Mobile apps mean you’re a thumb click away from finding almost anything – even your next home. The other day I read an article about how mobile apps on your Smartphone can be used for buying a home (or just checking out a new neighborhood). These realty apps aren’t new and don‘t seem to be going away, but then I got to thinking: Do I really want a mobile app to choose my next home for me?

Deciding on where (and whether!) to buy a home is lot different than, say, trying to find where the best place in town to eat a hot dog is. Sure, you could use a mobile app to find out about a new neighborhood, but it doesn’t replace actually having a “real” real estate agent to show you around the neighborhood. That’s why new homes are usually sold offline and in person, with an agent who knows the area.

The benefits of a (real) real estate agent outweigh the realty app’s benefits every day of the week. A real estate professional agent can do more for you as a home buyer than an app that says “you are here.” What, you ask? Read on – here I’ve listed 6 benefits of using a real estate agent to help you buy your home:
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A picture is worth a thousand words. The importance of the photographs in a real estate listing can’t be underestimated. The primary image must stand out among the page after page of listings a potential home buyer is likely browsing through, and the additional photos must motivate them to schedule an appointment to see the house in person. Images help make that emotional connection and make a property look like “home”.

Here are a few ideas to make your listing photos unique, and hopefully get the attention of home shoppers:

1. Highlight Details. Does the home have a beautiful custom sink in the kitchen, architectural detail in an archway, or gorgeous drapery that stays with the home? They could be missed in a shot of the entire room. Take close up photos of the most special details in a home.
2. Night Lights. If the property is well lit in the evening try a picture at dusk or even after dark. The glow of landscape lighting can be beautiful and something home shoppers would miss if viewing the home during the day.
3. Include The View. Pictures of the view from a deck or porch are common when they include water, mountains, or city skylines, but think about showcasing even a less remarkable view. Can you see a nice garden, the lovely homes across the street, or attractive greenery? The more positives you can show a home shopper the more likely they are to put the home on his or her short list.
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HomeGain offers rebate for buying or selling a home with a HomeGain referred agent through its Find a REALTOR® program

Today we announced our latest promotion for home buyers and sellers, the HOMEGAIN150 promotion. Eligible home buyers and sellers can qualify for a rebate of up to $150 when they register on HomeGain and use a HomeGain referred agent to complete a real estate transaction by September 30, 2011.

Registration for this promotion must take place between November 11, 2010 and June 30, 2011.

Read the full details, including terms and conditions, here.

When you are representing a buyer or seller, it is important to remember that the other side will develop an opinion of your client based upon your communications. Carefully chosen words will help to maintain a realistic and positive impression. When negotiations get hairy, you want the other side to feel positively about your client. Nobody wants to help the bad guy, and we all root for the underdog. By carefully choosing what you share and how you say it, it will preserve the reputation of everyone on your side of the transaction.

With this in mind, here are a few ways that I design my communications:

• If you have to say something negative, (let’s face it, sometimes it is necessary), be objective and offer an explanation that focuses on contract terms and legal rights.
• Refrain from giving your opinion or added color to the statements; stick to facts.
• Be considerate and respectful of everyone’s feelings and rights.
• Be fair and honest.
• Disclose anything that is necessary and required; know what that is and give nothing more.
• Take concerns and issues raised seriously; put out all fires early.
• If you can’t say something nice, you probably don’t need to say it.

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Every time I meet with a client I ask myself, “Are these people wasting my time?” Good time management and qualifying skills are so important to a successful real estate career. Realtors can get bogged down with time wasting tasks and people. Your production will suffer if your week is filled up with activities or clients who misuse your time and energy.

Here are 5 common “warning signs” from a potential home buyer:

1)      “We would like a tour”

If I hear the word “tour” I cringe.  This is usually someone very early in the buying process or who is a complete waste of time. I’ve noticed that many real homebuyers are willing to drive themselves around.

2)      “I need a steal”

Of course, everyone is looking for a steal and there is nothing wrong with that. Be scared of those buyers who are not willing to purchase at market or appraised value. They are usually only interested in buying a home if they can get it at a wholesale price.  These types of buyers can have you chasing your tail in no time.

3)      “I’m positive that I can get financing”

This one can come back to bite you. Imagine spending 10-20 hours working with a buyer only to find out that they cannot get financing. Many times people who think they can get financing easily don’t want to go through the hassles of a mortgage pre-qualification or pre-approval. If that is the case how motivated of a buyer are they? Continue reading this post

HomeGain Advisors Group – January 2010 Conference Call

The HomeGain Advisors met for their quarterly meeting last week on Thursday, January 21st. The Advisors represent top real estate agents across the country who provide insight into HomeGain products and services, market trends and Realtor behavior.

We had several interesting discussions with our Advisors board last week that are worth sharing with our Blog readers — about home buyer tax credit, appraisals, forced registrations.

Home Buyer Tax Credit

Firstly, HomeGain Advisors in all regions of the country expressed hesitation in terms of how effective the first time buyer tax incentive is currently. In previous calls, many mentioned that most of their business was coming from buyers who mentioned that their motivation to purchase was based on the tax incentive.

In a call prior to the positive comments, they had expressed doubt about how effective the tax incentive was going to be. Clearly, there has been some change. They are attributing the current lack of impetus to the fact that many consumers are still not aware of the incentives and they were doubtful that the April 30 deadline would be extended.

Appraisals

A couple of Advisors spoke about the difficulties they had closing deals due to problems with appraisals. Continue reading this post