Showing posts with label #hometown. Show all posts

Monday, August 14, 2017

Listing Agents and Sellers

by HOLLY HURD

One of the Most Important Lessons for Listing Agents and Sellers

Whenever I take a new listing, I counsel the sellers about making sure their home is show ready. Often times, I advise painting a neutral color, or getting new carpet. Not all sellers heed the advice, or quite

frankly, have the funds available to complete the task. Still, it is incumbent on me to make sure their home presents well when photographed. Likewise, the sellers need to understand the importance of keeping it in whatever tip top shape they can manage during the listing period.

You never get a second chance to make a first impression.

Sure, it may be frustrating for sellers who are chomping at the bit to hit the market ASAP so they don't miss the current market demand, but my best advice is to get the preparation done and THEN we'll hit the market. If I'm taking a vacant listing, I will not take photos until I can lightly stage the property. Photographs are very important.

Currently, I'm following a listing in my marketplace that has been sitting on the market for well over seven months. Mind you, we're in a market where it might take a max of thirty days for a well prepared and well photographed home to go under contract. The price seven months ago didn't seem too far out of reach, but the seller is now listed lower. The points of failure to date come from a lack of understanding that you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

The first listing agent had this vacant listing and did not take photographing, or even lightly staging the home seriously. There was nothing in the photos. And the photographs look to be taken hastily at night, at the eye line of a four year old. Lots of floor. In the nearly six months that the first agent has the listing, those horrible photographs were never once updated. The agent did not see the importance of taking the photographs during the daylight, or showing the home from an average person's point of view (not from near the floor.) And why bother ever placing some pops of color like towels in the bathrooms, wall hangings on the walls?

When the first listing ended, I reached out to offer my services. Nope. The seller chose another agent. Well, I am not the only agent that understands how to sell a home in Northville, Michigan.. I was excited that the seller wised up and watched the listing when it came back on the market. Yet, agent number two seems no better.

The listing hit the market with a handful of photographs , that were at least taken during the day. However, not a lot of time taken in the task and it showed. The remarks indicated "professional photographs" were expected as soon as the home was carpeted and painted. Why in the world was this listing hitting the market AGAIN, with a lackluster appearance?

Finally, after having the listing active for two months, the second agent was able to get the professional photographs, showing off the carpet and paint updates. Unfortunately, the seller has also been whacked with another price reduction. It makes me cringe to see this kind of stuff.

My performance as a Northville,Michigan Real Estate Agent is largely due to understanding that my sellers and I don't get a second chance to make a first impression. Need to carpet and paint, but want to hit the market NOW? My advice is for you to do the prep and THEN we'll hit the market. Have a vacant home that needs some fluffing? I'll take my own light staging items in and give the house more inviting, not only for the photos, but for actual visitors.

As evidenced by actual troubled sellers in Northville, Michigan, hitting the market at time of year with the highest demand with your proverbial pants down, is not going to help you sell your home. Do the preparation and have the best product to show, then hit the market. When you hire me to sell your Northville, Michigan home, I promise I won't do anything to compromise you when it comes to making the absolute best first impression.

http://hollyhurd.smarthomeprice.com
CHECK OUT THE LINK ABOVE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Holly Hurd~
Is a REALTOR with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services
Northville, Michigan 48167
#1 Firm in MICHIGAN
hollyhurd@hotmail.com
Sell / Buy a home in Northville,Michigan register today at:
www.Northvillehomes4sale.net
Holly Hurd ~
Living in the Northville, Michigan area for 40+ years , Holly Hurd is graduate of Northville High School, Schoolcraft College, Michigan State then raising her own family here Holly Hurd has first hand knowledge and knows the area quite well.
Please feel free to contact her for all your real estate needs #homerocks#YourHomeNorthville Michigan Real Estate Homes for sale in Northville Michigan Northville, Mi. 48167 #realtor #realestate #realestatemarket #realestateforsalemi #hometown #hollyhurd #home #homesforsale #historicnorthville #buy #buyingahome #buildingahome #buyrealestate #condo #northvillemi #sellyourhome #sellingyourhome #smalltown #shop #bhhs #berkshirehathaway #moveinmichigan #greattimetobuy #puremichigan #SOLD

-->

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Housing Inventory Hits New Low

by HOLLY HURD

U.S. Housing Inventory Hits a New Low…

List Your House TODAY!

Every summer, families across the country decide if this will
be the year they sell their

current house and move into their dream home.

Mortgage rates have hovered around 4% for all of 2017, forcing
buyers off the fence and into

the market, resulting in incredibly strong demand RIGHT NOW!! At the same

time, inventory levels of homes for sale have dropped dramatically
as compared to this time last year.

Trulia reported that “U.S. home inventory has tumbled 8.9% over the past year

and has now fallen for nine consecutive quarters.” There is now
20% less inventory than there was five years ago.

Here is a chart showing the decrease in inventory levels by category:

Bottom Line

Demand for your home is very strong right now while
your competition (other homes for sale) is

at a historically low level. If you are thinking of
selling in 2017, now may be the perfect time.

Holly Hurd~
Is a REALTOR with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services
Northville, Michigan 48167
#1 Firm in MICHIGAN
hollyhurd@hotmail.com
Sell / Buy a home in Northville,Michigan register today at:
www.Northvillehomes4sale.net
Holly Hurd ~
Living in the Northville, Michigan area for 40+ years , Holly Hurd is
graduate of Northville High School, Schoolcraft College, Michigan State
then raising her own family here Holly Hurd has first hand
knowledge and knows the area quite well.

Please feel free to contact her for all your real estate needs
#homerocks#YourHomeNorthville Michigan Real Estate Homes
for sale in Northville Michigan Northville, Mi. 48167 #realtor
#realestate #realestatemarket #realestateforsalemi #hometown
#hollyhurd #home #homesforsale #historicnorthville
#buy #buyingahome #buildingahome #buyrealestate
#condo #northvillemi #sellyourhome #sellingyourhome
#smalltown #shop #bhhs
#berkshirehathaway #moveinmichigan
#greattimetobuy #puremichigan #SOLD

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Will a Lowball Offer Offend the Seller?

by Holly Hurd

Buyers want to feel like they are getting a deal and have negotiated the best price possible. Many buyers want to offer so low that there is a strong possibility that the seller will be offended and refuse to negotiate.

No matter how much counseling we do with a buyer, some want to do it their way and insist they know best. I first ask the buyer if they really like the house. I ask that if the seller refused to work with them on the offer and even slammed the door on negotiations would the buyer be sad.

When offering on new homes, builders want to protect their pricing and many refuse to budge. It is just business. They may negotiate by giving an amenity in the house like better flooring or appliances or adding a fence in the backyard. Effectively this is negotiating with the builder but protects his values and his future building.

It takes educating the buyer on what is happening in the market. In very hot markets prices are going over the list price and there are no concessions being offered by the seller. It is our responsibility to prepare the buyer while we are showing property and to not lead them to believe they can bottom out the offer price.

I have seen sellers greatly offended and that refuse to even counteroffer. They are thinking the buyer is taking advantage or does not value their home. This is a very dangerous course for the buyer to take. Even some of the best negotiating agents cannot bring a severely offended seller back to the negotiation table.

Showing the buyer the market stats lays the groundwork for a good offer. If they still feel like they have to offer a little low, caution them that someone else may beat their price. Tell them they may only have one opportunity to bid and show the seller how much they like the home.

A lowball offer can backfire and fizzle out with no counteroffer. The real risk is that the buyer may lose the house entirely or have to pay even more than the seller may have been willing to take before the insult. It is risky business. Remember there are no trophies for seeing how low you can go.

Will a Lowball Offer Offend the Seller?

If the buyer wants to buy the house then let the offer show how much.

Monday, January 30, 2017

STEEPS TO A SAFER HOME

by HOLLY HURD

Is your home safe? Studies show that burglaries occur at an average of every eight seconds, 400,000 serious residential fires happen every year, and more child deaths result from accidents than from all diseases combined.

Though we can never be completely safe at home, we can take certain steps to dramatically reduce hazards and the possibility of injury or tragedy.

1. Make sure your home is fire-safe.

Test every smoke detector in your house by pressing the test button. If it doesn’t sound an alert, replace the battery.

Keep at least two fully charged, multipurpose fire extinguishers in your home: One in the kitchen area and one in the garage, located in clear view.

2. Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

The surest prevention is to have a professional technician inspect flues and vents, chimneys, and any fuel-burning equipment.

3. Make your home more secure.

A home security system can protect your house and family from burglary, carbon monoxide, and fire whether you’re home or away.

4. Be prepared for emergencies.

Develop an escape plan and practice with a family drill. Each room should have at least two exits.

5. Make your home safe for children.

If you have a swimming pool, pond or hot tub, be sure kids can’t get to it on their own. Never leave children unattended near pools or tubs.

Additionally, if you have small children in your home, check for poisons or objects that could be ingested, and eliminate the potential for falls.

HOLLY HURD ~ REALTOR® ~ NORTHVILLE MICHIGAN

Holly Hurd

Monday, August 14, 2017

Listing Agents and Sellers

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Housing Inventory Hits New Low

U.S. Housing Inventory Hits a New Low…

List Your House TODAY!

Bottom Line

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Will a Lowball Offer Offend the Seller?

Monday, January 30, 2017

STEEPS TO A SAFER HOME

MY MUSIC

REAL ESTATE FANATIC