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Monday, July 29, 2013

Rising Market Rates



Hi everyone, thanks for coming back to our real estate video blog!

So, my head has been spinning a little from the recent changes in rates. There have been a lot of articles out about rising interest rates. On June 4th an article came out titled “Will Higher Mortgage Rates Kill the Housing Market? Maybe Not”

What the article says is there is a cyclical loop when it comes to interest rates. It can be hard to know what is actually going on.

Well, to simplify things, as the economy improves it becomes less important to make money cheap.  Interest rates then rise and those rising rates can scare us in the real estate market. However, if rates are rising, it means the economy is improving. While it seems our economy is improving, we do not know if our economy is out of the woods nationally, though.

It’s very interesting as we observe rate movement; things that would appear to put downward pressure on the market (rate movement up) are happening because other things could place upward movement on the market (an improving economy, improving job market and consumer confidence).

What I can tell you as a real estate investor is, if it becomes a little more expensive to buy a property because of rising interest rates, it means the economy is improving. There are many buyers who have the ability to purchase my property if I am a seller.

I’d also like to note that we were at an all-time low in interest rates. Even if rates do increase to 5%, it isn’t the end of the world! I know I probably haven’t answered all your questions about rising interests rates, but I want you to know as we learn more and have more numerical information, we will share it with you!

We are data-driven here and love to research the real estate market! Thank you so much for joining us and I promise to keep you updated on the rising rates. If you have any specific questions please give us a call at 202.290.1313

Thanks for watching! We really do appreciate it!

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

A Good Listing Agent



Hi everyone. I wanted to talk to you about the value of a good listing agent. Recently we talked about the importance of a good buyer's agent and what qualities that individual should possess. A good listing agent, though, needs some different expertise.

When I got into real estate sales, I had already been involved in real estate. I had been an investor for more than a decade. I loved real estate and I was sure that my background as a lawyer and my passion would make me a great listing agent. I have to admit, though, it didn’t.

A good listing agent is a marketing maven. The number one thing a successful listing agent does is market the heck out of your property. They need to know how to present your home beautifully, how to represent and project the best qualities of your property.

The second part of their job is to make sure that your home is exposed everywhere, that the information is widely distributed. If they aren’t doing this, they are not a good listing agent.

Here, we understand the importance of marketing. Our marketing budget is six figures every year, $10,000-$20,000 a month depending on what we are doing. We can be very intense geographically and demographically. We are also one of the leading agent teams in the country for Zillow, which is the most visited Real Estate website online!

Give us a call 202.290.1313 so we can list your home the best way possible!

Monday, July 8, 2013

Finding a Good Buyers’ Agent in the DMV Area




Welcome back to our real estate blog!

We are the top team for Keller Williams in the D.C. and Maryland area. We also sell in Virginia! Today, I wanted to talk about the significance of finding a good buyers’ agent.

These days, D.C. is a highly educated area; people are very serious about engaging a realtor. We often find ourselves competing for the role of buyers’ agent.

When we talk with a possible client, we tell them without a doubt it is important to have an honest agent with integrity and who is competent. But that should just be your baseline. You want a realtor who is also extremely knowledgeable about the market, an agent who is passionate and learns as much as they can because they want to, not because they have to. That’s what sets us apart!

You also want a good negotiator, someone who truly understands how to get you as much as possible. A good buyers’ agent is highly motivated to make a buyer happy.

A good realtor will be an ambassador for you; they will represent you and your interests. And that buyers’ agent will have many extensive and positive relationships with people in your real estate market: consumers, agents, developers, etc.

I have a reputation among other agents that is fair and communicative, but I am still a bulldog on behalf of my clients. I am going to fight for you but do it in a way that doesn’t burn bridges, in a way that is ethical and fair.

We are ranked 11th nationally with Keller Williams which is the number one brand in the country!

Thank you for watching our video blog and give us a call at 202.290.1313 so we can get started and represent you in today’s market!