"A huge amount of money, and the rest of your (and your kids') lives." I say this to most of my buyer clients at some point of our working relationship, sometimes at the beginning, and sometimes just before we make an offer to purchase on a house. I'm not kidding Great (hell, or even competent) buyer or seller representation appreciates the gravity of the buying and selling decision-making process. I don't have a real point to this story, other than to say that what we (my clients and I) do together has potentially life-altering … [Read more...] about A Pile of Money, And the Rest of your Life: Buying a Home
Sellers
Sellers – Pretend You’re Seeing Your House for the First Time
Does your doorbell work? Are you sure? How often do you ring your own doorbell? I remember visiting an unrepresented seller many years ago to discuss marketing her home She was surprised when I noted that she ought to fix her doorbell as it wasn't working. She never rang it, as she was one of the rare homeowners who parked her car in her garage. Pretending you're seeing your home for the first time is one of the best things you can do. Stand on the front porch. Look around for a minute or two, as if the Realtor is opening the … [Read more...] about Sellers – Pretend You’re Seeing Your House for the First Time
Client Code of Conduct *or* My Commitment to My Client
Helping my clients make good decisions. That's my simple goal every day. That goal requires the right partnership. One of the most important things I do is to manage my clients' expectations, whether that's what to expect when they make a low offer on a house, or put forth an escalation clause in a multiple offer situation, choose to price the house higher (or lower) than I advise, or what to expect with respect to growth in the Charlottesville/Albemarle area. I've been meaning to do this - this "code of conduct" and this story - for a … [Read more...] about Client Code of Conduct *or* My Commitment to My Client
List Now, or Wait Until Spring?
Buyers looking in Charlottesville already know that they should be starting their homebuying journey. A lot of Charlottesville sellers are asking, "Should I list now, or wait until Spring?" That's a question I'm trying to answer often right now. As with most things in real estate and life, the answer starts with, "it depends" What are you trying to accomplish, (yes, I know, "sell the house!" is primary), but what else? If nothing else, take exterior photos now. Is the house vacant now? If it's vacant, why not list? … [Read more...] about List Now, or Wait Until Spring?
Listing and Selling a Home Timeline
Selling a house can be an uncomfortable experience. It's a necessarily invasive process. This is a bit of what to expect from start to finish. Decide to sell This is so much more than a bullet point. Is this a discretionary move? Is it going to be worth the trauma? Where are you going? How long might your house take to sell? Can you afford to sell? And a whole lot more. Interview agents (or, just call me) Evaluate market analyses - and ask questions. I tell my clients that my valuations need to be … [Read more...] about Listing and Selling a Home Timeline
Preparing for the Spring Real Estate Market in Charlottesville
The 2017 market in the Charlottesville area is going to be an interesting one. They all are. The Charlottesville real estate market is going to be much less calm than the waters depicted above. Will this property hold value? I received that question by email (and get it many days of the week) the other day, and it was about a specific property in the City of Charlottesville. As I noted in my response, I cannot/will not give specific real estate advice unless we have an executed buyer brokerage agreement; but I'll certainly provide … [Read more...] about Preparing for the Spring Real Estate Market in Charlottesville
What’s On Your Book Shelves?
Years ago, clients and I walked out of a house (that they didn't buy) and shared our collective "weird" feeling as we'd gone through the house. It took us a few minutes, but we soon concluded that the weird feeling was created because the house felt empty and soulless - there were no books. Anywhere. "I could live here! This could be my bookshelf!" My clients didn't buy that house. But they seriously considered it more than they would have otherwise, in large part due to the books on the shelves. Buyers are seeking way to evaluate whether … [Read more...] about What’s On Your Book Shelves?