Calgary Real Estate Board 2012 Forecast.

http://www.creb.com/public/seller-resources/forecast.php

If you enjoy statistics and following the real estate trends. Check back often!

When I work with a buyer, I send them a list of all the MLS properties that fit their requirements. I then research the homes to see if the location is suitable, if they are a stigmatized property (like a former grow-op) or if there are other factors that the buyer needs to be informed of.  I then ask the Buyer what a convenient time is to view 10-12 properties. I print off a tour book with copies of the history of the home and diagrams of the lot.  Then I contact all of the listing agents and make a tour of all of the homes. I don’t charge for this service, so I wonder why would a buyer do it themselves?

Here is the reason most  people tell me:  The Buyer believes they can get a better price if they call the listing agent. I find this particulary humourous because the listing agent already has a relationship with the Seller. They are hired to negotiate on behalf of the seller.  Now you call them and they are working for the seller and themselves (yay they get the full commission). They are supposed to be impartial but can they be?

Here’s the myth part…Even though they are not to favour either party, the Realtor, will of course, when you ask, throw in half his commission for your benefit. Come on. Ask yourself  why would someone do this for a stranger… because you are nice, a new friend, your kids are cute? Really!!! Why would they give you their earnings? They just met you. They have already negotiated the fees when they listed the property, so if they are going to help anybody, wouldn’t it be the Seller who hired them? Furthermore, you are a buyer, like any other buyer, so why would they work for you for free. Lets get this straight. Market value includes commissions and nobody wants to work for free. Not even for someone as great as you.

Sadly, I see histories on homes where a buyer took this approach and overpaid because they had little or no representation. The listing agent didn’t even tell them of other great homes available or provide them with recent sales.

Here are some of the reasons to hire your own Realtor when you are buying.

* A good Realtor can provide you with vital information like property history, title information, comparable sales etc. They can show you any listed property and even source out homes that are not currently on the market.

*Realtors negotiate for a living, so if you pick an experienced Realtor who is strong at the table they will get you to the best terms and they know what to write in the contract to protect you.

* A good Realtor will handle the deposits, getting documents to the lawyer, obtaining any information you need like condo documents etc.

* They will save you time, doing all the booking, leg work and research.

* Most importantly, they will work for you…not the seller and negotiate in your best interest without conflicts.

BEST OF ALL! As long as the  Seller  is offering commissions to the Realtor for bringing in the Buyer, (the most common practice here in Calgary) you do not pay extra for all this great service.

Face it, buying real estate is not a do it yourself project. There are a lot of mistakes you can make without proper, impartial advice.  Get your own  professional professional representation! You’ll be surprised how much fun it can be. Let your Realtor do all the work!

I hardly noticed the holiday season as I was kept busy throughout December and the beginning of January. Requests for evaluations and buying tours remained steady.  Now certainly is not a time to sit on the fence. With the economy picking up and Commercial Real Estate gaining momentum, be sure Residential Real Estate will follow.

Sellers, NOW is the time to list your home and Buyer’s get ready to enjoy some fresh new listings, but be sharp. If you like it, someone else will likely be interested too. Don’t wait. Spring is the most active time in our market place.

If you have questions about buying or selling, or would like community statistics, market trends and helpful graphs, please do not hesitate to contact me.

REMEMBER…

Before you Buy or Sell

Call Dawnell 403-617-5018

As a Realtor it is not only important for me to be knowledgeable but  also for me to listen to your needs and questions and then seek out the information necessary to lead you to the perfect home for you. Everyone’s needs are different and every aspect of a home has different value to each individual. For instance a 6 bedroom house with a huge backyard may be very valuable to a family of eight but to a retired couple, a 2 bedroom with no stairs and no grass to mow is much more valuable.

Shop around and when you find the right Realtor you will know!

November 2011

I am seeing that more in my industry. Seller’s are prepaying for “mere” postings only to find out that they are not guarenteed success. In fact, in a lot of cases they are buying a service that is designed to fail. Unless for example you pay more for a lock box to ensure your families security, $$ for advertising so you can compete with the extensive competition, $$ for a lawyer to handle the deposits, and how can you be sure you are asking the right price?? Do you know how to negotiate the right terms, possession and money??? But you saved money right? You prepaid…so you should be dollars ahead. But what if you need to reduce because you don’t know what price to ask or you are not sure how to negotiate? You already paid… What if you need advice…aw that’s extra too? You have showings but are you sure they are prequalified? Do they have a Realtor because you need to make sure your home and family are safe…But you prepaid for that right? Maybe you don’t get more for less in Real Estate either.

Selling a house is not as easy as Realtors make it look. I know personally that my advertising budget is huge. I don’t advertise because it doesn’t work, I advertise because it is necessary to spend money to ensure my clients are well represented in a competitive market. My dues and anual fees, like my advertising expenses are also HUGE, but necessary to provide the services needed to ensure my client’s real estate success.

I pay all of the expenses involved in listing a home, up front, out of my pocket without so much as charging a deposit. Failure then, would not be an option, would it. I then invest time away from my family, loads of money on advertising and hours of research, coordinating and strategizing on my clients behalf. If I am not successful, you owe me nothing but what if you prepaid??? HMMM.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t consider a Realtor a good representative when they sell 2 or 3 properties a year, while their “boss” is away.  If you are working with a relocation company, you may wish to ask that you choose your own Realtor or at least ask the referring agent if they will be personally handling your file. Most agents will not mind paying the Referral Fees and at least you won’t be sluffed off on some inexperienced Realtor who is essentially experimenting and practicing on you. There are over 5000 Realtors in Calgary to choose from, but they don’t have the same credentials and experience. Be sure your are selective when buying or selling your home!!

And if you see me strung up in a tree, you know I hit a nerve with some large “team” and they outran me. haha.

Video Open Houses are also available at http://www.youtube.com/user/DawnellRealty?feature=watch - Subscribe and be the first to know about new videos.

Several Community listing links are available as well.

Always make sure they supported the information with recent data. Believe me, it is easier to tell someone what they want to hear, instead of what they need to hear, but it may not be in their best interest!