Thursday, November 4, 2010

Join Our Top 100 Buyers List

After doing this job for as long as I have, there is one thing that never seems to change as far as buyers are concerned. Buyers are kind of reluctant contact an agent while they are in the looking stage, but once they are ready to buy, they want the best possible help they can get from a knowledgeable real estate agent.

We would like to provide exactly that to those of you who are now in the mood to find a lake home, cabin, or lot! And we would like to get to know you -- and your needs -- a little ahead of time.

Almost every time I end up talking with a truly motivated buyer, they are extremely happy that I ask numerous questions to help them narrow down the types of properties, lakes, and structures that fit their needs best. That is what I know how to do best, just like the questioning done by anyone who is an expert in their field. We all appreciate knowing we are working with a true specialist, no matter if it is an attorney, shoe salesperson, doctor, hair stylist...or a Realtor.

From what I have seen in various reports, the average Internet real estate shopper spends between 12 and 20 months searching online for properties that might fit their needs. In fact, most Internet shoppers aren't even really searching; that is still difficult without the full MLS information -- especially with lake properties -- because the public tends to get less information than Realtors do. And please don't blame that on the Realtors themselves...it is mainly due to the local real estate boards choosing which information to let out to all of you, along with limitations from many of the third parties who actually transfer the data.

So if you want to search various fields like: sand shoreline, elevation from cabin to the water, size of lake, which direction the property faces -- even sometimes the address...and numerous other criteria -- you just don't have that capability. You get to see things like numbers of bedrooms and baths, square footage, and other insignificant things pertaining to lake properties. Lakeshore buyers have needs that the average buyer isn't concerned about, and those public searches on various real estate company websites really don't give them what they want!

As a company, our agents enjoy working with buyers who are somewhat motivated and need our help. That is what they are here for, and that is how they get paid for their efforts. If you just like looking at properties to get an idea of what prices are, you can probably handle a lot of that yourself on the other end of this computer screen -- and it works pretty well for that purpose.

So this is what I would like to offer:

If you are really interested in purchasing some type of lake property fairly soon, then let us see if we can be your guide. If you join our Top 100 Buyers List (limited to 100 buyers), you will not only have a waterfront specialist working directly with you to narrow down the criteria that truly fits your needs, but you will have ongoing listings coming to you that are EXACTLY what you have specified. You will even be provided with current comparable sales on an ongoing basis to let you know what kind of activity is going on in your desired market. Isn't that the type of service you would expect from a true specialist?

And...you can stop having auto-emails sending you junk, day after day!

The big problem with the real estate industry is that it is pretty easy to get into. A few weeks of classes and a short test get you a license. And obviously all agents have to start somewhere, but that might just be the person you get ahold of on the phone when you decide to finally make the call about seeing a particular lake property day.

If you want to make sure of having expert representation and advice throughout the buying process, YOU need to take control of your own destiny by creating a relationship with an agent who knows your needs ahead of time!

We want a 100 good buyers who actually want our specialized knowledge...no more. When we find a lake place for one of them, we'll let the next one on the list in. If you are just really looking around for now, the Internet can probably help you just about as well, because you won't be ready to review all the information we send you anyway.

It may sound harsh, and even against typical Realtor etiquette, but I would rather be a valuable asset to one serious buyer than an "email friend" to a bunch of shoppers. And I think the agents at Lakehomes.com Realty feel the same way.

So you can join our list today and get the best information possible on lakeshore listings for your specific needs at no cost, updated as new ones come on the market. Just fill out our Contact Form or email Top100@Lakehomes.com.

We look forward to you being one of our Top 100 Buyers!

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Opting Out of the Recession

I recently saw a news article about a Twin Cities company that decided to opt out of the recession, and it seemed like they were growing faster than most any other company around these days. I'm not even sure what their business was, but I think it had something to do with technology, Internet, web stuff, or something like that. But whatever they do, it is probably the philosophy of the CEO that makes things move ahead...no matter the external forces.

We can't hide the fact that the real estate business is in a terrible funk right now. And those of us who go into the office each day hoping it is going to change are going to get sore butts from waiting for that to happen. I know I have a little pain now and then!

I have to admit that it is hard to be fired up when everyone is kind of down. But I still see a fair amount of people that understand there are opportunities on the horizon. In fact, just today I talked with an attorney and real estate investor who feels things are getting pretty tasty out there on the buying side, and that may start to become more prevalent. Sometimes it just takes a whack in the side of the head to see some opportunities.

Although I think it is crucial to be knowledgeable and experienced in short sales, foreclosures, and distressed properties of all types -- if nothing else than to help a lot of people out of their difficult situations -- I would like to think of myself as a specialist in helping anyone interested in buying or selling waterfront properties...no matter the state they are in. That is the way most of my agents see themselves as well.

I don't know if I can entirely opt out of the recession even if I choose. The market is what it is, and there is not a lot we can do about that.

But hopefully, my agents and I can keep educating buyers and sellers on the reality of today's waterfront market, and help them through opportunities on both ends. That is what we have done best for years...and we would like to continue with that tradition.