How is For Sale By Owner working for sellers?

Why is it that everyday more and more people are selling their properties by themselves? New sellers ask themselves this question everyday. Can I really sell my property by doing most of the work myself even though I know so little about this business? The answer is YES. With so many new technologies available for people out there you don’t have to go looking for buyers for your property. They come to you! Why? Because over 80% of the buyers use the hundreds of websites such as www.homekeys.net that are available for sellers to advertise their properties online.

The concept For Sale By Owner is not new but is it is certainly getting more popular everyday. Sellers are getting tired of having to may as much as 6% in order to sell their property knowing that they could do most of the work saving thousands in commissions. And this is even becoming more important in a down market as we all are trying to preserve our equity.

Visit our For Sale By Owner site or contact us at 1.888.333.9004.

Sell Direct with FSBO and Protect your Equity

It is difficult if not impossible to accurately predict where the market is heading. We, homeowners, cannot control the market but we certainly can do a better job in understanding what is going on so we can make "more intelligent and less emotional" decisions.
Here are a few lessons we learned from succesful for sale by owners :

1. Be realistic--- whatever happened 8 months ago does not longer reflect what is happening now. Those happy days for sellers are gone for at least for now; and nobody knows when these days are coming back.
   
   
2. Be aggressive and price to sell--- the supply is the highest in decades; thus you have a lot of competition. You need to understand not only what was sold "yesterday" but what is for sale today that is comparable to your property. Buyers have options and they will compare what you have to offer with other comparable alternatives. Be competitive and price your home at 5% below comparable listings. www.homekeys.net gives you free and unlimited access to all the information you need to price it right in several Florida counties including Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Orange and Hillsborough.
   
   
3. Sell direct and save commissions--- in addition to pricing ( the obvious!), you need to reach as many potential buyers as possible. Recent surveys show that over 85% of the buyers find their properties in the Internet. Yes, over 85% of the people and the number is growing! How to maximize the EXPOSURE is critical. Visit our For Sale By Owner site or contact us at 1.888.333.9004.

Demand for reverse mortgages on the rise

As recently as December 2007 the Senate committee on Aging spent time discussing the aggressive marketing and sales techniques being used by mortgage institutions to attract senior homeowners into purchasing reverse mortgages. As larger populations of seniors are turning 63 every year, the demand for reverse mortgage loans are on the rise. There was a 56% increase in these types of loan in 2006 from the prior year. The Federal government in December 2007 removed the restrictions to the number of outstanding reverse mortgage loans they would underwrite at any given time. Prior to the new legislation, the original limit was 275,000.

Many of the largest banking institutions are now getting involved including Bank of America who just recently acquired Reverse Mortgage of America, a division of Seattle Mortgage Co. This is one of many acquisitions occurring in the mortgage industry to capture a stronghold on the reverse mortgage loan market. It is this activity that has gained the attention of the Federal and State governments. Congress is exepcted in 2008 to put more laws into place that provide stronger protections and minimize the commissions and flat fees mortgage companies can charge per loan.

Compradores Europeos y Latino Americanos de bienes inmobiliarios se benefician del programa de reembolso de Homekeys

Homekeys se fundo en medio del boom inmobiliario en el 2004. Homekeys es basicamente un portal diseñado para brindar herramientas tecnológicas a los consumidores interesados en la compra-venta de una casa.

La idea es que el usuario del portal, ya sea vendedor o comprador, pueda encontrar toda la información que necesite para ''tomar una de las principales decisiones de su vida'' de una manera mas sencilla,rtapida y economica.

Gracias a las bases de datos disponibles en Homekeys.net, se pueden hacer búsquedas de casas en varios 67 condados de la Florida, incluyendo Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Orange , Pinelllas y Hillsborough.

Por ejemplo, Homekeys es el unico sitio que le permite analizar el valor histórico de la propiedad, su probable valor de mercado y toda la informacion relacionada con propiedades similares que senenecuentran a la venta. Una vez que el usuario hace click en el sitio, puede seguir el menú y acceder a los servicios de Homekeys. Los usuarios pueden vender su propiedad por su cuenta, pero también pueden recurrir a alguno de los corredores con licencia de Homekeys.net. Parte del modelo creado por Homekeys incluye un reembolso al cliente de por lo menos 50 por ciento de la comisión.En una casa de $200,000, por ejemplo, con una comisión de tres por ciento, ó $6,000, el cliente puede aplicarlos a los gastos de cierre. Homekeys fue la primera empresa en los Estados Unidos en ofrecer este reembolso.

Homekeys.net no es una oficina típica de bienes raíces y trata de cambiar el enfoque de búsqueda [por la internet]. Homekeys.net tiene 20 empleados y ha logrado ventas de $150 millones con un total de ahorros de $4.50 millones para los usuarios del portal.

Pese al desaceleramiento del mercado de la vivienda, Homekeys siente de nuevo que es un momento oportuno para innovar en la industria de los bienes raíces de la Florida, un estado que día por día recibe nuevos residentes, ya sean de Estados Unidos, Europa y Latinoamérica y el Caribe.

Visite nuestro sitio http://www.homekeys.net/ para obtener detalles de todas nuestras ofertas para compradores Europeos y Latino Americanos.

Reverse Mortgage Loans

I came across a cool site today called ReverseMortgageLoansUsa that appears to provide these types of loans nationwide. I have been asking my parents who are over 62 years old and on a fixed income to look into this loan before looking to refinance. I think it is a great product for seniors and the government is making sure it is safe. Check it out.

Florida Buy Owner and Homekeys can save you Money

Everyday I talk with more and more people in Florida who want to try using our Florida Buy Owner services first before committing to paying any Realtor a commission. I don't blame them. The thought of saving 6% is enticing and what do you have to lose when you first post your house for sale. The ByOwner branding has come a long way and has prominence on the web. It used to be that if your home was not listed on the MLS no one would see it. Today with sites like Google Base and For Sale By Owner dot com, you have access to thousands of people looking to save on buyer side commission. If you have time, what do you have to lose?

Florida ByOwner Programs save money

What makes a real estate transaction expensive is the commission. If there was a way to market your house to people without the need to spend 6% think of all the money you could save. At Homekeys we now have a partnership with Florida ByOwner. We are excited to offer Florida ByOwner packages and services on top of the great Flat Fee Listings we offer today. So if you have time to sell your home and want to try to save money on commissions, try our new Florida ByOwner option.

Is now the right time to buy a home in Florida?

Are you confused? You are not alone…we all are!
A quick read through today’s real estate headlines can be confusing. Depending on which expert you believe, the market is currently trending up, down, or heading toward the edge of a cliff.Don’t let the chorus of experts confuse you.
At Homekeys, we don’t report rumors, publish market forecasts or predictions. Instead, we try to offer practical advice to buyers. It’s true that many areas of the country are considered overvalued, including South Florida.
As you do your homework, keep in mind that:
General market conditions for home buying may be better – or worse – in one year than they are today. There are no guarantees.
It’s important to remember that buying decisions should be based on not only market conditions, but individual needs.
There are bargains to be had in all types of markets. If you’re intent on finding one, it’s a good idea to remember some important real estate fundamentals.
No one can be sure where the market is headed, so real estate speculation is best left to the “experts.”
Buying real estate for investment and buying a home are fundamentally different transactions.
If you are planning to buy a home as your primary residence and keep it for several years, you can significantly minimize your risk.
Just as the “bubble” varies from region to region, so will market corrections.
Timing the market is a risky strategy, particularly after several years of double-digit increases in home prices. And the closer to you get to the “top of the market,” the less margin for error!
A disciplined approach to buying can still make your dreams come true.
Visit us at http://www.homekeys.net/ for the most complete set of tools and resources required to buy faster, smarter and cheaper.

To Be ByOwner Or Not To Be ByOwner in Florida

The ability for a Florida homeowner to sell their own home directly (ByOwner) can mean huge savings at closing. It is hard to find a ByOwner company in Miami-Dade, Broward, or any Florida county that can help you sell your home for the least amount of cost to you and save you time with great local support. The reality of real estate is that marketing is everything. ByOwner marketing is a great place for people to start. Homekeys just added to its list of great seller products HomesDirect. The HomesDirect product gives people an opportunity to market their homes on the leading traditional and ByOwner websites. Home buyers need to know that you are selling your home and just how special it is. That kind of marketing does not have to cost you 6% if you just take the time to learn what options are available to you.

Homekeys / Redfin - High Tech Real Estate Moves In

60 Minutes produced a report about on-line real estate companies. Though Homekeys was not mentioned, Homekeys represents one of the first companies in the country to provide on-line real estate services such as Buyer Rebates and low cost MLS Listings. If your not sure how on-line real estate companies like Homekeys compare with their full service Realtor counterparts then watch this video.

http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=2796105n

Tech-Based Real Estate Won’t Lose Face

By Manuel J Iraola
CEO & President of Homekeys



The real estate industry is being changed by companies like Zillow, FNIS, RealEstateABC, Trulia, Redfin, ZipRealty and others including our own Homekeys.

All these companies have different business models but share a passion for change and the use of technology for the benefit of the consumer. From free and unlimited access to data, information and resources (previously the exclusive domain of real estate professionals) to significantly lower transaction costs and anything in between.

The incumbents appear to be concerned about the increased use of technology and how it will impact the traditional business model including the role of the real estate agent. With great conviction, the new entrants are pushing the envelope, innovating and preaching the consumer mantra to stake their claim in this $65 billion industry. This has become a fundamental area of debate and unrest within the industry participants, consumer watchdogs and regulatory bodies. No one is to blame, as each party is doing its duty to protect their interests. The answer, however, is being hinted by the consumers.

We believe the face of the real estate agent will be human but technology will be the heart and soul. Empowering technology will afford consumers a more active role in the transaction process, freeing the real estate agent to spend more time providing value with expertise, guidance and attention to transaction details.

Technology will never displace the human factor; it delivers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Consumers will conduct business on their time, not anyone else’s. They want to know that when assistance is needed, someone will be available in a reasonable amount of time. Whether that is on the phone, email, text message or web chat is not important. Physical access is not always required and not always desirable. Technology works when the consumer is empowered and has access to the people and resources they demand when they demand it. Access should not require anyone to leave the comfort of their home or office.

There will always be a role for the agent, yet there will be fewer agents and their roles will be different. Because of technology, the industry will become more transparent, more professional and more efficient. Today’s consumers are fiercely independent and technologically sophisticated. They have become increasingly familiar and comfortable with eCommerce and all sorts of “online social encounters”. Our clients grew up with toys like mobile phones, laptops, the Internet, blackberries, and companies like Google, Yahoo, AOL, Expedia, Ebay, Amazon, Realtor.com, Lending Tree and hundreds of others. They even date online and are willing to share their lives on blogs and in sites like My Space. These trends are expected to continue. Our industry, like all others, is completely reliant on its consumer base; does it seem logical to presume that it will be immune to these structural and permanent changes in consumer behavior?

Our industry is not immune. We will have to embrace change sooner rather than later. Agents will be challenged to keep abreast of the latest technological developments in a world of increasing consumer expectations. Technology will redefine the barriers of entry to the industry and its adoption will play a major role in the success or failure of the real estate professional. It should not come as a surprise that historically these barriers have been among the lowest of any industry. Technology will flush the pipeline. There will be fewer agents and their role will be less that of “matchmaker” and more that of “advisor”. Technology will bring down commissions but agents will net more because there will be fewer but significantly more productive agents.
Tech-based real estate companies will streamline and automate all processes that can be automated within the value chain. Short of conducting physical property inspections, consumers will be able to complete the majority of tasks online while relying on interaction with real estate professionals for their expertise when necessary. Online consumers can already conduct powerful map searches, estimate property values, get neighborhood info and comparable sales, view satellite images and county data. It may not be long before they schedule virtual viewing appointments and use ground level photography and advanced mapping to drive around the neighborhood. They’ll then walk around the inside of a home with their remotely conferenced agent and his counterpart asking their questions. If they like the home, they may proceed to virtually drive the comps.

Technology cannot longer be hoarded to perpetuate the existing business model and the traditional roles of agents. Other industries tried and failed because consumer expectations would not allow it. And life is too short to pursue regulation and legislation as the drivers to preempt competition.

Change is here to stay. Change fuels innovation and creativity and is a prerequisite for progress.

The companies and real estate professionals that provide and leverage technology will increase the value of “face-time”. Consumers will be able to take a more active role and the real estate professional will spend their time where they provide the most value: delivering expertise, guidance and attention to transaction details. Those companies will be rewarded by the consumer.

After all, it is always the consumer, who has the final word!

Face Time vs Technology

There are so many questions that surround technology and its continuous expansion. It seems never ending and that every month a new gadget comes into the market, or a new version of a current program is available. There are endless innovations and improvements. One major concern is how technology affects consumers.

Has technology put a dent in face time? Face time is an interaction a person has with another individual that is physically present. It is not a phone conversation or a written email. In today’s world where 7 year olds have cellphones, is it that important anymore to be physically there?

In order to buy or sell a property, has technology helped facilitate the process by providing tools and information that were never before available to consumers? Or is it hurting the consumer by withholding the face time provided by traditional Real Estate Agents in order to provide quicker and more informative service? Is face time only necessary for some transaction like buying a car, and not necessary for others like ordering a pair of shoes?

Has technology built a wall between people or provided more information to make better decisions? Maybe technology provided too much information…

There are countless answers and opinions to all these questions, but it is important to remember that technology has not yet reached its pinnacle. It has yet to achieve greater expectations and further break barriers. In the upcoming year, how will technology affect real estate?

What will websites like Homekeys, Zillow, Redfin and others do to support buyers and sellers and make itself stand out from each other? This is a question that has no direct answer, the only way to find out is to wait and see.

Jen

Resolutions in 2007

The New Year brings the availability of a re-do of sorts. The infamous resolution. Something we are going to change about ourselves or our behavior in the new year. Most people really don't take advantage of this gift and most people should.

For the resolution to be meaningful it must be personal. The classic resolution is going to the gym or going on a diet. Things that are meant to make ourselves feel better about us. Why not this year commit to doing something for someone else.

Your resolution does not need to be something you do all year long. It could a single day spent helping someone. Or it could be spending a weekend enjoying life with the ones you love.

Mother Teresa said that our first ministry is to our family. If that was our resolution this year think of the amazing things families could do all year long.

Here are my two resolutions for the year:
1. To put my family first, then others, and then myself. Every decision based on this simple premise that joy can only be found when we decide not to be selfish.

2. Show my children the love I have for their mother. Allow them to feel safe and secure in that knowledge.

Listen to your gut and take advantage of this re-do. It only comes around once a year.