Is it possible in today’s technical and Internet savvy world that a Realtor or real estate agent who’s trying to sell a home can do it from their couch?  Here in Raleigh real estate is viewed by home buyers over 90% of the time before they ever contact a Realtor.  If an agent has great pictures, proper information and multiple sources for home buyers to find that home for sale online…I suppose you COULD sell a home from the couch!

selling homes from your couch

Why not?!  Marketing is done via computer, Internet, eFax and networking.  Social media has opened the door for agents to network in their pajama’s.  Now, I’m not advocating this a practice but it is possible.  After all, tech savvy home buyers have been known to buy a home based on pictures and video when relocating to a new city!

There is a really cool tool I’ve found if you do work from home.  Check out this “desk” for your laptop…pretty cool and keeps you from back pain!  They’ve sold out but are working on a next generation now, according to their website.

http://www.dexiadesign.com/dexia_rack_details.html

Now, if I could only figure out how my car can drive clients to check out homes while I type their paperwork up.  I can email with digital signatures but I can’t drive and type…yet.  I’m sure I could dig up some voice activated software here in Raleigh to dictate too!

Happy house hunting on line and in person…

I don’t know if its just me but I fall into routines with where I shop, eat and frequent.  I guess I’m so busy that I don’t take the time to jump outside of my box.  I’ve decided to change for 2010…I’m going LOCAL and I’m on the hunt to find some new favorites.  Its important that we all do our part to support local businesses.  Let’s rally together, help spead the word and it will benefit the people we care about.

Raleigh NC is known for having some great food so I’m going to give you my…

Favorite Five Flavors: Raving Raleigh Restaurant Reviews

1. The Sake House is great for sushi!  http://www.thesakehouse.com/   They also have a Buy one, Get one Monday-Thursday nights.  Save $$$ and eat some great sushi rolls.  I personally like the Raleigh Roll and the Rock-n-Roll.  They are located in the Falls River Shopping Center off Durant Rd.

2.  Casalinga is some of the BEST Italian food I’ve had since moving from NY.  It’s super yummy and the lunch buffet rocks.  It’s also a great spot for pizza take out.  They have NY thin crust of thick Sicilian style.  Casalinga is located off Capital Blvd near Millbrook in the Mini-City Shopping Center.

3.  Savoy is a great date night or wonderful for a business lunch.  The food is fresh, homemade and local items control the menu.  It’s seasonal, which I love.  They always have some favorites like French Onion soup, NC trout or creme brulee.  They even give you muffins to take after dinner and enjoy the next day…It is well worth a visit if you enjoy an influence of French mixed with darn good cooking!  Restaurant Savoy is in N. Raleigh off Leadmine and Sawmill Rds.  Oh yes, I convinced Mama Jo to give everyone a free soup if you mention social media.  Score!

4.  Las Margaritas on Six Forks and Sawmill.  Now, Mexican food is ALL OVER Raleigh…there are tons of choices but this is my personal favorite.  The Chimichanga’s are amazing and I love their Chiles Relleno add a Dos Equis and I’m a happy, happy lady!

5.  Ben’s Place is a great spot to hang out, enjoy a drink and appetizer and watch a game.  It’s cozy but has some fun things to do too.  They have cornhole outdoors with a patio.  They’re located on Glenwood and Ebenezer Church right near the CarMax. 

So tell me, where is your favorite local spot in the Raleigh, Wake County NC area.  I want to dig up some hidden gems!

I was published in Broker Banker Magazine today and I’m very excited about it!  I see the power of the Internet and all the social tools that are forming our society today.  Some are resistant to the change but I embrace it!  It’s a great way to share information.  The Raleigh, NC area is still selling and I know lenders and Realtors are trying to find ways to network and educated home buyers, home sellers and possible clients for refinances.  We can all work as a team to cover all the needs of consumers.  It’s not about SALES, its about SERVICE!  Mortgage Lenders Learn How to Earn New Realtor Partners for FREE

 IF you missed Part 1 or Part 2 of this series feel free to review and come back!

Step 5:  Take the U out of your HOUSE

Earlier in this series I mentioned that selling can be emotional.  The home you’ve lived in has memories, your belongings and it’s your safe haven.  Realtors know this, but it’s not our job to sell you; it’s our job to sell your home.  Don’t take offense if we’re harsh or insistent on asking you to take down photos or remove belongings.  We are trying to help you detach from your home and help a potential buyer put their U into your space. 

Realtors need to open the U space in your HOUSE so someone else can insert themselves there.  It’s hard to fit two different U’s into one spot.  If a buyer cannot see themselves fitting in they won’t buy your home.  It has to be cozy, comforting and feel like their future in a matter of seconds.  Their decision is emotional too and human nature is impulsive.  Feelings push harder than facts.

Here's where your work starts...your Realtor will step back into the picture once you're ready to list and start showing your home.

In the next post I'm going to cover how to proceed with house hunting while your home is for sale.  How many times have you heard of people taking the plunge and buying a home before theirs is sold.  Don't be foolish and do this in a difficult market.  There are ways to avoid this!

If you're considering selling a home in Raleigh, Cary, Apex or Wake County NC, our team can help.  We always prefer to start building trust with our clients even if your timeline is 12 months down the road.  It never hurts to collect information.

Till the next post...Happy House Hunting!

In case you missed part 1:  Here it is

Step 3:  Qualifying for a Mortgage

You may think I’m jumping the gun here but I’m not.  Here’s why…if you want to upgrade or purchase another home you need to review your credit and down payment requirements.  I’ve often heard sellers say,

“Well, this place was no money down and easy to get a mortgage on so it shouldn’t be a problem to buy again…”

WRONG!!  If it’s been several years since you’ve purchased a home, times have changed.  You watch the news or see it all over the Internet, right?  Mortgages are available but they are tougher to qualify for.  You’re also looking at some sort of a down payment in 99% of scenarios.  If you don’t have equity, don’t have savings and don’t have decent credit, you may not be able to buy right now.  If that’s the case…stay put if you can.  Renting is your other option.

Step 4:  Take off the Goggles

DISCLAIMER: I’m guilty of this too!  I’ve lived in a dozen homes in my life and everyone gets this disorder.  When you first purchase a home you have plans or updates you want to do, right?  Time passes, life happens, money comes and goes and the goggles appear.   Repairs, updates, broken things, maintenance, etc.  You learn to live with all and it becomes a part of home.  A buyer isn’t going to see it that way.  They are going to see work!

You’ve got three lifelines here:  Phone a Friend, Ask an Expert or Poll the Audience

1.   Phone a Friend: I’d suggest calling a brutally honest friend.  Ask them to walk around making a list of everything that stands out to them as work needed.

2.   Ask an Expert:  Now is a great time to bring back the Realtor to help you wisely spend money for updates or repairs.  Use the Expert as a source of recommendations.  You don’t always have to spend a lot of $$ to create value.  Cleaning, organization, yard work, color neutralization are all great improvements.

3.   Poll the Audience:  This is NOT the way to go.  Sticking your home on the market without preparing to “See what buyers say” is not profitable.  If you’re not ready for showings, you’ll be beat up and eaten alive.  It’s competitive out there!!