February 9, 2012

Role Of Real Estate Agent In Vacation And Second Home Markets

real estate agent
Real Estate Advisor asked:


Second home sales have been increasing over the last few years with more people becoming second home owners. In 2005 alone, 40 percent of the homes sold were second homes. Demographics, all time low mortgage rates, and healthy rise in home prices have contributed to this development in the second home market. Besides these, a major factor that has helped augment the buying and selling of second homes is the real estate professional.

The National Association of Realtors conducted research on the profile of second-home owners in 2006. According to the NAR report entitled ’2006 Profile of Second-Home Owners’, a majority of second home sales transactions are conducted using the services of real estate agents.

The statistics are remarkable; 64 % of vacation home buyers purchased their home using the services of a real estate agent by the end of 2005 – a marked increase from less than 50 % of vacation-home buyers in 2003. Also, 65 % of investment-home buyers purchased their home with the help of a real estate agent – an increase from 53 % of pre-2003. In comparison, only 14 % of vacation-home buyers and 7 % of investment-home buyers purchased directly from builders from 2003 to 2005.

The growing role of the real estate professional is evident from the following figures:

1. Of vacation home sales made, 71 % of them were second homes and 74 % of the sales were made using the services of a real estate agent.

2. Of the investment properties sold, 85 % of them were previously owned and 62 % of the sales were made using the services of a real estate agent.

The use of real estate agents in second home sales transactions varied according to the home’ location.

1. Buyers used a real estate agent more frequently while purchasing a vacation home located in a suburb/subdivision (56 %) or a rural area (57 %) than for homes in other locations.

2. About 66 % of buyers who purchased an investment property in an urban/central city area or in a suburb/subdivision, used the services of a real estate agent more frequently than those who purchased a home in other locations.

Real estate professionals continue to be the first source of information to second-home buyers (38 % of vacation-home buyers and 34 % of investment-home buyers). The real estate professional also plays a major role when second-home owners plan to buy additional properties. If you are thinking of buying a second home or vacation home, seek out the services of a real estate agent to guide you through your next home purchase.

1. The percentage of second home owners who are more likely to use a real estate agent in their next home purchase is quite high. Among vacation-home owners it is 79 % and investment-home owners 73 %.

2. Among second home owners, 65 % of vacation-home owners and 64% of investment-property owners are more likely to use a real estate agent in their next home sales.

Given these statistics, it is no wonder that the real estate agent plays a pivotal role in helping people buy and sell second homes. So whether you are a second-home buyer or seller, enlist the services of an agent for a smooth, hassle free real estate transaction.



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Real Estate Websites, are a Realtor’s Best Friend

A majority of potential home buyers use the net to find homes. As an agent, if you do not have an effective real estate website to promote yourself, you are missing out on valuable leads.

Think about it, print advertising can be very expensive, and direct mailings are time consuming in addition to the cost.

However, once you set up your website, it will be working for you each and every day, getting you business. Many potential customers will start with a search on their favorite search engine. .

Email is a great resource for Realtors too. It keeps you in contact with many clients, and helps them stay informed regarding new listings. There are many programs that allow you to set up automatic email responses. This means that clients can fill out a quick form detailing what they are looking for in a property, and emails will be sent out to them every time a new property meets their criteria. It saves them search time, and they feel they’re receiving quality service. This also helps you build a database of email addresses for you to send marketing materials to.

With just a little time to set up, your website will bring you business all day, every day!

Real Estate Agents, Build Refferals from First Time Movers

We all know that moving is essentially a process of change, whether it is from the perspective of a buyer or from that of a seller.

If you help first time movers, this will help you create a good working relationship with your customers. Apart from the satisfaction of helping them, you may receive more business from referrals and your first time movers will probably want to use your services again. [Read more...]

4 Essential Real Estate Negotiation Tips For Home Buyers

1. Determine The Seller’s Motivation Level

Is the seller really motivated to sell the property? In real estate investing, dealing with someone who does not really want to sell their property is a waste of time – you should forget about them and move on, no matter how promising the deal might look like.

2. Inspect a property before making your first offer

It sounds like common sense, but never, ever make an offer before a close inspection of a property. This will put you on the back foot throughout whole negotiation process! Also, don’t let the seller force you into making your offer RIGHT AFTER the inspection, it’s best to wait 24 hours to prepare your final offer.

3. Have more than one offer in mind

Try not to enter negotiations with only a one offer. It’s best to make sure that you come to the table with at least 3 offers.

4. Make the best offer to the seller while leaving

If you and the seller can’t reach an agreement, try this simple trick: make your final offer standing at the door. First off, this way you give a clear sign that the seller can’t hope for a better deal. Then, this puts the seller on notice that you are about to walk away from the deal – he or she may not like your offer, but there is no guarantee that the next real estate investor will give the seller better terms. This can often make the seller more receptive and accept your proposition.