BusinessCasualBlog.com

Computer vs. Human: Which is more accurate?

Every year or so a brilliant new something comes along that promises to revolutionize real estate. This year, online instant-valuation services were all the rage. The news media were full of praise for HomeGain, Domania and Zillow. And why not? You visit one of these web sites, enter your home address, and voila - you get an estimate of your home's value without ever needing to talk to a Realtor or an appraiser. So much for sliced bread being cool...

Can I, as a seller, be present at showings?

Can you? Yes. Should you? No...

Buyers feel more comfortable looking at homes when sellers aren't haning around. They feel more relaxed, can take their time to look around, and feel free to discuss the home amongst themselves and with their agent. Speaking of agents, they are more in tune with what a particular buyer is looking for than the seller is. You may be really proud of your newly remodeled kitchen and feel compelled to focus on that when talking to the buyer, when what the buyer may really be impressed with is your home's three-car garage.

When a showing is scheduled, hop over to the neighborhood coffee shop for a few minutes and let your agent do the work you've hired her or him to do.

When the Market Slows Down

Things have slowed down a bit across the country. No, the market isn't bad, it's just that homes are now taking longer to sell and values are not skyrocketing like before. People still need places to live and homes still get sold and purchased. Only now, in order to avoid being that seller whose house took forever to sell, you have to be careful to take just the right steps before and during the sale. And what are those steps?: Here are the most essential...