Listers Last

Hey gang -- I mapped out our Lakeville area and here is a screen snapshot of Edina Realty's listings that sold in Lakeville for 2012.  Pretty impressive.  Be proud of our brand and let's win every listing opportunity.  As the saying goes, Listers Last!  Listings drive our business -- calls, internet traffic, referrals etc.  I want everyone to take a minute and ask themselves -- what percentage of my day is spent trying to get listings?  What percentage of my day is spent leveraging my listings to try and get more listings?  Just solds, e-cards, canvassing neighborhoods, door knocking, promoting on social feeds etc.

Stay Hungry.  Stay foolish.  Boom.

Photos -- Professional or not?

Photos -- Professional or not?

I've been in the real estate business for nearly 16 years now.  Advertising methods have changed a lot.  I remember writing individual ads for the Minneapolis Star Tribune, This Week Paper and Sun Current to name a few.  I also remember buying ads in the phone book -- wowsers, I am feeling old.  Anyhow, what does any of this have to do with taking good photos.?!  It reminds me how far we've come with marketing and how differently consumers search for real estate.  You only have a split second to impress the buyer and attract their attention.  Each and every day I run across new listings on the MLS that have less than stellar photos...  I am attaching a few for your amusement.  Bottom line, if you are selling your largest investment, insist that your agent is hiring a professional photographer.  Agents sell homes, most are not great photographers.  Just sayin'.

19 Questions every seller should ask an agent before listing their home

• What are your credentials? 
• How long have you been in residential real estate sales? Is it your full-time job?
• How many sales did you make last year?  Your company?
• Where do you usually work? 
• How many homes have you sold in my neighborhood in the past year or two?
• What is your market share in our city? County?
• Do you have a marketing / sales plan?
• What is Your Average List-Price-to-Sales-Price Ratio?
• What is your average marketing time for your listings?
• What is the percentage chance your firm will sell my home?
• Could you please give me the names and phone numbers of your three most recent clients?
• What is your negotiation strategy?
• What Are the Top Three Things That Separate You From Your Competition?
• How many sellers are you representing now?
• What aspects of the transaction will you personally handle and which will be delegated to others?
• Do you work with stagers or will you stage my home?
• Why should I hire you over your competition?
• How often will you communicate with me?
• What is your web presence?  How many hits does your website receive on a monthly or yearly basis?

Here we go again!

I've been off line for 2 years -- kind of forgot about my blog as I ventured into my new position as managing broker for Edina Realty Lakeville.  I am hoping that I can provide some insight into the wacky real estate market we are experiencing.

This week's tip: How to Win in a Multiple offer situation.  

1. Write your best offer the first time - no regrets.  What I always ask myself in this situation, if I lost this property over few thousand dollars, how would that make me feel.?!  Go with your gut.
2. Make sure you are working with a good lender who can provide a strong letter of approval letter.  Listing agents are more comfortable with strong lenders.  Give the sellers a date you'll be fully approved.
3. Offer as much earnest money as possible and consider making it non-refundable.
4. Offer a flexible closing date and terms.  Maybe allow the seller to rent back or delay giving you possession.
5. Write the sellers a letter -- explain why you want to buy their home and compliment them / their home.
6. Don't expect closing costs to be paid.  It's a possibility to add them to your mortgage, so consider that option.