming and it will be a great time to for so many of you out there to make that move !
For businesses of all kind, t's been a tough few months since the holidays.
Get ready ...get set..... it's going to get much better for real estate and and economy in general!
The signs are all there  (

call 440 546 9660)
RING.... RING...RING!

TEN WAYS to CURE CABIN FEVER - from Gateway Title

Instead of waiting....waiting .... for spring to spring out,
Start getting busy on your plan to sell your house this year.
HOW?
1. Clean up and throw out or call a local charity to pick up your discards.
What better why to get some exercise, stay warm and get your mind off the weather?
2. Make those minor repairs you've been putting off.
You know,  loose cupboard doors, leaky faucets and slow drains - things like that.
3. Look up other homes for sale in your area.
Try Zillow , Realtor.com, and other real estate websites,compare list prices on homes similar  to yours.
4. Decide how you are going to handle your  listing -
Hire an agent or go "For Sale By Owner"?
5. Under stand the cost and what is involved in closing.
Get your free "Smart Seller's Kit" from Gateway Title - best education out there.
6. Study the information given to you in the kit.
Call or email Gatewaytitle.com with your questions and we'll help you!
7. Register for Gateway Title Seller's Workshop, February 22,2014
Learn from the experts on Paper work, Mortgage information, Marketing Real Estate and MORE!
8. SMART START your title work and save on closing costs.
By having your title examined before you have a buyer, if there is a title problem, it can be
taken care of and no delays when you sell!
9. Lean on us!
Gateway Title is valuable source of information and support!
10. After you get all of this accomplished, You will be CURED of cabin fever and
READY to Get that property SOLD!   SOLD!   SOLD!
(and we can help)
Stay Warm
Rachel



 

 

Buyers will like this - I dare you!

Rachel says, "I Dare You!"

How many calls do you get from your “for sale” sign?

Increase the action on your property.
Separate your property from the pack.
Put it “on sale” and write the sale price right on your sign!

You put the asking price on your flyers, but how many buyers actually
stop the car to take the flyer?

This is an up front, in your face, bold way to advertise on your lawn
sign. I discovered this selling secret from sellers who did it and got a
buyer from the attention it drew.

Anything can be for sale,
The real deals are “on sale”.

If you’d like a white Plastic sign, we found some old signs on which you
could write the asking price and attach to your present yard sign.

Just stop by our Gateway Title Brecksville office and get yours for
free – while the supply last.

Email or call us at 440 546 9660 for more information on this
challenge.

Do you dare?

Rachel

To all sellers

I have been researching marketing real estate and I have discovered that putting the sale price on the sign creates activity on the property creating a better position in finding a buyer.

Do you have thoughts on this? I would appreciate it if you would please reply back to me with your opinion.

Thanks for taking the time to help.
Keeping Life Simple,

Rachel Torchia
President
Gateway Title Agency Inc.
8748 Brecksville Road Suite 100
Brecksville, Ohio 44141

Phone: (440) 546-9660
rachel@gatewaytitle.com
Reak Estate Actuality editor

AND THE WINNER IS? BOTH- BUYER &SELLER!

Follow up ...


Well the buyer and seller finally came to terms and are ready to move on. How did it turn out?

Seller accepts the pro ration of taxes but refused to pay for title insurance. Buyer accepts paying for his title insurance (he wouldn't take title without it).

They made a few other adjustments and are ready to move on.

The moral of this story is.....

If you really want to sell and they really want to buy, KEEP TALKING AND WORK IT OUT!

IT happenes All the Time - I Love IT!

I had an appointment at the Cleveland Eye Clinic  for a check-up yesterday.
The assistant had my chart and was confirming /updating my personal information.
She paused... and then said "Oh, you work at Gateway Title they  did our closing when we bought our home! I still have my Gateway mug, the picture you took and the pretty pens we used to sign our papers"!
   I know I  had a  big smile on my face and  I told her Gateway Title was my company and
 she really made my day.
She Thanked me for making them feel so welcomed, and how we made it so easy for them to relax and
go through the paper work.
She said we were the "Best part of buying the home".
She was the "Best Part" of my day!
Thank You Shana.

Okay, I VENTED - I'M FEELING BETTER NOW!

It's safe to call or email me if you need to know what it will cost
to buy or sell that piece of real estate in Ohio.
Email them to: rachel@gatewaytitle.com
Call me at Gateway Title: 440-546 9660
I really do enjoy helping you and
 answering your questions.

She said::"SHARPEN YOUR PENCIL" - REALLY?

I get calls from buyers and sellers everyday.
They ask a million questions about all phases of real estate.
Much of the time it is about closing costs.
I always take the time to explain who usually pays for what and how much.
Now, this is not something I just throw out there. Many of the fees
depend on the price or if it is a refinance. the amount of the loan.
That being said, I'll explain to you how I figure costs.
1.  Examination of records to determine the condition of the title.
2. Escrow fee to cover the cost of escrow officer who handles all of the paper work
and funds required, clears the title so that buyer gets marketable title, prepare paper work
from the lender for buyer, get deed for seller, pay all of the bills,
 make sure the buyer gets the property
 and  disburse to seller their money and more...
3.  Title insurance premiums in Ohio are all the same since Ohio is a "rated state".
The cost of  the insurance is based on the price or mortgage amount.

 TOTAL closing costs will be more than the above three items.

 We have to collect up front from buyer and/or seller for transfer tax, filing fees, lenders'   mortgage fees,
real estate commissions and other recording  fees, cost of  survey, wire fees, overnight fees..and it goes on and on.
What ever the contract states - we do!
So -there are TWO fees that I control:
TITLE & ESCROW
So, depending on the information you provide, based on the selling price, I can figure out an estimate of closing costs for both buyers and sellers.
Just give me call.
But.... please remember, there are many costs I collect not many are actually mine!

"For Sale By Owners" More Determined Than Ever!

We, at Gateway Title, truly are "FSBO"(For Sale By Owner) experts.
This has been our niche' for 17 years and we have seen it all!
Before 2008, sellers would put their house on the market "by owner" to try it for a couple of weeks.
They usually set the asking price too high with the thought of making a real killing in a seller's market!
After a couple of weeks, if the property is not sold, the sellers call a real estate agent and list at a true market  price,it sells and they pay a commission.
Then of course, the past 4 years have been pretty dead. They go "by owner", then list, and when it expires go back to FSBO or, in total frustration,  take it off the market completely!
Now the "For Sale By Owners" are coming back with a determination I have never seen before.
They order our "Starter Kit" and also, as never before, read every word and call to "Smart Start" the title work (saves them $$).
They are tuned in to the real market value, they refuse to have to pay comission, many times,
 they offer modest
closing credits to a buyer, and THEY ARE SUCCEEDING!
It seems like Gateway is part of the FSBO underground because we get so many request from sellers who were referred by other buyers and sellers.We are working with many "family to family" transactions like never before and it seems  like "starter" homes are back in demand!
 Folks come out of the blue to use our services and we absolutely LOVE it!
We hope this activity is an indication of an improving market for all.
Heaven knows a better economy is what we're all praying for!
PS. Don't stop praying...We think it's working!

Buying His First Home

We just love when we make people happy!

Wed. 12:oo noon - a very nervous young man comes in to sign his papers to buy his first home. He was so excited as he told me how he found the house... 2 hours later the sellers came to sign, they were selling their Mom's home to him. She thanked us for making it so easy  and saving them a lot of costs. It feels right to be able to help others. Thanks for your trust in my company.

For Sale By Owner Mistakes

FSBO (For Sale By Owner) assistance is my speciality!
Yes, that's what I've been  doing for the past 16 years.
FSBOs -  Want to sell with as little cost as possible.
FSBOs - Don't like real estate agents.
FSBOs - Want control.
FSBOs - Sign contracts without checking on buyer's ability to qualify for a mortgage.
FSBOs - Make too many verbal agreements.
FSBOs - Sign an agreement with out of their area Internet real estate companies to get on REALTOR.com and don't realize they've "listed' their property!
FSBOs - Look for help from these agents and they don't get it unless they pay, pay, pay.
FSBOs - Often end up paying a commission to an agent who finds a buyer.
FSBO's  - Some should be listed with a good real estate agent.
FSBOs - Need experts to work with to close their sale with less costs.
FSBOs - Should take the time to learn everything about closing costs, selling,  and transferring title smoothly BEFORE they put their property for sale in this market.
FSBOs - Need a user friendly title company that will walk them through the closing.
FSBOs  - Need my company, GATEWAY TITLE - even if they do end up selling with the assistance of a real estate agent.
FSBOs - ALL PROPERTIES are SOLD by the owner of that property - THINK ABOUT IT!
FSBOs - Can succeed and keep it simple..... let's talk!

Ohio Real Estate Market on Feb.2, 2011

Buyers Have Lots of Questions – Bring Them On!


We have had a definite increase on calls from buyers this year wanting to know about our services and fees.

The FSBO (for sale by owner) workshops are also an indication that sellers are of a new mindset, a moving forward attitude that this is the market- period! Sellers are adjusting to the market values and seemed to have stopped waiting for everything to go back up to what it was three years ago. That’s just not going to happen!

It does appear the market has bottomed out is slowly coming back, and that’s a GOOD thing, but will remain slow until next year when it will probably show a small price increase.

Sellers are also working on making their properties more attractive to potential buyers making those small repairs and staging so the property looks it’s best to potential buyers.

They know there is a ton of competition out there.

Buyers are savvier than they were and are shopping very carefully.

They are also shopping for lenders and title/escrow services. We have never had so many calls from buyers in the past. Many of them have been sent to us by sellers.

Talking to buyers and sellers and keeping their life as simple as possible is where we shine.

Give us a call, we love talking to buyers and sellers. We make the time for you!

Rachel

See my blog: www.realestateactuality.blogspot.com



PS. One thing we’re noticing- many buyers are buying from a family member or friend. We can help you with that and you pay no extra fees or commission. Keeping Life Simple for you.

The Truth About Real Estate Title and Escrow Fees

Gateway Title - Feels Like The Lone Ranger

Are we the only REAL title agency left in the Cleveland area or
have the other remaining title agencies stopped taking phone calls from buyers/sellers and attorneys?
I ask this because we have been getting calls from people who need the help of a title company and tell us we are the only company willing to take the time to listen and help them. ....
  Strange, we like getting business, don’t they?
 True, the values of real estate are not what they used to be but business is business.
There is a glitch that is not always understood by sellers and borrowers:
Just because the property is really, really cheap, doesn’t mean a title company can do the required work really, really cheap.
Anyone in this business knows that the work involved in title and escrow is the same if the property is $8000, or $80,000 or $800,000!
For many consumers, it is hard truth to grasp.

We find the cheaper the property, the more title problems exist.

Regardless of the property value, if you are refinancing, selling and/or buying real estate, and you want it done correctly, you will need a really good, honest title company.

You need Gateway Title.
Let’s see if we can help you.
Give us a call – 440 546 9660

Gateway Title Colors Outside The Lines

Coloring outside the lines is scary business
Sometimes, I don't have the courage for it all.
On my big, bold days though, I like to let my red crayon
just swirl out there with my purple, streaking across the page...
in perfect freedom no lines!
Coloring outside the lines is lonely too.
I'm the only one that doesn't get a gold star on my paper.
The teacher frowns. The kids call me weird or dumb or stupid.
Don't they see? I'm not behind them.
I'm actually out in front. Running free, outside the lines!

It would be nice if I had a friend that would color outside
the lines, sometimes, too
Will you?

.....author unknown

Coming Soon!

Gateway Title Owner/President, Rachel Torchia, will be talking about the Real Estate Market in her first Real Estate Actuality Blog.

http://www.gatewaytitle.com/