Like everyone, I've set some new year's resolutions as we embark on 2011. A lot of my resolutions related to good health and happiness, but many more have to do with my real estate business.
BLOG MORE!
Yes, I promise to blog more in the new year. I let the craziness of listing homes, marketing them, negotiating offers etc. take over and it didn't leave much time for writing. No longer! And if you notice my blog has gone quiet, feel free to send me a friendly "Kick in the butt" via email.
LIST MORE!
Last year I had more listings than I ever expected, and almost every single home closed. I worked with a few buyers, but didn't find the experience as satisfying. I'm realizing my true loves and skills are in marketing homes so that's what I will focus on this year.
ASK FOR MORE REFERRALS
Many of my favorite clients last year came from referrals from friends and family. What's more, I think I can confidently say all those "friends of friends" ended up very satisfied and glad they worked with me. So, won't you help me keep this resolution (and build my business!) by referring a friend, neighbor, family member to me?
KEEPING IT COOL and ENJOYABLE
This year, I noticed so many agents get nasty attitudes, stress out their clients and fellow agents unnecessarily, and make the home selling process unpleasant. When it's so not needed! I vow to keep my clients insulated from these crabby agents and continue to keep it positive.
HAVE A SUGGESTION?
Have a suggestion on a good resolution for me? Email me at maryfranceslaganke@howardhanna.com and I will try and feature it on my blog!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Monday, October 25, 2010
Home Sales Are Up!
The crazy busy fall market has made me (and a lot of my clients) convinced that the house sales are improving. News out today from the National Association of Realtors confirms it. Existing home sales were up 10% in September. Wow!
Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the NAR, said the housing market is in the early stages of recovery. He said the recovery will be choppy but the general direction of home sales will be positive as buyers react to the low interest rates and relative affordability.
Opportunities abound in this marketplace....NOW is the time to buy or sell. Don't wait until interest rates go up and the competition gets stiffer come the spring market.
Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the NAR, said the housing market is in the early stages of recovery. He said the recovery will be choppy but the general direction of home sales will be positive as buyers react to the low interest rates and relative affordability.
Opportunities abound in this marketplace....NOW is the time to buy or sell. Don't wait until interest rates go up and the competition gets stiffer come the spring market.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Don't Miss It -- Children's Free Care Fund Luncheon on November 4
Save the date and please plan to attend our Pepper Pike office's Howard Hanna Children's Free Care Fund luncheon on November 4 at Garfield Memorial Church behind our office. Now in it's 22nd year, the "Chow Chow" lunches (as some call them) raise money to assure children aren't denied medical care. Over the years, Howard Hanna has raised more than $6 million for this important cause. Come to our lunch for just $5 and enjoy a great buffet, raffles and holiday shopping with a variety of vendors. Call me and I'll send you a free ticket! 216.470.6799
Monday, October 11, 2010
Getting Ready for Winter
Taking care of your home through the seasons is important. It keeps your house looking young and healthy, and will you more years of enjoyment. And it means it will be in better shape when the day comes that you call me to list and sell your house!
The following tips recently ran in a Plain Dealer article:
Chimney - Have it cleaned and inspected each year before using it.
Gutters - Keep cleaning them out during the fall so leaves don't create a blockage. Do a final removal and even hose them out before winter comes. Clogged drains are a major source of ice dams and can lead to big problems
Windows - You have until the end of December to take advantage of the $1,5000 tax credit for new energy-efficient windows
Furnace - Have it cleaned and tune annually
Pipes - Frozen pipes are a nightmare! Make sure water from inside your house to your outside hoses is shut off and drain the lines. You might even wrap and insulate any pipes that are near external walls.
Alarms - Always make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working. I want to keep you around long-term as my client and friend!
The following tips recently ran in a Plain Dealer article:
Chimney - Have it cleaned and inspected each year before using it.
Gutters - Keep cleaning them out during the fall so leaves don't create a blockage. Do a final removal and even hose them out before winter comes. Clogged drains are a major source of ice dams and can lead to big problems
Windows - You have until the end of December to take advantage of the $1,5000 tax credit for new energy-efficient windows
Furnace - Have it cleaned and tune annually
Pipes - Frozen pipes are a nightmare! Make sure water from inside your house to your outside hoses is shut off and drain the lines. You might even wrap and insulate any pipes that are near external walls.
Alarms - Always make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working. I want to keep you around long-term as my client and friend!
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Don't Let Negative Press Get you Down!
Lately, it seems the media been running so many negative stories about the housing market. These articles were mostly based on housing sales numbers from July. As you know, the federal tax credits expired the end of June, causing an all time high for closings. So the huge bubble in June caused a natural run down in closings in July and August. The media also neglected to report that prices for the fourth straight month had gone up nationally.
So, lots of negative news from the media, but things look positive from my vantage point. Our Howard Hanna Pepper Pike office is on a roll! When you look at our 2010 activity compared to 2009 -- we are higher in everything--units, volume, higher average prices. For example, average closed price in 2009 was $307,366 but our average YTD is $310, 259. We listed 273 homes at this time last year; 340 this year. And we've closed 269 homes, versus 227 at this time last year. Call me if you need a dose of positive news to offset the depresssing media!
So, lots of negative news from the media, but things look positive from my vantage point. Our Howard Hanna Pepper Pike office is on a roll! When you look at our 2010 activity compared to 2009 -- we are higher in everything--units, volume, higher average prices. For example, average closed price in 2009 was $307,366 but our average YTD is $310, 259. We listed 273 homes at this time last year; 340 this year. And we've closed 269 homes, versus 227 at this time last year. Call me if you need a dose of positive news to offset the depresssing media!
New Real Estate Sales Tax - Fact or Fiction?
Have you heard the rumors of the alleged real estate sales tax, supposedly part of the new health care bill? Word on the street is the new tax will make all real estate transaction subject to a 3.8% sales tax.
Rest assured, this rumor is NOT TRUE! The health care legislation does contain a variety of new taxes and one of them can be influenced under certain circumstances by a sale of real estate. But it's pretty complicated and unlikely to affect most real estate transactions.
Rest assured, this rumor is NOT TRUE! The health care legislation does contain a variety of new taxes and one of them can be influenced under certain circumstances by a sale of real estate. But it's pretty complicated and unlikely to affect most real estate transactions.
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