Every day I learn something new with regard to Alabama Real Estate and it's implementation. Today, I learned about the importance of timing with regard to disclosure and a Limited Dual Consensual Agency agreement.
Today I took a big step toward improving the service I offer to my clients. I attended the first session of a 60hr pre-licensure class for Brokers. The law in Alabama changed and as of October 1, 2007, any Salesperson who wants to become a Broker must attend and pass an in-class test to receive a certificate of completion. Then, the person must pass the state Broker exam and receive the privilege to call oneself a Broker! Providing all goes well, I should be a broker by Feb/Mar of 2008, depending on a passing grade - of course - and time to process the paperwork.
As a customer working with Real Estate Salespersons, there are many things you should be thinking about. One very VITAL piece of information you should have is: DO NOT DISCLOSE much of your situation without understanding your relationship with the licensee you are speaking to! If you are talking with a Listing Agent about his/her property, do not tell them what you are preapproved for or what price you would like to offer, without reading a Services Disclosure! You might end up being represented in a limited manner, and this person would have gained important information they can potentially discuss with the seller!
Email me, type the phrase "Agency Disclosure" in the subject line and include your name, telephone number and fax number in the email and I will get you a copy of this form.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Market Statistics
From the Montgomery Area MLS
As of October 31, 2007
We have closed 4,734 homes since Jan 1st!
We have sold just 289 fewer homes than Jan 1, 2006-Oct 31, 2006.
In October we had 1,300 more new listings added to the market than last October.
There are a lot of properties to buy!
As of today, ACTIVE properties available on the MLS are:
Single Family HOMES - 3,273 and
LAND - 1,126
Call me for assistance deciding which property is right for you!
As of October 31, 2007
We have closed 4,734 homes since Jan 1st!
We have sold just 289 fewer homes than Jan 1, 2006-Oct 31, 2006.
In October we had 1,300 more new listings added to the market than last October.
There are a lot of properties to buy!
As of today, ACTIVE properties available on the MLS are:
Single Family HOMES - 3,273 and
LAND - 1,126
Call me for assistance deciding which property is right for you!
Monday, December 3, 2007
Misc
House Hunting Tips from ME!
Well, here's the dealio. In the greater Montgomery area, we are experiencing a HIGH VOLUME of homes on the market. If your area also has a large number of inventory, or homes for sale, this advice can help you as well! Don't waste your time looking at homes you can't afford or won't buy because of location, condition or size.
GET PRE-APPROVED if you aren't already.
Choose a REALTOR who you like, and who either has experience, or has access to another REALTOR with experience. When you are just looking for a home, all you need is someone who can open the doors for you - but you also need a REALTOR who knows which doors to open!
When it comes time to writing an offer, you can ask to have your REALTOR's mentor present to make sure all facets are taken care of.
OK. On to home searching....
Decide your criteria. This is a time when you can be ULTRA-picky. How many floors, how large a lot, what kind of street, size of home, size of garage, fence or no fence, pool or no pool, gas or electric heating, etc. Think about ALL the details in a home that matter to you. Even construction - brick, wood, or stucco? After you list out the criteria for your next home, decide which are MUSTS and which are WANTS. Don't worry about price right now.
Go online to REALTOR.COM or your local MLS and do as detailed a search as you can to find the homes you want to see. OR have your REALTOR do a filtered search on the MLS to select only the homes that truly meet your specific criteria. This is when you will see what these homes are priced at. Depending on how many results you get, narrow your search to include homes priced as high as $25K over your pre-approved price. For your first viewing day, start with the homes below your pre-approved price range. Get the BEST deal by looking at the less expensive homes first. You will find it easier to increase your equity.
Based on the most recent sales of similar homes, determine what the "appropriate" sales price should be. Then look at all the homes with this price range in mind. You may discover that some sellers are asking too much for their homes, and when you find the right home, you just might be able to negotiate a price that you can afford!
Appropriate Sales Price is really what a buyer is willing to pay. You will decide what price YOU are willing to pay for these homes as you go through them. However, the Seller still must agree! So the price will be whatever the Buyer and Seller agree to! This is best determined by looking at SOLD similar homes in similar neighborhoods.
I do not recommend buying above your budget. It's always best if you can find a home that's well within your pre-approval amount. This way, when it comes time to move in and redecorate, you'll still have the extra money for dining out and movies, other entertainment. You don't want your new home to imprison you!
I hope my advice proves helpful. Please email or call me with your questions!
Well, here's the dealio. In the greater Montgomery area, we are experiencing a HIGH VOLUME of homes on the market. If your area also has a large number of inventory, or homes for sale, this advice can help you as well! Don't waste your time looking at homes you can't afford or won't buy because of location, condition or size.
GET PRE-APPROVED if you aren't already.
Choose a REALTOR who you like, and who either has experience, or has access to another REALTOR with experience. When you are just looking for a home, all you need is someone who can open the doors for you - but you also need a REALTOR who knows which doors to open!
When it comes time to writing an offer, you can ask to have your REALTOR's mentor present to make sure all facets are taken care of.
OK. On to home searching....
Decide your criteria. This is a time when you can be ULTRA-picky. How many floors, how large a lot, what kind of street, size of home, size of garage, fence or no fence, pool or no pool, gas or electric heating, etc. Think about ALL the details in a home that matter to you. Even construction - brick, wood, or stucco? After you list out the criteria for your next home, decide which are MUSTS and which are WANTS. Don't worry about price right now.
Go online to REALTOR.COM or your local MLS and do as detailed a search as you can to find the homes you want to see. OR have your REALTOR do a filtered search on the MLS to select only the homes that truly meet your specific criteria. This is when you will see what these homes are priced at. Depending on how many results you get, narrow your search to include homes priced as high as $25K over your pre-approved price. For your first viewing day, start with the homes below your pre-approved price range. Get the BEST deal by looking at the less expensive homes first. You will find it easier to increase your equity.
Based on the most recent sales of similar homes, determine what the "appropriate" sales price should be. Then look at all the homes with this price range in mind. You may discover that some sellers are asking too much for their homes, and when you find the right home, you just might be able to negotiate a price that you can afford!
Appropriate Sales Price is really what a buyer is willing to pay. You will decide what price YOU are willing to pay for these homes as you go through them. However, the Seller still must agree! So the price will be whatever the Buyer and Seller agree to! This is best determined by looking at SOLD similar homes in similar neighborhoods.
I do not recommend buying above your budget. It's always best if you can find a home that's well within your pre-approval amount. This way, when it comes time to move in and redecorate, you'll still have the extra money for dining out and movies, other entertainment. You don't want your new home to imprison you!
I hope my advice proves helpful. Please email or call me with your questions!
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Happy Holidays!
As the year comes to a close, I know you’ll have a lot on your mind. I am here to serve your real estate needs, whatever they might be.
SERVING YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS
Are you looking for a home or planning to sell a property in the near future? Please call me at your convenience and let me work for you!
Do you know someone who would benefit from my services? Please give me his or her contact information and give my number to him or her!
REFRESH
If you have contacted me about a home in the past, and you are still trying to find that perfect property, please let me help you again! Bring me up to speed and I will hit the ground running for you!
SPREADING THE WORD ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS SERVICES
If you offer services for homeowners, please let me know about it. I would be happy to include your information in my BLOG http://www.forsalebykat.blogspot.com and also provide a reciprocating web link to your website from mine http://www.KatParker.com.
INNOVATION
I am always considering new ways to “get the word out” about me and the unique real estate services I offer. If you see something you think I should know about, don’t hesitate to contact me about it! I love hearing your ideas!
CONTACTS THROUGHOUT THE US
I am licensed in California and Alabama, and I can help your friends and family choose a professional REALTOR ANYWHERE in the US and Canada. Aside from the Alfa Realty network, this year I have joined WCR which is a nation-wide network consisting mainly of women REALTORS. WCR is comprised of full-time professional Real Estate Salespeople who will focus on your needs. My personal business focus is on residential real estate in East Montgomery, Pike Road, Wetumpka, Eclectic, Lake Martin, Holtville, Titus, Lake Jordan, Millbrook and Prattville. I receive rewards for referrals and I would be more than happy to share these benefits with you, my cherished customers. If you are relocating to another part of the US or Canada, please let me know. I can help you locate the area’s MLS website and connect you with a professional REALTOR.
REMEMBER
I want feedback. I am committed to providing you with the best service I can. I am here to help you from 10am to 7pm, Monday through Saturday and 1pm to 5pm on Sundays and other times, by appointment. If you would like me to set aside time for you to look at properties, it is best if I can have 48hrs notice to clear my schedule. You (customers) come first, but I can only be in one place at a time!
THANK YOU
Thank you for the opportunity to serve your needs this past year! Whether I have provided information on properties or helped you through a closing, it has been my pleasure to serve you and your family.
PLEASE
Let me know how I can help you in the coming months and New Year.
Update me with your new and preferred contact information (email, telephone, address)!
I am so excited about this season and the New Year!
SERVING YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS
Are you looking for a home or planning to sell a property in the near future? Please call me at your convenience and let me work for you!
Do you know someone who would benefit from my services? Please give me his or her contact information and give my number to him or her!
REFRESH
If you have contacted me about a home in the past, and you are still trying to find that perfect property, please let me help you again! Bring me up to speed and I will hit the ground running for you!
SPREADING THE WORD ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS SERVICES
If you offer services for homeowners, please let me know about it. I would be happy to include your information in my BLOG http://www.forsalebykat.blogspot.com and also provide a reciprocating web link to your website from mine http://www.KatParker.com.
INNOVATION
I am always considering new ways to “get the word out” about me and the unique real estate services I offer. If you see something you think I should know about, don’t hesitate to contact me about it! I love hearing your ideas!
CONTACTS THROUGHOUT THE US
I am licensed in California and Alabama, and I can help your friends and family choose a professional REALTOR ANYWHERE in the US and Canada. Aside from the Alfa Realty network, this year I have joined WCR which is a nation-wide network consisting mainly of women REALTORS. WCR is comprised of full-time professional Real Estate Salespeople who will focus on your needs. My personal business focus is on residential real estate in East Montgomery, Pike Road, Wetumpka, Eclectic, Lake Martin, Holtville, Titus, Lake Jordan, Millbrook and Prattville. I receive rewards for referrals and I would be more than happy to share these benefits with you, my cherished customers. If you are relocating to another part of the US or Canada, please let me know. I can help you locate the area’s MLS website and connect you with a professional REALTOR.
REMEMBER
I want feedback. I am committed to providing you with the best service I can. I am here to help you from 10am to 7pm, Monday through Saturday and 1pm to 5pm on Sundays and other times, by appointment. If you would like me to set aside time for you to look at properties, it is best if I can have 48hrs notice to clear my schedule. You (customers) come first, but I can only be in one place at a time!
THANK YOU
Thank you for the opportunity to serve your needs this past year! Whether I have provided information on properties or helped you through a closing, it has been my pleasure to serve you and your family.
PLEASE
Let me know how I can help you in the coming months and New Year.
Update me with your new and preferred contact information (email, telephone, address)!
I am so excited about this season and the New Year!
Friday, November 16, 2007
My Schedule
I don't have young children to tend to and therefore my schedule is somewhat more flexible than that of other Realtors (R) in the area. Contact me to assist you if you want someone who will be AVAILABLE to help you with your Real Estate Needs. http://www.KatParker.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
