Boise Real Estate Blog

What's With Those "We Buy Houses" Signs?

Have you noticed those “We Buy Houses” signs on every street corner?

If you’re a seller and thinking this is an easy way to unload your home for top dollar, think again.

Those people are shrewd deal-makers and your best interests are not their best interests.

Be aware that you are dealing with someone who knows more about real estate than you do and their motive is to profit from your need for a fast sale.

They’re  are going to deduct all ordinary sales costs as part of the deal, including commissions, closing costs, fix-up costs, carrying costs, etc.

That means you are essentially paying a commission without the benefit of having professional representation.

If their offer is indeed legitimate, and they are actually able to perform, you may end up with a closed sale, but be careful.

Never sign over the title to your home to anyone without using a title/escrow company and getting title insurance to ensure that everything is done correctly, including making sure that all encumbrances against your property are paid off at closing.

Those obligations extend to you and do not go away simply because you signed the title to your home over to someone else.

Tempted to look into one of those deals?

Call me before you sign anything – there’s no charge and I might save you from a lot of headaches later.

September 13th, 2009 Posted in Seller Stuff |  Print This Post | No Comments »

Why Listing Presentations Are Silly

Most listing agents think they need to dazzle sellers with a listing presentation.

I guess the reasons might include:

• Ego gratification ~ it’s their big moment “on stage” where they can brag how they’re #1 (who really cares?), have the biggest team, how their company can beat up the other companies, etc.
• Wanting to impress the seller so they can get the listing, no matter what, even if it means taking an unsalable listing.

Listing presentations are silly and here’s why:

• Sellers are interested in WIIFM (what’s in it for me).
• Sellers get tired of listing agents who brag that they’re #1, or that they have a huge team of junior agents (who probably don’t sell anything).
• Sellers (and everyone, for that matter) want to be heard.
• Sellers want to be asked questions.
• Sellers want to be listened to.
• Sellers want to be respected.
• Sellers want to understand.
• And, more than anything, Sellers want to be understood.

The simple fact is that I can learn a lot more about a seller’s needs/wants by asking questions and listening carefully than by putting them to sleep with a mind-numbing Powerpoint presentation.

Which is why I prefer to ask questions.

Questions like:

• “Could we begin by having you tell me what you would like to accomplish?”
• “What are your top three concerns about selling your home?”
• What’s the #1 thing you want in a listing agent?
• “What do you think are the top three selling features of your home?”
• “What happens if your home doesn’t sell?”

You get the idea.

It isn’t about me; it’s about the seller.

Once I clearly understand the seller’s needs and wants, I can develop a custom marketing plan with creative ideas to get their home sold in our challenging market.

Is this any way to run a real estate business?

My thousands of delighted past clients enthusiastically shout “Yes!”.

To see what my clients think of my service, click on the “What Phil’s Clients Say” button at top right of t his page.

September 12th, 2009 Posted in Seller Stuff |  Print This Post | No Comments »

Does Your Agent Return Your Calls?

I’m more than a little OCD about being available for my clients.

That includes using only one direct phone number (208)938-5533 to ensure that no human being or voicemail tree can screw things up when someone wants to talk to me.

Then, I use Call Forwarding to redirect phone calls to my Blackberry when I’m out of my office to avoid missed  calls.

Unless I am working with a client, I personally answer all calls with the usual “This is Phil!” when someone calls.

Actually, I have had several transactions that began with a call while in the Costco bathroom, but that should probably be the topic of another post in the way distant future.

Memo to Phil: When business gets slow, go to Costco.

There is one exception, though, and that is that I will not place your call on hold while I take another call ~ I think that’s rude.

And, I promptly return all calls and e-mails (I push my e-mail to my Blackberry too) and even check the call log and call people back even if they didn’t leave a message.

Which brings me to the point of this rant.

What is so hard about returning a phone call, anyway?

The National Association of Realtors^® has repeatedly identified “lack of communication” as the #1 reason why clients aren’t thrilled with their real estate agent.

Yet, when I call another agent, I almost always have to leave a message and I rarely get a returned call.

Small wonder why so many agents are struggling in our current, slower market.

Gee, guys, if you figured out how to answer your phone and return calls, someone just might do business with you?

But, then, maybe my responsive service is why I’m so busy that I don’t have a life these days.

September 11th, 2009 Posted in Inside Real Estate |  Print This Post | No Comments »

Boise, Idaho Real Estate Stats – August 2009

Here’s a snapshot of August’s real estate activity for Boise, Idaho (Ada County):

September 5th, 2009 Posted in Boise Market Stats |  Print This Post | No Comments »

Meridian, Idaho Real Estate Stats – August 2009

Here’s a snapshot of August’s real estate activity for Meridian, Idaho:

September 5th, 2009 Posted in Meridian Market Stats |  Print This Post | No Comments »