Another source for Information

Here is another source for Real Estate Information. It contains blogs from all over the country.
Industry Blogs

OPEN HOUSE

Yep got one today ... there goes my afternoon...lol

People ask about Open Houses all the time. Do they work? Why haven't you done mine recently? How did the Open go...did you get an offer?

Open houses have long been a staple in the REALTOR bag of tricks. Do they sell homes? Do Home buyers really come out? Of course and yes certainly.

But the truth is somewhere between the extremes. Most Opens do not result is a Sold Home directly. Most Home Buyers do not buy the Home they see in the open. But some do. Those that don't may become a client that buys another home. Many lookers are trying to get a feel for the market. Many are just nosy. Frankly I have yet to hold an Open that I did not get one Home Buyer from. But, alas, usually not for the home that was on Open House.

Basically selling real setate is a numbers game. Lots of exposure and more people through a house and eventually, all things being equal, an offer to purchase will be forth coming. Open houses are one way to get the exposure. Potential buyers are out and looking, getting ideas, learning about price and the market and interviewing (yes interviewing) a prospective agent. So in say 15% of the cases a person may write an offer on your home as a result of the Open. But in the other 85 they may write another offer on someone else. So if your Open House doesn't generate the lead... Relax the guy a block away at another Open is also looking and interviewing and that agent may just know the right property about a block away up the street.

Rain and Your House

Have a new home? Just selling your old home and buying a a new home? Well if you are watch out for rain!

Here in Wenatchee most Wenatchee homes and homeowners have little experience with rain. Then when we have a few days of rain like this week we can have unanticipated problems that may effect selling our homes.

Here are a few tips to selling your home that fall under the maintenance of existing homes.

Around the footings of your house it is a good idea to use gravel or river rock. This causes the water to take different paths to the ground and foundation helping keep things dry inside and looking nice out.

Homes in North Central Washington often experience snow and occasional rain. Gutters and down spouts help channel the water away from foundations. So be sure they lead away from the foundation and don't just dump all runoff onto a corner of your home.

Roofs... How old is it? We have lots of older shake roofs in the area. These can be problems if not properly maintained and if the are skip sheeted they can be quite expensive to replace... Especially if not maintained.

Real Estate info

Need more information on homes? How about buying or selling your home? Try this link and blog:
Real Estate Blogs Directory
- Directory of real estate blogs and blogs of industries affiliated with and
serving the real estate industry.