Boy! HGTV has set some pretty high standards for sellers, buyers and Realtors. Our expectations of the perfectly staged home, the immaculate house cleaning on an hours notice with the picture-perfect set of toddler triplets who live in a seemingly storefront bubble is what we have grown to expect.  However, that’s not the average person’s reality, now is it?

Often, we catch people rushing to make dinner for their families, interrupting visits with families, attending sick loved ones (including the furry sort). Timing is not often perfect, and life happens. As sellers we often wait for those buyers who are running late with their Realtors as well. Usually, there is a reason..we are showing on an average 15 – 30 listings before the buyers can make a decision. There are issues with buyers as well, mobility issues, children in tow or parent’s tagging along.  Patience is a virtue in the real estate business.

As Realtors we want you to focus on what is important as you are looking at a home, or prepping your home for sale. Prepare for your appointment, look over these Home-Buyer FAQ’s.

Focus on structural and functional details, imagine how furniture will fit in a room, research property taxes and flood zones. A little less time sitting on furniture, looking at baby pictures and let’s give this family their home back, for now!

Sellers, we have a goal, to make a sale. Get ready to sell. If it’s not perfect it doesn’t have to be upside down. If it is, reschedule.

Yes, I’ve seen some sites while showing property, some have impressed me, some have annoyed me, and some have taken my breath away, (positively and negatively).  I’m a Realtor, but more, I’m human and I understand how people live and care for the things they value or don’t value. It takes all kinds of people to make the world go ’round and if you really want to get hung up on all that, there’s lots of reality tv shows you can watch!

As for my customers, they will be taken care of and prepared for their showing appointments and their listing presentations, as well as they can, but… we may be late from time to time.

Saturday, March 13th, 2 - 5pm

“Art in an Open House.”

It came to me one day while holding a traditional house at 6475 Tracy Lane. This home deserves a different kind of marketing, one that suits its contemporary design, one that would draw people who appreciate it as a backdrop for a trendy buyer.

Tying an art show in with a benefit for LeMoyne Center for the Visual Arts seemed like a winning marketing solution. Art and contemporary design, what better way to showcase both! A portion of the proceeds from the artists sales will benefit LeMoyne and donations are always welcome!

Tallahassee has many great artisans but two in particular stood out in my mind. The first, Bev Shots, the entrepreneurial idea of Lester Hutt. Bev Shots showcases the art of microscopic detail of popular drinks and cocktails in canvas prints, photo prints and metallic prints. The results are amazing, unique and colorful modern designs that are visually stimulating and fun. They’re even branching into contemporary coasters! Art from Bev Shots will line the walls of this home on Tracy Lane and will be available for purchase.

Also featured at the “Art at an Open House” will be Tire Swing Designs and local artisan Lucas VanSickle. Lucas is a young artist in Tallahassee, FL with a love for woodworking. His creations include furniture and kitchen items made from reclaimed, abandoned and discarded wood, all treasures in his world! Lucas blogs about his creations and the process he uses as well as sharing beautiful quotes that inspire him and seem to mold his artistic ideas.

6475 Tracy Lane, Tallahassee, FL will be open Saturday, March 13th from 2 – 5 pm. Join us for a taste of contemporary art and creative works of Bev Shots and Tire Swing Designs.

“Art in an Open House.” will be an event where not just buyers qualified for this home, but for those who may be thinking about their next home as well. Whether remodeling or building a new home, I am certain the creative juices will be flowing as people see this home and the art inside. Take a Preview,….

Are we connected on Facebook? Check out Art In an Open House Event on  Facebook as well!

For unique marketing plan and a FREE consultation for marketing your home for sale, contact Debbie Kirkland, Realtor.

Set up and Demolition begin as we take this home on 4103 Cornish Drive from unmarketable to marketable condition and prepare for a buyer.
This home began as a problem-child and will finish as a swan for sure!

Day one and two of this project involved set-up for demolition of existing structure in preparation for removal of all damaged systems, siding, and interior structures.

As this project unfolds you will see the noticeable and not-so-noticeable changes that will provide structural, functional and cosmetic repairs and improvements needed to make this home attractive to today’s discernable buyers.

Did you know that a Realtor is bound to continue their education according to the National Association of Realtors Code of Ethics?  Ethics training is paramount and after this comes all that goes into maintaining knowledge of every aspect of an industry that changes more than just about any other industry. Changes in market conditions, real estate law, financing and underwriting, zoning regulations and even building codes to name a few. Few customers realize the amount of education required of Realtors, not just for continuing education, but in achieving designations and certificates of study.

If that is not enough, learning how to effectively market properties, utilizing the latest technology and tools available keeps one not only ahead of competition, but enhances all listings by giving them greater visibility in todays marketplace.   We are moving toward technology in every aspect of our lives, who knew Realtors would need an understanding of technology to be effective marketers?  It is mind boggling considering most Realtors, when they began their careers had virtually no marketing experience. Many veteran agents have time under their belt, but do they use current marketing tools? It is a question customers must ask of their agents prior to listing with a Realtor.

Todays agents must be masters at listings, sales, and marketing.  All of these things are imperative to success. All of these change often, and all are changing with advent of social media avenues. Avenues for finding buyers and sellers and investors have changed.  Marketing methodology has morphed. A good Realtor will know what is working and what is time-worn and ineffective.

Over the past two years my marketing strategies have changed. I’m an avid reader and have been watching trends move from print advertising to the tools that today’s buyer and sellers use on a daily basis. I have attended seminars online and in person on marketing strategies, employed these in my new website, and expanded my visibility into social network environments by providing information about Tallahassee in hopes of attracting residents to our area and in obtaining buyers while establishing credibility with local sellers.

Learning about social media and marketing has helped grow my business, establish my brand, and has given me inspiration to help others learn what I have over the past few years. I have held technology seminars and continue on this path. tomorrow I will be hosting a Virtual REBarcamp webinar education seminar at my office where area agents will learn from some of the best in the business. Together we will learn, discuss and implement new marketing strategies for the upcoming year. The schedule below is what we will follow during this Virtual REBarCamp.

Keep in mind all that goes into your Realtors business and how they utilize the tools of technology along with their knowledge of all that is imperative to know in our industry. Give your Realtor a pat on the back for all that they put into your listings, your home search and your investment analysis!

Virtual REBarCamp Schedule for January 4, 2010.

Whetehr you are a seller or a buyer, interview your Realtor. Ask the right questions and make sure you can commmunicate with your Realtor. Call Debbie Kirkland, Realtor and referral agent, for a referral to a professional Realtor in your area. 850-212-0440

Interviewing Realtors?  Can we all agree the ulitmate goal of selling a home is ….to get it SOLD!  Statistics show that the majority of buyers will see a home in the first three weeks, after that, “The thrill is gone,” so to speak. 

So, let’s look at a Realtor’s role in a transaction and what it takes to get a home exposed and to make a wise investment  in today’s market.

Multiple Listing Service

• In our  MLS system, a listing is posted and remains “NEW” for four days! Wow,.. 4 days to show up on the “hotsheet.”  That’s the area most savvy agents look to when they wake up in the AM and before they head out the door. (but face it, busy agents hit the groud running..so let’s hope they don’t miss your “creampuff!”) The hotsheet posts new listings, price reductions and status changes of listings. It’s important to review this, especially if you are looking for properties that are “buyer specific.” By that I mean, you buyer is very specific (picky). It’s ok… it’s a big purchase, buyers should be specific! You want to make sure that your listing is ready to go with as many photos as allowable and a video is shortly following!
• After those 4 days are up..then what? Again, it’s there, searchable, so make sure it can be found by use of pictures and video and that the description will entice buyers!

Websites

• Most Realtors have websites, but content is king, so a website that reaches into the community, showcases area information, neighborhood information and features listings with visual and video appeal is what will reach today’s buyers. 87% of buyers begin their serach on the Internet, and most of those buy homes they have found on the Internet. Websites with photos and videos really bring in the visitors!
• If you’re searching online or in a magazine and find a home with just one picture.. a fuzzy one at that, what conclusion will you draw? If you need to see details and can’t get to the listing, will your Realtor to preview for you? (sellers,..are you listening?)

Local Exposure

• Is your Realtor a wallflower?  The real estate industry is about networking. I seriously don’t think I’ve met a successful Realtor yet who is bashful, reclusive or introverted. I’m not saying your Realtor should be the class clown, but certainly you want them to talk about your home, share your listings with those who may just have the perfect buyer for that property!
• There are many ways for your Realtor to showcase your home to other Realtors. Local Board of Realtor marketing meetings. We have them once a month..what a great time to talk about your new listings! Realtor socials and community events, broker open houses, office and top-producer caravans. Yes, they work! People remember homes they see, and they fit the home to those “specific” buyers we mentioned earlier!
• Don’t forget Social Media tools and networking. In today’s world, if you want to grow a business, any business, people must be able to find you, to see your product and get information with the click of a mouse. If a Realtor is leveraging social networks, people are getting their message, they are exposing products regularly to today’s buyers.
• I think most would agree.. Realtors are the most social creatures on earth! Most balance home, work, family, community… and they all seem to compliment each other. Realtors are working most all the time, even when it looks like it’s completely unrelated events! (just ask the customer I met last night in line at the movies!) Pick one who likes to have fun and is involved! Remember, Realtors are people too, respect their time just as you would your family or co-workers!

Media

• Choosing which media is effective today is a challenge. Measuring the effectiveness versus the cost of advertising is very important. A wise agent carefully times advertising  between print media, radio and tv, web exposure and niche database marketing. It’s a combination of all these mediums that are the most effective.
• Realtors with specialty niche markets may be the best choice for a specfic type property, or in smaller areas it may be the realtor with the biggest tool box, the agent with the tools to attact every type buyer that would be a great fit for your home.

Communication

• This probably should have been first on the list! What is your preferred method of contact. If you are one-on-one, then let your Realtor know this. If you are a busy student or business person, perhaps e-mail  is best for your updates. If you are on the go, mobile technology, texting and e-mail from the road may work best for you.
• No matter what method you choose, regular communication, market updates, showing feedback and product information is critical to your success, both for buyers and sellers. Ask your Realtor for a communication plan!

There are many great Realtors from which to choose today. Take time to interview. If you are a buyer, avoid the luck of the draw by simply calling on signs. Do your homework, buying and selling a home deserves sound, educated and professional information and resources. Find a Realtor who will give you the best service as you enter your next real estate transaction.

Debbie Kirkland, Realtor  .  Armor Realty of  Tallahassee .  www.HomeSalesofTallahassee.com