What about Questions to ask a real estate agent when wanting to hire them to sell your Santa Clarita real estate?

Whether you are looking to hire a real estate agent to sell your home or represent you as a buyer.  There are some “common sense” questions that you will want to ask when it comes to hiring them.

Here are most of the Questions to ask a Real Estate Agent in Bullet form – follow along with the video for explanations for each.

• How long have you been a Full Time Realtor in ____________(insert city of interest)?
• How many homes did you sell within the last calendar year where you represented the Seller?
• What was the average marketing time for those listings before they entered escrow?
• What was your ratio of list price to sales price?
• What is the market share of your real estate brokerage?
• Do you have a personal assistant?
• Where are you in the Internet Search Results on Google(organic) and for what Keywords?
• How do the majority of buyers search on the internet for homes that are for sale in ____________(insert city)?
• Where does your website show up on Google/Bing?
• Do you have your own personal real estate website? (where does it rank on Google and for what keywords? – show me)
• Do you Blog? (where does it rank on Google and for what keywords? – show me)
• How will you use Social Media to help sell my home?
• Do you do a virtual tour and where does it get uploaded to?
• When buyers call on my listing – do they always speak directly with you?
• How do you get the “feedback” on my home from the other agents that showed it?
• Will you advise me on home staging or what I can do to make my home the most presentable to buyers?
• Will you be attending all of the events with regard to inspections and appraisals on my home personally?
• Are you going to verify that the buyer is qualified to purchase my home before we get into contract?
• How much do you charge?  Why?
• If I were to call your company and ask the office manager what type of agent you were, what would they say?
• May I terminate my contact when I desire if I am unsatisfied?
• How will I be able to contact you?  How long should I expect a call back within – 10 mins?  1 hour?  Next day?
• What about Text Messaging and email?  Do you use those types of communication portals?
• When a person calls on my home from the sign or from the internet, are you the agent they will be speaking with all of the time?

Enjoy the video – it is a long one – but well worth it when you are deciding on who would be the best to list and sell your home as a regular(standard) sale or a short sale. (yes, even as a short sale!)

Call us for an interview if within our Radial Comfort Zone – Santa Clarita and Beyond!!!

I will tell you that my “in box” has been found by many an electorate and those are not limited to the Santa Clarita Valley  

I know, we are not Big Time, but we are fun and our backgrounds make for interesting conversation.

Tune in this Wednesday at 12:30pm.  During this time,  you can call in to listen at (805) 727-7098.

After the show’s conclude – check them out at our Santa Clarita Business blog.

We will talk about the Santa Clarita Valley. The happenings.  The businesses.  The cops.  The firemen.  The Teachers.  The Deputies and the Civilians.  Anyone that Calls the SCV their home.

We also talk about things that are not on the worn and “beaten” path. Sushi, Tofu, SEO and Internet Optimization.  Where did you buy your last car and how were you treated?  When was the last time you were told you gave someone a “life changing” moment?  Thinking back – What has been your BEST “Level 10 Day” to this point in your life?

If you want to call in during our show – between 12:30pm and 1:15pm – depending on the call volume, we would be happy to hear from you. (call in instructions below)

If you have questions about real estate, bad agents, good agents, or the agents that you wish you had never tied up with, we will be your shoulder to cry on.
Keep it clean, I want a fair fight and don’t forget to use mouthwash and only to floss the teeth you want to keep
The show is not pre recorded and live during Wednesdays between 12:30pm and 1:15pm. Call into (805) 727-7098.

Also, if you are a more tech type person – have a look at the chat room during the show times – Mondays from 12:30pm and 1:15pm… ​ To Get to the chat room – go to Paris911.com and type in the words — Radio Chat — into the MacBoX.​

Tune in and let us know if you wish to join in the “conversation” on the SCV Moves Radio Show.

After the Show, you can listen to past episodes right here at our Santa Clarita Business Blog.

805-727-7098

That is the call in number – All we need is a quick heads up – Thanks for Reading and Listening!!!

Watch this youtube video showing how to search for the good neighbor listings.  Click the link below the video to go to the page that was being reference where you can find the good neighbor listings that are currently for sale in California.

Click here for the Good Neighbor Program Listings!

We just completed the latest Intel gathering session for the cities that compose the Santa Clarita Valley.  Have a look below and if you want to search for anyone of the specific property types – click on the individual headings.

BE Safe and let us know when we can help you.

Your New Foreclosures alert, Paris911′s Santa Clarita Bank Owned Real Estate Alert, found a match.  

Stage Radar ID Street City Zip State Type Sq Ft Beds Baths Sale Date Est. Value Est. Bid

Bank Owned 517365572 31775 AVENIDA DEL SOL 5 CASTAIC 91384 CA CND 1678 3 3.00 02/09/2012 $235,086.00 $160,000.00

Bank Owned 23806977 27944 TYLER LN 441 SANTA CLARITA 91387 CA CND 934 3 2.00 02/17/2012 $130,862.00 $104,850.00

Bank Owned 992003b 28320 SIERRA CROSS AVE SANTA CLARITA 91351 CA SFR 2016 3 3.00 02/17/2012 $288,977.00 $188,574.66

Bank Owned 39560907 28220 ALTON WAY CASTAIC 91384 CA SFR 2247 3 3.00 02/17/2012 $397,327.00 $333,000.00

Your New Foreclosures alert, Paris911′s Sold to Third Alert for Santa Clarita Valley CA, found a match.

Stage Radar ID Street City Zip State Type Sq Ft Beds Baths Sale Date Est. Value Est. Bid

Sold to 3rd 782927b 27226 HIDAWAY AVE CANYON COUNTRY 91351 CA SFR 982 3 2.00 02/16/2012 $226,458.00 $186,500.00

Sold to 3rd 23968664 21664 SPICE CT SANTA CLARITA 91350 CA CND 1776 4 3.00 02/16/2012 $320,575.00 $0.00

Your New Foreclosures alert, Paris911′s Pre-Foreclosure Alert for Santa Clarita Valley CA, found a match.

Stage Radar ID Street City Zip State Type Sq Ft Beds Baths Sale Date Est. Value Est. Bid

Preforeclosure 516968280 25735 THURBER WAY STEVENSON RANCH 91381 CA SFR 2168 3 3.00 06/12/2012 $488,509.00 $545,942.00

Preforeclosure 507411279 27636 PRIMROSE LN CASTAIC 91384 CA CND 1386 3 3.00 06/09/2012 $248,181.00 $289,332.00

Preforeclosure 512664057 19027 FELBRIDGE ST CANYON COUNTRY 91351 CA SFR 1582 3 2.00 06/12/2012 $284,259.00 $390,705.00

Preforeclosure 512810530 29042 SAN REMO PL SANTA CLARITA 91384 CA SFR 2326 4 3.00 06/09/2012 $389,584.00 $383,080.00

Preforeclosure 23801513 15916 ROSEHAVEN LN SANTA CLARITA 91387 CA CND 1838 3 3.00 06/12/2012 $253,425.00 $286,923.00

Preforeclosure 520326359 29338 POPPY MEADOW ST SANTA CLARITA 91387 CA SFR 1464 3 3.00 06/09/2012 $323,414.00 $517,111.00

Preforeclosure 37420470 27509 NIKE LN CANYON COUNTRY 91351 CA CND 2258 4 3.00 06/13/2012 $294,970.00 $168,436.00

Your New Foreclosures alert, Paris911′s Auction Alert for Santa Clarita Valley, found a match.

Stage Radar ID Street City Zip State Type Sq Ft Beds Baths Sale Date Est. Value Est. Bid

Auction 606530 18675 NATHAN HILL DR 16 CANYON COUNTRY 91351 CA CND 2214 3 3.00 03/07/2012 $287,687.00 $10,977.00

Auction 648807 25404 PARKWOOD LN SANTA CLARITA 91350 CA CND 1684 3 3.00 03/05/2012 $254,657.00 $410,000.00

Auction 38237662 28979 OAK SPRING CANYON RD 14 SANTA CLARITA 91387 CA CND 1580 4 3.00 03/07/2012 $213,932.00 $10,510.00

Auction 540944718 24192 MATTHEW PL SANTA CLARITA 91321 CA UNK 03/15/2012 $0.00 $6,565.00

Auction 517363887 20000 PLUM CANYON RD 322 SANTA CLARITA 91350 CA CND 1001 2 2.00 03/05/2012 $169,074.00 $293,043.00

Auction 37728278 24130 VIEW POINTE LN SANTA CLARITA 91355 CA CND 2069 3 3.00 03/06/2012 $392,845.00 $552,791.00

Auction 23772019 19210 STILLMORE ST CANYON COUNTRY 91351 CA SFR 1310 3 2.00 03/05/2012 $285,755.00 $317,062.00

Auction 42689190 19412 OPAL LN 306 SANTA CLARITA 91350 CA CND 1440 2 3.00 03/06/2012 $223,683.00 $290,227.00

Auction 24532699 25402 HOLMES PL STEVENSON RANCH 91381 CA CND 1840 3 3.00 03/06/2012 $340,576.00 $566,701.00

Are your short sale buyers no longer around when either the “proof of funds” is asked for or when “the short sale approval” is given? 

Do not lose hope.  It is something that is to be expected.  However, it should not stop your approval process.

The buyers of Short Sales, some are investors and some are “owner occupant” real estate buyers.  Allow me to clarify the differences.

The Short Sale investor:

This could be the buyer that short sale sellers dislike the most.  As a realtor we don’t know if they are going to be around when the approval for short sale has been given by the bank who holds your mortgage.

I will say that over 50% of the time, they are not present when more information is requested by the bank that holds a sellers mortgage.  We watch as the Short Sale Investor Buyers, 50% of the time, don’t stay around long enough to complete the process.  The reason has to do with the investment buyer continuing to look at available “short sales”.  It usually, has nothing to do with the subject property.  Although, this is the typical reason given.

The Short Sale “Owner Occupied” buyer:

Beggars cannot be choosers.  We have found that those buyers that are going to stick with a short sale are those that are going to “owner occupy” the short sale property.  Not 100% but the odds are better than the 50% as we have seen by the “investor buyers of short sales”.

Their agents are those that are diciplined and let their buyer know that they are the “only game” when it comes to the short sale.

The Bank, if they approve the short sale, will give the buyer that is “in pocket”, the first shot when the short sale is approved.

Regarding increases to the sales price, changes in terms or conditions, and any other “modifications” to the short sale terms.

What can you do?

If you are a short sale seller, the first step is getting the short sale approved.  Allowing the bank time to approve the short sale, including the price.  The short sale approval is the most important part of the process.  We can get another buyer, most of the time, when we get the final approval from the bank who is responsible for the approval of the short sale.

Most agents, including the Paris911 Team, will continue to push for the approval of the short sale.  Eventhough the buyer is no longer “in pocket”.  Once a “secure” price has been given by the bank, finding another buyer that is game for the “bank price”, proves to be much easier.

You now have a “approved short sale”.  Those move a lot faster than those where the bank is still working on the numbers, looking at the appraiser, and the terms and paperwork refinement of the short sale.

Stand Fast, Be Strong, make sure that you are getting the best Short Sale advice possible.

We are REMAX’s Paris911®  Team! Thanks for Reading and don’g forget to check our Short Sale Radius – if you want our help with your short sale in Southern California.

Your New Foreclosures alert, Paris911′s Auction Alert for Santa Clarita Valley, found a match.

Stage Radar ID Street City Zip State Type Sq Ft Beds Baths Sale Date Est. Value Est. Bid

Auction 500604145 29256 MISSION TRAIL LN VALENCIA 91354 CA SFR 3389 4 4.00 03/05/2012 $556,926.00 $772,593.00

Auction 23793562 23211 HASKELL VISTA LN NEWHALL 91321 CA SFR 2253 4 3.00 03/05/2012 $280,753.00 $557,878.00

Auction 23816247 25141 AMBERLEY WAY VALENCIA 91355 CA CND 1859 3 2.00 03/02/2012 $220,005.00 $365,313.00

Auction 888492b 15000 LIVE OAK SPRINGS CANYON RD SANTA CLARITA 91387 CA SFR 4681 5 6.00 03/05/2012 $954,224.00 $1,246,636.00

Auction 37969285 29729 LIVERPOOL CT CASTAIC 91384 CA SFR 2247 3 3.00 03/02/2012 $392,273.00 $482,334.00

Auction 742550 20017 JACANA CT SANTA CLARITA 91351 CA CND 1669 3 3.00 03/12/2012 $266,822.00 $603,672.00

Auction 37422875 21720 CANYON HEIGHTS CIR SANTA CLARITA 91390 CA SFR 2557 4 3.00 03/05/2012 $428,212.00 $715,013.00

Auction 23784089 20509 ROMAR LN SANTA CLARITA 91350 CA SFR 1991 4 3.00 03/05/2012 $372,689.00 $792,671.00

Auction 24564703 28104 BRYCE DR CASTAIC 91384 CA SFR 1689 4 3.00 03/05/2012 $351,040.00 $487,360.00

Auction 42243212 29206 HATARI WAY SANTA CLARITA 91354 CA CND 1611 3 3.00 03/05/2012 $229,919.00 $479,331.00

Auction 40514680 22024 LYTLE CT SANTA CLARITA 91390 CA SFR 3522 5 3.00 03/05/2012 $588,004.00 $715,365.00

Auction 517341162 28328 GOLD CANYON DR SANTA CLARITA 91390 CA SFR 3374 5 4.00 03/05/2012 $605,856.00 $846,781.00

Auction 23770629 19876 ERMINE ST SANTA CLARITA 91351 CA SFR 1380 4 2.00 03/05/2012 $255,358.00 $276,521.00

Auction 513121789 28847 PHANTOM TRL SANTA CLARITA 91390 CA SFR 3068 4 3.00 03/05/2012 $557,927.00 $718,070.00

Auction 24539354 19708 TERRI DR 241 CANYON COUNTRY 91351 CA CND 1446 3 3.00 03/08/2012 $252,776.00 $385,005.00

Auction 41260908 24020 PARK LN SANTA CLARITA 91354 CA CND 1330 3 3.00 03/02/2012 $250,474.00 $389,768.00

Auction 517448798 28012 DANVERS PL CASTAIC 91384 CA SFR 1480 4 2.00 03/08/2012 $311,918.00 $361,332.00

Your New Foreclosures alert, Paris911′s Santa Clarita Bank Owned Real Estate Alert, found a match.

Stage Radar ID Street City Zip State Type Sq Ft Beds Baths Sale Date Est. Value Est. Bid

Bank Owned 23790379 25360 FITZGERALD AVE STEVENSON RANCH 91381 CA CND 2052 4 3.00 02/16/2012 $282,850.00 $691,133.17

Your New Foreclosures alert, Paris911′s Pre-Foreclosure Alert for Santa Clarita Valley CA, found a match.

Stage Radar ID Street City Zip State Type Sq Ft Beds Baths Sale Date Est. Value Est. Bid

Preforeclosure 500581075 23609 BIG HORN WALK 60 VALENCIA 91354 CA CND 1090 2 3.00 06/12/2012 $251,462.00 $378,958.00

Preforeclosure 38573537 27046 EDGEWATER LN VALENCIA 91355 CA SFR 3255 4 4.00 06/09/2012 $651,212.00 $831,204.00

Preforeclosure 513124616 27563 WEEPING WILLOW DR SANTA CLARITA 91354 CA SFR 2366 3 3.00 06/09/2012 $443,405.00 $660,451.00

Great question today from a potential Client.  I requested clarification to the question.  Via SMS, I asked if he meant, “accuracy when searching the Large Syndication websites?” – Or, “Accuracy as far as price?” 

He said, “Both”.  I then went on to explain that when you are searching from some of the large Syndication websites, the listings and all applicable data, not just reference to foreclosures, are sometimes outdated.  In fact, some have those properties that are currently “in escrow” showing as if they are fully available.

Using local Realtor Search Systems

I then went onto explain that when searching with local Real Estate agents systems, you are better off to be seeing a more true rendition of the “available” foreclosure listings.

However, this too can fall short.  Here’s how.  If the listing agent, the one that uploads the listing and applicable data into the Multiple Listing System, goverened by the Local Board of Realtors, has not updated their specific listing, it would fall short.

The MLS systems would show listings that are actually in Escrow and not Available – as Active Listings.

You can see the “fall out” this can cause when being a Buyer of Real Estate and wanting to buy homes, condo’s and town-homes, that show active – but are not.

How do we fix this dilemma?

When it comes to searching for real estate, we also “stress” for you to get your own advocate.  Your own real estate consultant that is in  your corner and your’s alone.  You will be thankful when certain items within a real estate transaction need to be enforced and you are 100% on Your real estate professional’s side(and visa versa).  Which would not be the case if your real estate agent was the actual Listing Agent!

It is fixed when it comes to our Paris911 Team’s inquiring phone calls, SMS messages and emails, inquiring about specific listings our clients are interested in.  We can find out a lot of things that will have to do with our clients being able to purchase the home that is within their sights.  Including whether or not the home is really available or is being left “active” in the system to generate more real estate leads.

If you have not “read this first” – Please do so, it is a great education!

• Use a local agent – This is important, because there is accountability attached with using local resources.  Your offer’s will be  accepted more often too!
• Beware of listing agents – We have written extensively about this topic – it is best to have your own representative that has no ties to the seller.
• Don’t fall for “first time buyer programs” – Not that they don’t exist, you just want to make sure they are the “real deal” and not an unfair attempt to get you to divulge your personal info.
• Get Pre-qualified – finding out what your payments will be at certain amounts is very important.  That way you can ensure you don’t enter the world of being “mortgage poor”.  You will have a lifetime to do that!
• Use Good Real Estate Search engines – Every Real Estate search engine that we have is local and self-updates several times per hour.  They have not been manipulated in any way to only render certain listings.

Those are the Five Tenants of the First time home buyer. Whether you are in the Santa Clarita Valley or elsewhere – these five will keep you safe from harm.  Our primary clientele all stem from Law Enforcement and Educational professions.  Do you have any idea how hard it is to gain the trust and business of people in those lines of work?

I’ll tell you that no “funny business” can exist when it comes to working in those Employment Circles.

Be Safe and let us know if we can help you.

But the listing shows active! 

And in most “perfect worlds” it would be.  However, some agents don’t update the MLS system as often as they are mandated to.  In addition, if you are searching with some of the “large” real estate syndication websites and not on local real estate search systems, you could be looking at “Old Data”.  In fact, some of the larger real estate syndication search websites show properties that are in escrow as being active, on purpose!  They are built around making $$$ from your personal info!

You need to move faster Mr. Agent – the property is now pending!

If you have seen a listing that just hit the market, then within minutes it is in escrow…  Real Estate just doesn’t work that fast.  What could be happening is that the agent has some sort of “deal” with the seller to “fake” a listing to pacify another entity.  Ethical “no” – Against the rules “I’m sure of it”, but I cannot quote chapter and verse.  However, that is why you need a real estate professional on your team and in your corner! 

I cannot believe we missed another one with our GREAT offer!

Offers… This could be for several reasons.  Maybe the offer the seller received was higher in amount than yours.  Maybe the financing was better (conventional versus FHA).  It could be that the buyer was cash.  Sometimes, being in the right place at the right time is helpful when it comes to getting your offer accepted.  The best way to be “in the right place at the right time” is by hiring a local real estate agent that knows the other “players” in the game of Real Estate.

It sold for less than we offered – what gives?

The financing could have been more solid with it having given the seller a more “secure” feeling.  If you are a VA buyer and the property needs appliances and work – Most sellers would take that into account when reviewing offers.  If they have a conventional, FHA or Cash buyer that has presented an offer – they will know that those items will most likely not have to be repaired or installed.  You may have offered 400K, but the work required to bring the property to your “level of financing approval” might be 20K.  The Seller accepted a Conventional offer for 390K. Sure, your offer was higher – but would have “netted” the seller less $10,000.00 in the long run.

Another issue for you to consider would be how much money in closing costs you asked for.  If you asked for $12,000.00 in closing costs to be allowed by the seller to be included in your loan – offering 400K – minus the 12K in closing costs – the seller will be “netting” 388K.  The seller may have received a different offer with the same financing, but in which closing costs were not asked for.

Of course they will take less, it has been listed over a year!

Not necessarily.  With this Short Sale heavy market, we watch as listings that have been on the market for a long time, with a specific buyer, fall out once the approval is given by the bank.  It is by no means a magic process.  It is because the buyer that wrote the “originally accepted” offer is no longer around when the approval is granted.  They have been writing offers hand over fist and are not being loyal to the seller.

One of those “other” offers took seed and they decided to go with the “bird in the hand”.  However, the listing agent on the Short Sale, was not notified by the agent representing those buyers, and the property BOM’d – goes Back On Market.  The Days on Market might render a Super Long Time, in excess of a year or more.  That does not necessarily equate to being a “steal”.  However, in this scenario, this home is now approved and the bank gave their “approved” price.  Step up and make it yours!

I called the listing agent and they told me…

If you have us as your representatives, we advise our clients never to speak to any listing agents.  We make ourselves available and do the recon in short order.  We don’t take “real” vacations and we answer our phones when not directly sitting down with clients.  This is nothing new in the world of real estate and most “seasoned and successful” agents operate in this manner.

Why?  Real Estate agents earn a living from closed sales.  It might be tempting to say something that is not “spot on”.  Such as, “of course this property is available – I’ll meet you there at 3pm.”  When in actuality, this property has an offer that has been submitted to the bank and is not “available”.  Some Bank Owned listings mandate that no offer is submitted or reviewed for a specific time period.  Even if you are the first offer in, it makes not difference.

We have put this together to assist our clients with the “Do’s and Don’ts” of the Real Estate process.

Ask your real estate professional questions, sit down with them in their office before viewing properties, make sure they are a good for you.  There is so much to know about the real estate buying and selling processes – that is why we built our Real Estate Crash Course.  Let us know when you are ready!