Stalker-ish sellers. I know you think you’re being helpful, walking the buyer through your home and pointing out the wagon-wheel light fixture you made with your own two hands, the custom mural of a stingray you paid top dollar to have painted across your living room wall and the way the sounds of happy schoolchildren running across the front yard of your corner lot to get to the school in the next block lifts your spirits. However, the buyers might be trying really hard to ignore, minimize or figure out how to undo the very features of your home you hold dear. They also may want or need to have personal space and conversations with their mate or their agent while they’re viewing your home - you being there, especially walking right alongside them while they’re in your home, prevents them from being comfortable about doing this, or discussing all the things they would change if the home were theirs. In my experience, the more nit picky a buyer gets about a house and the more detailed their list of things they would change, the more serious they are about considering making an offer on this place.
What’s a Seller to do? Back off.
If you are selling "By Owner", walk behind them and keep your mouth shut until they ask you a question and only answer what they want to know. This is very difficult to do but... TMI turns them off from looking.
If you are listed with an agent, let your home be shown vacant, or leave the house when people come to see it. If you need to be there, at least walk outside or go sit at the coffee shop down the way while prospective buyers view your home. If the buyers have questions, their people will contact your people.
Quote of the Week:
Keep away from those who belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that.
The GREAT make you believe you too, can become GREAT!
Friday, March 4, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
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!
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!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
How's The Real Estate Market Now?
How’s Business?
I’ve always been an optimist so I should probably say “wonderful” but I would not be telling you the truth.
Why? My world depends on the real estate market and condition of the real estate market has been no secret …. I would imagine there’s not a person out there who is not aware of the condition of real estate in the past couple of years, things I never thought would happen, happened!
We’ve all seen banks failures, mortgage fraud, upside down mortgages, short sales, foreclosures. There are houses that have been for sale in the market for years.
Many businesses connected with real estate have closed, including many other title companies.
Gateway is still here taking care of people who need us.
I get a lot of calls and emails from those people who have questions about what is involved and what does it cost for title work when they are selling, buying and especially if they are refinancing… they know that they can pick the title company, and are shopping around more than ever in the past. I personally take most of their calls; it gives me a better insight to the market.
Now the optimist in me comes alive. This long snowy winter has had an effect on real estate, but the good news is a loosening up. I’m hearing from buyers and sellers who have a “deal” or are refinancing because banks rates are still good - but they are slowly creeping upward, and they want to get a mortgage before they go higher.
I always ask those callers how they heard about Gateway Title and they tell me they’ve used us before and we made it easy for them and they want to save money by coming back. They have been referred by a friend or relative, and of course, they have seen me on Golden Opportunities!
We are doing everything we can to get this market moving up.
Here’s how we help:
*You can get our famous, free starter kit for selling – just ask.
*Make an appointment for a free consultation about the paper work required, and explanation of the costs and how to save money.
*Sign up for our free informative newsletter.
*Attend a free workshop.
We are having a free real estate work shop to help explain what is needed to succeed in today’s real estate market - Saturday Morning, February 27, 2011 at 9:30 am – our office in Brecksville. Just give us a call or email to register for this workshop. Let me answer your questions and help you.
And when you ask me: “How’s business?” I will tell you “Looking better because of you”!
Call me at Gateway: 440 546 9660 or email me at Rachel@gatewaytitle.com
I’ve always been an optimist so I should probably say “wonderful” but I would not be telling you the truth.
Why? My world depends on the real estate market and condition of the real estate market has been no secret …. I would imagine there’s not a person out there who is not aware of the condition of real estate in the past couple of years, things I never thought would happen, happened!
We’ve all seen banks failures, mortgage fraud, upside down mortgages, short sales, foreclosures. There are houses that have been for sale in the market for years.
Many businesses connected with real estate have closed, including many other title companies.
Gateway is still here taking care of people who need us.
I get a lot of calls and emails from those people who have questions about what is involved and what does it cost for title work when they are selling, buying and especially if they are refinancing… they know that they can pick the title company, and are shopping around more than ever in the past. I personally take most of their calls; it gives me a better insight to the market.
Now the optimist in me comes alive. This long snowy winter has had an effect on real estate, but the good news is a loosening up. I’m hearing from buyers and sellers who have a “deal” or are refinancing because banks rates are still good - but they are slowly creeping upward, and they want to get a mortgage before they go higher.
I always ask those callers how they heard about Gateway Title and they tell me they’ve used us before and we made it easy for them and they want to save money by coming back. They have been referred by a friend or relative, and of course, they have seen me on Golden Opportunities!
We are doing everything we can to get this market moving up.
Here’s how we help:
*You can get our famous, free starter kit for selling – just ask.
*Make an appointment for a free consultation about the paper work required, and explanation of the costs and how to save money.
*Sign up for our free informative newsletter.
*Attend a free workshop.
We are having a free real estate work shop to help explain what is needed to succeed in today’s real estate market - Saturday Morning, February 27, 2011 at 9:30 am – our office in Brecksville. Just give us a call or email to register for this workshop. Let me answer your questions and help you.
And when you ask me: “How’s business?” I will tell you “Looking better because of you”!
Call me at Gateway: 440 546 9660 or email me at Rachel@gatewaytitle.com
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
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.
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.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
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
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
Monday, January 24, 2011
A Great Time to buy a House
Have you heard that now is a great time to buy a house?
All of the “news” programs seem to be focusing on real estate.
The experts know that when the housing market comes back, the rest of the economy follows. It only makes sense.
This whole mess started with the collapse of the mortgage markets and sub-prime lending.
When mortgage lending is healthy, and the housing market is moving, there is work and it trickles down in some way to all of us from builders and supplies to the appliance manufacturer, to salespeople who work in the stores, REALTORS, your friends at Gateway Title and many, more. Stop and think about the impact a healthy real estate market can have on you and the rest of the country.
It’s no surprise. This real estate market gives buyers a rare opportunity to own a home in a market that is not falsely inflated. Lenders are shouting out- mortgage rates at record lows!
Sellers are not giving their properties away, but have adjusted values and offering homes in much better condition than they did in a seller’s market. If you have been hesitating in buying that home, hesitate no more. This is a great time to buy your piece of the rock and our economy needs you!
(Oh, by the way, please name Gateway Title in your contract so we can have the privilege to be your title company – Thanks!)
Have you heard that now is a great time to buy a house?
All of the “news” programs seem to be focusing on real estate.
The experts know that when the housing market comes back, the rest of the economy follows. It only makes sense.
This whole mess started with the collapse of the mortgage markets and sub-prime lending.
When mortgage lending is healthy, and the housing market is moving, there is work and it trickles down in some way to all of us from builders and supplies to the appliance manufacturer, to salespeople who work in the stores, REALTORS, your friends at Gateway Title and many, more. Stop and think about the impact a healthy real estate market can have on you and the rest of the country.
It’s no surprise. This real estate market gives buyers a rare opportunity to own a home in a market that is not falsely inflated. Lenders are shouting out- mortgage rates at record lows!
Sellers are not giving their properties away, but have adjusted values and offering homes in much better condition than they did in a seller’s market. If you have been hesitating in buying that home, hesitate no more. This is a great time to buy your piece of the rock and our economy needs you!
(Oh, by the way, please name Gateway Title in your contract so we can have the privilege to be your title company – Thanks!)
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