Providing good customer service. Such a simple concept and a necessity in today’s customer centric on-demand world. Yet it seems to be somewhat of a unique and sometimes hard-to-find skill in business. It is both art and science. Customer service plays an essential role in basically every industry, which is why companies holistically need to embrace customer service in an integrated way for it impacts their bottom line. In the real estate industry, the quality and value of customer service – from real estate agents, brokers, brokerages, teams and companies alike – must be strong, concise, authentic, integrated and memorable in order to be successful and market aligned.
People are always asking how they can get more money for their house when they put it on the market. While some of the things that determine your home’s value are out of your hands (location, age, layout), many buyers are willing to fork over a little more when certain upgrades have been made. Below are some suggestions for projects and improvements that can increase your home’s resale value.
Invest in Energy Efficiency
It’s the 21st century, and green is the name of the game! Not only do energy-efficient updates help protect the environment, they also save you more money by reducing utility bills. Now we’ve all heard of those little energy-saving hacks like unplugging your phone charger and washing your clothes in cold water — but those aren’t the kinds of things that are going to add value to your home. If you want a greater resale value, you have to think bigger. Consider one of these upgrades:
All mobile phones and tablets used for business should be password-protected. Even better, use bio-metric authentication, such as a fingerprint or face scan, which cannot be replicated. Bio-metrics also make a strong password for apps.
Use a password manager to generate and store a different password for every account.
Know which data and apps are on a device and remove any apps that are not necessary for business. While the user may see a functioning app, like a flashlight or game, in the background, the program may be secretly sending information to a third party. Domingo Guerra, co-founder and president at mobile security firm Appthority, refers to these apps as “hospital gown” threats. The programs appear to be legitimate upfront and are even distributed in the major app stores, but they have a security gap in the back end. To be sure, only install apps from reputable developers and services, such as the Apple App Store and Google Play.
House relocation can be stressful, time-consuming and expensive affair especially if you have lots of items that need hauling over long distances. However, you can make the process easy by planning and getting help from the right sources. Here are five tips to help when planning a relocation.
Plan Early
When you start preparations early, you have all the time you need to put everything in its right place for the relocation. Make a checklist of things that need to be accomplished each week and give timelines to each activity. Tick each activity that you complete.
Waiting until the last minute might prove expensive, labor intensive and stressful. Do not underestimate the effort and planning required in house removals. Start early to be ready when time comes.
So, you own a home that isn’t selling, or something else is keeping you from selling it, but you still want to add some extra money to your budget. Renting out is a reasonable option many homeowners who won’t or can’t sell choose. Although renting out your home or a part of your home is a relatively easy way to earn extra cash, not everyone is capable of doing so. There are several things you should take into consideration before putting your home on the market as a rental property.
With back-to-school season upon us, we’re putting together some fun staycation guides for you and your loved ones so you can enjoy some fun and relaxation in your hometown without needing to plan an entire vacation. Here are some ideas for what to see, do and eat in Kansas City for the perfect local staycation.
In a recent report, Freddie Mac compared the homeownership rates of two groups of seniors: the Good Times Cohort (born from 1931-1941) and the previous generations (born in the 1930s). The data shows an increase in the homeownership rate for the Good Times Cohort because seniors are now aging in place, living longer, and maintaining a high quality of life into their later years.
This, however, does not mean all seniors are staying in place. Some are actively buying and selling homes. In the 2019 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report, the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) showed the percentage of seniors buying and selling:
Highlights from NAR’s report:
Buyers ages 54 to 63 had higher median household incomes and were more likely to be married couples.
12% of buyers ages 54 to 63 are first-time homebuyers, 5% (64 to 72), and 4% (73 to 93).
Buyers ages 54 to 63 purchased because of an interest in being closer to friends and families, job relocation, and the desire to own a home of their own.
Sellers 54 years and older often downsized and purchased a smaller, less expensive home than the one they sold.
Sellers ages 64 to 72 lived in their homes for 21 years or more.
Bottom Line
According to NAR’s report, 58% of buyers ages 64 to 72 said they need help from an agent to find the right home. The transition from a current home to a new one is significant to undertake, especially for anyone who has lived in the same house for many years. If you’re a senior thinking about buying or selling a home, call Team Nest Builder’s Lynn Garafola today to help you make the move as smoothly as possible.
Originally published on tapinto.net. by Lynn Garafola.
Selling your home is a huge decision and there is a lot to consider and prepare before and during the process. It is important to know what is involved and what it will mean for you. Realty Executives are experts in the home selling process. Use this exclusive Home Seller’s Guide to help walk you through the process from start to finish in preparation for selling your home.
Buying a home can be a fantastic investment, but it also comes with its fair share of responsibilities, obligations, and financial strains, especially if you’re considering purchasing a home with someone else. While it’s very common for married couples to purchase homes jointly, it’s also not uncommon for people to purchase homes with those they aren’t married to, though this does have pros and cons. Here are some helpful questions to ask yourself when considering buying a home with a significant other, friend, or relative.
The Great Lakes are a great place to visit and
an even better place to live. From affordable housing to outdoor activities and
excellent school districts, the Great Lakes region of the U.S. offers so much
that there is no reason not to consider these states when looking to purchase a
home. Here’s what makes the Great Lakes so special (and why you should move
there, too).
