Zillow Re-Works Their Paid Leads

I suppose if you're new in the business you could pay for leads. I suppose if you don't do a lot of business you could pay for leads. I guess if you don't have a strong data base you could pay for leads.

(I've never done it. Just an FYI.)

But, what I don't get is why a consumer would need to find a realtor off a website....that the Realtor paid to be on that site?

Sometimes I go on a listing appointment and another agent gets the listing. Sometimes a friend wants to refer a buyer to me but the buyer has a friend that knows a friend that has a Realtor friend as well.

You see, everyone knows a Realtor....don't they? There are quite a few of us. If you don't know one personally, just ask a friend or co-worker, a neighbor, another trusted professional.....someone will know someone that they think is awesome.

Zillow has some great portals for advertising. Some are free, which I feel are valid (I hope they are). Some agents pay for. 

I pay to market my properties, not myself. I market myself based upon my clients experiences with me. I ask them to write reviews on Zillow, some do, some get caught up with their life and move. I still adore all my peeps....even those that don't get a chance to write the review.

Anywhohow, just read an article this morning that the paid leads are supposed to get better for the Realtors paying for them.

Ugh, I don't even like that word...'leads'.....ah, if consumers truly knew.....do you?

Story of the Week ~ Before & After

I was out showing homes over the weekend....yeah, I know, nothing remarkable about that, right? We saw about a 1/2 dozen. Liked one best, just submitted an offer on it on behalf of my clients!

Usually a listing agent will ask for feedback when their property has been shown. Not as often now since it's such a hot market they sell faster than you need to hear what the buyer had to say.

Once of the properties was really cute, but my clients were more interested in a larger single story home so we took a pass. The really cute one we passed on has been on the market over 100 days. Unheard of right now. Since they weren't interested, I didn't bother to try and figure out why.

But, the seller is also a Realtor so he called me to ask how the showing went......and, I gave him more info about why I thought he was having a tough sell.

Price? Seemed pretty right on. Presentation? Very cute, not cluttered, was clean. BUT, he had the dining room set up as an office, and the family room set up as the dining room. Which, some people just can't see beyond that. They think there is no family room, or the dining room is too small. I did tell him I felt the backyard was a little confined but you can't really do anything about that.

While I was on the phone with him I went online and looked at the listing again....and saw the worst thing ever....only FOUR listing photos were in the MLS.....FOUR! And, they were definitely not done by a professional.

Seller/Realtor was very receptive to my suggestions...of course....he knew he'd dropped the ball a bit with the photos. Wondered where the heck he'd put his office. Anywhere but the house I told him!

I'll be curious if I see some great new photos up soon!

Maybe like this:

Nah, not really. He just needs a couple tweaks & pro pics!

We shall see!

Buy Now or Buy Later?

We all should realize that we're expected to have the interest rates go up several times this year. I can barely keep track of where they are on a weekly basis. My poor preferred lenders are hammered with an hour by hour update of rate changes!

Reason for this post? Buy today, don't wait til next year. See this little chart from California Association of Realtors, it's black & white! Well, it's in color, yes....pretty lilac's, yellow, and blue! Crystal Clear explanation though.

I tell my buyers all the time, the first two years will be tight. Then as their earnings go up, their mortgage payment stays the same....finances start to feel more comfortable.

On the above chart.....you'll have to make more money just to afford the same house next year. You'll definitely be behind the 8 ball as they say.

I know there's not a lot of inventory. I know prices seem high. But, you wait...it's just going to cost you more.

My two cents.

Santa Clarita & Surrounding Communities Sales Activity May 1st 2018

Right at this moment, in SCV and it's neighboring communities we have 509 active listings. That's up 70-ish since beginning of April. Let's party! Just kidding...I'm too old for that!

Spring season definitely brings out more sellers! I was scrounging around in Acton recently, they have quite a few active homes for sale. But, hit Valencia/Saugus.....hardly any.

Location, location, location. Absolutely, positively the biggest part of home sales.

So, with 509 Active  encompassing Acton to the East, Newhall to the South, Castaic to the North, & Stevenson Ranch to the West....what's happening with sales?

Currently we have 522 under contract & in the last 30 days we've closed escrow on 310 properties.

Just keeping you informed. As always, if you have questions about what your home is worth, where the market is going, anything I can help you with, just ask. I'm available to help you with all of your Real Estate needs.