Open Houses and Broker’s Opens

Open Houses:

Open houses can be an effective tool for creating a fear of loss for buyers. Knowing that an open house is scheduled can motivate interested buyers to see the house and make a decision quickly in an effort to avoid the perceived competition an open house might generate. The market over the past several years has been quite strong and we haven’t found ourselves hosting many open houses as simply listing the home creates a sense of urgency for buyers. As the market cools, it’s possible that we will offer them again in order to increase the fear of loss and create the sense of urgency that has been inherent in the market recently.

Awkward conversations

Sometimes while advising our clients about the best way to achieve their real estate goals, we end up having delicate and potentially awkward conversations. We would love it if every pricing report we provided a prospective seller exceeded what they expected their home to be worth and if every house we entered was photo ready with no checklist of tasks to complete before listing. It would be great if every buyer was optimally qualified to purchase a home that exactly met their search criteria and if their wish list matched the inventory of homes in our area. We all know life isn’t like that. 

A closer look at the structural contingency

The structural contingency is one of the three contingencies in the contract to purchase real estate in the Capital Region. It enables buyers to hire a certified inspector to evaluate the home they intend to buy, with the objective of looking for substantial defects (any single item worth $2000 or more to repair). Both buyers and sellers often have questions about this part of the process and here are a few of the most common ones.

A year later: how real estate agents are getting paid

It’s been almost a year since the big “change” in real estate world. In case you missed it, offers of compensation for buyer’s agents are no longer listed on the Multiple Listing Service. Here’s what we have been seeing and doing over the past year. 

Why pricing a home is not just a science, it is also an art

When we discuss pricing with prospective clients we generally say pricing is 80% science and 20% art. Understanding the nuances of the market and the unique aspects of each home is of paramount importance to accurately pricing a property. Let us tell you a bit more about what goes into our pricing reports.

Why we are excited about our partnership with Zillow Showcase?

Those who know us, know that we prefer to spend our time marketing our seller clients’ properties and helping our buyers find their new home than to focus on marketing ourselves. We always say that you will never see our faces on billboards or shopping carts because that sort of self promotion is just not our thing.

What is causing the housing shortage?

There are several factors that have contributed to the protracted low inventory we have been experiencing for the past 5+ years, including:

Buying a house this spring? Here’s what you should expect of your real estate agent.

Now that buyers are being asked to sign buyer agency agreements before seeing any properties, it’s more important than ever that you understand the services your agent will be providing and that you connect with an agent who will truly represent you and meet your needs.

What’s on your 2025 resolution list?

2025 is here and with the new year comes the inevitable resolutions. How about making a house related goal (or two)?

The last step in selling your home

You are selling your home and the movers have packed and taken away your belongings. You’re done now right? Not quite.