MERRY CHRISTMAS

I am grateful for so much this year, good health, a warm home, friends and family near and far, the list is long and yet as we near the end of 2022 I reflect on the thank you cards I failed to send,  the thoughts and wishes I held for friends, family or clients but  failed to communicate, the birthday greetings, the get well or the sympathy card I never sent.  

 So today I want to say to my friends, family and my clients and customers, I thought of you.. and  I will task myself to do better, to make that phone call, to send  that card or to text a thought I had of you.

Its' the coldest Christmas I can remember but warmest thoughts are sent to all - Have a Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year.

Is it a good time?

 

    

• If you're planning to make a move but aren't sure if now's the right time, here are a few reasons why you shouldn't wait to sell your house.

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• The supply of homes for sale, while growing, is still low today. Plus, serious buyers are out looking right now, and many are hoping to avoid falling into the rental trap for another year.

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• Motivated Sellers are open to offers.

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• Interest rates are still reasonable.

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• Typical closing dates are 30-45 days depending on financing. 

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• Realtors are ready to help! most agents will do a market analysis with no cost and no obligation.

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• Reach out to a real estate professional to determine if selling your house before the new year is the right move for you.

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Staying Relevant

Seems like a long time ago that I started in the real estate business - 1996 to be exact.  I know

 the industry needs to change and grow, and so I feel I need to do that also.  By growing and

 expanding our knowledge, education and ways of doing business I believe that is the way to

 stay relevant in today's market.

 I recently attended the Iowa Realtors Convention in Des Moines, the instructors were among the best I have had the pleasure of listening to. 

 We have a  Realtor Code of Ethics that Realtors vow to uphold, also the standard of having continuing education ( 36 HOURS) every 3 years.  Mandatory are the Ethics and Law Update classes.

I will attach that Code of Ethics below so that you can also see what we Realtors practice in our daily business.

It's fall - time to spend some time daydreaming under a tree

https://cdn.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/documents/2022-COE-Standards-of-Practice-2021-12-15.pdf

Realtors - Your Trusted Partner

It's easy to look at real estate agents and think all they do is show homes and collect checks.  Truth is there is so much more that goes into being a Realtor.

 Your full time agent is licensed by the state, has  knowledge of the area and stays informed on new listings  coming on the market daily, has systems in place to alert you to those new listings,  maintains a data base with past & present clients to help sell your home in the most efficient time frame as well as develops marketing plans and advises sellers and buyers  on best practices . 

 A full time agent is in the office or in the field listing and selling homes, keeping clients informed and watching the market constantly. Stays current on lending guidelines and what mortgage options are available in your area . Most agents work nights and weekends for the convenience of buyers and sellers work schedules. In addition agents are trained negotiators and remove the personal emotion of home buying and selling for you. 

Realtors are required to stay current on laws and ethics and are mandated  36 hours of continuing education every 3 years to renew their license.  Realtors prescribe to a Code Of Ethics that is the model for ethical behavior. 

There is a minimum of 183+ steps to get a listing in the market and make sure that all state and national laws are followed, disclosures are accurate and fair housing laws are not violated.  The agent will take time to know you and your needs and has the time to be available to assure the transaction is moving towards closing and has access at all times to be accountable to you and your transaction. 

At your first consultation with an agent be sure to ask if they are full or part time.  Plan to move with a trusted Realtor.

REALTOR® is a federally registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® ..

Salesperson/Broker - Iowa licenses Salespersons and Brokers - Illinois licenses Brokers 

Salespersons -after 2 active years in the industry can take additional training and exam to pursue a Brokers license

Managing Broker - this is the licensed "manager" of the agents within his/her firm

Board of Realtors - local association 

Iowa Association - State association in cooperation with Iowa Real Estate Commission

NAR - National Association of Realtors

Whats New in Real Estate

Wondering how to purchase a home? Right now is still a good time to buy, rates are affordable and lenders have the capital on hand to loan.