Monthly Archives: September 2013

 

When I started selling real estate 20 years ago most people’s only Internet experience happened when their computer announced, “You’ve Got Mail!” Back then realtors were the only people who had access to information about houses for sell through the then-exclusive MLS (multiple listing service). If you wanted to buy or sell a house, you really needed an agent.

How things have changed! Now anyone with a Smartphone has all kinds of information at their fingertips via a multitude of real estate websites. You can instantly know when a property goes on the market, along with details such as sales price, square footage and photos of the master bath. With all this access to information, many people wondered if they still needed the services of a professional. They questioned paying hefty commissions when they could list and advertise their house directly to buyers online.

Of course, I disagree! The longer I am in this business, the more I realize how important knowledge, experience and personal relationships are to a successful real estate transaction. If you have doubts, here are my top five reasons why you need a real estate agent if you are selling a property:

1) We help you clarify and achieve your goals.
Why are you are selling now? What is your timeframe for closing and moving? Do you require any specific conditions or contingencies? What is your desired experience and outcome? By helping you define your goals, we can help you achieve them.

2) We analyze what’s special about your home and then target a buyer for it.
A home is more than the number of bedrooms, bathrooms and square footage. We identify what’s special about your home and then help you prepare and stage it to appeal to the person who will fall in love with it—and who will pay more than the person who merely likes it!

3) We help you price for your home to get you the most money.
Figuring out how to price your home is a balance of art and science.
Price it too low and you leave money on the table. Price it too high and you take the chance of it languishing it on the market. We can help you strike the perfect balance—considering both your goals and current market conditions.

4) You won’t save as much money as you think by selling your own home.
A typical real estate commission is 5-6% of the sales price of the house—but only half of that goes to the seller’s agent. It’s most likely that your buyer will have an agent who will expect to get paid, so you are really only saving half of the total commission. Also, costs like listing your property on the MLS, advertising it, lawyer’s fees to make sure your paperwork is in order, etc. add up. These are all the services that agents provide as part of the sales contract.

5) We are experienced negotiators.
Homeowners tend to be emotional about their houses, which doesn’t always bode well in negotiations, where last minute, trifling details can derail a sale. A good agent can help you navigate these problems with a clear head and bring the deal to a close that makes both buyer and seller happy.

Thinking of selling your home? Contact me and let me explain all the ways that I can help you.

Next week: Why Buyers Still Need Real Estate Agents.

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Announcing Dreyfus Sotheby’s International Realty

We are pleased to announce that Dreyfus Properties has partnered with Sotheby’s International Realty®. Since our founding in 2000, we have developed a reputation for exceptional local knowledge, a high level of service and the utmost integrity. As Dreyfus Sotheby’s International Realty, we can now also offer the advantages of a global realty network and the resources of an internationally recognized luxury brand.

With the strong tech economy, a robust Peninsula housing market, and steep rise in foreign homebuyers,the timing is right for this new affiliation,. Our team has witnessed a large increase in interstate and international buyers in the heart of Silicon Valley. In regards to this trend, Dreyfus Sotheby’s CEO and Broker, Michael Dreyfus said, “There’s a 50% chance the buyer will be in Palo Alto, and 50% chance that the buyer is international.”

With this new partnership, our agents are building global referral networks with other top agents nationally and internationally, in addition to continuing their robust local marketing efforts. “In a market that too often thinks provincially, it’s imperative to realize there’s a much bigger picture out there,” said Dreyfus.

“Our clients now can benefit from the Sotheby’s International Realty brand’s global marketing initiatives and media partners that can showcase our listings to an international audience,” Dreyfus said.

Sotheby’s International RealtyÒ has been expanding rapidly in recent years despite turbulence in the housing markets. With a focus on expansion into Asia and throughout the Pacific Rim, the global network now comprises more than 38,000 exclusive listings represented by over 13,000 sales associates in 631 branch offices throughout 49 countries and territories around the world.

Dreyfus Sotheby’s International Realty currently operates offices in downtown Palo Alto and Menlo Park. “We are connected to the fiber of our community.  The pace of our market places a high demand on our agents to be both extremely knowledgeable in the nuts and bolts of what they do, savvy in technology and perceptive of diverse world cultures,” said Dreyfus.

To best position our clients in one of the hottest, fastest moving markets in the country, we need to stand out on the web and connect with buyers around the globe. “Everybody’s on the web, but where are you on the web? There’s only one top of the page,” said Dreyfus. “Sotheby’s online marketing platform gives our listings better visibility.”

We’ve combined the best of both worlds for our clients: a nimble boutique with big company resources. “We’re like a startup that just got funding,” said Dreyfus.  “To serve our clients, we now have big company resources for tools and functionality, and a SEAL team agility in a collaborative environment.“