How I Best Represent My Home Sellers

As a real estate agent, I have an obligation to you my client to do everything I can to smooth the process of selling their home. I am your advocate, the professional you are turning to for help. I want to be the agent you can not only trust, but will do all I can to get the most money for your home in the least amount of time with the fewest headaches along the way.

Because some home sellers know so little about the sales process, it is easy enough to do the bare minimum and get by as an agent, but I will never build my business by doing the least possible. I will do my best – cover all the bases of a smart sales process – I will gain a reputation for great work, and enjoy the referrals that come along with that reputation.

Smart home sellers understand there is a big difference from so many of the “post and pray” real estate agents that do not much more than put a sign in the yard, place it in the MLS and pray. You deserve a lot more than this.

My job as a Realtor:

1. Price The Home Correctly.

Pricing a home properly is bar none the most important thing you can do as a Realtor. Exceptional Real Estate agents avoid giving in to the desire to say what will make sellers happy just to attract business. Top-notch Real Estate agents will price each home using their training, understanding of the market, and comparable sales.

Understanding how to price a home is one of my most valuable skills. I sell homes close to the original listing price. I have a reputation for pricing homes accurately and not telling you what you want to hear to get a listing. This is one of the lowest things anyone in my profession can do and violates the code of ethics we are supposed to follow.

As a seller, you should be aware that pricing a home too high can cause major issues in the sale. Buyers may avoid it, and if they avoid the home/lot long enough, it will develop a bad reputation. 

Even with a competitive price, buyers will be likely to low-ball you after a period of time. Ultimately you may sell the house for less than what you would have if you had priced it correctly, to begin with. The seller loses out, and the agent’s reputation suffers.

2. Market The Heck Out of The Property.

Marketing is one area where your Real Estate agent should shine. Your agent should be taking great pictures of the property – hiring a professional photographer if necessary. Photography on your home is absolutely one of the essential elements in selling homes today. I can tell you firsthand how appalling it can be seeing some of the photos real estate agents post of their client’s homes. What is probably even worse is the sellers who never bother to look!

The internet will be where home buyers discover your home. If the pictures of your home are lousy, you will lose out on a significant amount of traffic.

Your Real Estate agent should be well versed on how to get the word out using all available marketing channels, not just the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Ideally, your Realtor should have a website that draws traffic and showcases all their properties for sale. They should also be using social media, like Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, and other platforms, to spread the word. All of these online options take some time for an agent to develop, but will ultimately strengthen their business and help their client’s homes get sold.

The Real Estate agents marketing material should be top-notch, from photographs to videos to the brochures used to market the home. Investing in a quality Real Estate agent who understands how crucial the marketing is will reap substantial benefits.

3. Communicate Properly.

A seller needs to know what is going on with the sale of their home/land. I will regularly update my customers on the feedback from showings and about anything else that may concern them. Even if there are no offers, keeping in touch lets a seller know that you are doing something – and worth paying for.

I will return your calls or emails promptly.  In my mind, all phone calls or emails should be returned within an hour unless you are already with another client. There is no excuse for poor communication. Staying in touch is something all sellers have a right to expect from me.

4. Make Sure The Buyer is Qualified.

Anybody can say they are interested in buying a house. Not everyone can get pre-approval for a home loan, though. I will make sure that buyers are pre-approved – not just pre-qualified. There is a big difference between mortgage pre-qualification and pre-approval. 

Pre-qualification does not include an analysis of the buyer’s credit report, verified income, or employment, which will be key factors in whether they can get a mortgage.

A pre-qualification in most instances is not worth the paper it is written on. You want buyers who have already submitted all information, including a credit report and been given the go-ahead for a loan. As long as nothing changes with their financial situation or their credit, they should be able to get approval and buy your client’s home.

5. Negotiate The Best Terms.

I will go out of my way to fight hard for the best terms and conditions for you my client. This, after all, is what I get paid to do. I will never think about their pocketbook but what makes the most sense for you my client. 

I will advocate for my client, I will always strive for the best possible terms for the transaction. Everything in Real Estate contracts is negotiable, when warranted I don’t hesitate to counteroffer with a price that is more favorable to my client. I have the negotiation skills necessary to get the job done right.

If a client wants adjustments to contingency dates or closing times, these should be negotiated appropriately. A good agent will understand the real value of each element to the customer. Pushing to get clients everything they possibly can is what the best of the best do on a regular basis.

6. Finalize Loose Ends For Closing.

Selling a house involves a lot of work. There are so many little details that must be taken care of, which is one of the big selling points for my services. As the closing draws near, i will take care of all the loose ends for you. Taking care of the smoke & carbon monoxide detector certificate, final water/sewer readings and any other issues is part of the package I offer. I do more so you don't have to.

Selling a home can be very stressful, but when you have a top-shelf agent in your corner who is taking care of the little details, the burden can be eased just a bit. 

Final Thoughts

In summary, the traits you should be looking for in a real estate agent consist of these attributes:

• Honesty above all else. I will put YOUR needs before my own.
• Professionalism. From the dress to manners, I am the extension of you to everyone I encounter in the home sale journey.
• Excellent communication skills – I will stay in touch with you.
• Strong negotiator – I am a tiger, not a pussy cat.
• Creative marketer – I am not the agent that does the bare minimum. I have a comprehensive marketing plan.
• Exceptional company and personal reputation 
• Experience and proven results – I have the knowledge and expertise to guide you in unforeseen circumstances. 

        

 

Regardless of price point, our team is united in their efforts to support the client, support each other, and get the job done in the best way possible. Paula Higman Real Estate is a unique team of talented and diverse individuals with a passion for success and client satisfaction.

Contact Paula Higman Real Estate today and let us take this journey with you to marketing and selling your home for the best value, to the biggest luxury real estate market out there.

 

Ensure that you have the best representation when buying and/or selling. Contact Paula Higman Real Estate Park City at 435-602-8228 For a property tour and more information about Heber City and the surrounding areas.

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A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO REAL ESTATE INVESTING

Your time is the most valuable asset you have. This is one of the many reasons why real estate investing is so popular among shrewd property investors: once you find the right conditions surrounding a viable option, your purchase's value could easily skyrocket over the coming years. Here are a few factors to consider when buying an investment for the first time.

Before you invest

Before you begin even looking at properties, you need to turn your potential investment into a business venture, which means not listing it under your own name. This is for very simple legal reasons: if anything were to go wrong, you yourself as an individual need to be considered as a separate entity from your business so you can therefore protect your finances and your credit rating. Speak to a lawyer about setting up a Limited Liability Company or a Limited Partnership. Taking this step and opting for business insurance will help protect you from any costly legal processes.

What can you invest in?

You can roughly split the world of real estate investing into two types: commercial and residential. Residential real estate investment is where you either buy property to renovate or wait for its value to appreciate, or you can become a landlord. For the latter, you can either get involved as the first point of call for your tenants, or you can employ an agency or a manager to maintain the tenancy for you.

On the other hand, commercial real estate might be a row of shops or a mall, which you let out to retailers. It could also be a warehouse that you rent to a company for distribution, or just a storage unit – the size of your investment is up to you.

What do I need to know about the area?

The location you choose to invest in will affect the type of tenant you attract and how often your property is vacant. Look for an area with a low crime rate and where residents often remain in place for the long term. Areas with high-achieving schools are not only attractive to a certain demographic of tenant, but they also tend to yield higher rents. Amenities nearby also help to boost prices thanks to their ability to drive up local demand and maintain a lively market.

Finally, do thorough research on the state of the local market and taxation rates as a wise property investor. Even within countries, property taxation is not always fixed – for example, they vary significantly from state to state in the US. The number of vacant properties and listings provides an insight into the state of the local market. If there's an unusually high number, it’s worth checking if this is a seasonal issue or whether the local market has slowed over an extended period of time. If so, it's time to take your investment elsewhere.

How's The Market In Park City Utah.

1. Prices Will Continue to Rise

CoreLogic’s latest Home Price Insights report reveals that home prices have appreciated by 6.2% over the last 12 months. The same report predicts that prices will continue to increase at a rate of 5.1% over the next year.

Home values will continue to appreciate for years. Waiting no longer makes sense.

2. Mortgage Interest Rates Are Projected to Increase

Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey shows that interest rates for a 30-year mortgage have already increased by half of a percentage point, to around 4.5% in 2018. Most experts predict that rates will rise over the next 12 months. The Mortgage Bankers Association, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the National Association of Realtors are in unison, projecting that rates will increase by half a percentage point to around 5.1% by this time next year.

An increase in rates will impact your monthly mortgage payment. A year from now, your housing expense will increase if a mortgage is necessary to buy your next home.

3. Either Way, You Are Paying a Mortgage

There are some renters who have not yet purchased homes because they are uncomfortable taking on the obligation of a mortgage. Everyone should realize that unless you are living with your parents rent-free, you are paying a mortgage – either yours or your landlord’s.

As an owner, your mortgage payment is a form of ‘forced savings’ that allows you to build equity in your home which you can then tap into later in life. As a renter, you guarantee your landlord is the person building that equity.

Are you ready to put your housing cost to work for you?

4. It’s Time to Move on with Your Life

The ‘cost’ of a home is determined by two major components: the price of the home and the current mortgage rate. It appears that both are on the rise.

But what if they weren’t? Would you wait?

Look at the actual reason you are buying and decide if it is worth waiting. Whether you want to have a great place for your children to grow up, you want your family to be safer, or you just want to have control over renovations, maybe now is the time to buy.

If the right thing for you and your family is to purchase a home this year, buying sooner rather than later could lead to substantial savings.

        

 

Regardless of price point, our team is united in their efforts to support the client, support each other, and get the job done in the best way possible. Paula Higman Real Estate is a unique team of talented and diverse individuals with a passion for success and client satisfaction.

Contact Paula Higman Real Estate today and let us take this journey with you to marketing and selling your home for the best value, to the biggest luxury real estate market out there.

 

Insure that you have the best representation when buying and/or selling in The Colony. Contact Paula Higman Real Estate Park City at 435-602-8228 For a property tour and more information about Heber City and the surrounding areas.

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Pendry Park City Residences Modern Luxury on the Mountain.

Pendry Park City will be conveniently located in the heart of Canyons Village at the entrance to Park City Mountain. Construction is set to begin early summer 2019 and be completed for winter 2021.  Pendry Residences will offer a spectacular luxury ski-in, lift-out resort will be developed at Park City / Canyons Village, one of the largest ski areas in the United States

Scenic beauty, convenience, countless recreational activities and fresh air all rolled into one stunning destination - Park City, Utah.  It’s here you’ll discover a new Pendry resort rising at the base of Park City Mountain Resort in the heart of the revitalized Canyons Village.

Opening winter of 2021, Pendry Park City will be the ideal base for outdoor adventures in every season. Our prime ski-in/ski-out location offers 7,300 acres of exceptional terrain paired with all of the services of a luxury resort, including ski valet, Spa Pendry, fine dining and a rooftop bar and pool. During the warmer months, hiking, mountain biking, and outdoor concerts are equally enticing endeavors.

A modernist take on a traditional alpine lodge, the resort will feature 150 guest rooms and suites, along with fully serviced Pendry Residences Park City ranging in size from studios to four-bedroom homes. Pendry Park City beckons with views of the Wasatch Range, clean design and the coziest of beds. A mere 35-minute drive from Salt Lake City International Airport, this stunning mountain getaway is easily accessible from either coast.

The resort is being developed by Pendry Hotels and Columbus Pacific.  

Although I am not a member of the Pendry Sales staff, I do work hand in hand with them and can provide you with the most up-to-date information on Pendry Park City Residences. I would be representing you as an unbiased Buyers Agent on this development or other areas of Park City.  Contact Paula Higman - at 435.602-8228 for more information on Pendry Park City.

Quality Of Life - Reasons to Live in Park City

1.    Cost of Living: Moving from high-tax states like New York and California can reduce living costs substantially, especially given new tax laws. According to TaxFoundation.org, Utah ranks middle of the pack nationally (25th) for state income taxes with a maximum rate of 5%. For combined sales tax, Utah is 29th at 6.77%. As for property taxes, the Beehive State is 40th at an average of 0.65%. However, the property tax rate in Summit County (Park City) is only 0.463%. According to some back-of-the-napkin math, you'll get three- to four-times as much house for the money compared to LA's West Side. And property values appreciated 9.9% annually as of Q1, which ranks fifth in the country according to the FHFA.

2.   Education: The public school system is the best in the state, and Park City High School ranks in the top 2% nationally. Park City public schools let out at 12:30pm on Fridays so students can go skiing or participate in other sports. There is also Winter Sports School, a charter high school that operates on a reverse schedule to accommodate winter competition and travel. If private school is preferred, Park City Day School goes from kindergarten to eighth grade and has been under the leadership of Ian Crossland for the past year.

3.   Convenience: Salt Lake City International Airport is a 30- to 45-minute drive from town (no traffic), from where a flight to LA or San Francisco is about 1.5 hours. To accommodate growth, the Utah Department of Transportation has been widening highways, resurfacing roads and expanding traffic circles on a huge scale this year, all of which is well ahead of any congestion issues.

4.   Business Opportunities: The Beehive state is booming. The Salt Lake/Provo/Park City triangle, dubbed Silicon Slopes, is an emerging tech powerhouse. This is supported by two universities (the University of Utah and BYU) as well as big tech companies (Adobe, Microsoft) and several startup unicorns (Banjo, Domo, Qualtrics).

5.   All Four Seasons: Summers are actually better than winters. High temperatures average about 80 degrees F with low humidity. In early June, the aspen trees and wild flowers explode into bloom. Soon the mountainous landscape becomes a tapestry of rich greens that seem to glow as the sun sets after 9:00 pm on the summer solstice. Just 25

minutes away is the Jordanelle Reservoir, which supports boating, paddleboarding, wake surfing, fishing or just relaxing on a pontoon boat for the day. Lest I forget, Park City is home to seven golf courses.

6.   Mountain Biking: Park City holds the distinction of being the very first Gold Level Ride Center, deemed as such by the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA). "It all stems from a commitment to master planning," says IMBA's VP of Programs, James Clark. "The sheer miles of trails are fantastic, but what’s important is that they function as a cohesive network, with signage and trail connections that create a model riding area." That network includes nearly 500 miles of singletrack trails that appeal to all ability levels. Plus, Deer Valley runs the lifts for mountain biking and is continually building trails to expand its world-class bike park. 

7.   The State of Utah: Park City is one of many gems in a state full of natural riches. Utah is home to five of the premier National Parks: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, and Capital Reef — all within a few hours drive time. Renowned mountain biking and off-roading destination, Moab, Utah, is a five-hour drive and also offers access to rafting on the Colorado River. A little further and you can be in The Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, and Yellowstone National Parks.

8.  Some of the Best Ski Resorts in the World: At 7,000 feet above sea level, Park City has a year-round population of about 25,000 and is home to two ski resorts: Deer Valley Resort and Park City Mountain Resort. The former was voted the #1 ski resort in North America by SKI Magazine (2018) and is exclusive to skiers. The latter has the most skiable terrain (7,300 acres) in the United States and is open to snowboarders.

9.   More Amazing Ski Resorts: There are many more world-class ski resorts within an hour's drive: Alta, Snowbird, Brighton, Solitude, Snowbasin, and Powder Mountain to name a few. Not to mention Powderbird Helicopter Skiing, which picks up in town.