Realtor Archives - Page 4 of 12 - Real Estate News and Commentary

March 9, 2017December 13, 2022

NAR should promote Realtor Authenticity

Several years ago I told you about the National Association of Realtors’ attempt in shifting consumer attitude towards Realtors. They are pivoting away from selling Realtor integrity, to selling Realtor value. In 2014, the NAR voted on creating a Code of Excellence to demonstrate competency. It wasn’t until this past November that the NAR approved a framework of competencies for agents to achieve. The eagerly anticipated implementation will allow Realtors to assess and grow their skills and knowledge in many aspects of the business of real estate. But this Commitment to Excellence, as it is named, may help Realtors increase their competency; but in the end, just like being proficient in the Code of Ethics, it will likely fall short in building consumer trust. The NAR should promote on Realtor authenticity.

Having agents commit to more training is a good idea in building competency among real estate practitioners. However, research has demonstrated that showing off accolades and awards doesn’t instill value, nor does it increase sales (Valsesia, Nunes, & Ordanini: What Wins Awards Is Not Always What I Buy: How Creative Control Affects Authenticity and Thus Recognition (But Not Liking). Journal of Consumer Research. Apr2016, Vol. 42 Issue 6, p897-914).

Realtors have a trust gap. And a badge indicating competency and a Commitment to Excellence won’t bridge that gap. The business of residential real estate is likened to a game of smoke and mirrors. Instead of encouraging Realtor authenticity, agents are often taught techniques of persuasion to increase sales. Many agents devise gimmicks and expensive marketing materials to entice you to do business with them. Even before you meet with a real estate agent, they are likely scheming how to gain your trust. Whether or not they earn it is an entirely different matter.

Instead of creating another Realtor badge, designation or code, the NAR should consult with James Gilmour and Joseph Pine II (of the Strategic Horizons LLP). The title of their 2007 groundbreaking book sums it up nicely: “Authenticity: What Consumers Really Want.” Realtor authenticity is sorely lacking in the industry, and it’s not just the NAR; it stems from the brokers who train real estate agents as well. In order for Realtors to build trust, they need to be authentic.

A brief 2004 article by Michael Angier (Authenticity Matters: Are you the real McCoy; Sales & Service Excellence Essentials. Vol. 4 Issue 9, p10) highlighted the necessity for authenticity in the sales environment. He stated that “People like to do business with people they like. And they like people who are like themselves… Buyers today are savvy. They have more choices. And they can tell whether the company and the people in it are congruent. They seek out, resonate with and tend to be loyal to companies that are authentic. Your uniqueness and the things you’re best at doing are part of your differentiating position. It’s who you are—your identity. It’s what people can relate to. If there’s anything false, made up or covered over, your prospects will sense it. And they can’t even tell you why they didn’t buy…” Realtor authenticity would certainly positively affect client satisfaction.

Realtor authenticity will not only build trust but can also increase sales. And indeed, a 2006 research article by Allen Schaefer and Charles Pettijohn (The Relevance Of Authenticity In Personal Selling: Is Genuineness An Asset Or Liability? Journal of Marketing Theory & Practice. Vol. 14 Issue 1, p25-35) confirms that authenticity is related to sales performance. Their results indicated that salespeople who felt more authentic in their roles performed at higher levels and had a higher commitment to “personal selling.”

What do you think? Below is the framework of the Commitment to Excellence Program as adopted by the NAR is below (from nar.realtor/policy/commitment-to-excellence). It seems to me that Realtors should already be striving to be competent in these areas:

1) Being current and knowledgeable about the laws, regulations and legislation affecting the real estate disciplines the REALTOR® engages in, and about real estate in their community generally.

2) Understanding the Code of Ethics is a living document, and keeping themselves informed about its duties and obligations on an ongoing basis.

3) Providing equal professional services to all consistent with Article 10 of the Code of Ethics.

4) Advocating for property ownership rights in their community, state and nation.

5) Acknowledging and valuing that honesty and integrity are fundamental and essential to REALTORS® being known as consumers’ trusted advisors.

6) Becoming and remaining proficient in the use of technology tools to provide the highest levels of service to clients, customers and the public, and facilitating cooperation by sharing accurate, current information with consumers and with other real estate professionals.

7) Keeping up-to-date on laws and regulations governing data privacy and data security, and taking necessary and appropriate steps to safeguard the privacy and integrity of information entrusted to them.

8) Committing themselves to enhancing their knowledge and skills in the real estate areas of practice they engage in on an ongoing basis.

9) Providing superior customer service.

10) Appreciating that courtesy, timely communication and cooperation are fundamental to facilitating successful real estate transactions, and to building and maintaining an impeccable professional reputation.

11) As a broker-owner or principal of a real estate company, being committed to creating and maintaining an environment that promotes excellent customer service consistent with these standards.

Original published at https://dankrell.com/blog/2017/03/09/nar-promote-realtor-authenticity/

If you like this post, do not copy; instead please:
link to the article,
like it at facebook
or re-tweet.

Disclaimer. This article is not intended to provide nor should it be relied upon for legal and financial advice. Readers should not rely solely on the information contained herein, as it does not purport to be comprehensive or render specific advice. Readers should consult with an attorney regarding local real estate laws and customs as they vary by state and jurisdiction. Using this article without permission is a violation of copyright laws.

January 12, 2017January 13, 2017

Best home sale?

As the housing market strengthens, consumer confidence in real estate increases. Along with a stronger home sale market comes the increase of for-sale-by-owners (FSBO). The obvious upside to selling a home on your own is to increase your net. And a study conducted in 2009 may support your FSBO yearnings. But is FSBO the best home sale?

Research conducted by Hendel, Nevo, and Ortalo-Magné (2009; The Relative Performance of Real Estate Marketing Platforms: MLS versus FSBOMadison.com; American Economic Review; 99:1878-98) found that homes that sold on a FSBO website sold for as much as homes that were listed in the MLS. However, homes that sold on the MLS did so with significantly fewer days on market. The authors also found that a significantly higher proportion of home buyers bought homes listed on the MLS. The research concluded that “FSBO attracts a particular type of seller…” A FSBO seller is very patient to wait for someone to pay for their higher priced home.

The research conclusion about sale price is contrary to annual surveys reported by the National Association of Realtors. For example, the National Association of Realtor’s 2015 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers reported that the average home sale price for a FSBO was $185,000, while the average home sale price for an agent assisted home sale was $240,000. Of course, the 2009 research indicated that homes that did not sell on the FSBO website were promptly sold on the MLS. Besides being limited to a specific market, excluding “failed” FSBO sales from their data set could have skewed results and could explain 2009 study’s conclusion about sale prices. From NAR’s Field Guide to Quick Real Estate Statistics:

For Sale By Owner (FSBO) Statistics

FSBOs accounted for 8% of home sales in 2015. The typical FSBO home sold for $185,000 compared to $240,000 for agent-assisted home sales.

Most difficult tasks for FSBO sellers:

Getting the right price: 18%

Preparing/fixing up home for sale: 13%

Understanding and performing paperwork: 12%

Selling within the planned length of time: 3%

Having enough time to devote to all aspects of the sale: 3%

Going FSBO sounds simple and maybe the best home sale; but going it alone is not for everyone. Selling a home is much more than putting a sign in the yard – especially if you are demanding top dollar. Take your efforts up a notch to increase the probability of realizing your sales goal. Among the many tasks that are essential for a successful home sale, consider a basic marketing plan. Attract more buyers with professional high quality photos. Prepare for buyers to visit your home by decluttering and making minor repairs. You should also have a contract ready in case there is no buyer agent. Even though you are selling FSBO, you still have to comply with federal, state, and local disclosure laws. Be prepared for the details of the transaction, which include: negotiating home inspection repairs; providing sale comps to appraiser; dealing with the buyer’s lender and title company.

If going FSBO is intimidating, consider hiring a real estate agent that offers à-la-carte services. The agent can assist you in many areas of your sale, only charging you for the pieces you need. You can even pay a flat fee for a MLS placement of your sale.

If you’re like many FSBO’s, you’ll realize the value of a Realtor. Real estate agents are housing and marketing experts that can assist you in setting a realistic sale price. Besides freeing up your time, experienced agents can facilitate offers and are expert negotiators. They know of latest home sale trends and are aware of any new legislation that can affect your sale.

The best home sale

You may find selling FSBO attractive. But selling a home is in the details that are executed throughout the transaction. The best home sale may actually be through a Realtor. The research supports the notion that hiring a Realtor can provide a more successful and satisfying home sale than doing it FSBO.

As I wrote about FSBO’s in 2005:

How much money can you realistically save? …there as been a trend of negotiated commissions, so actual savings for a FSBO have been reduced….Additionally, FSBO’s are contracting and paying commission with more Realtors and their homebuyers in this environment of limited home inventory. In the end, the FSBO’s savings from Realtor commissions may be marginal.

… there are some real negative aspects of selling your home FSBO, such as time, expense, and contractual obligations.

How much is your time worth? Selling a home requires the application of time to tasks. Among the many tasks of selling a home, the top things that a FSBO may do include (and is not limited to) preparing the home for the open house, contacting the paper to advertise, putting up signs, meeting potential homebuyers, and negotiating contracts. The time quickly adds up.

Selling your home FSBO is supposed to save you money right? Well, there is a bit of expense that is necessary. A FSBO must have signs in the yard, as well as directionals (the small arrow signs) to point homebuyers in your direction. Additionally, you might consider paying the local paper for advertising, as well as paying for an internet advertisement (although there are many websites that will allow you to post for free). Another expense may be to have your attorney to prepare and review the contract…. It seems that the expenses also quickly add up.

…even FSBO’s are responsible to adhere to certain federal and local laws pertaining to the sale of real estate (i.e., equal housing, lead paint, Maryland disclaimer-disclosure, etc). This is the one area that FSBO’s get themselves in trouble because of the lack of knowledge and expertise. There is an increased liability potential.

If you like this post, do not copy; instead please:
reference the article,
like it at facebook
or re-tweet.

November 11, 2016December 13, 2022

Realtors giving back

It was about one month ago when I received the call from a local public relations firm. The voice on the other end of the line wanted me to write a column about their real estate agent client. They wanted to draw attention to Realtors giving back, specifically to the fact that their client started a program where they will be donating a portion of their commission to a charity chosen by the home buyer or seller.

Although I was pressured to commit to write the piece as well as provide a publication date, it seemed (at least for the moment) that seeking publicity about one’s altruism was ironic. In the ensuing weeks, I received follow up calls to write the piece. But rather than saying “No,” I told them it would most likely be a piece that is generally about real estate agents’ charitability. After all, we’re headed into the holiday season, and the timing seems right about bringing attention to Realtors giving back.

Not to give the short shrift to the PR firm and their client, whose “Pay it Forward” initiative was announced in an October 19^th press release that their team of agents, processors and coordinators will donate a portion of each commission to a charity of their client’s choice. Although an amount or percentage to be donated was not specified in the press release that I received, they are committing a portion of every commission to charity throughout the year. The team’s plan of giving a portion of commission to charity is not their exclusive idea, nor is it a novel one; nonetheless, that real estate team deserves kudos for the move – welcome to the fold!

It should come as no surprise that real estate and charitable giving goes hand-in-hand. Nationwide, real estate companies, franchises, and agents have sought to give back to their respective communities. In 2007, Gerald Leonard, then owner of Coastal Elite Real Estate in San Clemente CA, announced he was pledging 50 percent of all commissions to charity. And in 2009 Laurie Loew of Give Realty (located in Austin TX) announced giving 25 percent of her commissions to charity.

RE/MAX has supported the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals through year-round contributions from participating agents. Since 1992, RE/MAX agents have given an estimated $143 million, as reported by a recent post to the Children’s Hospital Foundation website (childrensnational.org/giving). Besides individual agent contributions, RE/MAX “also hosts a variety of fundraising events throughout the year.” Additionally, RE/MAX agents can designate specific homes as “Miracle Homes” – “those homes that have yard signs also indicating the agent’s commitment to improving local pediatric care.”

In addition to agent donations and national fundraising for the Children’s Miracle Network, local RE/MAX offices host fundraising events too. For example, RE/MAX Centre in Olney MD holds an annual Charity Gala, the tenth one recently raised more than $40,000. Last year, RE/MAX Gateway in Chantilly VA raised more than $30,000. And RE/MAX Town Center of Germantown MD holds an annual golf tournament.

Real estate agents don’t only donate money, they get involved; and are recognized by Realtor® Magazine’s Good Neighbor Awards. The Good Neighbor Awards was launched in 2000 and “has since recognized more than 160 Realtors® for their service to their communities…Good Neighbor charities have received more than $1,000,000 in donations. In addition, each winner receives national and local publicity, which generates additional donations…Realtors® are also recognized for their community service through state and local real estate associations.”

Original published at https://dankrell.com/blog/2016/11/11/realtors-giving-back/

If you like this post, do not copy; instead please:
reference the article,
like it at facebook
or re-tweet.

September 23, 2016July 13, 2019

Notice to home buyers and sellers

I have always found it curious that area agents feel a need to be licensed in three state jurisdictions (Maryland, DC, and Virginia) as if there is never enough business in any one area. I get the idea that it potentially helps them make more money. Maybe they are putting home buyers and sellers at risk. Home buyers and sellers should be on notice.

Being a competent real estate agent requires more than just a license. It also requires more than an understanding of the neighborhood housing market nuances. A competent agent knows the jurisdiction and local statutory requirements where they are doing business. They should also be knowledgeable of and use the latest contracts and disclosures.

It’s more than a full time job to be a local expert; following sales trends, knowing the latest home listings, and keeping up with specific statutory requirements. It’s very difficult (maybe almost impossible) to be a local expert in more than one county, let alone three states! And as more state and local legal, zoning, and disclosure requirements for buyers and sellers become enacted – Home buyers and sellers at risk from incompetent agents.

For example, the statewide requirement of licensees to ensure home improvement contractor referrals are licensed is a consumer protection that many are unaware. The requirement ensures that consumers can go to the MHIC if the work is faulty and/or there are issues with a licensed contractor. If your agent unwittingly recommends an unlicensed contractor for home inspection repairs, (besides any potential action against the licensee), a home buyer could demand you make additional repairs and/or obtain certification from a licensed contractor that repairs were completed properly.

And effective October 1^st, Maryland is altering its agency law again. Among the requirements, agents conducting an open house must conspicuously post a notice from the Maryland Real Estate Commission. The notice (sounding like Miranda Rights) states that any information provided to the open house agent is not considered confidential and buyers are “entitled” to representation. What would your reaction be if your agent was unaware of this and the buyer is now seeking to void your contract because they were not given their “Real Estate Miranda Rights?”

Recent home seller requirements in Montgomery County are further example where you could be at risk if your agent is unaware of the local statutory requirements and ordinances (such as utility costs and radon test requirements). Non-compliance and/or non-disclosure could possibly result in a fine. And of course any future ordinances (such as a sign ban) furthers the risk. Who knows? Maybe the County Council will devise a local registry of agents doing business in the county to promote real estate agent competency and protect consumers.

Do yourself a favor and hire a competent real estate agent who is not only aware of sales trends and neighborhood values, but the local practices and regulations as well.

Increasing statewide and local regulation is making local real estate sales a specialized endeavor. And as a home buyer or seller, you should bear this in mind when hiring real estate agent. If you’re not being advised properly as a home seller, you’re at risk of non-compliance with statutes, regulations, and/or ordinances – which has potential for fines and a contract dispute. If you’re not being advised properly as a home buyer, you’re at risk of missing specific local disclosures and notices that could affect you financially and/or physically as a home owner. You’re on notice.

Original published at https://dankrell.com/blog/2016/09/23/home-buyers-and-sellers-at-risk/

By Dan Krell
Copyright © 2016

If you like this post, do not copy; instead please:
reference the article,
like it at facebook
or re-tweet.

Protected by Copyscape Web Plagiarism Detector

September 16, 2016July 13, 2019

Property Brothers option to home buying

If you’re looking for the perfect turn-key home, you may find that the already limited home inventory is further limited by the many homes with deferred maintenance and those that are in need of updates. If you’re like the many frustrated home buyers in today’s market, you may decide to take the route of buying a home that includes the Property Brothers option.

As you know, HGTV’s Property Brothers is one of the most popular real estate shows on cable. What makes the show work is the concept of transformation; creating a model home from one that is crying out for TLC. Of course, the magic of TV makes it seem easy; home buyers appearing on the show put their trust into the dynamic duo to find the right home and to make it perfect.

A warning, however, this process is not for everyone. Undergoing this type of project (buying and rehabbing a home) is taking an already exasperating process and making it an emotional and financial challenge. It is also a time consuming, as you’re totally involved – from buying to rehabbing the home. Your experience may be similar to those on TV, nevertheless it is more likely to feel like the movie “The Money Pit” or somewhere in between.

Unlike the Property Brothers, you don’t need your real estate agent and your contractor to know each other. Each has a distinct role; one is helping you acquire the home, and the other is remaking it. However, it’s a good idea to make sure each is licensed and experienced in this type of process. Ask for references; some contractors will even have a portfolio of their work.

Before you begin taking the Property Brothers option, make sure you have the funding and your real estate agent and contractors are ready for action.

Talk to a lender about a renovation loan. Besides providing the money to buy the home, a renovation loan will provide funding for renovations. Loan programs and mortgage limits vary, so it’s a good idea to get qualified before you write a contract to buy a home. Make sure your contractor can provide details about the renovation, as the underwriter will review the plans. Consider a FHA 203K program, which also offers a “streamline” version for less expensive renovations.

Working with a top notch real estate agent is key in not only finding a home, but also negotiating a price. The ability to think outside the box is very helpful in this phase. They should be able to find the “diamond in the rough,” that provides suitable space at the right price. If you’re communicating well with your agent, they will understand your requirements.

Once you identify a home (and before you write the offer), meeting with the contractor will determine if your vision is possible, and its price. Be realistic and flexible. Be prepared for bad news and to move on to another home. Sometimes the home needs too much work and/or the cost of the renovation could be beyond your budget.

Even if you have lots of cash to spare, it’s recommended that you start by creating a budget. Besides the acquisition cost, consider the renovation costs and carrying costs (if the project is long term). Also decide on your limitations. You may decide on limiting renovations to kitchen and bathrooms; or you could broaden the project to be more ambitious. Consider creating a short term and long term plan for the house; focusing on critical repairs immediately, and making other updates over time.

By Dan Krell
Copyright © 2016

If you like this post, do not copy; instead please:
reference the article,
like it at facebook
or re-tweet.