Real Estate Agent Tips and Tricks

Teri B Clark is Interviewed by First 30 Days!

2008-07-04T10:11:00.004-05:00

Hi all! Iwas interviewed by First Thirty Days at first30days.com after the editor read 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought. In my interview, I discussed using a home stager so that the first 30 days as a home seller would go more smoothly. The First Thirty Days mission is to inspire others to find the positive in any change . They want to be the first place you think of in times of change, a place full of optimism and a place where you feel informed and inspired.

Luke Kozikowski, the interviewer, had this to say:

When it comes to getting your home ready to sell, you want the advice of Teri B. Clark. The writer has become quite a specialist on the home selling front—her book, 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought has helped many sellers through a tough market, and the book was recently awarded the Eric Hoffer Award, given to excellent titles from independent publishers. Here, Clark tells us the common pitfalls home sellers encounter, and how you can come out on top.

You can view my interview here.

Teri B. Clark's Book on Home Staging Awarded "First Runner Up" in the Eric Hoffman Book Awards 2008

2008-04-30T09:11:00.001-05:00

Teri B. Clark's Book on Home Staging Awarded "First Runner Up" in the Eric Hoffman Book Awards 2008.

301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought by Teri B Clark is a First Runner Up in the 2008 Eric Hoffer Award.

“We are very excited about using our international award program to honor the memory one of America’s greatest freethinkers,” said Christopher Klim, the managing editor of Best New Writing, which publishes the results of the Eric Hoffer Award for books and
prose. “This year’s Hoffer winners bring us to a new height.”

The Eric Hoffer Award for short prose and books was established at the start of the 21st century as a means of opening a door to writing of significant merit. It honors the memory of the great American philosopher Eric Hoffer by highlighting salient writing.

The Hoffer Award exists as a platform to honor independent books of exceptional merit. Since its inception as the Writers' Notes Award, the Hoffer Award has grown in prominence each year. Multiple books in many categories and various press types are given prizes, "Hoffer" honors, and worldwide media exposure.

Category distinctions were awarded on three levels in descending order: Winner, First Runner-Up, and Notables. The Eric Hoffer Book Award grants a $1,500 annual grand prize and separate distinctions for the best academic, small, and micro press, the best self-published book, and various winners in 14 categories that cover the entire publishing spectrum. Also, the Montaigne Medal is awarded to the most though-provoking books.

What Repeat Home Buyers Want From Agents

2007-06-23T19:00:00.000-05:00

These are stats reported from the NAR:

What Repeat Buyers Want Most From Real Estate Professionals

Help you find the right house to purchase -53%
Help with price negotiations - 13%
Help with paperwork - 8%
Tell you what comparable homes are selling for - 11%
Help determining how much buyer can afford - 11%
Help find and arrange financing - 2%

Keep all of this in mind as you market towards new clients!

Try Your Hand At Writing

2007-06-02T18:43:00.000-05:00

Article writing is great marketing tool that can establish you as an expert in your field. An article written by you is more meaningful and holds more credence than placing an advertisement.

Deciding what to write about is as easy as thinking about your last job. What questions did your client ask you? Whatever they asked is something they were thinking about right then. It is a timely topic.

Check with your local papers and free magazines. They look for content. There are also online sources that are constantly seeking new material.

Here are article sites your can check out.

www.goarticles.com

www.articledashboard.com

www.ideamarketers.com

www.reprintarticles.com

www.ezinearticles.com

www.easyarticles.com

www.articleblast.com

Real Estate Agents - Use Email Signatures!

2007-05-28T12:50:00.000-05:00

According to a survey, 44% of REALTORS® communicate with their clients by e-mail more than 50% of the time. To me, this is not surprising. I am in contact with my clients by email at even a higher rate. Of course, I always check to be sure that they use their email frequently - at least once per day - and ask if contacting them through email is ok with them.

This brought to mind the idea of having a signature on your email. It is really important to have a standard signature that gives not only your name, but your company's name, and all the contact information. Be sure to have your website there as well. And if you have a tagline, use it!

If you don't use a signature, here are two examples to give you an idea.

My friend Mary Larsen, a redesigner, uses this one:
-Mary Larsen
Mary Larsen Designs, Inc.
Because every home has a story to tell™
www.MaryLarsenDesigns.com
Designing Your Business, Designing Your Life™
www.GrowYourDesignBiz.com

3340 Langston Circle
Apex, NC 27539
919-773-1445

Mary@MaryLarsenDesigns.com

When I am working as an author, I use this one:

Teri B. Clark
teribclark@gmail.com
919-776-9311
www.teribclark.com

Author of
301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home Now
http://staging-your-home.blogspot.com/
+
Private Mortgage Investing
http://private-mortgage-investing.blogspot.com/

First Home Tour is proud to announce the launch of a new virtual tour platform

2007-05-26T10:38:00.000-05:00

Press Release

First Home Tour is proud to announce the launch of a new virtual tour platform, http://www.firsthometour.com. This site offers Realtors® a simplified and cost effective way to create, upload, and showcase available properties in the most economical and flexible virtual tour package available. Cross market your listings instantly with the First Home Tour Marketing Engine. Each virtual tour can be instantly uploaded to your local MLS, Realtor.com*, Google.com, and Trulia.com, and many other sites at no additional cost.

The many attractive features incorporated in the First Home Tour packages will benefit Realtors® with the potential for quicker turnaround time through creative showcasing and marketing of their listings. First Home Tour provides you with the power of web marketing with no internet experience needed.

James Goodale, President - "Our goal is to put the power of creating virtual tours in the hands of Realtors® for an affordable price. With First Home Tour we hope to give them the advantage they need to sell their listings quickly in a very competitive market.

"The Jonville Team, Keller Williams Reality-Mega Team Platinum Award Winners- "First Home Tour has changed the way we sell homes. We save money on our marketing and create beautiful tours in minutes. The feedback from our clients has been amazing. I would highly recommend First Home Tour to all agents looking for a great way to showcase their properties.

"First Home Tour also provides discounted corporate account options for Real Estate Companies and in many cases an attractive incentive program. Please contact Ryan Braun for more tour information and pricing options."

For additional information please contact:
Ryan Braun / P.R. and Business Development
Direct:(760) 809-4264
Or go to: www.firsthometour.com

*Realtor.com upload is free for Realtor.com "Showcase Account" members

The difference between moderate and luxury homes

2007-05-19T07:36:00.000-05:00

I have a list of "don'ts" when discussing home upgrades for moderately priced homes:

1. Adding high-end appliances to a modest home.

2. Adding hand painted tiles in the bath or kitchen.

3. Adding a central vacuum.

4. Replacing windows with newer models.

5. Adding a swimming pool.

However, when you are dealing with luxury homes, people expect and are willing to pay for luxury. A swimming pool or a hot tub may be in order!

The moral of the story? Keep the buyer in mind when you get a house ready for sale.

Using Video Tours

2007-05-16T11:05:00.000-05:00

Although it is true that people move to new homes within their old neighborhood, community, or city, it is also true that many people are moving from much further away. If they are moving due to a job relocation, they may only have a day or two to come into town and find a home. These are the people that are looking online.

Many of those buyers won’t bother looking at a house unless they can see inside it using the Internet. They look online, find those that capture their attention, and then ask to view only those when they come in person. Video tours are a great awy to capture their attention!

At the very least, you need to have plenty of photos and loads of information. Don't forget to make your photos look as good as possible by having the home staged first!

Real Estate Agents Can Increase Perceived Value - Learn How!

2007-04-30T04:40:00.000-05:00

While doing a bit of research, I came across something that described the difference between actual value and perceived value.

The actual value of a property is based on the square footage, number of bedrooms, number of baths, size of kitchen, the location, etc. Perceived value is based on what the would-be buyers believe about the home. They want to see that it meets their needs AND makes their lifestyle better than it is now.

The best way to increase perceived value is by having a home staged. The better the homes looks, the better a potential buyer feels about the home. A 3 bedroom 2 bath home that is staged will sell faster than an identical unstaged home. Staging adds the perceived value buyers are looking for.

To learn more about homestaging, go to www.staging-your-home.blogspot.com.

Real Estate Agents Need To Sell a Lifestyle

2007-04-28T13:47:00.000-05:00

I was reading about an agent that decided to stop selling homes and sell lifestyles instead. Of course, this is just a play on words, because of course he sells homes. However, he focuses his marketing to the lifestyle one can lead in the home he is selling.

I immediately thought of the videos or slide shows of the home with a voice over describing the roaring fireplace providing a cozy place to read a book on crisp winter days. Even the photos or video entering the neighborhood, showing the street, the community pool, maybe even a neighbor or two.

If you think in this way, you will appeal to the home buyer's sense of self and/or tap into their dreams.

Having a Single Listing Site is a Good Real Estate Marketing Idea

2007-04-25T08:07:00.000-05:00

I like the idea of single listing sites. Each home has its own listing, often its address, and the "looker" can go straight to that home. Single listing sites also have a lot over the MLS site because agents can post many pictures and lots of text, include virtual tours, post documents such as inspection reports, etc.

Doing this is also a good marketing strategy that sets an agent apart. If a seller is choosing between realtors and one has a dedicated site for their property, that might be the tipping point.

Real Estate Tips

2007-04-21T16:16:00.001-05:00

Learn about real estate marketing and tools that will help your business grow.