The LOVELY Winter Blues of Real Estate - Bring Color to the Curb

I cringe everytime I hear someone say "well its winter, nothing sells in winter, right?"    This is simply NOT true.  Grab a bar of soap and wash that out of your ears..right now.

While many real estate agents are cozying down for the winter months, I'm researching waterproof snow boots and fingerless gloves so I can trek my buyers to and from houses while wielding stats from my smartphone.  Yes, I said buyers.  Buyers in winter are not mythical creatures like unicorns and live-in baristas.  They are real, and they are serious! And you are not a hibernating bear.

So here are my Top 5 Things I say to those needing to sell in winter but may have been brainwashed by the market.

1. BUYERS ARE STILL OUT!  Albeit not quite as many as in summer, but let me tell you who isn't getting out into the snow and cold to look at homes.
             1. First time homebuyers who aren't quite sure they want to buy yet (or any buyer for that matter who is undecided).  They get out in the summer months and dream about having that back patio for summer bbq's, but their credit just isn't quite right, they don't quite have enough for the down payment and all the other fees. In the summer they flutter around looking and dreaming and wince when their agent keeps begging for that prequal letter.  Come fall they say "well, after Christmas we'll file our taxes, yadda yadda, yadda" 
            2.   Lookie-loos.  They are different than those undecided.  These are the people that have no intention in buying a house, whether they know it or not.  They migrate from open house to open house eating all the cookies and criticizing their neighbors choice of wallpaper.

2. WINTER BUYERS ARE SERIOUS!  So serious they are getting out in unfavorable weather conditions looking for that cozy place to call home.  For whatever the reason, they have to move.  They may be a thin herd, but they need homes.

3. NO COMPETITION!  Since no one really reads this blog, there are still many people out there who have been told by hibernating agents "just wait until spring."  I've already explained there are hungry needy buyers out there and when everyone is keeping their house off the market in the winter, buyers have nothing to chose from!  I say take advantage of the slim competition! Wear that lawn sign like a beacon on a foggy night!!   Get it sold!  It definitely won't sell if you don't list it. 

3. TIME TO DRESS UP FOR THE WINTER BALL! Now that you have been convinced to list your home in the winter. Time to put on the pretty dress. Curb Appeal is tricky with dormant landscaping.  Freshen the mulch, add some stones, bring in some potted evergreens, and rake the leaves!  Dress up your porch with some bright outdoor vases and pots, even if they aren't filled. Maybe even paint the front door a fun color.   Color is necessary.
 

 

4. MAKE THEM WANT TO STAY! Have a fire place? Turn it on. Bake some cookies about an hour before their showing.  Leave all the lights on for the showing and make sure the heat is on. They don't want to go back out into the cold, they want to curl up by that fire and write a contract.  If you have to sell a vacant house, leaving the utilities on is a must.  Not only will it keep you from having your pipes explode without you knowing.  It allows people to spend more time in your house.  I spent one winter showing a client so many empty and vacant houses that didn't have heat and it was miserable.  He needed a house, so we were out, but being cold had us zipping through the house making quick decisions.  Give people a nice cozy place to really look at your home.

5. PRICE IT RIGHT! This isn't a winter tip. There is no winter or summer pricing.  I just add this to the list because its the most important thing.  You can dress your home up all you want, but if you aren't being realistic about what your home is worth then it wont sell. Pricing isn't an exact science. Sometimes we get it wrong. This is why you have to listen to the market.  Pay attention to what is happening.  If you aren't getting any showings (even in winter) you are grossly over priced.  If you are getting lots of showings and no offers, then you are still a bit off on price and really need to evaluate if there is something physically wrong with the property. Then does it need to be fixed or do you need to lower your price to compensate?  The winter time is not the time to "test the market."  If you want to hike up the price to see if you can get a bite, you will have better waters to test in the summer.  Listing in the winter needs to be realistic. Buyers aren't going to get in the car on a cold Saturday to say "well lets just go see, maybe the cabinets are lined with 14K gold?"


So with all that I say crank up the fireplace, get out those snow shovels, ice salt and absorbent door mats. Throw some cookies in the oven and a little winter carol on the radio and lets sell a house!!
You can always call me for more information and tips! Let's Talk!

 

Selling Season is Just Around the Corner! Are you prepared?

Good 'ol Okie Mother Nature has given us a great taste of spring the last couple days, and though we were snapped back into winter, I couldn't help but let that sweet smell of spring air remind me that selling season is just around the corner! 

Soon there will be real estate signs popping up on every corner, lenders chirping, real estate agents buzzing, markets blooming, and buyers stretching those legs and smelling fresh paint!! 

But question is....will you be ready?!?!?

Will you be that stressed seller who let the calendar creep up on them, scrambling around to sweep out the garage, wrestling with that gutter that got full of fall leaves and winter ice, and left wondering "Where do I even start!!?" 

Have no fear, There is an agent near. 

February is the best time to call an agent and create that "Get Ready Checklist" so that you can get your house market ready, listed and sold quickly, so that you can get moved in time to enjoy those short summer months before we all go back into hibernation.  

 A Pre-Season Consultation will help you with the following areas:

1.  Home Inspection - Whether you have a professional inspector come out or you just do a general inspection yourself, you will need to look for major repair signs, such as sagging roofs, broken windows, plumbing leaks, chipping paint etc.  If you can see it with your untrained eye, chances are so can your buyers.  Going over your home will give you a good start to do some repairs to get your home market ready.

2. Price Comparisons - Do you not have any idea what your home would sell for?  In the Pre-Season Consultation you will learn what the homes have been selling for in your area and how that affects the sale of your home.  Getting an educated estimate of your home value will help you sell your home quickly while making sure that you are happy with the sales price. 

3. The Selling Process - If this is the first time you've ever sold a home, you probably have a million questions, and you probably will have many more as you go.  Building a good relationship with your agent should start as soon as possible.  Your agent should be providing you with a step-by-step plan to selling your home and make sure that you are comfortable with every step in that process. 

4. Spring Clean - No matter how long you have lived in the home you are planning to sell, there is always need for a good deep clean before you list your home.  Remember that buyers will be looking at your home with a magnifying glass.  Most hire professional cleaners to come in and get those long forgotten cracks and corners, but decluttering your home is very important and essential.  Moving is an inevitable part of selling your home, so why not start packing up those things that aren't necessary for everyday life.  An agent can help give wonderful tips for minimizing the items in your house so that you can provide a nice open space for buyers to get a good look at your home when they arrive.  Many sellers wait until just before or just after moving to have a garage sale.  I say you should have a garage sale right after you list your house!  Its a perfect opportunity to market your home!

5.  Plan of Action - A motivated agent will have you on a prep schedule and selling schedule so that you know what is happening when.  This schedule should include dates for pre-listing walk-through, staging appointment, photography appointment, listing day, open house dates.  If you are serious and aggressive about selling your house, make sure that you have an agent who matches your desire.  Having a good and well planned marketing strategy is very important!  And if they don't have one....Let's Talk!
 


Lora Newton
Keller Williams Realty Elite
405-308-3466

Things I Learned in My First Year of Real Estate

I'm a few months past my first anniversary, but I figured since we are starting off a new year I need a personal moment of reflection and then share.  Whether you are in real estate, a stay at home mom, a chemical engineer or a dog groomer, this could apply to anyone who finds themselves on a roller coaster.  We've all been there.

Before making grand resolutions to get my blood pumping for a fresh start to achieve goals, I'd like to first reflect on where I failed, where I succeeded and what I learned, so that I'm being realistic about what I need to arm myself with to get where I want to go. 

So, In no particular order, here is what caught my attention when I looked back. 

1.  If you don't stick to it, it will eventually stop. 
     Nothing on this planet moves without force.  The first part of last year I had extreme ambition driven by someone making a comment that I probably shouldn't be getting into real estate.  Like it was some part of the world I didn't belong working in.  I like to think anyone can do anything they want, but some have to work at things a little harder than others. Sometimes we have to adjust our technique to fit our talents, but in the end, we really can do what ever we want, if we just WORK hard for it, be passionate about it, and stick to it.

2.  You need to always learn. 
      Of course when you start out in any field, you need to learn about that field. But, when you feel you have mastered it, start over.  I guarantee you you missed something the first time, someone came up with a better idea, or your perspective has changed.  Either way, you will always learn something new, regardless of how long you've been at it.    And in Real Estate, you don't just learn about real estate...you learn about people.  Learn to stop talking, and listen.

3.   I do more than sell houses.  
      I learned very early on that I am not just selling houses. I'm not sitting on this listing appointment to learn about their house or just showing this buyer a home they might like...I'm here to find out what this process is going to do for their life.  Are they in a hurry because they are moving out of state?  Do they need to buy a new house so they can start a family?  Do they need something that is going to keep their budget free so they can focus on other things?  There is a story there that you really need to pay attention to.  This is also why I never will in a million years set a client up on an auto generated email of listings.  Get more personal!

4.  Always have attention to detail. 
      Nothing sucks worse than having someone point out a silly error.  Granted in the first year of doing anything there are going to be mistakes.  But as my father always said, "Accidents don't have to happen."   and they really don't.  Mistakes in real estate, most often end up in someone shelling out money they didn't have to.  Check and recheck, before you send the contract, before you snap a picture of someone's bra hanging on the door, before you promise something you can't deliver.  Pay attention. 

5.  I need a posse. 
     Successful people NEVER get there alone.  It just doesn't happen. I met some really good vendors and clients this year. Of course I'm always meeting new people who all share common interests and its great to build those relationships. It makes getting jobs done MUCH easier.  But I'm really talking about my other posse, my family and friends.  The parents that watch kids when we have to work weekends, the husband that does the after school run when I have a late closing, the family that sends me referrals, the friends that pour me a drink after a long day, and even the ones that just give us a hug or a smile.  Gratitude is never given enough, give more gratitude. 

6.  Have a Plan. 
     When I was at my most driven moments of last year, I can always remember planning.  Sitting with pen and paper in hand and doing a brain dump.  What do I need to do? What is it going to take to do it?  When can I do those things?  List after list to stay on track.  And then revert to #1.

7.  Health dictates everything. 
     I struggle with constant fatigue. It ruins 90% of my plans. I've had all sorts of blood work and tests and nothing has been "diagnosed"   I'm 100% certain that its all due to diet and exercise.  When I feel crappy, I am no good to anyone.  Body and Mind come first.  The worst thing I did last year was not spend enough time on myself.  My first and foremost resolution is to get up an hour before my kids do every morning so that I can set my system straight so I may conquer what I need to.

8.  You can't win it all. 
     The first time I was turned down for a listing I was so hurt.  I had just come off a major high from scoring a very big estate.  My listing presentation knocked it out of the park.  I was floating around on some sort of magic carpet of confidence that I thought "I'm the best real estate agent ever!"  And my next listing appointment pulled the rug right out from under me.  For the next week, I stalked the listing and would bark about mistakes in the listing to my husband.  It was pathetic.  But then it sold in like 6 days.  It took a really big effort to sit up and say they probably got the best agent they needed.  I swallowed my pride and learned a BIG lesson.  Sometimes, just sometimes, its not all about me. 

I really needed this moment of reflection.  I took the last few months off to deal with another business, completely remodel a house my family of 5 lived in, and enjoy the holidays.  I think reflection is the first step to personal growth. I feel many steps closer to getting where I need to be.