August 25, 2015

Communication


Isn’t it wonderful that we’re all so individual?  Our wants and needs in life are all different and it takes someone pretty special to know us well enough to predict what we need and/or want.  So why do people believe that real estate agents can read minds?  I’m sorry but we can’t. 

Communication is a big thing for both people and businesses because without it, we don’t know!  Ask a question and get an answer - how simple is that?  And why do so many people believe that agents don’t tell the truth, that they are only in real estate for the money, and that you can’t trust a thing they say?

What garbage!  This is so untrue of many of us – within any industry there is good and bad, and we have some really great agents in our community.  Not all agents are going to suit your needs but it is important that you find one that makes you feel comfortable, will listen to you and understands where you are coming from and where you want to be, and you go from there. 

Like anything in life, you can pick and choose and if you want an agent that is up-to-date with the local market, technology, marketing, etc then an agent that is accredited with the Real Estate Institute of Queensland is a good place to start.  Just like other professions, yearly accreditation is necessary to stay abreast of what’s happening in the industry - real estate is no different.

As we move into the warmer months and the peak period for property transactions, don’t forget that we are here to help you in whatever capacity you need - we can walk you through all your property dealings – rent or sale.  Just call. 

August 19, 2015

Up, Down and Around We Go!


In any market a seller wants to obtain the best possible price for their property regardless of their circumstances.  When it comes to buyers, there are many types looking at varying price ranges – investors wanting to buy low and rent high, developers wanting to buy very low and have extreme margins, first home buyers or ‘gen Y’ who just want to just get into the market, and families who are usually movers and shakers and slide from one price range to another (usually more prone to be an emotional buyers).  But while our market is stable - not going up or down, which sounds much better than flat lined, buyers will start to look elsewhere if they cannot find a suitable home.

For those home owners considering selling, remember that preparation and presentation is the key as first impressions are so important!  We had a home with overgrown gardens that looked messy and unloved, but the owner wanted the property on the market.  After a week, we had no interest.  So we recommended a complete a garden clean-up and the owner agreed to a small budget makeover (sound familiar).  We had our tradesman go in and within a day we had changed the appearance of the home.  Even though we did this, we couldn’t guarantee a fast sale, just a better response.  Again, we notified our buyers and that weekend we had the home under contract. 

With Spring just around the corner, think about what you may need to do to get your home ready for sale.  Make a list, just like buyers, and tick them off one at a time.  But don’t overdo it as it could be money down the drain!  The other option is to get an agent in and see what will benefit your home to maximise your return.  Sound good?  Well if you’d like more information on the best possible step forward then just call!