If Not Now, When?
A famous Bay Area clothier recently mailed a request to his 18,000 patrons regarding his exceptional bargains in Fall clothing for men and women. “My appeal is to those folks who are in a position to continue to shop with confidence and I urge each of you to do so.”
Same Idea for Real Estate
In my twenty years working the peaks and valleys of Silicon Valley real estate; I have never seen UFOs play so much into the hands of those in a position to trade-up, down-size, purchase an investment property or buy their first home.
Why Make a Move Now?
There are plenty of strong lenders willing and able to lend at excellent interest rates. The inventory is plentiful. Sellers’ reps can be v-e-r-y cooperative in cooler markets. This is important because they are the eyes, ears and gatekeepers of often-frustrated sellers. Whether the seller’s rep is competent or not, it’s up to a skilled buyer’s rep to help him or her put a transaction together.
Agents Can Slow Sales Down, As Well
Too many unskilled, and/or lazy real estate “professionals” are leaving their posts when they are charged with protecting their respective client(s). It’s up to the sellers’ rep to properly counsel and advise the sellers on all aspects of presenting the property to their marketplace. Also, the licensees for buyers and sellers often neglect to manage their client’s expectations at every step of the real estate journey. You wonder why your neighbor’s house is still on the market? Even if a buyer wanted that house, one or both of the licensees involved might have been unable to simultaneously manage negotiations and client expectations.
Selling & Buying Concurrently (Absolutely Best Accomplished In Down Markets)
So, your home lost value? So did the home you should buy. The sooner a growing family or empty nester gets their arms around the great idea of selling and buying at lower prices, the better. For example, if your home “lost” $70,000, then the home you should choose “lost” $95,000.
Movie Mogul Brian Grazer says, “Everything I Do Is For One Weekend”
Sellers need to engage the real estate “Brian Grazers” of their community. If so, sellers and their reps working as a team will dot the i’s and cross the t’s before the first open house. After listing, sellers can’t afford to play the “catch-up” by adding: multiple pictures, virtual tours, advertising (with proper verbiage), inspections, repairs, improvements and my personal favorite ~ repeated price reductions. Do it up front and you’ll outshine the competition right into a better home and neighborhood.
Pat Kapowich,
“Negotiating Smooth Transactions Throughout The South Bay”
SiliconValleyBroker.com
