Marketing Your Home To Today's Buyers

I recently read an article about today's home buyers. With the internet changing the scope of the way we do business; are we as agents doing all we can to market to today's buyers?

I was a little shocked when I read the article. Not by the information they are asking for or what should be relevant. But, I was ashamed ot see the lack of response to Internet inquiries on a hoe by agents in today's market.

I pride myself on trying to stay on the cutting edge in regards to Internet advertising. I am always asking what people liked and did not like and what additional information they would want to see when they looked at the home I had listed. For me an inquiry even from the internet is as good as someone who walked in and toured the house in person. They have toured it online.

90% of all home buyers begin their search of a home online. What is your agent doing to market your home for you? Even if they are putting relevant content and quality photos on various websites. A recent study showed that the average agent does not respond back to an internet inquiry on a home. less than 10% respond within four hours of receiving the inquiry. Another 20% respond within 24 hours of receiving the inquiry. 30% respond within 72 hours of receiving the inquiry. A SHOCKING 40% NEVER RESPOND.....

I have one general rule of thumb. From eight in the morning to eight in the evening I answer my phone. I may inform you that I have to call you back later or the next day (sometimes I am involved with a family activitiy). But i acknowledge each and every inquiry immediately with a personal response.

I have lost count of how many times I have sold a home because I answered the phone; just ot tell someone I was out to dinner with my family and could I return their call at X time. It is the nature fo the business we are in as Real Estate Agents.

40% of all buyers are not even hearing back form an agent in regards to a home they may be interested in....The internet has made us hungry and thirsty for quick decisive response time. A couple of hours can feel like eternity when you send an inquiry in online.....

What is your response time on your home?

Dave dicecco

Realtor/Broker

www.davedicecco.com

Is Your Agent Servicing Your Listing?

I have recently been on a few listing presentations that were previously listed with someone else. Each time, when I talked with the sellers I asked them why they did not think the home sold? A lot of the time it is the price of the home. They know it but just do not want to come to terms with lowering the price. other times though, it is the listing agent.

By this I mean. Is your listing agent servicing your listing? Anyone of us can come by the house and give you a presentation. We can put ti on the Multiple Listing Service and advertise it in various media venues. However; are we servicing you? Unfortunately, a lot of people believe that it is still 2007. You could put a sign in the yard, put it on a few websites and the house would sell rather quickly.Well the market has changed. Has your Realtor changed with it?

I recently acquired 2 listings in the past 30 days that were expired form the previous agent. Both listings mentioned to me that they never heard form the agent. They had no idea what the agent was doing and had no communication with them. Well, to make a long story short; I got both listings.

I have a unique marketing plan that I tailor for each home individually based on it's price and demographics. When i acquired both listings; I actually RAISED the list price from what the other agent s were asking. Why? because the homes were worth more; the agents just were not marketing them properly.

Well 32 days later i have both homes sold. And to boot both SOLD at HIGHER than they had it listed with the other agent for. Will this happen all the time? NO.. I have a couple of other listings that are sitting right now and am lowering the price to below what they were listed prior.

In fact; in both sales the buyers contacted me directly based on my indivdual marketing of the home and purchased the home through me...Both got delas on the homes they purchased. The appraisals came back slighly higher and the seller received what they wanted for the homes. SO, ask yourself is your agent servicing your lsiting?

Dave diCecco

Realtor/Broker

www.davedicecco.com

Crestdale Crossing Matthews, NC Market Reports July 2010

Every month I am asked by the families in this community how the values of the properties are. Considering I call this community home and am an active member of the new board of directors for the HOA; I feel I have a lLot at stake as to what happens in my community.

One thing that impressed me to the community is the stabilization of the prices over the past three years. We all know 2009 and 2010 have been tough years for us economically. Banks have collapsed and the housing market has crashed with wall street. However; this little community of 110 homes in Matthews seems to be staying ahead of the trend.

Three years ago there was an amazing 15 properties that sold for an average price of $129,973.00. They lasted on the market for an average of 72 days.

Two years ago there were 4 properties that sold for an average price of $122,500.00. They lasted on the market for an average of 31 days.

Last year 5 sold for an average price of $125,800. They lasted on the makret for 81 days on average.

Currently there are 3 on the market right now. However; 2 of them are under contract and scheduled to close in the next couple of months.

Historically, last year should have been the lowest home priced have been in an area. With the housing market collapse prices were falling rapidly. yet this little unknown subdivision in Matthews seemed to beat the trend and actually increased in value year over year.

Dave dicecco

Realtor/Broker

www.davedicecco.com