Who Is Your Realtor?

Why you should choose one Realtor to help you buy a home.

I went to a conference several years ago where the speaker had talked about it. How when people were asked, “Who is your Doctor?” they could answer the question immediately. “Who is your Dentist?”  Same.  “What Nail Salon do you like?”  Almost every service job and answer came immediately. Why doesn’t the same principle apply to the question “Who is your Realtor?”

Your home is your single largest financial asset and yet people will choose someone who is in the business part time or a friend that they know “sells houses” but doesn’t have the experience to best serve the client.  What’s worse is some buyers go from one open house to another without any representation until they find a house they like and then begin the negotiations with the Listing Agent!  People believe that by negotiating with the Listing Agent that agent will be more willing to negotiate with them because they want DOUBLE the commission. I think nothing could be farther from the truth.

The Listing Agent has been hired by the SELLER to represent them. Their job is to get the most amount of money for the seller.  They do not work for you.

If you choose one Realtor to work for you as a Buyers Agent, they work for YOU.  Their job is to get you the best price for a house and to advise you as what the market comparables look like, what the fair market value is, what past sales look like, as well as what strategies we utilize regarding when to put in an offer.  The list is endless. It amazes me that people do not research their Realtor’s qualifications before beginning their house searching process and choose one Realtor to represent them to get them the best price for a home.

If you needed your appendix removed, would you choose the doctor who has just begun his career?  Or would you take the surgeon who is well known in this field and whose personality and skill match your own?

There is a major difference between a Realtor who works part time in this  field and one who has been in the business a while.  Negotiating is a skill. Picture it as if it were a surgery where you get better the more you do it. If you only did one appendectomy prior to being hired, don’t you think a surgeon who does 5 surgeries a day would be better at it?

In today’s market with inventory being so low and multiple offers being common practice, you need an agent who is readily available, knows the paperwork necessary to present a formal offer, and can look out for your best interest by having a network of lenders and attorneys to recommend to you to give you the best and most options. 

There are so many other considerations to take into account.  For instance making sure Certificates of Occupancy or CO’s are in place, attending the engineering inspection and knowing what falls under “normal sellers representations” to protect your client, and attending the appraisal and knowing how to reposition your deal if the appraisal falls short.

Do your research.  If you are choosing a new restaurant don’t you look at the reviews of new places to go?  What are the Realtor’s reviews?  How many homes has the Realtor sold?  What is that Realtor’s local knowledge of the neighborhoods you are interested in?

There is a major difference between Realtors based on their education and a Realtor based on their experience. Do you research - so the next time someone asks you “Who’s you Realtor?” you will be confident answering as you will any other question.

~Meg Smith

Broker/Owner

Meg Smith and Associates Real Estate

Let Us List the Reason, that NOW Is the Season!

You have been considering a move for a while now, but summer was here, and like many homeowners you just want to enjoy some time off with your family.  The beauty of the season before the kids go back to school.  The relaxation of the unstructured and regimented schedule has been much needed at this time, and so the decision is placed on hold.   Yet, here you are thinking...it's time for a change.

For many of you its the ending of the summer season and the reality that soon the winter months will be upon us that make you want to head south.  For others, you've realized over the summer that you've outgrown your home and need something bigger.  Then there is the reality that the kids have gone to college and each morning you pass by the empty rooms that just make your home seem far too large for your needs now.

There are so many opinions as to what season is the best time to sell.  Some believe that spring is the best time to sell. Flowers are in bloom, the grass looks greener, and the children are all in school, which makes showing an orderly home easier.  Some believe that the fall is best. The smell of pumpkin spice and vision of fallen leaves remind people that winter is around the corner and the snow is on its way.  Some believe that the winter is better.  The most serious of shoppers come out in the winter  because viewing a property in chilling snow and ice isn't a comfortable feat.  Then there are those that believe summer is ideal as they set up in a new home before the fall school years starts.

At Meg Smith and Associates Real Estate our experienced sales agents all realize that the best time to list a house is neither Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall, but now...Now, when YOU are ready.  Our office is made up of Moms, Dads, Grandparents, and community residents that realize that the best time for you to sell your house is when you have decided that it is the right time for you.  Selling a home is hard work, its every day appointments, organizing and upkeep that keeps you going to show the home in its best appeal in order to find the right buyer.  Our skilled agents are here to help you every step of the way, with suggestions and marketing tools for every home in every season.  So, if it is your desire to make the move, the right time is when you say its time.  The right time is Now.

It's not the seasons nor the weather that determine your success, it is the seasoned agent.  Let us make your dreams a reality.  Call Meg Smith and Associates help you with all your real estate needs at 631-647-7013

Real Estate Reality – How Real Estate should work in your best interest

       

      Many people believe the job of a Realtor is to list, sell and market homes.  While this is true, a Realtor is hired to work for YOU.  If you are a homeowner looking to list your home, more than likely you are looking to sell for the highest price that the market can bare.  The Agent that you choose to hire has to tackle the job of marketing your home, but more importantly they are hired to represent you, and it is their job to see to it that their fiduciary responsibility to you is first and foremost.

      If your Realtor requests that your home listing remain exclusive with their firm, what does this mean?  Well, for starters, if you are looking to have less traffic in your home, and keep it rather quiet and private, this may be the way you want to go.  However, if you are looking to get the best price for your home, this alternative is more than likely not the best choice.

      The Multiple Listing Service has approximately 17,000 realtors, which enables us to share our listings with one another, allow for showings and hopefully offers.  Having your home exposed to this many Agents means each Agent can tap into their individual data base of buyers and share your home with them.  Chances are, one of them may be the perfect match for your home.  If you are not able to reach these buyers, how can you be sure that you are getting the right price for your home?

      Some agents like the comfort of dealing with one agent, and if that is the case, ask that agent to accompany showings, but don’t exclusively limit yourself to one agency when the best chance of getting the best price is to open it to all others.  If you were looking for a job, would you interview with only one firm, or would you send your resume’ out to many to increase your chances that the best opportunity would present itself?

      Selling your home is no different.  In being completely honest, the only person that is benefiting by your exclusive listing is the agency you hired.  The chances of their firm gaining the full commission compensation rather than having to share it is in their best interest…but is it in yours?

      To truly understand the difference in listing your home as an Exclusive or as a Multiple Listing Property – stop in and speak with one of our associates. Let us explain the difference! 631-647-7013. 
Visit our New Website www.MegSmithandAssociates.com.  Like Us on Facebook www.Facebook.com/MegSmithAndAssociatesRealEstate.

Why Selling in the Winter is a Wonderful Idea!

So often we hear that homeowners want to wait until the spring to sell their homes.  After all, in the spring  the grass is greener, the flowers are blooming, the curb appeal is prettier and the weather is the most comfortable for home shopping, so surely this is the best time to sell, right? Well, while this is all true, it is also true is that so many others are thinking just like you.

  What sellers don't realize when they want to wait until the spring is that their neighbor is contemplating the same strategy.  In the spring the market becomes saturated, and a saturated market often becomes a buyers market.  The more competition you have, the more likely you are to have to negotiate more aggressively to beat the competition, often resulting in a lower sales price.  The more homes on the market, the less traffic there is coming to view yours.

  The spring is often not enough lead time for those that wish to be out by summer.  It takes several weeks or months to find the right buyer.  This coupled with the process of the mortgage application, new funding guidelines, title searches and all of the necessary items needed to close the transaction, summer may very well have passed you by.

The goal of many to move in the summer is due in part to the fact that those with children would like to be settled into new school districts, which starts early September.  It is also a great time for teachers and others whose careers allow them more flexibility in the summer months to make this move.

According to successful Realtors, the advice is to give yourself enough lead time to make this transaction as comfortable as possible.  List your home in the winter, when others are waiting until spring.  The most serious of shoppers will come out when the weather is at its worst, and after all, isn't it the serious shoppers we want?  Listing this winter will give you the extra needed time to market, find the right buyer and prepare to move in the summer months ahead.

My Love/Hate Relationship With HGTV by a Realtor!

So I have a blog for my Office but I don't generally blog....... I have People that blog....and they do a much better job than I think I can..... But as I prepare to put my house up on the market this weekend- a blog has formulated in my head (over and over for the past few weeks......) Should I entitle it- Why every Realtor should put their house on the market every few years? OR  My Love/Hate Relationship with HGTV..... I decided on the love/hate thing. The content and message are pretty much the same- but I think maybe the Love/Hate thing might get a bit more attention. People generally love HGTV..... not so much Realtors! (weewoo- sorry staff and fellow Realtors- but you know this to be true.....)
So my husband and I decided it was time to put our house on the market. We love our house! There are so many wonderful things about it.....from the outside porch overlooking Manatuck Lake (lots of Heron sightings and ice skating Norman Rockwell type moments- to all the wonderful nooks and crannies inside.  We feel it is time..... But now- we have to PREPARE to put our house on the market. I have to do all the things I casually say to my clients that they should do to make their houses more marketable.....things like "you need to declutter.... bathrooms should be spotless, personal photos to a minimum, landscaping spruced up...... things like that! In fact- I have a fabulous list of suggestions written in bullet points I hand to my clients when we meet for the first time! I can rattle these things off like nobody's business! As I rattle these things off to my husband and prepare new lists each day - the sideways looks he first gave me are turning to arched eyebrows to a low whistle to a resounding "are you crazy?" How did this come to be- you might wonder? ahhhhhhhhh here comes the tie in: My Love/Hate relationship with HGTV (and Realtor Internet sites too!) Before the Internet and HGTV (yes I have been a REALTOR that long!) people relied on their Realtor to take them to houses they thought were good houses.  The houses looked like people lived in them. They didn't have perfectly straightened closets with their clothes in color order! Personal photos were all over the place- and houses with kids actually had toys strewn about!!!!! Stagers didn't need to be hired- because people actually let people see what it was like to live in these houses!!! Ahhhhhhh I miss the good old days! As I work to make my house look like we are an Episode to be featured on HGTV- I encourage you to come see my work of art this Sunday 9/13/2015 from 12-2 pm at 9 Lawrence Lane, Bay Shore, N.Y. 11706. You won't be disappointed- my closets are not only in size order- they have bins labeled inside!

Take a Long Island Stay-cation!

So many of us are sick and tired of this cold weather and need to get away, but not many of us have time or funds to put an entire vacation together. But do not fret! We have some fun, exciting ideas for a stay-cation- a vacation right in your area- to escape the cold, dreary weather.

          Inside 97-acre Hidden Pond Park in Hauppauge, The Rinx has two indoor ice rinks. The venue provides figure skating and hockey lessons as well as daily public skate sessions, including “Rock & Roll” night every Friday 8:15p-10:15p. Admission varies depending on the day and time of your visit so check out therinx.com for details about prices, times and events. Ice skating is an enjoyable winter activity the whole family will love!

          If you’re not in the mood to move around, then the movies is the place to be! There are so many movie theatres on Long Island to choose from, like the Deer Park Regal Cinemas at the Tanger Outlets. This theatre has a large selection of movies for all ages.

          If you really aren’t into bearing the cold, then baking is a fun, crafty thing for everyone in the house to take part in! Stay in and stay warm by the oven and make yummy treats all day long! Another in-home activity would be arts and crafts- paper snowflakes, gingerbread houses, and anything winter! This is great to keep kids busy and parents happy.

          Use these tips of the trade to keep busy and out of the cold this winter! No matter your time or budget, these activities will fit any family and make your stay-cation one for the books!

Martin Luther King, Jr

Martin Luther King Jr. 

      Martin Luther King Jr. was the biggest face during the Civil rights movement in the 1960s. Many attribute this man with the social freedom of blacks everywhere. Although the Emancipation Proclamation was signed more than 100 years before, blacks were still being targeted by the Klu Klux Klan and were subject to segregation because of the Jim Crow Laws. Martin Luther King Jr. took steps to end the struggle of absolute freedom for blacks throughout the United States.

        Every third Monday of January, Americans take a day to reflect and remember what King accomplished to better our society and the people within it. Because of his achievements, every person has equal opportunity to do anything they want. Children of all different ethnicities go to school and play together. The world and its acceptance has grown drastically since King’s time, and it continues to grow because of thinkers like him. We can all learn from the trials and triumphs that he overcame to become one of the greatest Americans leaders ever. Because of him, schools, restaurants, bathrooms, and basically every public facility are desegregated. There were many other Civil rights movement contributors, yet King was the most effective in that he was a fearless and great leader that gave freedom to every person after him. On this Martin Luther King Day, let us all take it as a time of observance and remembrance for this incredible man and all he has done to improve and inspire our nation.