In today’s hot market, it’s more important than ever to choose the right agent to help you buy or sell a home.
Real estate agents don’t just offer local expertise—their insider knowledge and marketing prowess come in handy, too.
Thinking about making a move in the new year? Contact us to start planning now!
Here Are the Top 10 Qualities Every Successful Real Estate Agent Should Have
Did you know that 75% of buyers and sellers work with the first agent they meet? It’s true—but that doesn’t mean it’s the best decision. If you want to come out on top in today’s competitive market, experts often recommend interviewing a few candidates before settling on the right real estate professional for the job. And if you’re not sure where to start, we’ve outlined 10 qualities of a highly successful agent.
Listing alerts send new home and condo listings straight to your inbox as soon as they hit the MLS, and they’re the easiest way to keep up with the competitive market.
Listing alerts aren’t just useful for buyers—they can also help sellers stay up-to-date on other current and sold properties in their neighborhood or complex.
Signing up for listing alerts only takes a minute, and you can always contact us to schedule a tour if you see a property you love!
Why Every Buyer and Seller Should Sign Up for Listing Alerts
Today’s real estate market is more fast-paced than ever—in fact, it’s not uncommon for a place to sell above asking price not long after it’s listed. So if you’re serious about buying, you need a to-the-minute resource to help you stay ahead of the competition.
This is where listing alerts come in handy. Just use our fully customizable filters to narrow down your search, and you’ll receive an email right when a condo or house matching your criteria hits the market. And if you’re thinking about selling, you can also use listing alerts to scope out the competition in your area.
Want to learn even more about the benefits of signing up for listing alerts? Here are three additional perks that every buyer and seller should know about. Continue reading →
Many of the dynamics seen in 2021 will carry through into next year’s housing market, but at a much less frenzied pace.
As remote work becomes a more permanent, widespread option, Millennials are taking advantage and entering the real estate market.
We’re ready for another seller’s market. Like last year, there isn’t time to waste—contact us to start planning now!
What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know About the 2022 Housing Market
In the final few weeks of 2021, both home buyers and sellers look forward to what lies ahead in 2022. We can help build your strategy to stay competitive! Don’t wait for the real estate market to heat up during the spring and summer. Here’s what you need to know to get ahead of the competition next year.
First-time home buyers can overcome the challenging market
Just Listed! From the convenient circular driveway to spacious and flowing interior with new flooring – this home is designed for entertaining and hosting friends and family. Featuring:
4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2 car garage
2,548 sqft
3.26 acres
Eat-in chef’s kitchen with large center island, granite counters, stylish backsplash and white shaker cabinetry
Cozy wood fireplace in living room that opens to kitchen
Large, bright and open sunroom
Large deck overlooking fenced backyard and woods beyond
Spacious primary suite with 2 closets and ensuite bathroom
New luxury laminate flooring through hall and primary bedroom
Easy walking distance to Sherwood Park with trails, pond and beach
To schedule a private showing or learn more about 49321 Wear Rd, contact the real estate specialists with The Bouma Group at 734-761-3060 or info@bouma.com today!
SOLD! Live worry free in this spacious Earhart Village home with an amazing, tree-lined and private backyard! Featuring:
4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1 car garage
2,063 sqft
Fully updated kitchen with gorgeous quartz countertops, stylish Carrara marble backsplash, and stainless steel appliances, including a double oven convection range
Cozy gas fireplace in family room with built-in bookshelves
Large deck overlooks private backyard
Bright and open living and dining rooms
Freshly updated half bath
Upstairs primary bedroom has double closets, ensuite bath and scenic views of the backyard
Full basement with lots of storage space and an egress window
As a seller, you have to consider which home renovations are worth spending the additional time and money on before you list.
The local market is starting to shift towards buyers, so now is the time to sell your home before prices flatten out.
Lean on our expertise to determine which projects will increase your return on investment—we have the seller resources you need to enhance your home sale.
Does Your Home’s Right Buyer Want a Move-in Ready Home?
Many sellers are wondering whether they should sell their homes as-is (without any improvements) or delay listing their properties to complete some renovations. With the upcoming market shift, it’s important for sellers to consider which improvements are worth spending additional time on before listing. And while there is no surefire answer, we always recommend relying on your listing agent’s expertise to navigate the home-selling process.
Your listing agent should have insight into the right buyers for your particular home, so consult with them to ensure your property is catering to its target market. According to Rocket Mortgage, the average price of a move-in ready property is $250,495, compared to the discounted $199,819 price tag of the average fixer-upper. So if you’re a homeowner wondering if renovations will attract more buyers, the answer is that it really depends on how much time and effort you want to put in. And while we can’t predict what every buyer’s preference will be, we do have some strategies to determine if certain projects are worth the selling delay.
SOLD! From the soaring vaulted ceilings to the gleaming wood floors to the open and flowing floorplan, this home is perfect for entertaining and gathering with friends and family. Features include:
5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 3 car garage
3,792 sqft
Light-filled great room with fireplace and cathedral ceilings
Gourmet kitchen with granite counters and large center island
Entry level primary suite with walk-in closet and ensuite bath with dual vanities, separate shower and jacuzzi tub
Dedicated office/den space
Fully finished lower level features 5th bedroom, full bath, recreation space and storage space
Large patio overlooks private backyard backing to wooded area
Selling your home is a chance to maximize your equity, so you owe it to yourself to find the perfect listing agent.
Searching for a listing agent is just as important as your home search, so make sure to meet with at least three candidates before making a decision.
We’re telling you the must-ask questions to track down a listing agent—and now, you can put our team to the test when you list your home with us!
Home Sellers, Don’t Settle For Second Best
Many sellers are under the impression that any listing agent can sell their home instantly for the best possible price—but that’s simply not the case. Did you know that 77% of home sellers only contact one agent before listing their home? When it comes to trusting someone with your biggest investment, it’s crucial to do plenty of research to find the right fit. And you should never settle for second, which is why we recommend meeting with at least three agents before making your decision. We’ve outlined some must-ask questions to help you track down the perfect listing agent!
What’s your marketing plan?
The best way to sell your home is to expose it to as many prospective buyers as possible, which requires a strategic marketing plan. Ask potential agents about their specific marketing tactics, and you can even have them provide examples from past clients. Just listing your home online and scheduling an open house shouldn’t be the extent of an agent’s marketing plan. As agents who have crafted masterful marketing plans ourselves, we have the data to target your home’s most likely buyers—and even more importantly, we know exactly how to reach them.
How long have you been working in real estate in my area?
Almost every agent can boast “decades of combined experience” when it comes to their team’s time working in the real estate industry—but what about selling homes in your specific area? Real estate isn’t the same everywhere, which is why you should choose an agent who is local to your area. This way, you can be confident knowing that your home will be competitively listed in comparison to other properties in the area. And if your agent happens to also work with buyers in the area, then they may be able to direct them to your listing!
How many active clients do you work with at one time?
One of the most important things to analyze about your potential agent is their availability. When asking about an agent’s active clients, you want their answer to fall within a sweet spot range—not having many clients can be a red flag, while trying to sell too many properties at once may mean they can’t provide the personalized experience that you deserve. Working with around 10 to 15 clients at once is pretty standard and should still allow for plenty of one-on-one time between you and your potential agent.
Tell me more about your pricing strategies
As a seller, you want to choose an agent who can deliver a top-dollar home sale. A seasoned agent can determine the value of your home in a snap—during your first meeting, go ahead and give them details about your property and ask them for a competitive list price. By doing this, you’ll be able to gauge the agent’s pricing expertise on the spot and ensure they give you a realistic amount. A qualified agent will take into consideration other recently sold homes in the area and ask about any renovations you’ve completed.
And finally…what’s your specialty?
While many listing agents have ample experience across the board, many also specialize in certain types of real estate. Whether it be new construction or luxury properties, it’s crucial to see whether an agent’s specific skill set aligns with the features of your home. And don’t be shy about requesting a sold portfolio—this way, you can see if any of the agent’s sold listings are similar to your property.
Use Our Local Expertise—List Your Home With Us
When it comes to selling your home, choosing the right agent matters more than you think. If you want to work with professionals who know the local market better than anyone else, then you should contact one of our listing agents. We have a wealth of cutting-edge seller resources, in addition to our unparalleled passion for earning our clients top dollar on their home sales. We’ve clued you in on all the tough questions to ask, and we’re more than ready to share our expertise with you! Contact us today at 734-761-3060 or info@bouma.com!
