Real Estate Network

Posts Tagged ‘House’

Anaheim, CA (PRWEB) November 15, 2011

House hunting just got easy. HomeSpotter is a new feature from MobileRealtyApps that shows customers home listings simply by aiming their iPhone or iPad at homes or condo buildings.

The Sunday afternoon drive scouting out homes has never been so fun, says realtor Andy Asbury with Better Homes & Gardens Area Leaders. HomeSpotter takes curb appeal to another level.

HomeSpotter uses a technology called augmented reality to overlay property information on a devices live camera feed. As a home hunter points their iPhone down the street, they see a view of the street and info on all the houses for sale pops up. Theres even a radar display that show the direction and proximity of nearby properties for sale.

HomeSpotter is currently available to a limited number of brokers for iPhone and iPad apps, and will be coming soon to Android phones as well. HomeSpotter is the first such platform available on the iPad. Its also the only readily available solution that allows any real estate broker to have their own augmented realty app.

MobileRealtyApps debuted HomeSpotter at the National Association of Realtors

Buying a house can be a crazy, stressful experience, and moving in and redecorating can be even worse. So why do we love watching shows about this topic? My opinions on the topic are below:

* It’s fun to watch people make the important decision of buying a house. We get to see what matters to the future homeowners and compare their thoughts to our own. We decide which house we think the buyers should choose, and get to be surprised (and sometimes horrified) by the buyers’ decisions.

* It’s interesting to see how far money goes in different places. For example, you’ll need a lot more money in California than Kentucky to buy identical homes. You also get to see different home styles in different places. For example, you’ll see different home styles in New York and Texas.

* House Hunters International lets us see countries we may never visit and may have known nothing about. It teaches us about life in other countries, and we get to see what homes look like in the other nations. It can be really fascinating!

* House Hunters can make us frustrated, but not in a way that’s too maddening. We see people want more space for less money, when we know that it’s impossible. We realize how much further our money would go if we moved to a different state or country. We laugh as people moan and groan about floor plans that aren’t open enough or backyards that have too many weeds. We realize how trivial the concerns are, and get a bit of frustration, and a laugh, from it when the buyers don’t realize how silly they’re being.

* It’s very neat and clean. We see buyers looking at three houses, and everything is wrapped up in a neat little bow by the end of the episode. There’s no wonder or stress at the end of the half hour House Hunters episode – you know that the featured House Hunters participant will either buy a house or walk away with a clean little excuse about needing more time or money or something.

* We don’t believe it too much. Some lines feel a bit scripted, and the real estate agents are all perky, fun and have television presence. Plus, if you’ve read this article or one like it, you know that the show isn’t always quite as real as it seems. Sometimes, the show will get people who are closing on a house and show them two others as decoys. In the end, the homeowners choose the house that they are already buying. (This could explain why it sometimes seems like homeowners are making a bad choice…they probably didn’t see the nicer house before bidding on their house!)

* The whole family, or groups of friends, can watch the show. Unlike many reality shows, the show is almost entirely unoffensive. Plus, everyone can watch it as intently or mindlessly as they choose.

You can learn how to take advantage of your real estate agent‘s expertise before buying a house.
You’ve probably heard home buyers routinely complain how their agent didn’t do enough while they were buying a house. In truth, most buyers don’t know what to look for from a real estate professional in order to receive the best results.
With proper homework while shopping for a Realtor, you can be assured you’ve located someone who will watch out for your best interests. She is there to help you make better home buying decisions. So here are some ways your real estate agent can help in the decision buying process and questions you can ask to signal when you want her assistance.
1- A case in point, once you have toured several properties, ask your Realtor to help you rank your choices. An experienced agent can guide you to clarify your prospects and narrow down the field.
2- Additionally your Realtor can assist you regarding finances. Almost everyone buying a house needs a mortgage. Because agents are constantly in contact with lenders, they are often the best source of referrals to mortgage brokers and bankers. They have the inside track on lenders that have serviced other clients well in the past. Based on your particular needs, request at least two referrals of mortgage bankers.
3- Accordingly use your agent to discuss your concerns. When it is time to make decisions it is often good to have an objective opinion. Your agent can assist you in buying a house by pointing out trade-offs and how to set priorities.
4- From the start explain what your housing desires are so your agent can easily point out neighborhoods, communities, and developments that seem right for you. Good real estate agents are out visiting properties to stay current. So be sure and indicate that you welcome input.
5- Everybody understands buying a house is an emotional decision but it is important to know the facts too. Your agent has access to recent comparable sales, how long property has been on the market, and details regarding the area. It would be a shame not to take advantage of her expertise.
6- Along these same lines, if you work with an agent closely she can alert you to property that just came on the market or perhaps is about to be listed. So make sure your Realtor knows that you intend to work exclusively with her. Your loyalty will be rewarded.
7- Real estate professionals are also well versed in Seller Disclosure Statements and can help you wade through this detailed disclosure provided by sellers. This form is designed to reveal any defects regarding the desirability of the home and neighborhood. Your agent sees these disclosures routinely so be sure to request assistance.
8- Because real estate agents see so many houses they can also be sources of advice regarding redecorating, renovating, or remodeling a particular home. We all have a tendency to spend money on upgrades that might provide little or no return. Look at the property through the eyes of your Realtor to plan for value added improvements to the home.
9- The best agents are adept at following the process of buying a house from your first meeting to the final close. You should expect your transaction to be followed from beginning to end.
10- From the initial process of buying a house to signing final documents, you will have many experiences. Your real estate agent is comfortable with the roles of the seller’s agent, lender, appraiser, escrow officer and homeowner insurance agent. Realtors are trained and equipped to work through each step of this process.
11- In my opinion, here is what makes your agent worth her weight in gold. Because of seeing hundreds of real estate transactions a year, she is better able to anticipate problems ahead of time. Diligent agents know how to trouble shoot issues before they get out control. This is probably the most important service your agent can provide and the least obvious. So be happy when your house closes without a hitch. It’s outstanding proof of your agent’s performance.
12- Finally be sure and ask your real estate agent from the start to keep you fully informed concerning the state of your purchase. This is second nature for most Realtors. But it is okay to signal that you want to be kept in the loop at all times.
If you know what to expect from your real estate agent it should be easy to send the right signals and benefit from her expertise while buying a house.

As a home buyer you should put as much thought into choosing your real estate agent as choosing your home. It is so easy to get caught up in the excitement of buying a new home especially if you are not aware of how the game is played.
Resourceful consumers know that they should interview agents to see how they will perform for them and to switch agents if they are disappointed in an agents performance. How your needs will be met should be based on the variety of services the agent offers, the different skill levels and training he or she has, and the company policies of the firm they work for.
You may end up with someone who hasn’t had much experience, if you met the agent at an Open House or called the Listing Agent about a particular house. It is not uncommon for new agents or part-timers to conduct Open Houses and do ‘up-time’ answering the phones at the real estate offices, not that an experienced agent does not do these things from time to time, but it is not enough to just take up with the first agent you meet without first seeing if they are knowledgeable of the area, the laws, and your interest. If they are the listing agent, unless specifically disclosed otherwise, they represent the seller in any transaction for the sale of a home. It is that Agent’s fiduciary duty to protect the seller’s position at all times. No matter what they tell you their loyalty will lie with their selling clients. Listing Agents are, not focusing on buyers’ needs, you may end up with an agent who will do a better job selling your house when the time comes rather than serving your needs and wants now as a home buyer. A buyer’s agent is a better choice.
If you have found a particular house but want a different agent you may have to deal with something called ‘procuring cause’ which offers guidelines regarding who should get credit for the sale and consequently, payment. That is why we say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure: Choose your real estate agent before you choose your house. It’s not good to see a home with one broker and then bring another broker to the same house for the second showing a month later. Such practices could end up in a long bitter process between agents, slowing down your closing process and perhaps even chancing the lost of your dream home to another buyer.
Treat your agent with the same respect you expect from them, tell them up front if you have worked with another agent in the area, what homes they have shown you and why you choose to seek out a different agent. A good buyer’s agent armed with your expectations will transcend into a great buying experience for you and your family and what a difference that will make in the enjoyment of your new mountain home!

Why use a Real Estate Agent to Sell your House?

A house is generally the largest investment that an individual makes in their lifetime. When it comes time for you to sell your home the bottom line is “Am I getting the best price for my house?”

In an effort to save money and maximize return, many people decide to go with “For Sale By Owner” (FSBO). It seems easy enough until you begin to look at the massive amount of work and uncertainty involved. Add to that, national statistics show that 80% to 90% of FSBO properties eventually list with a real estate agent.

As you begin the process of selling your house, you are faced with the following questions.

The services of a qualified real estate professional of the highest value in answering these questions.

A good real estate agent has a strong understanding of the local real estate market, a high standard of customer service and the support of a solid local company. Most importantly, a good agent saves you money, time and aggravation.

Setting the Price —
Real estate agents know the value of real estate in your area. They should be able to show you properties comparable to yours that will help set a fair and competitive price on your home. They can compare current homes for sale as well as recently sold homes. Price variables include age of home, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, pool, garage type, renovations and other amenities. A real estate agent can assess the fair market value and help to set an agreeable asking price.

Marketing Plan —
Marketing your house is far more than putting a sign in the yard and an ad in the classifieds. A real estate agent should offer a variety of marketing tools including a yard sign, advertisement in local real estate magazines, inclusion in the local Multi-List Service (MLS), inclusion on their website and printed flyers or brochures. This multifaceted marketing plan ensures that your property is seen by scores of potential buyers.

Remember that the agent is not paid unless the house sells. Their commission depends on them implementing a successful marketing strategy.

Finding Quality Buyers —
An agents time is limited so they take care to bring quality buyers to your home. Many agents prequalify clients with a mortgage company before showing them a home. This is doubly beneficial. First, the buyers are serious. Second, the buyer is only looking at homes they can afford.

Not to beat this point, but agents don’t make money showing houses, they make money selling houses. A good agent will make sure that the traffic coming through your home are quality buyers.

The Final Sale —
As expert in the home selling process, your real estate agent will advise you of your rights, options and obligations. Their negotiating skills help in determining appropriate offers, presenting counter-offers and getting you the best price possible price. They can help break down the legalese of the contract and streamline the process of closing the sale.

Why use a real estate agent to sell your home? — Because it pays! It limits your stress, provides good marketing, offers quality buyers, gives invaluable assistance in closing the sale and provides peace of mind.