Tag: Real Estate

Low Home Inventory: Why It’s Important to Have a Well-Connected Real Estate Agent

Do you often think to yourself, “Boy, I sure have a lot of extra time and extra money to waste”? If you, like basically everyone else looking to buy or sell a home, want to maximize your investment and minimize the time and stress involved in your real estate transaction, then the first and perhaps most important step is to find your agent. Preferably an experienced, well-connected agent!

This practical guide to real estate agent skills and responsibilities will help you choose an agent capable of delivering tangible results in the most efficient, effective manner. In a competitive market, relying solely on old-school information from sources such as MLS databases or word of mouth is not going to get you the best possible results.  

Real Estate Agent Skills: Marketing Matters

If you are selling your property, then a big part of your real estate agent’s responsibilities should include a comprehensive marketing plan. This is needed to maximize your listing’s exposure to prospective buyers.

A few key components of your agent’s marketing strategy should include:

  • 1. Home staging to maximize visual appeal and desirability — not required, but recommended if your time-frame and finances allow
  • 2. High-quality, professional photographs utilized in digital and direct advertising campaigns
  • 3. Virtual tours to offer convenience to both the buyer and the seller
  • 4. Open houses that are strategically scheduled and well-promoted

The success of these marketing initiatives is largely correlated to how well-connected your agent is. What good are shiny new photographs or beautifully staged open houses if the right eyes don’t see them?

The same goes for the other side of the coin, too. If you’re on the hunt for your next home or investment property, a well-connected agent is an absolute must. This is especially true in a low-inventory market as exists in Orange County. Your agent will be vital in helping you find exactly what you’re looking for, and making a strategic offer before the listing is scooped up by your competition. 

A savvy real estate agent also understands that the best marketing campaigns don’t only showcase their properties; they also showcase the agent. If you’ve lived in your community for a while, what names come to mind when you think of real estate? Chances are that if they stand out in your mind, they stand out in the minds of others, too. Take note — this is a sign of a well-connected agent. 

The Importance of Relationships with Other Industry Professionals

Put simply, the more well-connected an agent is, the more resources they have at hand to offer you.

Your real estate agent should have a broad network of industry connections to streamline the entire buying or selling process from start to finish. This includes different industry professionals and services, such as attorneys, mortgage brokers and lenders, inspectors, contractors, appraisers, stagers, painters, moving companies and more.

It will save you a wealth of time to have referrals to reputable, high-quality service providers that you’ll need rather than having to seek out each from scratch. At the Stavros Group, we go the extra mile by scheduling and coordinating all the vendors and their work, while you sit back and relax.

The most important industry connections for a successful real estate agent are with other agents. Whether they are within your own team or brokerage or community, other local agents can serve as your eyes and ears, your “boots on the ground.” They can provide valuable feedback after showing the home, and close agent relationships are particularly helpful when trying to buy or sell an off-market property. Agents talk and share information about current active and upcoming listings. This information is absolutely invaluable.

In a low-inventory, fast-paced real estate market, an agent who is well-connected with other agents can make the difference between securing the property of your dreams or missing out on it entirely. Every agent has a style and a process, so it’s helpful to hire an agent who both knows his or her colleagues well, and is held in high regard by the real estate community. These seemingly small professional connections can make all the difference in your transaction.

The Role of Relationships Within the Community

An in-depth understanding of the local community enables your real estate agent to effectively match your needs to the most suitable properties. This applies to things like desired neighborhoods, proximity to particular amenities, schools and more. A well-connected agent is especially helpful if you are not very familiar with the neighborhoods where you’d like to buy a home. 

As recently described in Forbes, “there is no way to put a monetary value on the expert advice of an agent who actually lives and breathes real estate in the neighborhood their business is focused on.”

A real estate agent creates an ecosystem of trust and communication through a strong presence and good rapport with other local businesses, organizations and professionals. They are able to cultivate valuable word-of-mouth referrals and connections, all of which helps in making your transaction a quicker and more successful endeavor.

Never Underestimate the Power of the Internet 

To be a well-connected real estate agent these days means being active across a multitude of social media platforms. We’re talking Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, Twitter, Pinterest… the more, the merrier!

But it’s not just about your agent’s number of social media followers; even more important is their responsiveness and online activity. Are they posting regularly and staying at the top of the feed? Do they reply to tags, comments, and questions? This sort of online etiquette is akin to responding to phone calls and emails. It contributes to (or detracts from) an agent’s overall reputation. 

Are You Looking for an Agent Who Ticks All the Boxes? 

Real estate agent skills and duties are expansive and varied. Picking the right, well-connected real estate agent to work with can truly be a make-or-break moment for your entire buying or selling process. 

There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach. A real estate agent’s role is multifaceted, but it should always include an expansive network of industry and community connections. 

If are considering buying or selling a home in the Orange County area, connect with us. See how our local, experienced and well-connected team can exceed your expectations. Let’s talk strategy! 

8 Ways to Prepare Your Orange County Home to Sell

 

During the resale of a home, the diligent negotiation work of the real estate agent is crucial, but it’s only one part of the equation. As a seller of real estate in Orange County, California, where appearances are everything, you should try to go the extra mile to make your home as presentable to potential buyers as possible. These eight tasks can help you unload your property quickly at a price you can feel good about.

 

 

1. Landscape

Unkempt landscape may cause potential buyers to believe you haven’t taken care of your home, and this perception can dissuade people from making offers. During the resale process, mow your lawn and trim your hedges regularly to keep greenery tame and polished. Use this opportunity to add new plants, including colorful flowers or bushes. These touches make a fresh first impression that may set the stage for a positive showing.

 

 

2. Make Repairs

When you move into a new home, the last thing you want to do is perform repairs. Your house can become much more appealing to buyers if you take on those necessary fixes yourself. It’s possible that some issues may be uncovered during a home inspection, and you might be required to fix them before moving ahead with the contract. You can save yourself this stress and potentially encourage higher offers by doing repairs ahead of time.

 

 

3. Deep Clean

No one wants to think about dirt and grime left over from the previous homeowner. A deep clean lets your house seem brand new for the next occupant and may remove offensive odors. Focus on the following key areas:

 

– Dusty spots

– Plumbing fixtures

– Appliances

– Countertops

– Floors

 

Though your furniture will likely be coming with you, it’s a good idea to wipe down or vacuum these pieces as well. Cleanliness overall can enhance the home’s presentation.

 

 

4. Repaint

You’ve likely personalized the rooms in your home with your favorite paint colors and treatments, but some buyers may not share in your style. Homeowners want a blank slate they can add their own flair to; you can make that job easier by choosing a nice neutral to repaint in.

If your walls are already fairly neutral, a fresh coat of paint still isn’t a bad idea. Over the years, the surface may have been chipped or scuffed, and it might even appear dull. Repainting can make a room feel like new.

 

 

5. Remove Personal Items

There are obviously many things you’ll need to continue living in your home as it sells, such as toiletry items or office supplies, but it’s a good idea to tuck them neatly away in cabinets or drawers during showings. Take down personal photographs, bulletin boards or household calendars. Clean up the surface of the refrigerator, removing things like coupons or pictures.

 

 

6. Launder Linens

Fabric alone won’t sell your home, but clean, fluffy linens can make the home appear less lived-in. Fresh bathroom linens, including full-sized towels, hand towels and bathmats spruce up the environment and make it more inviting. Take a day and launder textiles throughout your house:

 

– Towels

– Bedding

– Curtains

– Throw blankets

 

As you prepare house to sell, consider tasks you might perform if you were welcoming a guest to stay in your home. Fresh linens make visitors want to stay.

 

 

7. Prioritize Curb Appeal

The first thing buyers see when they view your home is the exterior. To improve your home’s curb appeal, make sure the yard is clean and empty. You can freshen up siding by repainting it, and stone or brick can undergo a power wash. Small touches, such as planters, welcome mats or benches can give a front porch a more hospitable feel.

 

 

8. Organize

Potential buyers want to understand your home’s storage options, so they may peek into closets, cabinets and drawers to see what the house has to offer. An accumulation of junk can quickly turn people off. Additional shelving and storage bins are a good investment to help you organize the mess, and they can give these areas the impression of greater storage capacity.

 

You’ll be amazed by the transformation your home can undergo when you take these crucial steps. Freshening up the property can help buyers visualize the potential and imagine their future in your space. If you’ve got your home in tip-top shape to hit the market, contact us today to start your listing and to sell your house in Orange County.

How Coastal Homes In Newport Beach Sellers Stage Their Property

Do you know how to stage your home? If you have never heard of this process, chances are that you have never had to be in the position of selling a property before. When a California realtor shows your property to a potential buyer, they can either exhibit the home itself – completely stripped of furnishings – or show it in a “staged” condition.

 

In the old days, a prospective buyer usually had to walk into a bare, empty shell of a property and then imagine what it would like once it was filled up with their own furnishings. Thankfully, times have changed. The modern concept of staging basically means filling up the home with furniture that is provided on a temporary basis in order to make the home look “lived in.”

 

What is the Purpose of Staging Your Home?

 

You may be wondering about the purpose of staging coastal homes in Newport Beach. The reason is simple. You want the home to look as comfortable and inviting to a potential buyer as it possibly can. But you don’t want to risk getting your own furnishings tarnished or stolen.

 

The solution for home sellers is simple: Hire a real estate expert who can provide furniture owned by the agency to stand in for the furnishings that you have already moved out of the property you are selling. This way, you can offer your potential buyer the full perception of a luxury home that is warm and inviting. Staging is one of the best techniques that allows sellers to get their property offloaded in a faster and more profitable manner.

 

The Time for You to Contact a California Realtor is Now

 

When it comes to staging and selling luxury coastal homes in Newport Beach, we are your leading local experts. The goal that you have in mind should always be to connect with experts who can help sellers realize the maximum possible profit for the sale of their property.

If you are ready to move on to a new property, you need help to sell your old one for a profit. Get in touch with us today to learn more about the staging process and what it can do to sell your home in a quick and timely manner. The sooner we go to work for you, the sooner we can help make your dream come true.

5 Tips For Selling Luxury Homes In Newport Beach, California

Selling a luxury home can be a challenge with many chances for pitfalls. There are some tips for selling upscale homes all homeowners should seriously consider first.

 

  1. Market Your Home to the Right Potential Buyers, and Highlight the Home’s Luxury Features to Sell

 

To get the right price desired for your valuable upscale home, it is crucial to learn where to market your home to the right potential buyers. It is also important to highlight your home’s unique luxury features and other attractive amenities to attract buyer interest and cinch a successful sale.

 

  1. Research Area Real-Estate Market Before Selling Luxury Homes in Newport Beach

 

Knowing the details regarding the current and expected future real-estate market in the area where you live is imperative before attempting to sell your luxury home in the Newport Beach area. It helps to stay abreast of current and potential future of local and nearby building projects or plans. This includes:

 

  • Companies Expanding or Moving to Region
  • Home & Business Property Development Plans
  • Local Home Market Values
  • City, County & State Real-Estate Codes, Zoning Laws & Other Requirements

 

  1. Avoid Common Mistakes Sellers Encounter When Putting Their Upscale Home on the Market

 

Homeowners should learn and avoid common mistakes most homeowners of upscale homes encounter when selling their property. These include not targeting the right potential buyers, ineffective marketing of your home’s original assets and relying on a large real-estate firm that doesn’t have the necessary time or experience to successfully sell your luxury home at a good price.

 

  1. Learn the Benefits of Working with a Seasoned Luxury Home Realtor in California

 

The many benefits of working closely with a local home realty expert well-experienced in successfully selling beautiful luxury homes at top dollar are enticing. Clients get the benefit of the real estate professional’s many local and far-reaching business/community ties. His/her resources ensure effective marketing strategies, faster sales at higher prices and old-fashioned personal services.

 

  1. Find the Right Realtor

 

Finding a trustworthy and effective real-estate-company specializing in sellers of California luxury homes can spell a successful sale. Having an honest, knowledgeable and reliable expert on-hand makes all-the-difference.

 

Features A Realtor Specializing In East Bluff

Not every person or even real-estate company has the necessary skills and talent to successfully market and sell high-end homes in California. One well-respected realtor uses proven real-estate features to effective sell area homes for good profits. Some of his business techniques follow.

Use of Multiple Multi-Media Advertising Platforms to Market Luxury Homes to Appropriate Buyers

To sell anything these days, it is important to advertise and market over several different types of avenues. This realtor has successfully marketed and sold many beautiful area homes in upscale neighborhoods. He uses several social media sites, various computer platforms, mobile device technologies and the standard print media, radio and television advertising options typically used. Getting the appropriate word-out about a specific property to the right potential buyer can mean the difference between a sale or no sale.

Having Expertise in Real-Estate Business Areas Like Communication, Deal Making Strategies and Expected Customer Services

This friendly up-and-coming luxury home realtor has the necessary background in commonly used real-estate business areas such as good communication skills, effective deal making strategies and will also give the client the expected customer service level that wealthier people have typically become accustomed to. This includes providing constant communication throughout all of the buying and selling processes, attention to client detailing, time for effective listening and delivering on just what each client wants and needs.

Necessary Background, Research Skills and Business/Community Resources, and Connections to Sell Upscale East Bluff Homes

It’s crucial to have the necessary background, research skills and an extensive list of business/community resources and connections in order to sell upscale East Bluff homes fast at the prices the sellers want. Without the proper experience in selling high-end homes, the process will not be as satisfactory to all involved.

A local California seasoned realtor specializing in East Bluff area homes that include many types of amenities has some business promises that he gives to each of his important and valued clients. These include:

  • Fully-Commit to Job – from beginning through-to-the-end of the process
  • Clear, Honest and Continual Communication – keeps clients abreast all throughout each stage
  • Takes Time to Listen to Client’s Needs – then follows through with delivery
  • Cultivates Client Relationships Built on Trust

Top 3 Reasons To Buy A California Coast Luxury Home From A Top Realtor Specializing in East Bluff

Buying a home can be stressful. This is why working with a realtor specializing in Newport Beach California is a great idea. A top real estate agent in Laguna Beach can help with finding homes for sale in Corona Del Mar and homes for sale in Newport Beach.

Working With an Expert

The best agent for East Bluff can offer many services. For example, the best agent for Cameo Shores can help locate dream homes in Newport Beach that may have just come on the market. The best realtor in Newport Beach can also locate coastal homes in Newport Beach that are within the buyer’s budget and offer unrivaled luxury at the same time. An agent like Andy knows all that people need to know about buying a home in Newport Beach.

Local Markets

Top real estate agents like the best agent for Shorecliff understand the real estate markets along the California coast very well. They frequently have connections with other agents in the area. They may work with clients who may be thinking about putting up luxury homes in Newport Beach for sale and the kind of price they have in mind for the property. A realtor specializing in East Bluff may know about planned home construction that is in the works from a local builder. They may know about builders who are seeking permission from the local planning board to begin construction as quickly as possible. A realtor specializing in Corona Del Mar may also know about other plans for the area such as the construction of a new road or a new park that can make living in the area even better.

Years of Experience

A realtor specializing in Laguna Beach and other areas will bring many years of experience about the kinds of towns and home for sale in such communities along with them. For example, they may know when a particular home was constructed as well as many details about the buyers. They may know that many East Bluff homes for sale were purchased when property values were lower and sellers are looking for a certain level of profit before they will entertain any offers. This kind of knowledge means the agent offers superior service for all of their clients.

In short, working with a great agent when is the best choice for anyone in search of their personal coastal California luxury dream home.

 

3 Questions You Need To Ask The Best Agent for Cameo Shores Before Selling Your Home

Get to know the 3 questions you need to ask the best agent for Cameo Shores before selling your home

 

So you’re saying “I want to sell my Cameo Shores home.”

 

Make sure you remember the 3 questions you need to ask the best agent for Cameo Shores before selling your home. Because who sells your home matters!

 

What is Your Commission?

Start by asking the realtor what he will charge for a commission. You will also want to ask if there are any other fees, for such tasks like document preparation and staging.

 

How Many Homes Did You Sell Last Year?

Who sells your home matters. There are a wide range of realtor quality levels in the California real estate market. There are adequate sellers and then there are top sellers. The top sellers will get the highest price for your home. The Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) for October 31, 2018 published the average listing price of Newport Beach homes as $2,412,500, while the average selling price was $1,909,100. Do the math or we could do it for you. That is a difference of $503,400 – the best agent in Cameo Shores will ensure that you are paid most of that amount. Therefore, your choice of realtors could significantly determine how much money you get to keep from your home sale. Also, discover if agents have expertise in your specific neighborhood. You can also ask about their list-to-price ratio (final sales price divided by most recent listing price). And, how long do his homes stay on the market on average?

 

How Will You Stage My Home?

Finally, discover how the realtor will market your home. Ask what the agent thinks is your home’s best feature. See, if you share his opinion. Finding out how your home will be staged, featured and marketed will give you an insight into the realtor’s thought process. The best agent for Cameo Shores matches your needs. Contact us at the Stavros Group, we have a good track record

What’s Going on With Today’s Real Estate Market?

People have a lot of concerns about our current market. Today, I’m here to bring you the facts about what’s really been going on.
Looking to buy a home? Click here to search the MLS

Looking to sell a home? Click here to get a home value report

 

What is going on with the market? Let’s take a look at some of the latest trends and statistics.

 

First of all, inventory is down. Actually, it’s the lowest it’s been since 2004. In Orange County inventory is 6% lower right now than it was this time last year, and the same can be said for the number of homes that have sold or are under contract.

 

The good news is that demand is still very strong, and the average price per square foot is up by 12.7% year over year. If you’re thinking of selling anytime soon, our current market is the perfect environment for you to do so.

 

On the other hand, interest rates are still an area of concern. We’ve been used to seeing interest rates between 3.5% and 4%, but we can expect this rate to rise in the near future. If you’ve been planning on a home purchase, now may be the time to make your move. You still have a chance to lock in a good rate before rates climb higher.

 

“

California remains a strong economic force on both a national and a global level.

”

 

Affordability is also a current issue. Baby boomers aren’t moving, often because they can’t afford to do so. Instead, they’re remodeling their houses. And because millennials are also having a rough time, their baby-boomer parents are inviting them to come back and live with them. Affording a home priced at $1 million or more is no easy task.

 

Something else people are concerned about lately is whether we’re in a bubble. According to Leslie Appleton-Young, chief economist for the California Association of Realtors, this is definitely not the case. California remains a strong economic force on both a national and a global level.

 

If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Features A Realtor Specializing In East Bluff Uses For Sales

Not every person or even real-estate company has the necessary skills and talent to successfully market and sell high-end homes in California. One well-respected realtor uses proven real-estate features to effective sell area homes for good profits. Some of his business techniques follow.

 

 

Use of Multiple Multi-Media Advertising Platforms to Market Luxury Homes to Appropriate Buyers

 

 

To sell anything these days, it is important to advertise and market over several different types of avenues. This realtor has successfully marketed and sold many beautiful area homes in upscale neighborhoods. He uses several social media sites, various computer platforms, mobile device technologies and the standard print media, radio and television advertising options typically used. Getting the appropriate word-out about a specific property to the right potential buyer can mean the difference between a sale or no sale.

 

Having Expertise in Real-Estate Business Areas Like Communication, Deal Making Strategies and Expected Customer Services

 

 

This friendly up-and-coming luxury home realtor has the necessary background in commonly used real-estate business areas such as good communication skills, effective deal making strategies and will also give the client the expected customer service level that wealthier people have typically become accustomed to. This includes providing constant communication throughout all of the buying and selling process, attention to client detailing, time for effective listening and delivering on just what each client wants and needs.

Necessary Background, Research Skills and Business/Community Resources and Connections to Sell Upscale East Bluff Homes

 

 

It’s crucial to have the necessary background, research skills and an extensive list of business/community resources and connections in order to sell upscale East Bluff homes fast at the prices the sellers want. Without the proper experience in selling high-end homes, the process will not be as satisfactory to all involved.

A local California seasoned realtor specializing in East Bluff area homes that include many types of amenities has some business promises that he gives to each of his important and valued clients. These include:

 

  • Fully-Commit to Job – from beginning through-to-the-end of the process
  • Clear, Honest and Continual Communication – keeps clients abreast all throughout each stage
  • Takes Time to Listen to Client’s Needs – then follows through with delivery
  • Cultivates Client Relationships Built on Trust