Moving Made Easy

The Moving Process. Saying goodbye to friends and starting out somewhere new is bound to be stressful, but the moving process doesn’t have to be! Here are four easy-to-understand moving stages and tips and tricks to help you out along the way.

Before you start hoarding cardboard boxes, there are some preliminary steps you need to take in the moving process.

• Decide if you’re really ready to move.
  • How urgently do you need to move? If you’re going through a major life change, like a new job, divorce or family emergency, throw that “for sale” sign in the yard. Even in the current housing market, a home that’s correctly priced and in good condition should sell quickly. If you’re not motivated to sell at market value, whatever that might be, seriously consider postponing your move.
  • Would home upgrades change the moving equation? If you can’t stand your master bathroom, consider remodeling it rather than trading it in. Updating your home now will raise your home value when you decide to sell.
  • Can you wait until the moving off-season? Movers are in demand during the summer months; rates are much less expensive between October and April. If your relocation dates are flexible, you could save some money.
• Find a community that will fit your lifestyle.You’ve decided you want to relocate, and now you need to choose a new place to live. Start with a blank slate to create your ideal place from scratch.
  • Consider what’s lacking in your current town and what’s working. Write down a list of requirements for your dream town, then start searching in the real world! Need help? Ask yourself these questions to get started.
  • If you’re a first-time buyer, read about the best places for first time buyers.
  • Once you’ve chosen a city, narrow down the neighborhood options.
• Assess your financial situation. Your mind is ready to move, but what about your pocketbook? Make sure you have the financial resources to make your relocation a reality.
  • If you’re considering moving for a job, have you negotiated an adequate relocation package? Talk to friends, relatives or colleagues who live in the area and can give you realistic and up-to-date estimates, particularly if you’ll be moving abroad.
  • If you’re currently renting and want to buy your first home, read our My First Place Homebuyer’s Guide to help you get financially ready to buy.
  • Current homeowners have a double burden: sell a home and buy a new one. Investigate how much you will net from the sale of your current home before you research how much it will cost to buy your new home. If you discover that the likely sale price of your home won’t afford you the home or lifestyle you envision, you may want to delay your relocation plans.
  • If your current home hasn’t sold and you need to move quickly, you may be able to get a — a short-term loan that can give you cash for a new home.
  • If you decide purchase a new home, assess what you have left for moving expenses. Put together a moving budget to find out what type of move you can afford. If you’re strapped for cash, then check out our 10 ways to cut moving costs posting.
• Ready to move? Break the news to your family and friends. Once you’ve decided to relocate, it’s time to let family and friends in the loop.
  • If you have children, telling them about moving can be difficult. Here are some tips to make the news go over more smoothly:
    • Tell them about the move early on — you don’t want them to hear the news from a family friend or relative.
    • Pick a private setting, and try to minimize interruptions by turning off cell phones and the television.
    • Focus on the positive aspects of moving, such as meeting new friends or experiencing a new culture
    • Let older children help with moving decisions to ease their fear and anxiety.
  • Moving is difficult for everyone — even the ones staying behind. Tell your friends and family members well in advance of your move so they have plenty of time to process the information and say goodbye.

Tags: handling a move, moving, moving costs, organizing a move, relocating, relocation

The Housing Market in Monroe Township NJ – July 2008

The I-Team Homes has been marketing quite extensively in Monroe Township NJ including the area of Williamstown. We provide housing market analysis for our clients.
The following is the most current data we have for Monroe Township:

For the month of July 2008 -

• Properties Currently Being Marketed – 66
• Average asking price – $265,361
• Average Days on the Market – 42 days

• Properties that are Pending Sales (Under Contract, Not Settled) – 13

• Properties that Settled in July – 23
• Average sold price – $236,343 (90.7% of average asking price)
• Average Days on the Market – 99 days

• Properties that Expired (Not Sold and Listing Agreement ended) in July – 11
• Average asking price – $340,655
• Average Days on the Market – 167 days

• Properties that were Withdrawn from the Market by the Seller in July – 16
• Average asking price – $240,737
• Average Days on the Market – 145 days

We can provide you with a complete and accurate market analysis for your home with an analysis of the market area it is located in. By knowing the value of your home you have a basis to start selling your home. If you want to know the value of your home and to receive a no-cost home evaluation, please call our Real Estate Hotline toll-free at 1-800-374-8571 x3025.

If you are planning to sell your home and would like to receive a free 12 page report, “Insider’s Secret To Selling Your Home”, directly to your home. “Insider’s Secret To Selling Your Home” is a must have report for anyone planning on selling their home. Don’t wait, call now.

• If you have an immediate need to sell your home, call 1-800-374-8571 x3051.
• If you are planning to sell you home in the near future, call 1-800-374-8571 x3052.

When you call the above numbers you will will hear recorded instructions; you will not be directed to a live agent.

For first time home buyers, purchasing your first home can be a very stressful experience. We can help eliminate that stress and help you through the process. We work closely with many first time home buyers and understand your concerns. First Time Home Buyer Programs, 0% and No Money Down Programs, Conventional, FHA, and VA Financing (To Qualified Buyers). Seller Assist with Closing Costs, New Homes Existing Homes in Great Neighborhoods, Fixer Upper Properties. We search all of Camden, Burlington, Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland, and Atlantic Counties. Go to http://www.homes4firsttimebuyers.com/

Looking for a fixer upper property? Willing to put in some “sweat equity” to buy your next home at a bargain price. Get a complete listing of fixer uppers in your area by going to http://www.bestfixerhomes.com/

If you would like a free list of Fannie Mae homes currently for sale , go to: http://www.terryi.com/FNMA/.

Terry Iwaniw
REALTOR Associate
First Time Home Buyer Specialist
Foreclosure Prevention Consultant
RE/MAX Home Team
609-417-1086
http://www.terryi.com/
http://www.snewjerseyhomes.com/

Tags: buyers, housing market, monroe township, Real Estate, real estate market, sellers, williamstown

The Housing Market in Winslow Township NJ – July 2008

The I-Team Homes has been marketing quite extensively in

Winslow Township NJ including the areas of Sicklerville and Cedarbrook. We provide housing market analysis for our

clients. The following is the most current data we have for Winslow Township:

For the month of July 2008 -

• Properties Currently Being Marketed – 120
• Average asking price – $251,333
• Average Days on the Market – 42 days

• Properties that are Pending Sales (Under Contract, Not Settled) – 26

• Properties that Settled in July – 45
• Average sold price – $190,583 (94.2% of average asking price)
• Average Days on the Market – 83 days

• Properties that Expired (Not Sold and Listing Agreement ended) in July – 30
• Average asking price – $280,518
• Average Days on the Market – 179 days

• Properties that were Withdrawn from the Market by the Seller in July – 33
• Average asking price – $236,032
• Average Days on the Market – 134 days

We can provide you with a complete and accurate market analysis for your home with an analysis of the market area it

is located in. By knowing the value of your home you have a basis to start selling your home. If you want to know

the value of your home and to receive a no-cost home evaluation, please call our

Hotline toll-free at 1-800-374-8571 x3025.

If you are planning to sell your home and would like to receive a free 12 page report, “Insider’s Secret To Selling

Your Home”, directly to your home. “Insider’s Secret To Selling Your Home” is a must have report for anyone planning

on selling their home. Don’t wait, call now.

• If you have an immediate need to sell your home, call 1-800-374-8571 x3051.
• If you are planning to sell you home in the near future, call 1-800-374-8571 x3052.

When you call the above numbers you will will hear recorded instructions; you will not be directed to a live agent.

For first time home buyers, purchasing your first home can be a very stressful experience. We can help eliminate

that stress and help you through the process. We work closely with many first time home buyers and understand your

concerns. First Time Home Buyer Programs, 0% and No Money Down Programs, Conventional, FHA, and VA Financing (To

Qualified Buyers). Seller Assist with Closing Costs, New Homes Existing Homes in Great Neighborhoods, Fixer Upper

Properties. We search all of Camden, Burlington, Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland, and Atlantic Counties. Go to href=”http://www.homes4firsttimebuyers.com/” target=”_blank”>http://www.homes4firsttimebuyers.com/

Looking for a fixer upper property? Willing to put in some “sweat equity” to buy your next home at a bargain price.

Get a complete listing of fixer uppers in your area by going to target=”_blank”>http://www.bestfixerhomes.com/

If you would like a free list of Fannie Mae homes currently for sale , go to:
http://www.terryi.com/FNMA/.

Terry Iwaniw
REALTOR Associate
First Time Home Buyer Specialist
Foreclosure Prevention Consultant
RE/MAX Home Team
609-417-1086
http://www.terryi.com/
http://www.snewjerseyhomes.com/

Tags: albion, bates mills, buyers, camden county, cedarbrook, elm, housing market, market trends, new jersey, real estate market, sellers, sicklerville, tansboro, west atco, williamstown junction, winslow township

The Housing Market in Berlin Township NJ – July 2008

The I-Team Homes has been marketing quite extensively in Berlin Township NJ. We provide housing market analysis for our clients. The following is the most current data we have for Berlin Township:

For the month of July 2008 -

•· Properties Actively Listed – 6

•· Average asking price – $216,117
•· Average Days on the Market – 42 days

•· Pending Sales (Under Contract, Not Settled) – 4

•· Properties that Settled in July – 3

•· Average sold price – $181,800 (84.2% of average asking price)
•· Average Days on the Market – 163 days

•· Properties that Expired (Not Sold and Listing Agreement ended) in July – 2

•· Average asking price – $247,400
•· Average Days on the Market – 193 days

•· Properties that were Withdrawn from the Market by the Seller in July – 3

•· Average asking price – $229,454
•· Average Days on the Market – 73 days

We can provide you with a complete and accurate market analysis for your home with an analysis of the market area it is located in. By knowing the value of your home you have a basis to start selling your home. If you want to know the value of your home and to receive a no-cost home evaluation, please call our Real Estate Hotline toll-free at 1-800-374-8571 x3025.

If you are planning to sell your home and would like to receive a free 12 page report, “Insider’s Secret To Selling Your Home”, directly to your home. “Insider’s Secret To Selling Your Home” is a must have report for anyone planning on selling their home. Don’t wait, call now.

•· If you have an immediate need to sell your home, call 1-800-374-8571 x3051.

•· If you are planning to sell you home in the near future, call 1-800-374-8571 x3052.

When you call the above numbers you will will hear recorded instructions; you will not be directed to a live agent.

For first time home buyers, purchasing your first home can be a very stressful experience. We can help eliminate that stress and help you through the process. We work closely with many first time home buyers and understand your concerns. First Time Home Buyer Programs, 0% and No Money Down Programs, Conventional, FHA, and VA Financing (To Qualified Buyers). Seller Assist with Closing Costs, New Homes Existing Homes in Great Neighborhoods, Fixer Upper Properties. We search all of Camden, Burlington, Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland, and Atlantic Counties. Go to http://www.homes4firsttimebuyers.com/

Looking for a fixer upper property? Willing to put in some “sweat equity” to buy your next home at a bargain price. Get a complete listing of fixer uppers in your area by going to http://www.bestfixerhomes.com/

If you would like a free list of Fannie Mae homes currently for sale , go to: http://www.terryi.com/FNMA/.

Terry Iwaniw
REALTOR Associate
First Time Home Buyer Specialist
Foreclosure Prevention Consultant
RE/MAX Home Team
609-417-1086
http://www.terryi.com/
http://www.snewjerseyhomes.com/

Tags: berlin township, buyers, camden county, housing market, market trends, new jersey, real estate market, sellers

Housing Market in Berlin Boro NJ – July 2008

The I-Team Homes has been marketing quite extensively in Berlin Boro NJ. We provide housing market analysis for our clients. The following is the most current data we have for Berlin Boro:

For the month of July 2008 -

• Properties Actively Marketed – 18
• Average asking price – $263,959
• Average Days on the Market – 48 days
• Pending Sales (Under Contract, Not Settled) – 1
• Properties that Settled in July – 9
• Average sold price – $287,221 (94.7% of average asking price)
• Average Days on the Market – 160 days
• Properties that Expired (Not Sold and Listing Agreement ended) in July – 4
• Average asking price – $326,150
• Average Days on the Market – 149 days
• Properties that were Withdrawn from the Market by the Seller in July – 0
• Average asking price – $0
• Average Days on the Market – 0 days

We can provide you with a complete and accurate market analysis for your home with an analysis of the market area it is located in. By knowing the value of your home you have a basis to start selling your home. If you want to know the value of your home and to receive a no-cost home evaluation, please call our Real Estate Hotline toll-free at 1-800-374-8571 x3025.

If you are planning to sell your home and would like to receive a free 12 page report, “Insider’s Secret To Selling Your Home”, directly to your home. “Insider’s Secret To Selling Your Home” is a must have report for anyone planning on selling their home. Don’t wait, call now.

• If you have an immediate need to sell your home, call 1-800-374-8571 x3051.
• If you are planning to sell you home in the near future, call 1-800-374-8571 x3052.

When you call the above numbers you will will hear recorded instructions; you will not be directed to a live agent.

For first time home buyers, purchasing your first home can be a very stressful experience. We can help eliminate that stress and help you through the process. We work closely with many first time home buyers and understand your concerns. First Time Home Buyer Programs, 0% and No Money Down Programs, Conventional, FHA, and VA Financing (To Qualified Buyers). Seller Assist with Closing Costs, New Homes Existing Homes in Great Neighborhoods, Fixer Upper Properties. We search all of Camden, Burlington, Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland, and Atlantic Counties. Go to http://www.homes4firsttimebuyers.com/

Looking for a fixer upper property? Willing to put in some “sweat equity” to buy your next home at a bargain price. Get a complete listing of fixer uppers in your area by going to http://www.bestfixerhomes.com/

If you would like a free list of Fannie Mae homes currently for sale , go to: HUD Owned Homes List Request.

Terry Iwaniw
REALTOR Associate
First Time Home Buyer Specialist
Foreclosure Prevention Consultant
RE/MAX Home Team
609-417-1086
http://www.terryi.com/
http://www.snewjerseyhomes.com/

Tags: berlin boro, home sales, housing market, market, Marketplace, Real Estate, real estate market

Housing Market in Gloucester Township NJ – July 2008

The I-Team Homes has been marketing quite extensively in Gloucester Township NJ including the areas of Blackwood, Erial, and Laurel Springs. We provide housing market analysis for our clients.
The following is the most current data we have for Gloucester Township:

For the month of July 2008 -

• Properties Currently Being Marketed – 131
• Average asking price – $220,873
• Average Days on the Market – 42 days

• Properties that are Pending Sales (Under Contract, Not Settled) – 20

• Properties that Settled in July – 54
• Average sold price – $188,661 (93.7% of average asking price)
• Average Days on the Market – 69 days

• Properties that Expired (Not Sold and Listing Agreement ended) in July – 18
• Average asking price – $233,658
• Average Days on the Market – 156 days

• Properties that were Withdrawn from the Market by the Seller in July – 26
• Average asking price – $232,908
• Average Days on the Market – 92 days

We can provide you with a complete and accurate market analysis for your home with an analysis of the market area it is located in. By knowing the value of your home you have a basis to start selling your home. If you want to know the value of your home and to receive a no-cost home evaluation, please call our Real Estate Hotline toll-free at 1-800-374-8571 x3025.

If you are planning to sell your home and would like to receive a free 12 page report, “Insider’s Secret To Selling Your Home”, directly to your home. “Insider’s Secret To Selling Your Home” is a must have report for anyone planning on selling their home. Don’t wait, call now.

• If you have an immediate need to sell your home, call 1-800-374-8571 x3051.
• If you are planning to sell you home in the near future, call 1-800-374-8571 x3052.

When you call the above numbers you will will hear recorded instructions; you will not be directed to a live agent.

For first time home buyers, purchasing your first home can be a very stressful experience. We can help eliminate that stress and help you through the process. We work closely with many first time home buyers and understand your concerns. First Time Home Buyer Programs, 0% and No Money Down Programs, Conventional, FHA, and VA Financing (To Qualified Buyers). Seller Assist with Closing Costs, New Homes Existing Homes in Great Neighborhoods, Fixer Upper Properties. We search all of Camden,
Burlington, Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland, and Atlantic Counties. Go to href=”http://www.homes4firsttimebuyers.com/” target=”_blank”>http://www.homes4firsttimebuyers.com/

Looking for a fixer upper property? Willing to put in some “sweat equity” to buy your next home at a bargain price. Get a complete listing of fixer uppers in your area by going to http://www.bestfixerhomes.com/

If you would like a free list of Fannie Mae homes currently for sale , go to: http://www.terryi.com/FNMA/.

Terry Iwaniw

REALTOR Associate

First Time Home Buyer Specialist

Foreclosure Prevention Consultant

RE/MAX Home Team

609-417-1086

http://www.terryi.com/

http://www.snewjerseyhomes.com/

Tags: blackwood, buyers, camden county, erial, gloucester township, housing market, laurel springs, real estate market, sellers

An Open Letter to Mortgage Representatives and Loan Officers

A day never goes by that I don’t receive an e-mail, a postal letter, or a fax from some loan officer/mortgage representative telling me what they can offer my customers and clients. I could paper my office walls with all of the ones that I receive. But I can understand your motivation…you’re trying to solicit more business for yourself. Because that’s what I do. I’ve spoken to many of you and you ask a very valid question -

“What can I do to earn your business and have you refer your clients and customers to me?”

I can now answer that question – refer home buyers to me. Now, to better understand my answer I need to expand on it a bit more. First of all, I have not had a serious home buyer that I haven’t been able to find a home for. It may take a bit of time, but I end up finding them exactly what they were looking for. Secondly, I have never had a deal fall apart because of the house disappearing or my buyers no longer qualify to own it (different then no longer being qualified to acquire the funds to purchase it).

With that said, I can now more fully explain my perspective and you can better understand where I’m coming from. I spend a considerable amount of time, money, and effort to attract home buyers to our business. These buyers are very precious to us so we aren’t going to be quick to throw them away. If they don’t have a mortgage representative and ask us who we would recommend, do you think we are going to recommend -

1. Someone we’ve never worked with and just wants us to give them a try, or
2. Someone that we have worked with before and has demonstrated that they will makes sure that the deal goes to the settlement table.

I think that you’ll agree that it is a no brainer, we’re going to go with the proven entity. So, how do you start a lucrative business relationship with us? Send me serious, qualified buyers. If the buyer comes from you, then they are your client. However, when they come to me through my efforts then I will recommend services to them that will insure that the deal goes to the settlement table. Essentially, look at the situation in a logical manner -

• Every buyer working with a real estate agent does not need a mortgage (buyers with cash do not need to get a mortgage). I can find them a home that they can buy.
• All mortgage applicants need a home to use the funds from the mortgage loan on. As a mortgage represenatative, unless you have a real estate license, you can’t locate a home for them.

Because all mortgage applicants (excluding those seeking refinancing) must become home buyers, not all home buyers must become mortgage applicants. So, the fastest way to garner business with us in giving you a shot is to use your buyer as the test and not ours.

Terry Iwaniw
REALTOR Associate
First Time Home Buyer Specialist
Foreclosure Prevention Consultant
RE/MAX Home Team
609-417-1086
http://www.terryi.com/
http://www.snewjerseyhomes.com/

Tags: advertising, mortgage loans, mortgage reps, mortgages, promotion

Why Moving Can Be a Good Thing

It does not matter whether you decide on moving some place new or it is decided for you, you make the determination of the experience you have.  Living in a new place is a great way to expand your horizons, both geographically and mentally. Relocating to a new place helps build confidence, humor and an appreciation for adventure. It also gives you the opportunity to wipe the slate clean.

But it’s normal to feel aprehensive about making such a big change.  If you have second-thoughts about moving to a new location, here are 12 positive things to keep in mind about making that relocation move:

Tags: moving, relocating

The Latest Foreclosure News – Or What’s Happening to NJ Foreclosures?

Essentially, nothing newsworthy is happening on the foreclosure front in the New Jersey Market. In the latest from the news media the headlines read Nation’s foreclosure plague widens. Well this can’t be good news for those of us in the real estate marketing business. this will bring out all of those buyers that think that the market in New Jersey is a prime market to get a home for almost nothing. That the home owners will be dropping to their knees in glee in being able to sell their home for almost nothing. To be happy that these buyers will be able to brag to their friends about the great deal they made.

Well, here’s a reality check. Not in New Jersey. If you read the whole article and not just the headline, you’ll soon learn that if you are looking for such leverage in the State of New Jersey that you’re living in the wrong state. New Jersey isn’t even in the Top 5 of states with high foreclosure rates. Sorry. Houses are still being sold by provide owners who are looking to sell their homes at the market rate. Their neighborhoods have NOT been devistated by a high number of homes having been foreclosed on and then being sold by banks and mortgage lenders at lower then prevelant market prices, thus causing a further decrease in home prices. More and more home owners are either withdrawing their homes form the market or allowing their home’s listing agreement to expire and not
relisting. They’d rather do this then sell their home for either less then what they owe on it or leave themselves no money for their next home purchase.

One of the key factors that many of the buyers seem to forget is that the home owners who are not financially distressed will need funds from the sale of their current home to purchase the next one. If they don’t get enough money for their next purchase, they won’t be selling their current home. In the vast majority of cases in New Jersey, that is the way it is…simple and straightforward.

So, what states are leading in foreclosures? Which are the Top 5 states? Where can you have a large amount of choices of foreclosure homes? Well, pack up you bags! You’re going to have to move to one of the following states -

1. Nevada – has the highest number of foreclosure homes with 1 out of 106 homes.
2. California – is second with 1 out of 182 homes.
3. Florida – is right behind California with 1 out of 186 homes.
4. Arizona – is next with 1 out of 195 homes.
5. Ohio – is a distant 5th at 1 out of 375.

Notice that New Jersey is not even listed? According to market research information from the NJ Association of Realtors, while other states have seen home prices plummet, homes in New Jersey have generally maintained their value. Specifically, as an example, Atlantic City, NJ homes sales prices were $264,600 in the first quarter of 2007 while they were $277,400 in the first quarter of 2008, this is a +4.8 increase from a year ago. According to the article from CNN, foreclosures drive prices down. Overall, the market areas where we conduct the majority of our business (Camden, Gloucester, and Salem Counties) is still strong, as shown on the chart below.

Click Image to Enlarge

If you’re a first time home buyer, work with us and we work to eliminate the possibility that you could end up in the same situation as the current home owners facing foreclosure. If you are a current home owner who is financially distressed and need help and advice with your home, call us…we’ve been where you are and have learned much through trial and error. We work so that YOU don’t make the same mistakes we did.

Terry Iwaniw
REALTOR Associate
RE/MAX Home Team
http://www.snewjerseyhomes.com/
http://www.i-teamhomes.com/
http://www.terryi.com/
609-417-1086

Tags: 2008, Association of REALTORS, first time buyers, Foreclosures, home owners.real estate sales, homes sales, housing market, NJ Association of Realtors, NJAR, real estate market, realtors

Experience does not mean that you are GOOD!

It amazes me as to how many agents are putting out ads telling everyone how experienced they are.  They all tout it as if that is the same as being good.  Well, it’s not.  Being an experienced real estate agent does not make up for any lack of marketing skills or customer service abilities.  We’ve heard about agents who have been in the business for 10, 15, 20, 22 years who do not return their clients calls.  Who do not bother to keep in touch with their clients, EVEN WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF MARKETING THEIR HOMES!  Yes, these are “experienced” agents who have been in the business for many years, who keep touting how experienced they are.  But they play a numbers game.  To them the most important factor for any potential customer has to be the number of years they’ve been in the business.  Not how many satisfied customers they have.  If they relied on this number only, it would be considerably LESS then the number of years they’ve been in the business.  The number of years experience means that they’ve had more time to play the gimmicks to get you to sign on with them.  If you could follow their “years of experience” you’d see that they’ve been -

1.  First Time Home Buyer Expert
2.  New Home Expert
3.  Foreclosure Expert
4.  Short Sale Expert
5.  All Around Real Estate Guru

Hmm, Jack of All Trades…Master of None.  All they have to offer is the number of years they’ve been in the business.  They have no comprehensive marketing plan, they have no idea of how to market in the New Age of the Internet, all they can keep crowing about is the number of years experience.  Which would you choose, a doctor with 30 years experience but everything is from the 1970’s and 1980’s or a doctor who has only half that amount of years experience that is up-to-date and current?  See?  Experience isn’t the absolute factor.  You have to know how to market, yourself and your clients’ homes.  When I see these ads from many of my collegues in the business I have to laugh myself silly.  These ads speak volumes about them.  And if their web sites mimic their ads (that the only thing they tout is their experience) then using these agents are NOT in your best interest. 

My strong suit is internet marketing.  How long have I been doing it and how long have I been on the Net?  Well, I won’t state specific years (because then I start sounding like all of the other agents), but I use to access the old BBS (Bulletin Board Systems) and participate in the USENet groups via those BBS’s (we didn’t have the newsreaders they have now).  You had to TCP in to access any existing web pages. 

Essentially, I am a 1) business man (my business web site is still on the web), and then 2) I am a REALTOR.  There is an old saying among business people – - all business owners are salesmen, but not all salesmen are business owners.  When you own your own business you have to know how to market…your whole existence depends on it.  But if all you are is a sales person, you play the numbers game…to sell a certain number of homes you have to have a larger number listed.  Why?  Because of the Wall Effect.  What is the Wall Effect?  Well, it goes like this…if you fling enough things at the wall, something is bound to stick.  These agents don’t discuss things with you, they don’t inform you, they just say whatever it takes to get you to sign on the bottom line.

How many people have run into the agent that doesn’t listen to what their customers tell them they are lookng for, but instead push the homes that would pay them the most amount of money?  These agents are the epitome of a sales person -

1.  Sells you something you don’t want.
2.  Sells you that something at a price you don’t want to pay.

When the customer says No, they feel it is their DUTY to sell them.  There is an old saying in Salesmenshipland that goes like this – “Salesmanship starts when the customer says ‘No’”.  To me, Customer Service starts when the customer says ‘No’.  I need to understand what I need to do to get my customer to say ‘Yes’ and to be happy about their choice.  I don’t try to sell them something, I facilitate and help them make the best investment in their new home that they can.

If you buy into the “Experience Count” garbage, then know that it is the ONLY thing they have to offer you…the fact that they’ve been at it for a long time, but not very good at it.

Terry Iwaniw
REALTOR Associate
RE/MAX Home Team
http://www.snewjerseyhomes.com/
http://www.i-teamhomes.com/
http://www.terryi.com/
609-417-1086

Tags: advertising, agent, marketing, promotion, real estate agent, realtors, self-promotion