Segment 3 – How to Avoid the Biggest Agent Selection Mistakes

Barb, most people choose agents they know, like a friend, and do not really have a system for selecting the best agent to handle one of their largest assets.  How can a home seller avoid making the biggest mistakes when interviewing agents?

The Colorado Springs Region has less than a 2 Week Supply of Homes – Sellers’ Market
Seller’s Market = Seller Has the Advantage
Buyer’s Market -= Buyer Has the Advantage

Supply and Demand:
 
Approximately 1237 Available properties (all types) in 3 counties: El Paso, Teller and Elbert
2223 sales per month, we cannot re-supply the demand.  
There are 13.5% MORE Sales taking place than there were in 2019 before COVID.

Why Would a Home Seller Need A Very Experienced Agents in a Red Hot Market?  To get the MOST MONEY!
 
5000 Agents  - 74% Sell 3 or Fewer Homes a YEAR!
Some Agents suggest low prices just get a sale!
Some agents do not know how to price a home!
Some agents do not know how to maximize demand so you get the MOST Money!

Most Home Sellers Make Huge Mistakes When Interviewing Agents
Hire the first agent they know or meet
Hire with No Pre-Determined method for selecting an agent
Fail to rely on logic:
“He/She seemed nice”

You Must First Ask:
Where do buyers come from?
Recent NAR Study: Where buyers found the home they purchased: 
Largest # - Starts with the Internet
Before Listings Online – Buyers Physically Looked at 40 Homes
Now with Online Pictures – Buyers Physically Look at 8 or Less Homes

PRICING EXPERTISE:
Indications of a Sudden Market Slowing Down
Pricing Expertise to Attract ALL the Buyers 
Everyone Wants the MOST
How do you get that?
Preparation Expertise &
Pricing Expertise

Even the National Association of Realtors reported last year that the 8% of sales done by owner indicated those people that sold their home by owner on average sold them for:
Sell By Owners Sellers Get: $77,100 LESS than those using a real estate agent.

That is why Agent Selection is Hugely Important to a Home Seller
We are offering a FREE Report called:

Free Agent Selection Guide
Includes 9 Different Selection Factors and Top 4 Common Mistakes Made in agent selection
Go to www.BarbHasTheBuyers.com/biggest_mistakes and Call us at 719 301 1802

You are listening to the Real Estate Voice with Barb Schlinker of Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty, if you are thinking of making a move Barb at 719 301 3900 or visit BarbHasTheBuyers.com 

When we come back…. we will be discussing: What Do Buyers Agents Really Do Anymore & Hot New Listings

Segment  2 – 27 Tips to Drive Up the Sale Price for Your Colorado Springs Area

Barb, home sellers planning to put their homes on the market often ask how to prepare.  What are some important tips to drive up the sales price when they sell their Colorado Springs area homes?

Pretty homes that are priced realistically always sell fast.
Most sellers assume their home is selling AS-IS
Some small improvements can go a long way

The high-cost things include:
Roof replacements – particularly high deductibles
Furnace replacements
Electrical panel
Structural stuff can be really costly

But Most Updates are Quick Easy and Low Cost!
Pre-Planning with our team can help go you ready to sell worry-free
Here is a low cost one:
DE-CLUTTER!
How:  Starts with a Picture
WE will give you guidance on this
Storage sheds are not expensive

But Most Updates are Quick Easy and Low Cost!
Pre-Planning with our team can help go you ready to 
Tackle Clutter by Making More Space
: Rent a storage space, many you can get at a starting rate of $1 for the 1st month.
Rooms full of stuff look small
Focus on:
Living Rooms
Kitchen
Master Bedroom

Another Easy Tip
Focus on the Basics:
Neutral paint, no DRAMA!  Fresh NEUTRAL PAINT CAN GIVE BACK 107% ROI
Repair broken stuff

FLOORING
Replaced tired flooring will get you 7 times the cost of replacing it!
Kodiak Story

We Do NOT Photograph Closets or Garages unless there is something special about them
Closet Rule of Thumb:  De-Clutter
Everything off the floor

Here is other low-cost items
LIGHT FIXTURES
Gold Finishes out of style
Hollywood Bath Fixtures out of style
Our stager can give you guidance on this

You are listening to the Real Estate Voice with Barb Schlinker of Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty, if you are thinking of making a move call Barb at 719 301 3900 or visit BarbHasTheBuyers.com or if you want a free report on the 11 High-Cost Home Inspection Traps You Should Know Weeks Before You LIST Your Home for Sale visit: www.BarbHasTheBuyers.com and go to FREE Reports

When we come back we will be discussing: How to Avoid the Biggest Agent Selection Mistakes When Selling Your Colorado Springs Area Home

Segment 1 – Is This Housing Boom on Borrowed Time?

We air the Real Estate Voice show every Saturday, if you cannot listen to the whole show, it is available on YouTube, just search Barb Schlinker, and its also on most podcasts like IHeart Radio

Barb, this is still a red-hot real estate market and especially for home sellers.  My listeners tell me they love your show because they learn so much about buying and selling homes and it gives them information to help them succeed with their real estate investment.  What will we be covering today?

Barb, this real estate market is still a RED-Hot real estate market, but with inflation on the rise, and interest rates rising, do you think this Housing Boom is on borrowed time?

#1 Wall Street Journal Story looking at National Picture and areas where people are leaving like SFO
US Home Sales declined 2.4% from the prior month
I’m Not just looking at the prior month but the prior 3 years!
I also am Focused on the Local Real Estate Market – NOT on Nationwide
Real Estate is LOCAL!

NAR Economists indicate:
Higher Home Prices & Higher Interest Rates result in:
Reduced Buyer Activity
Some Buyers choosing to sit on the sidelines
Reduced Mortgage Applications
Growing Inventory of Homes

CURRENT LOCAL MARKET STATS TELL ANOTHER STORY!
Homes Selling for Over Asking
Prices Rising Since January

CURRENT INVENTORY RISING!
Inventory of Available Homes at STILL LOW!
Inventory of Available Homes UP FROM 2021 by 44% 
YET: DOWN BY 59% Compared to PRE COVID 2019
1237 All Types of Properties (SFA, TH, Condo, Patio)
1128 Single Family Homes

Prices Still Rising!
Average Price Increase in 1 Year = 15.8%
Average Price Increase in 1 Year - $70,375

You are listening to the Real Estate Voice with Barb Schlinker of Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty, if you are thinking of making a move Barb at 719 301 3900 or visit BarbHasTheBuyers.com 

When we come back…. we will be discussing:  27 Tips to Drive Up the Sales Price of Your Colorado Springs Area Home

Segment 4 – Which Home Updates Deliver the Best Return on Your Investment & Hot N

Barb, most people assume that all homes are selling right now.  In this hot market do home sellers really need to make improvements to get top dollar?

Making some minor improvements can go a long way to commanding as much as 11% more for your home!

It is worth it in most cases…but not always necessary
I just sold James' home for 14% over the asking price!

Forgoing as-is:
If the entire home needs rehab then I would think twice.
Six Trees Story
We have investors that have a budget to do rehab
If it's extensive it may not be worth it
Especially if you are a remodeler

Update According to the Buyers Taste:
Paint the Interior - Neutralize
Paint Over Wood Paneling – Gives a Popular Shiplap appearance – Hot Now
Cue In Curb Appeal It’s a Challenge to Grow Grass Here!
Paint your front door, deal with peeling paint
Make the Yard GREAT!
Refresh mulch beds
People love fire pits or places outdoors to relax
Re-stain and repair decks
Take care of ALL peeling paint
Even Sheds!
 Make Back Yard - A place to relax

Look at the Competition
Make it Squeaky Clean
Think Timeless
Update Fixtures
Put a Fresh Face on the Kitchen
Faucets
Counters – all off but coffee pot
Paint Oak cabinets – Dover White
Update Door Hardware
Update Flooring
Carpet in bathrooms – Luxury Vinyl
Stained carpet – fresh is best!

Updating the Kitchen
Does NOT have to be a complete Remodel
This EX: Painted Existing Cabinets and Updated Lighting
Stay Neutral
Update Fixtures

You are listening to the Real Estate Voice that Airs Every Saturday. If you are thinking of making a move you call me at 719 301 3900 or visit BarbHasTheBuyers.com You can see replays of this show on my YouTube Channel – Barb Schlinker or Listen to the Podcast on all the Podcast platforms like Apple Podcast, IHeartRadio, and many others. Thank you for listening and to reach me give me a call at 719 301 3900. Thank you for listening!

Segment 4 – Which Home Updates Deliver the Best Return on Your Investment & Hot N

Barb, most people assume that all homes are selling right now.  In this hot market do home sellers really need to make improvements to get top dollar?

Making some minor improvements can go a long way to commanding as much as 11% more for your home!

It is worth it in most cases…but not always necessary
I just sold James' home for 14% over the asking price!

Forgoing as-is:
If the entire home needs rehab then I would think twice.
Six Trees Story
We have investors that have a budget to do rehab
If it's extensive it may not be worth it
Especially if you are a remodeler

Update According to the Buyers Taste:
Paint the Interior - Neutralize
Paint Over Wood Paneling – Gives a Popular Shiplap appearance – Hot Now
Cue In Curb Appeal It’s a Challenge to Grow Grass Here!
Paint your front door, deal with peeling paint
Make the Yard GREAT!
Refresh mulch beds
People love fire pits or places outdoors to relax
Re-stain and repair decks
Take care of ALL peeling paint
Even Sheds!
 Make Back Yard - A place to relax

Look at the Competition
Make it Squeaky Clean
Think Timeless
Update Fixtures
Put a Fresh Face on the Kitchen
Faucets
Counters – all off but coffee pot
Paint Oak cabinets – Dover White
Update Door Hardware
Update Flooring
Carpet in bathrooms – Luxury Vinyl
Stained carpet – fresh is best!

Updating the Kitchen
Does NOT have to be a complete Remodel
This EX: Painted Existing Cabinets and Updated Lighting
Stay Neutral
Update Fixtures

You are listening to the Real Estate Voice that Airs Every Saturday. If you are thinking of making a move you call me at 719 301 3900 or visit BarbHasTheBuyers.com You can see replays of this show on my YouTube Channel – Barb Schlinker or Listen to the Podcast on all the Podcast platforms like Apple Podcast, IHeartRadio, and many others. Thank you for listening and to reach me give me a call at 719 301 3900. Thank you for listening!

Segment 3 – 11 Home Inspection Traps You Should Know Weeks Before Putting Your Home Up for Sale

Barb, many home sellers fear the inspection.  Many people think most buyers want to purchase their home as it is.  What are some of the High-Cost Home Inspection Traps home sellers need to know BEFORE putting their home up for sale?

33 Physical Problems that come under scrutiny, with the inventory low, most buyers are stating they will not ask for cosmetic issues and focus on major systems, health and safety.  
Colorado does NOT require a license to be an inspector.

The high-cost things include:
Roof replacements – particularly high deductibles
Furnace replacements
Electrical panel
Structural stuff can be really costly
Sewer and Septic Repairs
Some pre-planning with a great real estate agent can help go you ready to sell worry-free


TOP MECHANICAL SYSTEMS THAT COME UNDER HOME INSPECTION SCRUTINY:
1. Mechanical Systems:
HVAC – clean and service furnace
Water Heater – check permit history, the building code has changed
Water Heater - 
2. Electrical – GFCI issues, Federal Pacific Panel
3. Plumbing:
There are often hidden things you may not see, it would not hurt to get your home pre-inspected
Stopped Up, Slow Leaks
4. Appliances: 
These should be functional
The refrigerator, washer, and dryer are considered personal property.
Make sure you offer them ‘as-is’ as a courtesy rather than getting hit with repair requests.
Most people’s ice makers don’t work correctly!
5. Sewer:
If the home does not have a sewer cleanout…
Have HAD inspectors pull toilets and not replace seals
Pull Toilets and Rip the Vinyl!!
Run sewer scopes through inappropriate lines
Last week – Inspector Went Through Roof Vent and Found a “Blockage”


You are listening to Barb Schlinker of Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty, if you are thinking of making a move call Barb at 719 301 3900 or visit BarbHasTheBuyers.com 

When we come back we will be discussing:  Which Home Updates Deliver the Best Return on Your Investment and Hot New Listings

May 21 – Seg 2 – Costly Home Selling Mistakes to Know BEFORE You Put Your Home Up for Sale

We are back with Barb Schlinker, Barb…You have said before that many home sellers do not know where to start to get their homes ready for sale.  You are offering a Free Report on the 9 Step System to Get Your Home Sold Fast and for Top Dollar.  Tell us about the report…

1. The report's name is the 9-Step System which can help you sell fast and for the most amount of money.
2. The industry shows: that traditional ways of selling homes have become increasingly less and less effective in today’s market.

1) Some homes DON’T sell! And…
2) Half of the home sellers do not get the price they want for their homes.

3. The report outlines the 7 deadly mistakes that can cost them literally thousands.  
1) But the good news is that every one of these mistakes is preventable.
4. Here are a few things that are in the report:

1) Signing a Long-Term Listing Agreement with an agent without a Written Performance Guarantee
1. Our Cancellation Guarantee in place: Goal: 100% satisfied customers.
2. Mountain Shadows Story.

Former Agent Would Not Release Seller without a hitch!

1. Agent tried to force a double payment of commission if any agent that showed during his listing bought it.
2. I sold it to Mountain Shadows in 2 weeks to for full price.
3. About Paragraph 19:

2) Most agents don’t make any promises.
3) We provide a VIP Seller Agreement – in-writing guarantees:
1. Our Buyers-In-Waiting Guarantee
2. Communication Guarantee
3. Our Hones Promises Guarantee
4. Our Home Sold Guarantee & 
5. Our Cancellation Guarantee

A LOWER COMMISSION DOES NOT EQUAL MORE MONEY TO THE SELLER
What Nets a Seller the MOST is…
Maximum Exposure to the BUYER POPULATION
Commission cutting agents also cut Marketing and Services
Has anyone seen bad pictures of homes online

Or worse yet iPhone Pics (NOTE: MITCH: INSERT FRAME AROUND PIC BELOW SO YOU CAN SEE IT’S A CELL PHONE PIC)

Find Out More About the TOP Things You Must Know Before Putting Your Colorado Springs Area Home Up for Sale:
You Can Order Your Report “The 9 Step System to Get Your Home Sold Fast and For Top Dollar”
www.BarbHasTheBuyerscom click on the Green Button or
call us at 719 301 3900

You are listening to the Real Estate Voice with myself Barb Schlinker of Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty, you can reach me at 719 301 3900 
We are talking to Barb about the Top Home Sellers Mistakes  What are Some Other Costly Home Seller Mistakes People Should Know About?

#2: Present the Home in the Best Possible Way:
* Repair broken stuff
* Update tired, stained flooring (buyers' offers come in 4-7 times lower than the cost of replacing the carpet when you have stained carpet

#3  Do The Proper Homework Before Setting an Asking Price:

* No matter how much a home seller wants for their home…
* The MARKET dictates the selling price!

The MARKET DECIDES the price based on many factors:
o Condition
o What is available to the buyers
o Not all buyers understand the market
o Not all agents understand the market

And Barb Schlinker is the agent who can help you with great homework on pricing. You are listening to the Real Estate Voice with Barb Schlinker of Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty, if you are thinking of making a move Barb at 719 301 3900 or to order your report on The 9 Step System to Sell your Home Fast and for Top Dollar visit: www.BarbHasTheBuyers.com Click on the GREEN Button

When we come back, we will be discussing: 11 Home Inspection Traps You Should Know About Weeks Before Listing Your Home for Sale

May 21 Show – Segment 1 – Where is this Real Estate Market Heading Now?

We air the Real Estate Voice show every Saturday, if you cannot listen to the whole show, it is available on YouTube, just search Barb Schlinker, and its also on most podcasts like IHeart Radio

Barb, this is still a red-hot real estate market and especially for home sellers.  My listeners tell me they love your show because they learn so much about buying and selling homes and it gives them information to help them succeed with their real estate investment.  What will we be covering today?

#1 Reason Holding Sellers Back: Not Having a Destination Lined Up
* Once a Contract is Accepted - a seller is committed!
* Worries About Not Having a Place to Go

#2 Reason Holding Sellers Back:  Need to Sell First
* Sale Contingencies – More Difficult to get Offer Accepted
o Recently had an agent fail to tell me that!
* Need to Get $$$ Out of Home to Buy Next Home

#3 Reason Holding Sellers Back:  Having to Compete for Next Home
* Competing Buyers with Cash – More Difficult to get Offer Accepted
* Per NAR – Average home sold got 4.8 Offers in the past month

#4 Reason Holding Sellers Back:  Fewer Homes to Choose From
* Not able to Find Right Next Home
* Prices for Next Home Too High

CURRENT INVENTORY RISING!
* Inventory of Available Homes at STILL LOW!
* Inventory of Available Homes UP FROM 2021 by 44% 
* YET: DOWN BY 48% Compared to PRE COVID 2019
o 1067 All Types of Properties (SFA, TH, Condo, Patio)
o 976 Single Family Homes

LOW SUPPLY - HIGHER DEMAND!
#5 Reason Holding Sellers Back:  Getting Priced Out of the Market with Higher Prices or Higher Interest Rates

* 30 year fixed VA =  4.75%, Conv = 5.5%

* Average Price Increase in 1 Year = 15.8%

* Average Price Increase in 1 Year - $70,375

You are listening to the Real Estate Voice with Barb Schlinker of Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty, if you are thinking of making a move Barb at 719-301-3900 or visit BarbHasTheBuyers.com 

When we come back…. we will be discussing:  Costly Home Selling Mistakes to Know BEFORE You Put Your Home Up for Sale

May 14 – Seg 4 – How to Sell Your Home for More Money in Less Time + Hot New Listings

Barb you have talked about many ideas on how to get a home ready for sale.  But once they get presented to the market, what makes some homes attract the MOST money when they sell

Yes, Richard, my team is built to help home sellers get their homes ready for sale.
1. All the stars are aligned to get top dollar
a. Low Available inventory of homes
b. Higher Demand than we are Re-Supplying
c. Rates are going UP
i. Currently mid to upper 5.00s

Jumbo Loan Limit RAISED:
$647,000

a. Little or No Down Payment Needed
i. Navy Fed CU = 100% Conventional Loan (little higher rate 6.65) 0 down jumbo!
1. We well hundreds of homes in a year
a. The average agent sells less than 3 (74%) of them

SELLING A HOME INVOLVES THE 3 Ps
Pricing
Preparation
Promotion

#1 Pricing
a. Pricing a home correctly takes:
i. Market experience

ii. Pricing REALISTICALLY vs OPTIMISTICALLY
1. Sometimes it works
2. On balance though, if you price Optimistically, the result:  long days on the market (more than 30 days, there is something wrong) AND
a. Buyers think something is wrong if they see that
b. Days on market are broadcast ALL over Realtor.com, & Zillow!

iii. In my experience, hitting that REALISTIC Price Point COMMANDS TOP DOLLAR

4. #2 Preparation:
a. Unless it is a really low price….
b. Make the cosmetic areas Move-in Ready
c. It does NOT have to be perfect!

#3 Promotion
Most Agents SOLELY rely on the MLS and
HOPE Some Other Agent Has a Buyer
We Not Only Have to Retail Buyers BUT
Multiple Cash Investors that pay:
> Full Market Value
> Cash
> Move when you want

Where do Buyers Come From?
     Internet:                      52%
· Real estate agent:     29%
· Yard sign/open house sign:      6%
· Friend, relative, or neighbor:    5%
· Home builder or their agent:    6%
· Directly from sellers/knew the sellers: 2%
· Print newspaper advertisement: 1%

The Promotion MUST be Right or Your Home Will be Rejected without you even knowing it!
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN BAD PICTURES OF HOMES ONLINE!
It's Astounding to Me

Photos ARE Marketing!

This is one of the main reasons, I recommend you, a trusted Navy Veteran when thinking of buying or selling a home. I’m Richard Randall and You are listening to The Real Estate Voice with me, Barb Schlinker of Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty, you can reach Barb at 719 301 3900 Or www.BarbHasTheBuyers.com

 Tell Us About Some Hot New Listings You Have Coming Up?

1. 1208 N Chelton Rd, Low $400s 
2. 7820 Renegade Hill Dr, Mid $500s
3. 7120 Wildridge Rd, CS CO 80908, Upper $700s, 5 Acres
4. 5585 Vessey, CS CO 80908, Upper $1699900, 3 Acres, Open, Prestigious Privacy

Best Buys of Next Week:

1. Coming Soon: Greenwood Cir, 80910: Upper $200s

Richard…
You are listening to the Real Estate Voice If you are thinking of making a move you call me at 719 301 3900 or visit BarbHasTheBuyers.com You can see replays of this show on my YouTube Channel – Barb Schlinker or Listen to the Podcast on all the Podcast platforms like Apple Podcast, IHeartRadio and many others. Thank you for listening and for reaching me give me a call at 719 301 3900. Thank you for listening!

May 14 – Seg 3 – How to Get Multiple Cash Offers On Your Home in 24 Hours

Barb one of the biggest challenges for home sellers is the classic Real Estate Catch 22 – Having a House to Sell Before They Buy Their Next Home, how do homes owners that need to sell their house to buy their next home have certainty that their house will sell when they want and then move on to another home?

1. The Real Estate Dilemma is TWO FOLD:
o Need their net proceeds from the sale to buy and
o Fear that if we sell their home too fast they will be rendered in a temporary housing situation

2. Needing the Net Proceeds?
o Option 1: Sell the Home!
* Or at least get it Under Contract – Home Sellers of homes they want to buy are much more likely to accept a Contingent Home Sale when their home already has a buyer…
* Most Sellers Will REJECT Sale Contingency - DEFINE

o Option 2: What if the You have NOT lined up a Destination?
* We can put contract protections in place to give the Seller an “OUT” for at least 10 days while we shop

* I’ve seen some home sellers rent a home waiting for there to be built
* That is actually a bit less stressful than tying to time the market

o Option 3: To make an offer on a home Contingent on Your Home Seller – 
* Most risky
* Puts a ton of pressure on you
* Low probability of acceptance
* More likely to make unreasonable concessions

o Option 4: Special Financing Programs – 
* Use the equity in your current home to buy next
* When you later sell a home, can put equity down on your current loan…
*  without refinancing
* Without worrying about rising interest rates
* Our Preferred Lender has an Easy Qualification Program

I’m Barb Schlinker
Spelling: SCHLINKER
When we come back from the break we will discuss some more SOLUTIONS to having to sell a house before you buy your next home…

If you are thinking of making a move
Call 719 301 3900 or
Visit; www.BarbHasTheBuyers.com

You are listening to the Real Estate Voice with myself Barb Schlinker of Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty, you can reach me at 719 301 3900 

We are talking with Barb about how sellers can trade up to a new home: What is some other things a seller can do if they need to sell a house before they buy their next home?

o Option 5: Call Us - Get a Cash Offer On Your Home
* Investors purchasing homes
* Offer full price cash
* Move when you want
* No need to have random buyers walking thru
* Fountain Story

o Option 6: Do Not HAVE to sell to perform:
* Buy your next home first
* Move at your pace
* Then sell the home
* Least stressful

o Option 7:  Hire us to Guarantee the Sale Of Your Home
o Call us about our Home Sale Guarantee:  We can make an offer on their home so they can buy their next home NON-Contingent on the Sale.
o Best of both worlds – Top Dollar and a Guaranteed Offer

o Option 8:  Hire us to Guarantee the Sale of Your BUYERS HOME
o 80% OF Home Buyers Have a House to Sell 
o We Can Guarantee their Sale
o So they can buy yours without a Sale Contingency!

You are listening to the Real Estate Voice with Barb Schlinker of Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty, if you are thinking of making a move Barb at 719 301 3900 or visit BarbHasTheBuyers.com 

When we come back: we will be discussing:   How to Sell Your Home for More Money in Less Time & Hot New Listings