When you look your best, you attract attention.  A recent survey of five hundred REALTORS® proves that it’s no different when it comes to marketing your home.

82 percent of those polled reported that buyers unimpressed by a home’s “curb appeal” won’t be interested in a closer look.  Additionally, 90 percent of the agents explained that a sale depends greatly on first impressions walking through the front door.

That same number also reported that the appearance of a home’s exterior is equally important as the interior features and condition.  When buyers see your home from the street and the front walk, they feel that what they see is what they get.

When you’re ready to list, work hard on your curb appeal and make sure the interior displays the same pride of ownership.  Then have professional photographs accompany your listing on the Internet, as well as in brochures, newspaper ads, and other marketing tools.

These photos may be the buyers’ first “first impression” to look closer.  The more pictures you offer, the better your chance for a quick sale.  Listings with one photo sold for 91 percent of the listing price, while those with six or more pictures sold for 95 percent of the asking price.  When you do the math, you’ll see that an attractive home plus attractive marketing is the formula for success!

Call me if you need assistance with your real estate decisions.  If you prefer, email me at donkingsley@kingsleyrealestate.com.  I will be happy to share my knowledge with you at no cost or obligation.

Sports agent.  Talent agent.  Insurance agent.  Real estate agent.  What significance does the label “agent” hold, and why is it important when buying or selling a home?

Webster’s dictionary defines an agent as “a person, firm, etc. empowered to act for another.”  For an “agency” relationship to exist, there must be a “principal” and an “agent.”  The principal is the person who empowers another to act as his representative, while the agent is the person empowered to act.

In real estate, an agency relationship is created when a seller signs a “listing agreement.”  The seller gives the broker authority to act on his behalf to locate a purchaser. The agent must be loyal to his principal, exercise competence, and when negotiating a sale, the agent must protect the principal’s financial interests. The agent must also treat all third parties honestly and fairly.

It is also possible for an agency relationship to exist between a buyer and a broker.  When this occurs, the broker’s fiduciary loyalty is to the buyer, and all sellers must be treated honestly and fairly.  In that case, the agent attempts to secure the lowest price and most favorable terms for the buyer, his principal.

Whether buying or selling, it is critical to understand which parties make up the agency relationships.  If in doubt, ask the real estate agent for a clarification.

Call me if you need assistance with your real estate decisions.  If you prefer, email me at donkingsley@kingsleyrealestate.com.  I will be happy to share my knowledge with you at no cost or obligation.

If you’re a homeowner, what do falling prices mean to you?  You might assume that it’s a bad time to sell.  But guess what?  It could mean it’s the perfect time to buy the home of your dreams!

Do the math, and you see that market downturns can actually work in your favor.  Homes are listing at prices that are truly affordable.  If you’ve already built equity in your current home, you could parlay that into the purchase of a terrific property. 

When prices do rise again, and you know they will, you will have made an excellent investment for the future.  If the home you really want was previously offered at $200,000 but the price has fallen - let’s say 20% to $160,000 – that’s a sweet deal, even if your own home has lost some value.

In any home purchase, there are usually some concessions: location, style of architecture, or any number of features.  If you made some concessions when you bought your current property, and you can replace the negatives with the positive features you’ve found in another home, now is the time to make your move!

Once the market turns around - and again, you know it will - you’ll find your appreciation will be greater in the new, larger home.  It’s an upgrade at an opportune time that makes good investment sense.

Call me if you need assistance with your real estate decisions.  If you prefer, email me at donkingsley@kingsleyrealestate.com.  I will be happy to share my knowledge with you at no cost or obligation.