Archive for the ‘Marketing’ Category

Does Your Realtor Have What It Takes?

Tuesday, February 14th, 2017

Does Your Realtor Have What It Takes

Successful Realtors are skilled at wearing multiple hats.  The “best of the best” are not only knowledgeable and experienced in the nuances of their market, but they also have good business sense, fine-tuned instincts and the ability to lead a team of professionals working on behalf of the buyer or seller.   They have the ability to utilize their knowledge and experience to solve problems.  When there is a hiccup in your pending transaction or a delay in financing, you need to know that the Realtor quarterbacking the deal will have the right set of skills and know-how to get everything back on track.

A good business person utilizes a proven system based on “best practices” and ensures that all professionals and staff under their wing do the same.  At the same time, they need to stay flexible and adapt to changes when needed. The real estate industry is always evolving, especially in a fast-paced market such as Calgary.  The digital age has revolutionized the way we do business. In order to best serve our clients, all Realtors need to stay on top of the latest tools and trends.

Successful business people invariably understand the value of teamwork and they surround themselves with talented, hard-working team players.    When choosing a Realtor to represent your interests, look for someone who can lead a team and is confident enough to surround themselves with proven winners.  Look for signs of a cooperative work environment where individual strengths and skills are nurtured and utilized – where everyone is working together toward a common goal.

Finally, in deciding if a Realtor has the leadership qualities and good business sense to get the job done, do not forget the importance of good instincts and the ability to read and handle all kinds of people.  No matter how many deals a Realtor has closed, there are always new twists, turns and unforeseen circumstances.  The ability to anticipate the unknown and adjust accordingly is another mark of a good leader.

When choosing a Realtor, look for the “best of the best” – proven winners with in-depth knowledge of the local market and digital marketing, as well as the ability to motivate people, lead a team of professionals and anticipate problems before they arise.

Are you looking to Sell or Buy a home in Calgary and need someone who won’t rest until you’ve found your dream home or until your home is sold? I’ll work hard to earn your trust and to deliver exactly what you need. Contact me at 403-589-0004 or at TheHowardTeam.net.

About Bryon Howard

Bryon Howard and his team of Calgary real estate professionals sell an average of two homes a week. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 1% of productive realtors in Calgary. His aim is not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell a home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is a member of the RE/MAX House of Real Estate that leads in the Canadian market. Learn more about Bryon at TheHowardTeam.net.

Five Reasons to Hire a Realtor

Sunday, January 15th, 2017

Forget what you think you may have learned from watching HGTV.  There is nothing simple or routine about most real estate transactions.  Almost every home sale or purchase is accompanied by some complication that requires the knowledge, guidance and oversight of a trained, experienced professional.  So, before you consider going the FSBO route, consider these five top reasons for hiring a Realtor.

Realtors have access to all sectors of the local MLS data. – The general public can only access a small portion of the MLS information that is available to licensed Realtors who subscribe to the local MLS service.  Realtors, on the other hand, can view current and historical sales information and comparable sales data to measure market trends. This information is critical when it comes to pricing your home to sell for top dollar and finding the best home for you in the right neighbourhood.

It takes time to sell a house – lots of time. – Be honest.  Do you really have the time it takes to conduct open houses and arrange for showings on short notice?  Interested buyers will be put off if they cannot visit a home when it is convenient for them.  Today’s homes are marketed across multiple media platforms.  In order to compete with other buyers and sellers, you will need to utilize all available forums.  A professional Realtor is familiar with the process and prepared to market your home in the most efficient and effective manner.

Selling real property requires the services of a trained real estate professional. – Calgary is a volatile, fast-moving market.   Sometimes it seems that the rules and regulations governing our industry change as quickly as the market sometimes swings.  The paperwork alone is enough to drown a layman without proper training.  Think twice before treating the sale and purchase of your home – your most valuable asset – as a DIY project.  You would not try to take apart the engine on your new sports car without any mechanical training, would you?  Treat your home as the valuable asset it is and hire a professional to run the show.

It is very difficult to represent yourself. – The best negotiators are able to maintain complete objectivity at the bargaining table.  It is almost impossible to remain objective when emotion is involved and buying and selling homes triggers all kinds of emotions in buyers and sellers.  That is why you need a Realtor to represent you and defend your interests.

Successful Realtors work with a dependable network of professionals. – When you buy or sell a home, you will also be working with a small army of other real estate professionals – lawyers, mortgage loan representatives, home inspectors, appraisers and contractors – to name a few.  An experienced Realtor will have relationships with a network of proven professionals you can rely upon.  Even more importantly, your Realtor will serve as the team leader – pushing, prodding and cajoling when necessary to make sure your transaction receives the full attention it deserves from everyone involved.

In the final analysis, you are unlikely to save any money by foregoing the services of a Realtor.  Savvy buyers who do stumble upon your listing often feel entitled to deduct the cost of a commission from their offer.  Even worse, properties that languish on the market for too long become stale and subject to speculation about hidden defects.  In the end, sellers are forced to drop their price and accept less than the home is really worth.  Save yourself time, stress, and money and work with an experienced Realtor to achieve your real estate goals.

Are you looking to Sell or Buy a home in Calgary and need someone who won’t rest until you’ve found your dream home or until your home is sold? I’ll work hard to earn your trust and to deliver exactly what you need. Contact me at 403-589-0004 or at TheHowardTeam.net.

About Bryon Howard

Bryon Howard and his team of Calgary real estate professionals sell an average of two homes a week. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 1% of productive realtors in Calgary. His aim is not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell a home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is a member of the RE/MAX House of Real Estate that leads in the Canadian market. Learn more about Bryon at TheHowardTeam.net.

Do-It-Yourself Home Staging

Friday, December 16th, 2016

Home staging is a powerful tool in pulling in buyers and selling a home for the highest possible price.  It is all about creating a memorable first impression that will stay with homebuyers when they sit down to think about the homes they have visited. Professional home stagers do an excellent job in preparing properties to show, the added expense often brings a stronger offer.

Professional stagers may replace your furniture with updated trendy pieces that catch the eye of buyers. That being said… Here are a few do-it-yourself tips for effective staging – guaranteed to make your house stand out!

Let Your Light Shine

Buyers love homes that permit generous flow of natural light.  Pull back all curtains and window coverings and update light fixtures and lamps with newer, brighter, more energy-efficient bulbs.  Turn on all the lights for open houses and showings.  You don’t want buyers to think you are trying to hide anything.

Clean and De-Clutter

After a thorough cleaning of the house (inside and out) including closets, garages and storage spaces, conduct an exhaustive de-cluttering of the entire home.  This does not only mean putting away personal items, memorabilia and photos. All extraneous furnishings should be removed also.   The furniture that remains should be arranged in groupings to permit easy flow of traffic through the home.  Remember that the goal is to create a blank palate so would-be buyers can envision the home as their own.  Arrange for off-site storage of the extra belongings with a friend or at a storage facility.  Although it is a lot of work, the good news is that you will already be half packed when your house sells and it is time to move.

Send Your Pets on a Much-Needed Vacation

We know that you love your pets and think of them as members of the family, but the cold, hard truth is that everyone does not love them the same way you do.  If possible, make arrangements for pets to be out of the home during open houses and showings.  Many potential buyers are allergic or uncomfortable around animals and there is no bigger turn-off to buyers than unpleasant pet odors.

Focus on Curb Appeal

Make sure the lawn is cut and the bushes are trimmed.  Remove all dead flowers and then focus on the front entryway.  A fresh coat of paint on the front door framed with potted plants and flowers will impress buyers right away.   Do everything you can to make the home seem warm and welcoming.

Accentuate the Positive

Choose a room or focal point in your home that ranks among its best features and spend a little extra time and energy in staging that area.  It may be a fireplace or a state-of-the-art kitchen or an enchanting outdoor living space.  Remember what it was that made you fall in love with your home and then do everything you can to make sure buyers notice.

Home staging is all about taking control of that all-important first impression that buyers have upon walking into your home.  Follow these tips, take control and stage your home to sell!

Are you looking to Sell or Buy a home in Calgary and need someone who won’t rest until you’ve found your dream home or until your home is sold? I’ll work hard to earn your trust and to deliver exactly what you need. Contact me at 403-589-0004 or at TheHowardTeam.net.

About Bryon Howard

Bryon Howard and his team of Calgary real estate professionals sell an average of two homes a week. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 1% of productive realtors in Calgary. His aim is not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell a home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is a member of the RE/MAX House of Real Estate that leads in the Canadian market. Learn more about Bryon at TheHowardTeam.net.

First Time Investors in Calgary Real Estate: 3 Keypoints to Remember

Wednesday, September 14th, 2016

Strategies for First-Time Investors

Real estate investing can be a highly-rewarding enterprise for those who are willing to hang in through the inevitable ups and downs of the market.  As in any investment, there are certain risks involved.  The most successful players manage to mitigate the risks and maintain a steady course and “eye on the prize” mentality through down cycles.  Are you one of those people with fairly low-risk tolerance who wants to reap the benefits of real estate investing, but you are hesitant to dive in? If you are, here are a few strategies for dipping your toes into the market.

1. Buy a Condo to Rent Out

Calgary real estate has a large inventory of condominiums and a steady stream of qualified renters.  The condo sector of the market witnessed a noticeable price decline in recent months, following years of frenzied appreciation.  With the region’s economic forecast looking brighter, now might be the perfect time for a newbie investor to enter the market.

2. Build a Legal Secondary Suite in Your Home

Recent changes to Calgary real estate’s zoning by-laws have made it much easier for homeowners to create legal secondary suites within the existing footprint of their homes. Check with your Realtor or consult the city’s website to see if your property is eligible for a legal rental suite.  Then start planning your next investment with all the extra income you will derive from your new rental stream.

3.  Keep the old home for potential rental investment

New investors quickly learn that three-bedroom, two-bath starter homes make perfect rental properties.  So, instead of selling your beloved first home when it is time to move up, why not take advantage of the next big market upswing and hold on to it for a while in the hope of seeing some appreciation?  With the right tenant leasing the property for a few years, you can potentially generate income and equity.  This is a smart strategy for novice investors.

Real estate investing requires a goal-oriented strategy plus a little bit of patience.  If you provide the patience, Calgary Real Estate-by The Howard Team can help you overcome the first-time jitters and craft a strategy to launch your career as a real estate investor.

Are you looking to Sell or Buy a home in Calgary and need someone who won’t rest until you’ve found your dream home or until your home is sold? I’ll work hard to earn your trust and to deliver exactly what you need. Contact me at 403-589-0004 or at TheHowardTeam.net.

About Bryon Howard

Bryon Howard and his team of Calgary real estate professionals sell an average of two homes a week. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 1% of productive realtors in Calgary. His aim is not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell a home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is a member of the RE/MAX House of Real Estate that leads in the Canadian market. Learn more about Bryon at TheHowardTeam.net.

The Importance of Curb Appeal

Sunday, January 10th, 2016

The Importance of Curb Appeal

Potential buyers may be visiting numerous properties on a Saturday afternoon. As a seller, your first priority is to get them in the door. If your house’s curb appeal is not eye catching, they may simply decide not to stop at all. Your home’s curb appeal will always set the tone for what potential buyers expect when they first walk inside.

Most people’s buying decisions are based on emotional responses and the curb appeal starts the love affair or will end it before they even walk in. This doesn’t mean you have to completely overhaul the outside of your home for it to sell. Just pick a few exterior home improvements that will have the most impact and go from there.

Here are a few tips to add some curb appeal for your home to achieve a higher market value.

1. Add planters

Adding planters can go a long way toward creating the perception of a well-kept home. Planters can add colour to a porch or patio and are quit eye-catching.

2. Spruce up your driveway

The driveway is one of the first things a buyer will see, so it’s a good idea to freshen it up. Adding a sealer can refresh a tired driveway and is an inexpensive makeover that can be accomplished in a short time by almost anyone.

3. Create a welcoming porch

An empty porch can look stark and cold. If you have a porch large enough to accommodate furniture, set up a nice table or a bistro set for dining and lounging. It’s also a good idea to add some colour with plants in containers.

4. Repaint

Giving the exterior of your home a fresh coat of paint can do wonders for curb appeal. Try painting your house in the colour of homes in a more expensive neighbourhood. It’s a great way to create the perception of quality while doing something you probably already should have done.

5. Spring for new accent pieces

Adding a new mailbox, house light or house number is a cheap and cheerful way of updating your home’s exterior. Shops like Walmart and Canadian Tire usually stock simple yet stylish, well-priced options for these items.

Other simple things you can do are putting a fresh coat of paint on the front door, mowing the lawn, trimming the bushes, cleaning the windows, sidings and gutters, and add a wreath to the door to enhance that welcoming feeling.

Are  you looking to Sell or Buy a home in Calgary and need someone who won’t rest until you’ve found your dream home or until your home is sold? I’ll work hard to earn your trust and to deliver exactly what you need. Contact me at 403-589-0004 or at TheHowardTeam.net.

About Bryon Howard

Bryon Howard and his team of Calgary real estate professionals sell an average of two homes a week. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 1% of productive realtors in Calgary. His aim is not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell a home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is a member of the RE/MAX House of Real Estate that leads in the Canadian market. Learn more about Bryon at TheHowardTeam.net.

Growing Up Fast – How Calgary Is Keeping Up With Its Increasing Population

Tuesday, September 2nd, 2014

Bow Tower

If you thought Calgary already felt like a big city, stay tuned for what the future holds.  Over the next 50-60 years, analysts are predicting that the population of Calgary will double.  In a city that already accommodates 1.15 million residents, this is an enormous growth projection over a relatively short period of time.  In the next five years alone, an estimated 100,000 people will move into Calgary.

So how will Calgary handle its rapid growth, and still maintain all the desirable qualities that make this city such a popular destination?  According to the Municipal Development Plan, we can expect to see a progressive expansion of the suburban areas that surround the downtown core.  Proper planning and infrastructure development is crucial in a growing city.  Building desirable housing on the outskirts of the city will prevent congestion and alleviate strain on the current infrastructure.  By the year 2069, city planners expect that at least 50% of the residents in Calgary will live in outlying suburban areas. 

Improving the transit system has also been a priority for the city of Calgary, and the benefits are already being enjoyed by the people who live here.  Creating convenient and affordable transportation options is the only way to convince people to park their cars, reduce emissions, and turn to public transit as a convenient way to travel to and from work.  The CTrain now services 44 stations that stretch as far north as Crowfoot and Saddletown, and as far south as Somerset-Bridlewood. 

Like many other growing cities in Canada, affordable housing is an important issue.  If you were born and raised in Calgary, there is no doubt that you have noticed house prices increasing steadily.  Even the flooding couldn’t dampen the appeal of our local market.  However, compared to all major cities like Toronto and Vancouver, Calgary is still considered to be an affordable city to own a home.  House prices are much lower, and on average, household incomes are higher.  Calgary is a fantastic place to live, work, and raise a family.  As long as the city can continue to keep up with the growing population, the future of Calgary is bright.

Are  you looking to Sell or Buy a home in Calgary and need someone who won’t rest until you’ve found your dream home or until your home is sold? I’ll work hard to earn your trust and to deliver exactly what you need. Contact me at 403-589-0004 or at TheHowardTeam.net.

About Bryon Howard

Bryon Howard and his team of Calgary real estate professionals sell an average of two homes a week. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 1% of productive realtors in Calgary. His aim is not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell a home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is a member of the RE/MAX House of Real Estate that leads in the Canadian market. Learn more about Bryon at TheHowardTeam.net.

Seller’s Market In Calgary Real Estate: Tips to Know When Buying A Home

Tuesday, June 3rd, 2014
Peace Bridge Courtesy of Jeff Whyte Photography

Peace Bridge
Courtesy of Jeff Whyte Photography

There is no doubt that 2014 has unfolded so far as a seller’s market in Calgary.  Here are the reasons why

  • Inventory is low and homes are selling incredibly fast in Calgary Real Estate Market.
  • The value of real estate continues to increase in major cities across Canada, and Calgary is certainly keeping up with the pack. People who are looking for homes need to be prepared to act quickly.
  • With the reduced inventory of Calgary properties to choose from, it’s important to come forward with a serious offer to the seller; if you find the home that meets your needs and your budget.

Meanwhile, if the last few months have been any indication, it appears that inventory is slowly on the rise. Although it will take some time before we transition back into a buyer’s market, here are some tips to know:

 

  • If you are thinking of buying this summer, mortgage rates are sitting at record lows for yet another season. This makes a tremendous difference in terms of affordability; it can save you thousands of dollars over the course of your mortgage.

 

  • If you are thinking of buying in the next few months, it’s a good idea to speak to your Calgary mortgage broker and request a rate hold so you are ready to make a move when the right property comes on the market.

 

  • Keep in mind, a rate hold doesn’t require any obligation on your part, but it does give you the ability to determine your monthly payments more accurately. Particularly if you are a first-time buyer, choosing a home that fits into a monthly budget that you are comfortable with is important to meet your short and long-term objectives.

 

  • Whether you are planning on buying a home in Calgary, looking for your first investment property, or thinking of building the home of your dreams, you can make a decision with confidence. Calgary continues to a desirable and profitable place to invest.

This city has established itself on a strong foundation and the future is looking bright. So many people move to Calgary because they are looking for new opportunities.

Your next real estate opportunity could be just around the corner.

Are you looking to Sell or Buy a home in Calgary and need someone who won’t rest until you’ve found your dream home or until your home is sold? I’ll work hard to earn your trust and to deliver exactly what you need. Contact me at 403-589-0004 or at TheHowardTeam.net.

About Bryon Howard

Bryon Howard and his team of Calgary real estate professionals sell an average of two homes a week. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 1% of productive realtors in Calgary. His aim is not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell a home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is a member of the RE/MAX House of Real Estate that leads in the Canadian market. Learn more about Bryon at TheHowardTeam.net.

How to Sell Your Own Home

Monday, February 24th, 2014

bigstock-Sold-Home-For-Sale-Sign-And-Ho-4087920

It’s understandable that home owners contemplate selling their home themselves. Doing so would seem to save money and may look pretty simple; clean the house, put up a sign and do some open houses. For those home owners thinking about this approach, I’d like to provide some details you may not have thought about.

Know the market

First, pricing a house needs objectivity and excellent knowledge of the current market. What is the current inventory in your estimated price range? What are the prices of comparable properties? How long do properties stay on the market before they sell? Why are some houses on the market for a long time and others sell right away? Are there lots of buyers in the market right now? It takes all this information to price a house to sell in a reasonable amount of time and get market value for your it.

Stage your home properly.

Proper staging prepares a house to show from the buyer’s viewpoint, not the seller’s. Buyers are very influenced by their first impressions of a house, inside and out. It only takes seconds for buyers to get a first impression, a few seconds to look at the yard and the entry way, and another few seconds to get the feel of the house as they walk in and glance around. Staging is critical to capturing a buyer’s interest and making sure there are no major distractions. You may not notice where repairs are needed, but they will.

Hold open houses.

Once a house is ready to show, you need to have open houses that get traffic from interested buyers. You need to balance being available to describe your property’s attributes with leaving buyers to look on their own. Buyers can find it very awkward when home owners are in the house as they walk through.

Make your house is available to show for the convenience of buyers and their realtors, not for your convenience. That means making the house available during the day and during the week. Just nights and weekends won’t sell the house. When showing the house, be organized and relaxed. Plan ahead how you are going to handle showings and practice.

Evaluate offers.

As the home owner, you will be working directly with agents to negotiate offers. Receiving an offer is just the start of negotiations that determine the sale price and other important terms. You need to know how to evaluate buyers as well as their offers.

There is much more to selling a house than you might think. An agent knows all these details and represents the seller’s best interests — from setting the right price to negotiating the best sale. Before you decide to sell your house yourself, think realistically about all it takes to be successful. You might want a professional agent in your corner.


Are  you looking to Sell or Buy a home in Calgary and need someone who won’t rest until you’ve found your dream home or until your home is sold? I’ll work hard to earn your trust and to deliver exactly what you need. Contact me at 403-589-0004 or at TheHowardTeam.net.

About Bryon Howard

 and his team of Calgary real estate professionals sell an average of one home a week. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 1% of productive realtors in Calgary. His aim is not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell a home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is a member of the RE/MAX House of Real Estate that leads in the Canadian market. Learn more about Bryon at TheHowardTeam.net.

 

Should You Invest In A Condo?

Sunday, February 16th, 2014

 
 

bigstock-apartment-building-with-outdoo-48764642

Real estate investors who are considering condos as investments are entering a solid condo market. Condo sales have been doing very well in Calgary because of the migration into the area for jobs. No investment is a sure thing, though, and even in a good market, investors still need to do their homework. No matter what the market is like, I can offer a few tips based on my experience in this market.

Always do the math.

Every investor has a different set of financial circumstances and expectations. What you pay for a property is obviously a big factor. However, investment calculations need to consider mortgage carrying costs versus cash in the deal. Look at any tax implications in the short and long term. Plan how to handle utility costs and property taxes in establishing the right rental fee.

Have a good idea of how long you are going to hold the property and why.

This is important to factor into expectations for return on your investment. In the short term there is the cash from rental income but it takes time to build value from market appreciation.

As with any real estate, it’s all about location.

Know the neighborhood, current rental rates and who makes up the rental population. Some neighborhoods are in transition either up or down. Get details on the local rental market from your Realtor®.

Check too the economic trends outside the local neighborhood.

Those trends have a significant impact on neighborhood real estate, e.g., mortgage rates, employment figures and market stability.

Consider the pros and cons of new construction versus established properties.

With new construction, you can get a better price and staggered payments in the pre-selling phase of a condo development. Initially, you will have significantly low maintenance and upkeep costs. However, there is uncertainty in the final value of the property once it is finished. It’s good to know the track record of the builder regarding on-time completion and building quality. You will need to find tenants who are looking for new construction. Existing condos have a track record of income, and the sale price reflects this value. The characteristics of current tenants give you a good foundation for finding the right tenants for your purchase.

I have a lot of experience working with condo investors. Some have made good investments and others, not so good. I’m glad to put my experience to work in making the right information available to my clients to help them make the best business decisions.

Are  you looking to Sell or Buy a home in Calgary and need someone who won’t rest until you’ve found your dream home or until your home is sold? I’ll work hard to earn your trust and to deliver exactly what you need. Contact me at 403-589-0004 or at TheHowardTeam.net.

About Bryon Howard

 and his team of Calgary real estate professionals sell an average of one home a week. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 1% of productive realtors in Calgary. His aim is not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell a home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is a member of the RE/MAX House of Real Estate that leads in the Canadian market. Learn more about Bryon at TheHowardTeam.net.

 

Study Says Experienced Real Estate Agents Sell More, Faster

Monday, December 23rd, 2013

 

I came across this recent study by finance and real estate professor Bennie Waller of Longwood University, Virginia, published on the Journal of Housing Research in 2012, stating that experienced realtors sell 12% more homes and 32% more quickly, on the average, than inexperienced agents.

I was happy to get confirmation!

It seems that the adage practice makes perfect is true even in the real estate industry. According to Prof. Waller, “The more experience you have, the more likely you are to sell the properties that you list, the more likely you are to sell (them) at a higher price, and the less time (they stay) on the market.”

I believe experienced real estate agents have these three advantages.

Experienced agents generally know more.

Veteran agents tend to know more about the neighborhood, the market, what buyers and sellers typically need and want, and the entire selling and buying process. For example, veteran seller agents know what buyers are looking for and are aware of the competition, and they use what they know to stage, price and promote the seller’s house to sell fastest and at the best price. Veteran buyer agents know what’s a good buy and how to structure the purchase offer in terms of price, condition dates, closing dates, and even the length of time an offer should be left open, ultimately helping the buyer acquire the property for less money and under the terms and conditions that the buyer wants. A lot of this information cannot be had in a real estate course or from books, but is experiential and intuitive. In addition, veteran agents generally know more buyers and sellers, as well as good and reputable home inspectors, appraisers, mortgage brokers, and other key members of the real estate team.

Experienced agents are more confident about what they know.

 As veteran agents’ knowledge of their business comes not just from books or from other people but from their own firsthand experience over many years, they can hold their own in transactions. They can tell a seller who wants to sell his house at a ridiculously high price that it won’t work, and convince him to go with a more realistic price. He can tell a buyer if a crack on the wall is not a major issue and can be easily repaired, and is in fact a good thing because it will pull down the price.

Experienced agents can advise you through the many changes in your housing needs.

 Veteran agents are of course older and have gone through many changes in their lives and seen the same changes in the lives of others that impact their housing needs. As such, they can be a valuable resource for you as you go through your own life changes and even those of your family.

Everything has its season, though, and the rookies today will be the veterans of tomorrow. So I advise the rookies to go beyond seeing the veterans as the competition, to learning from them so that they could take over when the time is right.

 

Image Courtesy of  Calgary Herald

Image Courtesy of Calgary Herald

 

Are you looking to Sell or Buy a home in Calgary and need someone who won’t rest until you’ve found your dream home or until your home is sold? I’ll work hard to earn your trust and to deliver exactly what you need. Contact me at 403-589-0004 or at TheHowardTeam.net.

About Bryon Howard

and his team of Calgary real estate professionals sell an average of two homes a week. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 2% of productive realtors in Calgary. His aim is not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell a home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is a member of the RE/MAX House of Real Estate that leads in the Canadian market. Learn more about Bryon at TheHowardTeam.net.


Bryon Howard, RE/MAX House of Real Estate
20, 2439 54 Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta, T3E 1M4
Tel: 403-287-3880 (Re/Max) or 403-475-7368 (office) Fax: 403-287-3876 or 403-276-8049 (office)
The data included on this website is deemed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate by the Calgary Real Estate Board
MLS® MLS REALTOR® Realtor
Trademarks used under license from CREA