For Sale By Owner? Here are a few thoughts.

LET ME BUY YOU DINNER AND SHOW YOU HOW TO SAVE THOUSANDS

Daniel J. (Dan) Desmond, Broker of Help-U-Sell Bay Beach Realty presents:

Everything You Need to Know About Selling Your Home in Ocean County in 2015.

Thursday, March 26, 6:30 pm - Captains Inn at the end of Lacey Road in Forked River

This informative event will not be your typical 'buy with me – sell with me' real estate seminar. We will give you valuable information that will help you put more money into your pocket when you sell.

We will be dissecting the real estate business, taking the gloves off and sharing secrets that the industry does not want you to know, including:

·         How to marketing in an electronic world.

·         The ONLY two things that cause a house to sell.

·         The roles that listing brokers and selling brokers play in the process.

·         The unfairness of the common commission system.

·         How your commissions are split among up to 8 persons.

·         How real estate 'Teams' are costing you money.

·         How brokers waste your money to justify bloated fees.

·         How to save money selling your home

.   Why you can't count on your legislators or the NJ Real Estate Commission to protect you.  YOU MUST PROTECT YOURSELF AND WE WILL SHOW YOU WHY AND HOW!!

Complimentary full dinner will be served if pre-registered. (2 per household).

Register at  www.DanDesmond.com  starting March 16th.  Scroll to the Seminar button.

Thursday, March 26, 6:30 pm - Captains Inn at the end of Lacey Road in Forked River

*While this seminar is for the public real estate brokers and staff are invited to attend on a space available basis for $25 per person. All others are free.  

Who's Eating My Cupcakes?

Real estate agents can be a gullible lot.  Last week a major franchise held their annual meeting in Orlando and that's great--  all companies do that.  Now at this meeting the company proclaimed that it is the biggest in the country "by agent count".  Heh? What?  Is that how companies measure success  -  by agent count!   I know, I know - this company has a plan where they pay recruiting bonuses but that's a story for another day.

Here's today's story.  Real estate agents have "Herd Mentality".  Wherever the herd is heading they'll go along and even encourage their friends to join them.  But what I don't think they realize is that there are only a certain number of buyers and sellers in the market at any given time.  So brokers have their agents all pumped up about the company and tell them to bring their friends in to complete against them.  Duh!  Really!  Let's look an example:

Today is Sweet Little Margie's birthday and her mom sent her to school with enough cupcakes for her whole class to celebrate including the teacher.  But when it came time for the cupcakes the teacher went across the hall and invited another class to join them.  Now Sweet Little Margie and her friends realize there are not enough cupcakes for everyone so they'll have to take less.  And they're not happy!  Even though they're just kids they know they just got screwed!  It makes me wonder why agents feel happy in an office of 20, 40, 75 and more when they're competing against each other!!

Happy recruits head out to brand themselves with cards, ads and more to the delight of their brokers who know that the majority of them won't be around in a year.  But they may have sold a house or two so the broker won and, since regulations in most states require ads to have the brokers logo and contact information on them, the washouts spent the year building the company brand.  That's agent oriented real estate for you!

Here at Help-U-Sell things are different.  We're consumer oriented offering the same programs as other brokers but at a savings to the consumer by keeping our administrative costs low and a system that has worked  since 1976.  And our agents do well because they have no marketing expenses and much less competition because we don't pack the house.

It doesn't take a genius to know that if there are fewer people at the table there is more for those who are.
But don't ask Little Margie.  She's not that Sweet right now -- she's pissed!  Why aren't you?

Contact me or any Help-U-Sell office and we can tell you more about our expanded opportunity, how to spend more time with your family and more -- but that's just icing on the cake.







 

TO STAGE OR NOT TO STAGE??

Should I stage my home?  I hear that question every month and my answer is "Yes, stage your home but don't over do it.    When you think of it, vacuuming the rugs and putting toys away are basic staging.  Getting rid of clutter and packing away items that you won't be using until after the move is also staging.  And so is painting, especially rooms with non traditional colors.  Those are all tasks that sellers can do themselves at little to no cost.

Model homes are beautifully staged  with lots of "extras" but have a professional sales staff to sell the upgrades.  Resale homes that are vacant are candidates for some sprucing up so they won't appear cold. And if time is not on your side professional staging MAY help the home sell faster but not necessarily bring a higher price.


But what about hiring a professional staging company for a whole redecorating?  Now this is grey area and only worth while if you are sure the money spent can be recouped.  Remember that you won't be taking the "staged" items with you and most importantly the buyers mortgage company will order an appraisal and the appraiser will give little or no value to those items.

What it comes down to is making the home most appealing but at market price.  Plan your move wisely.

Can You Handle the Truth?

At Help-U-Sell we know there is a lot of misinformation about us out there

They say we're a discount broker:   FALSE! We are a full service broker providing all the same service as traditional brokers. 

They say our fees are paid up front:  FALSE!  We are paid at the closing just like you.

They say we don't have training:  FALSE!  Our training is highly rated by outside sources and is continuous and FREE!

They say we lack technology:  FALSE!  Our technology is definitely ahead of the curve and improving every day.  PLUS we OWN our technology platform and don't have to rely on outside vendors for changes and updates and there is NEVER a charge to our franchisees or agents. 

They say we lack support:  FALSE!  Our Tech Time Tuesday is an ongoing training on our systems and updates on all the many programs agents and brokers are approached about all the time.  Our Wednesday Power Hour is a broker get together on best practices, ideas and general communication.  Plus, our home office staff responds immediately to any help we may need.

Stop by Booth 201 at Triple Play next week for a refreshing chat or we can schedule a private meeting.  You'll be glad you did and at least you will know the truth.  Our VP of Development, Ron McCoy with be available all day and evening Tuesday and Wednesday.

WHY I NO LONGER SUPPORT "BRAS FOR A CAUSE" AND OTHER EVENTS

Last night was the 4th annual "Bras for a Cause" gala at the Captains Inn in Forked River.  It was sponsored by the Ocean County Chapter of the Woman's Council of Realtors.  The industry promotes several occasions like this including Toys for Tots and the Children's Miracle Network and others.  Please know that I support these and other causes in my own way -- Who wouldn't?

HERE IS MY PROBLEM

The real estate industry sponsors these and other events but who knows how much brokers and agents  personally give?  AND, anyone who has followed me on social media or knows me personally also knows that I am an EXTREME critic of percentage based real estate commissions where sellers pay more and more as the selling price of a home goes up.  For instance, a $300,000 sellers pays double that of a $150,000 seller and a $450,000 seller pays an astounding triple at any given commission rate which are always negotiable.  (Although the overwhelming majority are 5% to 7%.

SO WHATS WITH THESE FUNDRAISERS?

Think of it.  All the industry has to do is donate the DISGRACEFUL EXCESS from a few transactions each year and these monetary needs are met.  Here is the unfortunate truth.

THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY HAS MASTERED THE ART OF CAPITALIZING ON THE UNFORTUNATE CIRCUMSTANCES OF OTHERS, GETTING THE PUBLIC TO PAY AND MAKING THEMSELVES LOOK LIKE THE HERO'S!

I just can't buy into it anymore.  I tried for a few years but my conscience scolded me.  So I'll continue being a good citizen in my own way.

Real estate agent friends.  Please don't make any comments unless you can explain what EXTRA services you provide for the EXTRA money sellers pay the example above.

THE BEVERLY CARTER HORROR

We all know by now of the tragic loss of Beverly.  I have no idea why she went to a rural vacant house alone to meet a stranger.  This lady is experienced and I'm baffled as to why she ignored an obvious danger.  But the fact that she was an attractive female should not shroud the danger to all real estate agents including men.  In this crazy world of drugs and violence men are at risk as much as women.  Why?  Jewelry, cell phones and other electronics, automobiles, cash and more.  Several years ago an ex marine agent was found dead and his personal belongings were taken.   A New Jersey agent was killed by one of her listing people when she visited them for a price reduction. 

I hope your next office meeting is one where your safety procedures are reviewed.  Everyone is a target due to the drug problem.  Discuss within your office what jewelry or other things makes you stand out.  And don't take anything for granted.  You too GUYS!!