real estate agent - Orlando and Clermont Real Estate

Clermont Florida Listing Agent

The Winter Market

Florida real estate sales certainly ramp up in the winter because as the most of the country is under a blanket of snow or at least cold temperatures, we are warm and toasty here in Central Florida. But, this does pose some interesting marketing dilemmas. How do you market of Florida home in the winter? Do you price it differently? What type of buyers are looking for a home in the winter in Florida? All of these can easily be answered by an experienced and seasoned real estate professional.

Of course, any licensed real estate agent can list and sell property on the MLS in the state in which they are licensed, but that doesn’t mean that they will sell the home effectively or for a profit. Nothing beats experience. I know this from experience… Because you can take every real estate class in the book and still not have the knowledge that experience will give you.

Tailoring a Plan for You

Every single real estate transaction is different and there are so many parties involved from buyers to sellers, escrow and lenders, appraisers and inspectors that having the knowledge and the experience to keep everyone on task and close on time is really worth its weight in gold. Because I have dealt with many other buyers agents, I know the drawbacks to an unseasoned agent. I get it, everyone has to start somewhere, but that doesn’t mean that you have to. If you’re looking to sell your property and you want the most profit possible, it takes a seasoned and experienced agent that understands the Clermont real estate market and surrounding communities as well as the micro-markets of individual neighborhoods.

If you’re looking for someone that’s knowledgeable, friendly, and professional then Beth is definitely the agent to go with! She’s reputable, and really knows what she’s talking about. We knew nothing about the area before Beth. She showed us the area, and took the time to patiently show us home to home to home until we found “The One”! I’ll never forget riding around through the backroads following her and falling completely in love! We would not have been able to find our little sanctuary without her. We LOVE the area we now live in, the community, and most importantly our home. We highly recommend you put your trust in Beth. You won’t be disappointed!“

Whether you are buying or selling, understanding the market is crucial. When selling a property in has to be priced correctly from the start. If you don’t, the home will likely sit on the market far longer than it needs to. If you underpriced the property it may sell to quickly and you might actually lose money. Buying and selling takes an experienced real estate agent to negotiate for your terms and your price.

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Advice for Sellers:

Need a listing agent and property manager in one?

Sure-Fire Ways to Get a Home Sold

Does a Home with a View Cost More?

Buyers are Not Going to Make an Offer on Over-Priced Homes

Will my Neighbors House Value Affect Mine?

Buyers Are Not Going to Make Offers on Overpriced Listings

Buyers Are Not Going to Make Offers on Overpriced Listings

If you are thinking about pricing your home for sale above market value, buyers are not going to make offers on overpriced listings. One thing for sure, real estate market is HOT!! It’s sizzling. Some areas are experiencing low inventory with high demand that’s causing home prices to go

up, especially in the affordable price range. What is an affordable price range you might ask? Well, that truly depends on where you are in the country, in Clermont FL area, the affordable price range is just middle of the road, between $200,000 and $250,000. That number will look a lot different if you are in NY or Los Angeles.

If you are in a hot seller’s market with high demand and low inventory with increasing home prices month after month, you might want to list your home for sale above the fair market value and hoping buyers will make offers on an overpriced listing.

BUT…Guess what? Buyers are not going to make offers on overpriced listings. Just like home sellers, buyers also study the market, most are working with knowledgeable REALTORS® who are guiding them through the transaction. Besides, their search criteria will most likely be within their pre-approved mortgage. If they are approved to purchase a home up to $250,000, they will not be looking at homes priced at $300,000 hoping sellers will come down. Just like home sellers, they know it’s a hot market and homes that are priced right will go under contract fast so they’re not even going to waste their time looking at homes outside of their price range.

If a buyer tells me they’re looking to buy a home in Clermont FL priced up to $250,000, my search will be slightly over their pre-approved price. If I send them homes that are priced well above their range, they will think I’m not listening or have no regards for their wishes. So your strategy of overpricing and waiting for buyers to make offers isn’t going to work.
Yes, as a REALTOR®, if my buyer client likes the overpriced home, I will encourage them to make an offer and will definitely speak with the listing agent prior to submitting it, however, it’s up to you, as the seller to either accept or make a counter-offer which will show the buyer how motivated you are to sell your house.

What if your REALTOR® suggests listing above market value? Why would they do that? Do they really know the market? Are they trying to win you over so you would list your home with them? Do you have the time to participate in this game?
As a REALTOR®, I don’t have the marketing dollars nor the time to play games. I list homes to sell. List and see what sticks doesn’t work for me, never did.

Everyone’s motivation is different, however, most home sellers list their homes to sell. To accomplish that goal, it’s best to do everything right from day one. That includes getting your home in show ready condition, working with the right REALTOR® for the right reasons and most importantly, pricing it right.
As a professional, I come across overpriced as well as underpriced homes for sale. Those that are overpriced will either expire or see a major price reduction after a long marketing time. The ones that are underpriced will hopefully generate multiple offers and sell over list price.

Do Buyers make offers on overpriced listings? That depends on the area and competition. Remember, real estate is very local so what happens in Los Angeles isn’t very common in Clermont FL. Instead of wondering, it’s best to price your house to sell.

If you are a Clermont FL homeowner thinking about selling your home, I would love the opportunity to speak with you. Call or text me at 407-929-1852 for a FREE market analysis. Clermont FL home prices have increased 11% compared to last year. Your home may worth more than you think.

Property Manager Who is Also a Real Estate Agent

There are property managers and there are real estate agents… it’s sometimes rare to find both. However, the state of Florida in order to be a professional property manager you need to have your real estate license and more than simply an agent’s license, you need to have your broker’s license. These agents also need to have a Community Association Manager requirement. Estate agents don’t always have to be a property manager but if you plan on the property manager you have to have your real estate license as well. It might be confusing but this is where using a real estate agent that also has their license and practices real estate not just only property management can really come in handy.

The difference between property managers and real estate agents.

A real estate agent lists property and shows perspective buyers property and facilitates the transaction for them. The basic job is to bring buyers and sellers together through negotiations and agreed to purchase the property. The agent must work exclusively to the laws and regulations of their particular state and county and follow certain governing procedures.

Property managers are responsible for keeping owners and tenants satisfied and together with the condition of the property that they own or rent. They work for the owner but they are also responsible for the needs of the tenants. This job involves maintaining the unit and grounds as well as arranging any repairs, screening new tenants and handling deposits and payments of rent.

Real estate agents earn a commission on properties that have listed and sold and is typically a one-time commission. Management fees are monthly and property managers typically between 7% and 10% commission on the rental payments each month. Estate agents get paid once for the commission once the transaction is completed.

Although real estate licenses typically allow agents and property managers to work anywhere in the state of Florida the common specialize in specific types of property. Agents may work for broker handling office buildings, commercial properties, single-family homes, vacant land or lots or even condominiums. Property managers do a wide range of jobs including hiring staff, maintaining cleanliness on the grounds, frequent showings and checkups, screening tenants and submitting credit applications, advertising and handling all of the payments to the owner from the tenant.

Why Both?

Using a real estate agent that is not just a property manager but also deals with real estate is a great option because if it comes time to buy or sell a property you already have an agent ready to go. I’ve dealt with many homeowners that have chosen to rent their property for certain amount of time and then sell that property to either the tenant or an outside buyer. The nice thing is that I already understand the property, have been working with the owner for some time and am familiar with how to sell and market the property to potential buyers as the tenant chooses not to purchase the home.

If you’d like more information on my property management services and whether or not using my real estate services in the future would work for you please contact me now. I’m happy to discuss options and either set up your property for management services for marketing.

Using Technology Instead of a Real Estate Agent

We are a society glued to our phones. They no longer are used to call people but for games, social media interaction, ways to stay “in the know” and viewing everything from the next major news feed to a stupid cat video. We are literally missing the world around us. Now, I’m not saying that this technology is useless – far from it as it also keeps us in touch with loved ones, offers local news, the latest book, or just gives us something to do on the bus, in line or sitting an open house – ok maybe that’s just me. But will it ever replace the real interaction of a human being? I certainly hope not and of course in my line of work I hope that really never happens.

Yes, technology and machines do eventually take the place of a human for many tech jobs such as assembly lines and such but there is nothing that beats real human contact. Technology, however, must be used in today’s day and age for listing, promoting and marketing and many forms are now available online – heck, some transactions can go through without a person every touching a piece of paper with electronic signatures and all. But are we so inundated with technology we’ve lost the goal of customer service?

I like to be in the know and provide my clients with flashy information on an iPad or tablet and show them what I can do and how we can accomplish their goals but often times they just don’t want that. They want to know how I can help them buy or sell a house. Pure and simple. No fuss, no fancy graphs or charts, just tell me them the facts and why they should hire me.

This is where it gets tricky – not every client is like that so this is where we have to “be all things to all people”. Find what they respond to and accommodate. Some clients are impressed with online communication, texting, electronic signatures and all, and for some this is the best way to communicate. But others prefer the face to face contact, the hand shaking, the look-them-in-the-eye approach so they know they can trust you.

While all agents should be able to navigate the Internet and provide online searches catered to their clients, they also should be able to provide printed documents to review later at a moment’s notice. Most agents can at least get into their MLS and send listing but some don’t even know what to do when a new addendum must be created or a contingency must be altered due to some unknown issue down the line. This is where technology and their knowledge of it is not going to help. Experienced agents can offer on-site inspection advice, information and suggestions on negotiations, what to ask for and how to get the terms the client wants. This kind of skill is not achieved online but in the day to day experience of this business. When time sensitive issues are on the line, no amount of tech savvy knowledge will beat the tried and true experience of a qualified and seasoned agent. It’s that clever negotiation tactic of voice to voice communication, convincing an inspector to take one more look at a property; it’s the subtle urging in the face to face contact that makes the seller come down another $1000 on an offer for the agent’s buyer, and it’s the smile on the face of the young family whom you just handed the keys to their new home that really makes the difference. These expressions cannot be handled digitally. This really is a people business and it will remain so regardless of how “techy” we all get.