Is There a Reason to Change Real Estate Firms – It May Change Your Career

Do you sometimes feel like your real estate career is going nowhere? Do you feel like just a number at your current real estate firm? Do your brokers set quotas or unreachable expectations? Do you feel that you are continually fighting for listings/sales within the brokers and salespersons within your firm? Are your sales not where they have been in the past? Do you feel that your brokers do not share with you the tools that have made them successful? Are you losing out on potential sales because of the reputation of your firm? Being a Realtor can be and should be the most rewarding occupation that anyone could have. You are entrusted with the most valuable asset that most consumers will acquire during their lifetime. A properly trained and equipped Real Estate Professional will not only provide their client with the data to make an educated investment in real estate; but they typically make a true acquaintance for life. Successful agents find a way to have past clients work for them and build their client base. There is a distinct difference between a Real Estate Salesperson and a Real Estate Professional. Keeping your clients informed with what is happening with market conditions and trends should be part of your everyday agenda. To do this, you must have the tools in place to keep in touch with your clients. Don’t be the one that pads the statistics that state most people do not remember who their real estate agent was 3 months after the transaction. There are many tools available to turn you into the Real Estate Professional. With the number of agents in the Richmond, Virginia and the surrounding counties of Hanover, King William, Henrico, Chesterfield Powhatan Caroline and other surrounding localities of Richmond, Virginia, you must rise above the rest. Make sure to join a team that shares the same work ethic and values that you have. I will give you two tips and in addition, I look forward to hearing from you if I can go into further detail on how selecting the right firm can make the difference between having a successful and rewarding real estate career vs. a flailing, lackluster and unrewarding and short lived real estate adventure. Tip 1. Don’t allow yourself to get too high or too low during the real estate process. Stay on an even keel and you will do yourself and your client well.

2. Never feel that you have to hide from anyone in the grocery store. Remember, do one good thing for a client and that client will tell another person about you. Do one bad thing to a client, and that client will tell dozens of people to stay away from you! Do what you say you will do when you say you will do it! Don’t do things that will make you not want to face that client at a later time…

Compliments of: Kathy Holland, Broker/Owner Resource Realty Services

Real Estate Smarts – Sounds A lot Like Buying Stocks and Diversifying Finances

Investors! Now is the time to buy rehab, distress and fire sale property in the Richmond, Mechanicsville/Hanover and surrounding localities. For several reasons, not the least of which is the product of our current real estate market in Richmond, Virginia and the surrounding counties of Hanover, King William, Henrico, Chesterfield Powhatan Caroline and others, many sellers are getting anxious to move their property. In many instances, there exists a domino effect. If the seller can’t move their existing residence, then they won’t be able to purchase the property that they currently have under contract. You may not have to settle for property that needs quite a lot of work. For the same price per square foot that you are accustomed to paying for distress property, you may find that “desperate” seller ready to “move on”. Your portfolio should consist of some rehab and flip properties as well as some buy low and keep properties. In this way, you can flip properties to obtain much needed liquid cash while at the same time holding on to your investment. Some investors choose to refinance and cash out their holdings every three years. This too, gives you liquid cash while continuing to own the property. In doing this, the investor is counting on the appreciation rate to remain steady over the long haul. If you do purchase with the intent of rehabbing and flipping, spend your money wisely. Doing little things can pay big dividends! One little tip – spend money on polishing placing knobs on cabinets. Most of you savvy investors already know and for those of you just getting started you must buy when the market is down (like now) and you must diversify your holdings. (some that need minor cosmetic help, some properties that need major structural repair, and some that are just great buys that you can rent) For those of you reading this that are just starting to “dabble” in this arena – congratulations! After you have done a few, consider taking the next step and get your real estate license to take full advantage of all benefits available with investment property. Visit my blog to read about what you should be looking for in a real estate company. Thanks for reading this article. If I can help in any way, please do not hesitate to call me Kathy Holland at Resource Realty Services (804)559-5990.

Compliments of: Kathy Holland, Broker/Owner

Resource Realty Services

What a Great Market for First Time Homebuyers or Non-contingent Buyers in Richmond, Virginia and Surrounding Areas - BUY

Are you a first time homebuyer? Are you a buyer that can purchase a home without having to sell a current residence to proceed forward with your purchase (1^st right of refusal)? If the answer is yes to either of these questions, PLEASE TAKE NOTE! Now is the time for you to act. The market in the Richmond, Virginia and the surrounding counties of Hanover, King William, Henrico, Chesterfield Powhatan Caroline and other localities is currently inundated with ‘stale” properties. Sellers are dropping prices like we haven’t seen in years. Buyers are getting all closing costs paid by the seller, incentives such as decorating allowances, association dues paid for at least a year – just to name a few of the incentives. If you are interested in new construction, take advantage of your strategic position. Builders are ready to move inventory. You can help! These same builders are giving thousands in free options for you buyers that can buy there spec home without any contingencies and take it out of their inventory. If you have good credit, you may be surprised about how easy getting a mortgage can be. With the closing costs being paid by the sellers, in most cases, you may find home ownership to be a better financial proposition than renting. You can likely get into a home with no money and find your mortgage payment lower than what your rent payment is currently. By renting, you are merely helping your landlord deepen his pockets. Your landlord is holding on to valuable real estate which is appreciating annually while you are making the payment. Worse, you are not taking advantage of most tax write off incentives available to you with home ownership. Consult your tax advisor for more information on the benefits available to you. I am happy to answer any questions you may have regarding purchasing your first home or helping you obtain any property.

Compliments of: Kathy Holland, Broker/Owner

Resource Realty Services

Curb Appeal

Whether you are selling your house or want “passer bys” to take notice, you want your yard and front of the home to look well kept.

Always have a wreath on your front door. It helps you home look inviting and “homey”. Make sure your front lights and lamp post have working light bulbs.

The other thing is to make sure your lawn is cut and all weeks are out of your flower beds. Make sure you have fresh mulch. There is mulch out now that is die to ensure the deep color last longer. Check with your local provider in Henrico, Mechanicsville, Richmond or surrounding areas where you live.

Do these things and your see your neighbors take notice in Richmon, Virginia and surrounding areas!!!!

Compliments of: Cindy Strobel, Broker/Owner

Resource Realty Services

Richmond, Virginia and Surrounding Areas Market Snapshot for the Month of March, 2008

Are you interested in what is happening in your next of the woods? Here is data for the month according to the Richmond, Virginia Association of Realtors.

AREA NEW UNDER SOLD AVG SOLD %SP/

LISTING CONTRACT PRICE LP

22/Richmond 208 87 53 $297,991 95.96%

24/Goochland 73 24 17 $828,845 93.82%

32/Lakeside 86 35 25 $199,115 98.15%

34/Glen Allen 214 81 59 $344,993 97.26%

36/Hanover 117 45 22 $394,711 94.37%

43/King William 55 11 14 $194,492 97.37%

44/Mechanicsville 133 41 20 $265,635 97.56%

As you can see, the trend is an upswing of homes under contract. We are seeing more positive market condition!!!

Compliments of: Cindy Strobel, Broker/Owner

Resource Realty Services

Off to College

As Spring approaches, High School Seniors are thinking about college. Whether your child will go away or go to a local college like VCU in Richmond, Randolph Macon in Ashland, or J Sergeant Reynolds in the Glen Allen area, you may find yourself with an empty room.

One school of thought (no pun intended) is to leave your child’s room just “as it is”-so when your child visits they will feel like they never left. The other school of thought is to convert the room for your use-your child has moved on and started a new phase in their life and will not be needed in its present state.

You can convert the room to a “hobby” room such as craft, sewing, or music room. Also, you have an opportunity to get in shape with a room for exercise equipment.

No matter what you do, always keep a daybed on hand for those future visits!!!

Compliments of: Cindy Strobel, Broker/Owner

Resource Realty Services

Richmond, VA and Surrounding areas Market Snapshot for the Month of February, 2008

 

Are you interested in what is happening in your area? Here is data for the month according to the Richmond, Virginia Association of Realtors.

AREA NEW UNDER SOLD AVG SOLD %SP

LISTING CONTRACT PRICE LP

22/Richmond 189 77 56 $313,421 97.07%

24/Goochland 65 20 11 $222,766 98.98%

32/Lakeside 81 39 18 $209,805 96.67%

34/Glen Allen 201 89 47 $415,799 98.57%

36/Hanover 89 45 21 $307,840 97.11%

43/King William 55 25 9 $229,532 97.00%

44/Mechanicsville 112 50 32 $265,028 97.77%

As you can see, the trend is an upswing of homes under contract. We are seeing more positive market condition!

Compliments of: Cindy Strobel, Broker/Owner

Resource Realty Services