Why Is Listing FSBO a Bad Idea?

There are a variety of opportunities in the Central Pennsylvania real estate market for both buyers and sellers. If you're a prospective buyer click here for a full home search, or if you're considering placing your home on the market, get a free home value report, right here.

According to the National Association of Realtors, the average for sale by owner home sells for $210,000. The average sale price for a home that is listed by a licensed agent? $249,000. That’s a full 20% increase.

Our team has worked with many FSBO homeowners who have failed to sell their home using this method. They listed on their own because they believed they would net more money, but they were wrong. It’s a huge misconception. Here is why you will net more money when you list your home with us.

First off, you’ll receive much more exposure than you ever would have been able to get on your own. We cover advertising costs and strategic marketing planning for your home so you don’t have to. We have countless resources to show off your home including buyer-friendly sites, social media outlets, virtual tours, and more. What this does is decrease the time we need to find the perfect buyer for your home.

You’ll save money and hassle by hiring an agent.

We all know that time is money. We have been able to save our customers thousands by selling their homes quicker than they could have on their own. In addition to money, we also save you the hassle. We can protect you from bargain hunters and others who like to prey on FSBO sellers because they know they can get away with it.

Our listing agents are hired to represent you and only you as a seller. They can provide valid data and trends to show you why you should expect to sell for a good price. We will also save you the hassle of dealing with unqualified buyers. All the buyers looking at your house will be qualified and approved for a mortgage. 

Finally, we have top-notch negotiation skills. We know the many components of the transaction are full of details, so sellers need a representative looking out for their best interests. We can help you determine what is fair and what is not, because we are dealing with this market on a daily basis.

These are just a few reasons why hiring a team like ours will give you a distinct advantage over selling on your own. While it’s true that you will have to pay a commission, the money you net in the end will be higher because you’re working with a group of professionals who know how to get the job done.

If you have any questions for us, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you.

The Key to Having a Safe AND Spooky Halloween

There are a variety of opportunities in the Central Pennsylvania real estate market for both buyers and sellers. If you're a prospective buyer click here for a full home search, or if you're considering placing your home on the market, get a free home value report, right here.

When night falls, a cast of creepy characters can help turn your home into a landscape that is equally frightening and enchanting! To welcome trick-or-treaters in hair-raising style, turn your porch into a bat cave or use other spooky props to celebrate the season!
We've put together this short list of tips so you can celebrate this spooky season in style, while ensuring the safety of those who come to your door:

• Don't use live flames: When decorating your porch, avoid using live flames. Instead, use LED and battery operated candles to get the same effect!

• Make sure electric cables are safely out of the way: You don't want children tripping over wires and cables when they come to the door, so make sure they're tucked away.

• Optimize your lighting: Make sure your walkways are lit well and free of obstruction. The last thing you want is someone taking a tumble on your property.

• Remove obstacles: Leave enough room for children to walk up to your door without tripping on decorations. 

• Buy a ton of candy: Make sure you buy the big bags of candy so you don't have any disappointed trick-or-treaters. 

• Check your kids' candy: Before letting your children eat their hard-earned candy, make sure the wrappers have not been opened and all the treats are safe to eat.

• Wear a costume: If you're going to be answering the door for trick-or-treaters, you might as well join in the fun! Dress up to show you're welcoming and like to have a bit of fun as well. Halloween is a holiday for kids and adults, so don't be afraid to pretend a little!

We hope these tips have been helpful to you. Thanks for checking out our blog, and we hope to hear from you soon!
Have a safe and fun Halloween!

Tips to Remember the Names of New Acquaintances

There are a variety of opportunities in the Central Pennsylvania real estate market for both buyers and sellers. If you're a prospective buyer click here for a full home search, or if you're considering placing your home on the market this spring, get a free home value report, right here. Is it time to refinance? Click here!

Do you have a problem remembering names? Most of us have forgotten someone's name and felt pretty awkward about it. Today I wanted to share five simple tips for remembering names. 

1. Greet and repeat. When you first meet someone, repeat their name by saying something like "Nice to meet you Jake!" Then make an attempt to use that person's first name throughout the conversation without being too mechanical.
2. Spell it out. If the name is unusual, ask the person to spell it out for you. Sometimes visualizing the letters will help you remember. If a name could have a variant like Kris and Chris, make sure you ask.
3. Card them. Ask for a business card and glance at it while you speak with the person to create another visual reference for your memory.
4. Associate your associates. If they have the same name as a close friend or a family member, make a mental note or picture for easier recall. You can also associate them with a celebrity or character with the same name; take a second to visualize it. 
5. Rhyme all the time. "Jen from Penn" or "Phil on the hill" or "Mary owns a dairy" are fun ways to improve your recall of names. Find something to rhyme their name with - it’s not hard.

Ask for a business card and glance at it throughout the conversation.

One of the main reasons we forget names is because we're busy and have too much going on in our minds. Once you start to engage more fully with new people you meet, the little details will improve your name recall rapidly.

I hope you find this topic as helpful as I did. If you have any questions for me about Harrisburg real estate, give me a call or send me an email. I'd love to hear from you.