Ames continues to be recognized as a great place to live. You might enjoy reading some of these online articles!
AARP Best Places To Live The Simple Life "... With its thrice-weekly farmers' markets, paddling options on the Skunk River, and 55 miles of city-maintained trails for avid bikers, runners, and walkers, Ames is a place for people who like wide-open spaces."
This article can be found HERE
CNN Money Best Places to Live "The perks of living here are palpable ... "
This article can be found HERE
Mother Earth News 9 Great Places You've Never Heard Of: Ames Iowa "Mayor Ann Campbell, a 40-year resident of Ames, Iowa, is committed to making her hometown greener and healthier ... she’s worked with the city council to purchase a fleet of hybrid vehicles, construct public buildings to LEED standards (a green building ranking system) and maintain the CyRide bus system, which provides public transportation for both city residents and Iowa State University students..."
This article can be found HERE
CNN Money 10 Best Places to Retire "Extemely affordable housing and low crime complete the package. Life here is quiet and calm, just the way you might like it."
This article can be found HERE
Want to know more about Ames? We're "THE" experts on Ames real estate. We can find the right buyer for your home, or find the perfect home for you to buy. Give us a call!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Home Buying Hazards!
When purchasing a home, safety is always of the utmost importance, given you will spend vast amounts of time there for years to come. So what are the common culprits that make a home unsafe and how do you deal with them as a homebuyer? The list of things that can be hazardous in a home is almost endless, but lead-based paint, asbestos fiber, radon gas, and mold are the most common worries of buyers today.
Although any of these elements is potentially dangerous, their presence alone does not make them an immediate danger. In fact, many homes will have one or more of these elements which never happen to affect the occupants. Lead-based paint that has been covered and remains unmolested is a frequent and rarely harmful occurrence. Asbestos fibers that don't find a way to your lungs via the air are also harmless. Very few house basements actually have "no" radon gas, people with high radon levels that rarely visit their basements may go virtually unaffected. I'm not claiming these things as any less hazardous, but the truth is you can't get bit by a snake you don't encounter. Below are some brief descriptions of these nuisances and how they are handled.
Radon is an element released by naturally occurring radioactive materials in the soil. This gas product is radioactive and increases the probability of lung cancer when inhaled. This is a gaseous element which enters the home through the basement from the soil, and generally remains in there because of its mass. The only way to effectively "treat" radon gas is to lower the concentration, which is done by increasing airflow to the area and more effectively sealing it out in the first place. Mitigation is most commonly practiced by installation of a fan which moves air through the basement continuously, which doesn't allow the heavy gas to accumulate. (Source: Nate Bock)
Lead-based paint contains a toxic metal that was used for many years in paint and was banned for residential use in 1978. Exposure to lead can result in health concerns for both children and adults. Children under six years of age are most at risk because their developing nervous systems are especially vulnerable to lead's effects and because they are more likely to ingest lead due to their more frequent hand-to-mouth behavior. If covered and undisturbed, lead-based paint is harmless, but when molested during removal or construction, the dust of this paint is very dangerous. (Source: jjkeller.com)
Mold is estimated to be in approximately 10 percent of all U.S. buildings. There are many mold types but only some are toxic. Mold prefers to grow on organic materials and grows most rapidly under the correct temperature and moisture conditions. Mold is most dangerous when microscopic spores are inhaled and an infection results, but allergic diseases such as asthma are also common and dangerous. Mold prevention is the easiest and most effective defense against mold. Temperature, grow substrates, and moisture are all key to mold growth, and of these moisture is the easiest factor to control. The lower the continuous moisture levels, the better. Growth substrates can be chemically treated to prevent mold growth as well. (Source: Nate Bock)
Asbestos was utilized throughout the 20th century as a major form of piping, insulation and flooring, and is a fibrous mineral acclaimed for its fire resistant qualities. Manufacturers of the substance were aware of its toxic qualities but continued shipping the product anyway, leaving millions of employees, military veterans and homeowners exposed to the substance. Although no known naturally-occurring asbestos is found in Iowa, many of its asbestos-related disease come from industry use. It was inexpensive and had easy usability. The culprit mineral was used to insulate pipes in power plants in the cities of Lansing, Sioux City, Tipton, Storm Lake and Pleasant Hill. Nearly ten out of twelve work sites have a record of asbestos problems in Iowa. Anyone seeking to remodel homes prior to 1980 should be aware that asbestos exposure can cause serious health concerns for you and your family. There are now many resources available for citizens to remove the material in a safe manner. Asbestos-related illness in Iowa accounted for 460 deaths between 1979 and 1999. A devastating form of asbestos cancer is known as mesothelioma. This disease accounts for three percent of cancer diagnoses in the United States alone and is caused only through asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma treatment has varied effects on victims, but patient prognosis is usually poor. Since asbestos illness has a latency period that can last anywhere from 20 to 50 years, it is expected that cases will rise of the next few years and peak in 2015. Although undisturbed asbestos usually does not present a danger, steps should be taken to remove the material. When buildings or homes are renovated without safety precautions, asbestos fibers become airborne making the area a health liability. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources assists the removal and disposal of asbestos and other harmful materials including radon. The removal process must be performed by licensed abatement contractors who are not only trained in handling hazardous materials, but follow state and federal regulations. There are now many healthy options that replace the need for asbestos. The use of recycled building materials such as cotton fiber and lcynene, provide peace of mind and lower energy costs. These green alternatives not only allow for a safe living environment free of toxic materials, but can lower your carbon footprint and help achieve a healthy lifestyle. (Source: Mesothelioma Cancer Center)
The best way to look out for yourself as a buyer is to have certified professionals check into any concerns. Don't rely on what a seller may not know about their own home for disclosure. A certified home inspector can often identify these problems during a general home inspection, which will cost $250-450. Contact me for more information regarding hazards, inspections and how they are handled, and keep your eye peeled for our next real estate blog!
Nate Bock, Exclusive Buyer Agent
Although any of these elements is potentially dangerous, their presence alone does not make them an immediate danger. In fact, many homes will have one or more of these elements which never happen to affect the occupants. Lead-based paint that has been covered and remains unmolested is a frequent and rarely harmful occurrence. Asbestos fibers that don't find a way to your lungs via the air are also harmless. Very few house basements actually have "no" radon gas, people with high radon levels that rarely visit their basements may go virtually unaffected. I'm not claiming these things as any less hazardous, but the truth is you can't get bit by a snake you don't encounter. Below are some brief descriptions of these nuisances and how they are handled.
Radon is an element released by naturally occurring radioactive materials in the soil. This gas product is radioactive and increases the probability of lung cancer when inhaled. This is a gaseous element which enters the home through the basement from the soil, and generally remains in there because of its mass. The only way to effectively "treat" radon gas is to lower the concentration, which is done by increasing airflow to the area and more effectively sealing it out in the first place. Mitigation is most commonly practiced by installation of a fan which moves air through the basement continuously, which doesn't allow the heavy gas to accumulate. (Source: Nate Bock)
Lead-based paint contains a toxic metal that was used for many years in paint and was banned for residential use in 1978. Exposure to lead can result in health concerns for both children and adults. Children under six years of age are most at risk because their developing nervous systems are especially vulnerable to lead's effects and because they are more likely to ingest lead due to their more frequent hand-to-mouth behavior. If covered and undisturbed, lead-based paint is harmless, but when molested during removal or construction, the dust of this paint is very dangerous. (Source: jjkeller.com)
Mold is estimated to be in approximately 10 percent of all U.S. buildings. There are many mold types but only some are toxic. Mold prefers to grow on organic materials and grows most rapidly under the correct temperature and moisture conditions. Mold is most dangerous when microscopic spores are inhaled and an infection results, but allergic diseases such as asthma are also common and dangerous. Mold prevention is the easiest and most effective defense against mold. Temperature, grow substrates, and moisture are all key to mold growth, and of these moisture is the easiest factor to control. The lower the continuous moisture levels, the better. Growth substrates can be chemically treated to prevent mold growth as well. (Source: Nate Bock)
Asbestos was utilized throughout the 20th century as a major form of piping, insulation and flooring, and is a fibrous mineral acclaimed for its fire resistant qualities. Manufacturers of the substance were aware of its toxic qualities but continued shipping the product anyway, leaving millions of employees, military veterans and homeowners exposed to the substance. Although no known naturally-occurring asbestos is found in Iowa, many of its asbestos-related disease come from industry use. It was inexpensive and had easy usability. The culprit mineral was used to insulate pipes in power plants in the cities of Lansing, Sioux City, Tipton, Storm Lake and Pleasant Hill. Nearly ten out of twelve work sites have a record of asbestos problems in Iowa. Anyone seeking to remodel homes prior to 1980 should be aware that asbestos exposure can cause serious health concerns for you and your family. There are now many resources available for citizens to remove the material in a safe manner. Asbestos-related illness in Iowa accounted for 460 deaths between 1979 and 1999. A devastating form of asbestos cancer is known as mesothelioma. This disease accounts for three percent of cancer diagnoses in the United States alone and is caused only through asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma treatment has varied effects on victims, but patient prognosis is usually poor. Since asbestos illness has a latency period that can last anywhere from 20 to 50 years, it is expected that cases will rise of the next few years and peak in 2015. Although undisturbed asbestos usually does not present a danger, steps should be taken to remove the material. When buildings or homes are renovated without safety precautions, asbestos fibers become airborne making the area a health liability. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources assists the removal and disposal of asbestos and other harmful materials including radon. The removal process must be performed by licensed abatement contractors who are not only trained in handling hazardous materials, but follow state and federal regulations. There are now many healthy options that replace the need for asbestos. The use of recycled building materials such as cotton fiber and lcynene, provide peace of mind and lower energy costs. These green alternatives not only allow for a safe living environment free of toxic materials, but can lower your carbon footprint and help achieve a healthy lifestyle. (Source: Mesothelioma Cancer Center)
The best way to look out for yourself as a buyer is to have certified professionals check into any concerns. Don't rely on what a seller may not know about their own home for disclosure. A certified home inspector can often identify these problems during a general home inspection, which will cost $250-450. Contact me for more information regarding hazards, inspections and how they are handled, and keep your eye peeled for our next real estate blog!
Nate Bock, Exclusive Buyer Agent
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Welcome to the "Buyer's Market"
Many home buyers I converse with are pretty quick to ask "...because it's a buyer's market, right?" Without hesitation I assure them that in general - they are right. So what is the buyer's market and why is it important to consider as a buyer or seller right now? The term is simple enough as an economic definition, but I want to be sure some of the technicalities aren't missed, so here it goes...
A buyer's market, sometimes referred to as a "soft market", is defined as a market that has more sellers than buyers. Housing inventories in this type of market are saturated and buyers are anywhere from fewer to scarce. To some degree, there is an oversupply of houses relative to the demand. The problem with the term "buyer's market" is that it rarely encompasses the degree of this imbalance. In a market that is extremely "soft", buyers obtain an entirely new level of authority over sellers.
I will demonstrate some numbers in an example: I sit down with a couple looking for a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home with a garage and more than 1200 square feet of GLA (gross living area; above ground). They want to live in North or West Ames, where there are 68 houses listed; quite an abundance. Of these, maybe 13-16 of them meet their specifications. Over the coarse of the next 2 weeks I show them 14 houses of which they find 4 very desirable. The next week we look at those top 4 homes a second time and after some long discussions and side-by-side comparisons my buyers decide to make an offer on a house.
The take-away from this example is threefold. The first key is that because of the high number of houses listed, the buyers found 4 that they were willing to act upon, having options all the way down to the wire. This leads to our second point: if the negotiations on the first choice house aren't going well or don't come to fruition, the buyers can simply turn to any of the 3 other predetermined houses that they like. The third and final point is extremely important for sellers. Price your home competitively!!! Unless you have a product that is more unique and desirable than the rest of the market's, the price is what may very well keep your home from being one of the top picks in the first place. It's easy to say that you'll list your home at a higher price and leave more room for negotiating, but the truth is that you can't negotiate an offer you don't receive. The odds that somebody else will price their house to sell are stacked against you in this type of market.
High competition means sellers need to take the extra steps to sell their house fast and for near asking price...
1. Price your home competitively. You have one chance to make a first impression, so don't let it be one that is asking too much. In addition, you will get the highest buyer interest in the first few weeks of having your home listed, which needs to be taken advantage of.
2. Update and Prep to show. If something will obviously need to be done to a house in the near future, take care of it up front, adjust the price appropriately, and make your home more appealing and less of a "project". There are too many foreclosure project houses out there, and most buyers looking at owner-occupied homes have reasonable expectations. Clean, depersonalize, and de-clutter your home so buyers can "see themselves" living there.
3. List your home with an experienced realtor who has a thorough marketing plan. Your real estate agent's experience, advanced marketing exposure, and intensity in their business can easily be the difference in selling your home.
Home buyers can also do more to maximize their home buying experience in this type of market.
1. Deeply analyze your needs. With an overwhelming amount of options, try to narrow what you are looking for down to something more specific, and widen your parameters if nothing is showing up. Looking at a variety of 30 houses is wasteful of your time and unnecessary if you don't know what you exactly want yet.
2. Don't over pay for a home. Have your agent do a CMA and make recommendations on a home's market value. If there are a few houses that would work well for you, start with your favorite and see if you can get it at a reasonable price. If you can't come to terms than walk away and try another house. Saving considerable dollars is easy if you not only shop the houses, but the sellers to see who is more motivated to strike a deal.
3. Get an exclusive buyer agent! Find a realtor who specializes in finding you the perfect home and can give you more time and effort than an agent trying to market homes at the same time.
To conclude, the "buyer's market" generally favors home buyers and makes selling more challenging. Home buyers need to know exactly what they want to filter through the inventory, and sellers need to go the extra mile to make their product stick out in buyer's minds. Home buyers can save money if they search for deals and negotiate the deals further, and for sellers it is absolutely crucial to initially price their home correctly. If you are thinking of buying a home the time is now if you are financially sound. Get in touch with The Steve Bock Team to find out how we can sell your home in this tough market, or how an Exclusive Buyer Agent can make finding a home less work and time effectively spent. Keep an eye out for our next blog soon and keep well!
Nate Bock, Exclusive Buyer Agent
A buyer's market, sometimes referred to as a "soft market", is defined as a market that has more sellers than buyers. Housing inventories in this type of market are saturated and buyers are anywhere from fewer to scarce. To some degree, there is an oversupply of houses relative to the demand. The problem with the term "buyer's market" is that it rarely encompasses the degree of this imbalance. In a market that is extremely "soft", buyers obtain an entirely new level of authority over sellers.
I will demonstrate some numbers in an example: I sit down with a couple looking for a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home with a garage and more than 1200 square feet of GLA (gross living area; above ground). They want to live in North or West Ames, where there are 68 houses listed; quite an abundance. Of these, maybe 13-16 of them meet their specifications. Over the coarse of the next 2 weeks I show them 14 houses of which they find 4 very desirable. The next week we look at those top 4 homes a second time and after some long discussions and side-by-side comparisons my buyers decide to make an offer on a house.
The take-away from this example is threefold. The first key is that because of the high number of houses listed, the buyers found 4 that they were willing to act upon, having options all the way down to the wire. This leads to our second point: if the negotiations on the first choice house aren't going well or don't come to fruition, the buyers can simply turn to any of the 3 other predetermined houses that they like. The third and final point is extremely important for sellers. Price your home competitively!!! Unless you have a product that is more unique and desirable than the rest of the market's, the price is what may very well keep your home from being one of the top picks in the first place. It's easy to say that you'll list your home at a higher price and leave more room for negotiating, but the truth is that you can't negotiate an offer you don't receive. The odds that somebody else will price their house to sell are stacked against you in this type of market.
High competition means sellers need to take the extra steps to sell their house fast and for near asking price...
1. Price your home competitively. You have one chance to make a first impression, so don't let it be one that is asking too much. In addition, you will get the highest buyer interest in the first few weeks of having your home listed, which needs to be taken advantage of.
2. Update and Prep to show. If something will obviously need to be done to a house in the near future, take care of it up front, adjust the price appropriately, and make your home more appealing and less of a "project". There are too many foreclosure project houses out there, and most buyers looking at owner-occupied homes have reasonable expectations. Clean, depersonalize, and de-clutter your home so buyers can "see themselves" living there.
3. List your home with an experienced realtor who has a thorough marketing plan. Your real estate agent's experience, advanced marketing exposure, and intensity in their business can easily be the difference in selling your home.
Home buyers can also do more to maximize their home buying experience in this type of market.
1. Deeply analyze your needs. With an overwhelming amount of options, try to narrow what you are looking for down to something more specific, and widen your parameters if nothing is showing up. Looking at a variety of 30 houses is wasteful of your time and unnecessary if you don't know what you exactly want yet.
2. Don't over pay for a home. Have your agent do a CMA and make recommendations on a home's market value. If there are a few houses that would work well for you, start with your favorite and see if you can get it at a reasonable price. If you can't come to terms than walk away and try another house. Saving considerable dollars is easy if you not only shop the houses, but the sellers to see who is more motivated to strike a deal.
3. Get an exclusive buyer agent! Find a realtor who specializes in finding you the perfect home and can give you more time and effort than an agent trying to market homes at the same time.
To conclude, the "buyer's market" generally favors home buyers and makes selling more challenging. Home buyers need to know exactly what they want to filter through the inventory, and sellers need to go the extra mile to make their product stick out in buyer's minds. Home buyers can save money if they search for deals and negotiate the deals further, and for sellers it is absolutely crucial to initially price their home correctly. If you are thinking of buying a home the time is now if you are financially sound. Get in touch with The Steve Bock Team to find out how we can sell your home in this tough market, or how an Exclusive Buyer Agent can make finding a home less work and time effectively spent. Keep an eye out for our next blog soon and keep well!
Nate Bock, Exclusive Buyer Agent
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Buyer Representation and "Buyer Agents"
In this blog I get the opportunity to talk about something I'm a bit partial to. I myself only work with buyers and go by the title of "Exclusive Buyer Agent", although agents of this type also go by "Buyer Specialist" or simply "Buyer Agent". I think this an important topic in real estate that isn't talked about very frequently. In fact, the idea of an agent that only represents buyers was never a popular one in real estate history and only recently has become more popular, especially in cities where agents are numerous. The traditional real estate ideology is that if you as an agent are selected to help someone sell their home, you will also help and represent them buying a home. Thus, an agents sellers become the buyers by default, and will also hopefully list their house with them someday.
This theory has a few small "gaps", the largest being first-time home buyers. First-time home buyers not only have no house to list and sell, but are also without a doubt more work for less money. As an agent you are dealing with clients that are doing something completely new, will be greatly influential on their future lives, and is almost certainly the largest financial transaction they will make for a long time. Purchasers in this situation will have a plethora of questions and high limitations financially. Another loose bolt in the traditional ideology of real estate is dual agency. Dual agency is the situation that results when both the buyer and seller of the same transaction are represented by the same agent. In short, if an agent will be helping you find a new home, and they have listings similar to what you may be looking for, there is a chance of dual agency. Although in theory a single realtor can represent both parties equally and fairly, I do not believe there is any way they can represent both clients fully and work in their absolute best interest.
The above mentioned "gaps" in the traditional system are good reasons why buyer agents are growing in popularity, but it certainly isn't the entirety of their benefits. Since buyer agents do not (generally) have any listings, you never have to worry about dual agency. Buyer agents spend all of their time working for buyers, so they have learned how to serve them more efficiently and effectively. These agents also typically know the inventory very well, and may be able to give more specific advice on "bang for your buck". This can be attributed to the frequency of showings. When a traditional agent has 5 homes listed and is helping 2 buyers actively with their extra time, a buyer agent may be working with 4-6 active buyers, and could easily be seeing 3x as many homes in person.
So there is an overview of why one can consider using a buyer agent when purchasing a home. It isn't by any means necessary, but can without a doubt be a better experience, especially if your listing agent is successful but busy maintaining their listings. You don't want to be the subject of how a realtor spends their spare time. Since buyer agents do not typically list homes, they rarely do business without a partner agent who lists homes. Buyer agents such as myself are often incorporated into teams or partnerships to make their services most effective. I have been serving buyers exclusively since the day I started real estate and have very much enjoyed it. Being a recent first-time home buyer myself, it is easy to relate to my clients. Thanks for reading this blog and keep an eye out for our next one soon! Get a hold of The Steve Bock Team with any questions and we'll be happy to answer them.
Nate Bock, Exclusive Buyer Agent
This theory has a few small "gaps", the largest being first-time home buyers. First-time home buyers not only have no house to list and sell, but are also without a doubt more work for less money. As an agent you are dealing with clients that are doing something completely new, will be greatly influential on their future lives, and is almost certainly the largest financial transaction they will make for a long time. Purchasers in this situation will have a plethora of questions and high limitations financially. Another loose bolt in the traditional ideology of real estate is dual agency. Dual agency is the situation that results when both the buyer and seller of the same transaction are represented by the same agent. In short, if an agent will be helping you find a new home, and they have listings similar to what you may be looking for, there is a chance of dual agency. Although in theory a single realtor can represent both parties equally and fairly, I do not believe there is any way they can represent both clients fully and work in their absolute best interest.
The above mentioned "gaps" in the traditional system are good reasons why buyer agents are growing in popularity, but it certainly isn't the entirety of their benefits. Since buyer agents do not (generally) have any listings, you never have to worry about dual agency. Buyer agents spend all of their time working for buyers, so they have learned how to serve them more efficiently and effectively. These agents also typically know the inventory very well, and may be able to give more specific advice on "bang for your buck". This can be attributed to the frequency of showings. When a traditional agent has 5 homes listed and is helping 2 buyers actively with their extra time, a buyer agent may be working with 4-6 active buyers, and could easily be seeing 3x as many homes in person.
So there is an overview of why one can consider using a buyer agent when purchasing a home. It isn't by any means necessary, but can without a doubt be a better experience, especially if your listing agent is successful but busy maintaining their listings. You don't want to be the subject of how a realtor spends their spare time. Since buyer agents do not typically list homes, they rarely do business without a partner agent who lists homes. Buyer agents such as myself are often incorporated into teams or partnerships to make their services most effective. I have been serving buyers exclusively since the day I started real estate and have very much enjoyed it. Being a recent first-time home buyer myself, it is easy to relate to my clients. Thanks for reading this blog and keep an eye out for our next one soon! Get a hold of The Steve Bock Team with any questions and we'll be happy to answer them.
Nate Bock, Exclusive Buyer Agent
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Choosing A Real Estate Professional
When it comes to choosing a service professional, real estate agents are a big decision. One of the largest investments of your hard-earned money deserves a carefully selected professional. So what do you look for in a real estate agent? To most people it is simple: somebody who will put them in the house of their dreams, without problems, without charging too much for their services. However, being an agent and having an insider perspective, there is so much more to it than that. 95% percent of the items we purchase as consumers are pretty straightforward as a transaction. You figure out what it is you want, find the cheapest one, and buy it. Return it if you change your mind or it is dysfunctional. With houses, it’s a thorough challenge to meet all of your needs. Figuring out what you want is only half of the battle, not to mention the challenge of shopping around and coming to terms on an acceptable price. A small army of people are usually involved in the transaction; lawyers, other realtors, inspectors, appraisers, lenders, underwriters, etc. Everything above contributes to why choosing your real estate agent is so important. They are your “go-to guy” for getting questions answered and making sure all of the small processes move seamlessly for you, the buyer or seller.
Of course you want an agent who is friendly, easy to work with, and knows the ropes of the business. On the other hand if this person doesn’t have attention to detail, responsive communication skills, and a full-time work ethic, you probably deserve better. Many agents only work in this business part-time, as supplemental income or as a hobby. This agent may lack a current market knowledge, the time you deserve, or timely communication to keep things moving. Having a full-time and involved agent benefits clients with the latest knowledge of the market and where it is heading. An agent with professional designations and who is current with legal and ethical topics is also key. Lastly, with as many issues that can come up as in real estate, experience will usually speak for itself. An agent who has successfully negotiated situations like yours, or has overcome an unforeseen issue before can sometimes keep a sale together that normally might fall apart.
As you can probably guess, The Steve Bock Team is composed of more than a single agent, and for good reasons. As agents we are licensed to handle a transaction from both ends, whether representing buyers or sellers. The traditional agent has a primary focus on obtaining listings and maintaining the relationship with their sellers, while helping homebuyers in their additional time. Our team specializes one step further, with one agent representing sellers and the other buyers. Each agent spends their time representing one type of client on one side of the transaction. The end result is a more exceptional and personal service to those clients. A single agent can only do so much, but 2 realtors and 2 service coordinators working together really delivers 4 person service for the price of one agent.
So the criteria to choose a real estate professional on are many, and we only covered a handful of them today. Just keep in mind when choosing your realtor that there should be more to it than a friendly face, somebody you know, or a relative. Find an experienced agent that works hard and is trustworthy. Don’t be afraid to ask them how they can differentiate themselves from other agents, and don’t commit to an agent that won’t commit to you. That’s all for this week, but check again soon to learn more about our team, and more about real estate, because the more knowledgeable you are the better!
Of course you want an agent who is friendly, easy to work with, and knows the ropes of the business. On the other hand if this person doesn’t have attention to detail, responsive communication skills, and a full-time work ethic, you probably deserve better. Many agents only work in this business part-time, as supplemental income or as a hobby. This agent may lack a current market knowledge, the time you deserve, or timely communication to keep things moving. Having a full-time and involved agent benefits clients with the latest knowledge of the market and where it is heading. An agent with professional designations and who is current with legal and ethical topics is also key. Lastly, with as many issues that can come up as in real estate, experience will usually speak for itself. An agent who has successfully negotiated situations like yours, or has overcome an unforeseen issue before can sometimes keep a sale together that normally might fall apart.
As you can probably guess, The Steve Bock Team is composed of more than a single agent, and for good reasons. As agents we are licensed to handle a transaction from both ends, whether representing buyers or sellers. The traditional agent has a primary focus on obtaining listings and maintaining the relationship with their sellers, while helping homebuyers in their additional time. Our team specializes one step further, with one agent representing sellers and the other buyers. Each agent spends their time representing one type of client on one side of the transaction. The end result is a more exceptional and personal service to those clients. A single agent can only do so much, but 2 realtors and 2 service coordinators working together really delivers 4 person service for the price of one agent.
So the criteria to choose a real estate professional on are many, and we only covered a handful of them today. Just keep in mind when choosing your realtor that there should be more to it than a friendly face, somebody you know, or a relative. Find an experienced agent that works hard and is trustworthy. Don’t be afraid to ask them how they can differentiate themselves from other agents, and don’t commit to an agent that won’t commit to you. That’s all for this week, but check again soon to learn more about our team, and more about real estate, because the more knowledgeable you are the better!
Friday, July 18, 2008
Welcome!
Have you heard the saying, "All real estate is local?" It's true!
We know there are a lot of concerns across the nation right now about the real estate market. Relax ... we are here to answer your questions. We are experts in our market and can help you understand what is going on in Ames, Gilbert, Nevada, and Story County Iowa.
We plan to update our blog weekly with the latest information about the real estate market in our area. Please feel free to leave comments or ask questions - we are happy to tackle anything you throw at us and we promise to answer as quickly as possible!
We are excited about this opportunity to be more interactive with online readers worldwide!
Please feel free to visit our website at http://www.bockrealestate.com/ and have a look around.
- The Steve Bock Team
We know there are a lot of concerns across the nation right now about the real estate market. Relax ... we are here to answer your questions. We are experts in our market and can help you understand what is going on in Ames, Gilbert, Nevada, and Story County Iowa.
We plan to update our blog weekly with the latest information about the real estate market in our area. Please feel free to leave comments or ask questions - we are happy to tackle anything you throw at us and we promise to answer as quickly as possible!
We are excited about this opportunity to be more interactive with online readers worldwide!
Please feel free to visit our website at http://www.bockrealestate.com/ and have a look around.
- The Steve Bock Team
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