Articles - 2008

A Silver Lining, Really

Dec 31, 2008 - Chris Kaucnik, Marketing Director for Home Warranty of America, Inc. We know you might prefer not to, but remember back to 2008. We're talking about November-ish when NAR came out with its 2008 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. Maybe you glanced over the survey numbers; maybe you didn't because you had better things to do. But, after a review, we've found a real silver lining for real estate. It may even be the harbinger of how our futures might begin to shape up again in our neighborhoods and communities.

Healthy Humidity and Your Home

Winter generally brings very low humidity to our homes and the extreme dryness can cause health and other problems. Here we discuss some ideas on how to combat both low and high humidity in your home. We feel the most comfortable when our home's humidity level is between 35-50%. Keeping your home at the correct humidity level will also save you energy and reduce maintenance. Too little humidity and you can have chapped skin and lips, scratchy throats and noses, static and even problems with electronic equipment and damage to furniture.

You Need to Know the Details of the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act

Nov 4, 2008 - by Chris Kaucnik, Director of Marketing for Home Warranty of America and Michael J. Greenen, CPA, CFP

Part II: Show & Sell: Tips You Can Use From Retail Sales

Aug 26, 2008 - The War the Roses Lost - Humans can discern about 10,000 smells! Remember Cleopatra? She placed layers of rose petals on her palace floors to entice Mark Antony. She knew the power of scent and got that part right, but according to recent studies, the scents that most attract men are pumpkin pie and anise. Well, she didn't have our science or pumpkin pie.

Deal or No Deal? Negotiating Tactics to get you the sale!

Negotiating the offer can be a real estate professional's most daunting task. Good negotiating skills are a must for every agent because according to The 2006 National Association of REALTORS Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, the second most important reason why a homebuyer uses a REALTOR is to help them negotiate the terms of the sale. You are the professional and your number one priority should be to negotiate the best deal for your clients.

Show and Sell: Tips You Can Use From Retail Sales

Jul 29, 2008 - Yes, a home is a large asset, not a coffee maker or an impulse purchase, but employing the innovative techniques we discuss here, adapted from retail strategies, can help you achieve your goals and your client's.

Can You Green a Home on the Cheap for a Faster, Higher Sale?

Offering something unique and timely can always help sell a home more quickly and possibly closer to the listing price. Aside from the usual home staging techniques, implementing some easy, but key energy and water saving options too might just do the trick! Savvy buyers will ask what utility costs are or to see actual bills, especially in older homes, and be impressed at measures taken to reduce those costs.

Become a Renaissance REALTOR -Turning Prospects into Clients

The home buying market is blossoming into a new challenge for real estate professionals; several generations are now simultaneously buying homes for different uses. Real estate professionals taking the first step to getting ahead in the market are embracing a unique opportunity to hone their marketing skills. To reach a specific generation successfully it is essential that a REALTOR understands the real estate needs, wants and values of the four home buying generations.

Secrets to Staging the Outside to Get Them Inside!

Apr 23, 2008 - By: David Sobel, VP, Sales - You've had that experience with a client where you drive up to a house and they don't even want to go inside. It's an immediate "un-appeal." You may know the inside of the house shows much better, but you just can't convince them to spend the time to even go inside. In today's market where lots of choices in housing are available to the buyer, why should they!

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