Comments for AgentsCompared.com Blog http://www.agentscompared.com/blog Choose the Right Real Estate Agent for YOU Sun, 07 Feb 2010 16:42:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 Comment on Playing to Your Strengths – Ken Tracy gets it! by REALTORS® are NOT commodities – Jeff Blackwell gets it too! | AgentsCompared.com Blog http://www.agentscompared.com/blog/02/05/2010/playing-to-your-strengths-ken-tracy-gets-it/comment-page-1/#comment-235 REALTORS® are NOT commodities – Jeff Blackwell gets it too! | AgentsCompared.com Blog Sun, 07 Feb 2010 16:42:55 +0000 http://www.agentscompared.com/blog/?p=433#comment-235 [...] Jeff Blackwell gets it too! In the past couple of days I’ve briefly written about our new value proposition for agents (“win over prospects by emphasizing your strengths) and the pros and cons of hiring a [...] [...] Jeff Blackwell gets it too! In the past couple of days I’ve briefly written about our new value proposition for agents (“win over prospects by emphasizing your strengths) and the pros and cons of hiring a [...]

]]> Comment on Five Freebies for Chicagoland Realtors® by Tweets that mention Five Freebies for Chicagoland Realtors® | AgentsCompared.com Blog -- Topsy.com http://www.agentscompared.com/blog/01/06/2010/five-freebies-for-chicagoland-realtors%c2%ae/comment-page-1/#comment-207 Tweets that mention Five Freebies for Chicagoland Realtors® | AgentsCompared.com Blog -- Topsy.com Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:09:14 +0000 http://www.agentscompared.com/blog/?p=345#comment-207 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by AgentsCompared.com, The Social REALTOR. The Social REALTOR said: Five Freebies for Chicagoland Realtors® | AgentsCompared.com Blog http://cli.gs/hYgEH [...] [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by AgentsCompared.com, The Social REALTOR. The Social REALTOR said: Five Freebies for Chicagoland Realtors® | AgentsCompared.com Blog http://cli.gs/hYgEH [...]

]]> Comment on Have a Question for a Chicagoland Real Estate Agent? Introducing AgentAnswers(SM)! by Five Freebies for Chicagoland Realtors® | AgentsCompared.com Blog http://www.agentscompared.com/blog/11/16/2009/have-a-question-for-a-chicagoland-real-estate-agent/comment-page-1/#comment-206 Five Freebies for Chicagoland Realtors® | AgentsCompared.com Blog Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:53:37 +0000 http://www.agentscompared.com/blog/?p=255#comment-206 [...] Participate in AgentAnswers(SM). Monitor and answer questions submitted by prospective Chicagoland home buyers and sellers. Be sure [...] [...] Participate in AgentAnswers(SM). Monitor and answer questions submitted by prospective Chicagoland home buyers and sellers. Be sure [...]

]]> Comment on Airing of Grievances – My Top Ten by Michael Wurzer and the Ridiculously Complex « AgentsCompared.com Blog http://www.agentscompared.com/blog/07/08/2009/airing-of-grievances-my-top-ten/comment-page-1/#comment-195 Michael Wurzer and the Ridiculously Complex « AgentsCompared.com Blog Sat, 02 Jan 2010 05:05:59 +0000 http://www.agentscompared.com/blog/?p=5#comment-195 [...] You can see that these lessons found their way into my Mini-Manifesto. [...] [...] You can see that these lessons found their way into my Mini-Manifesto. [...]

]]> Comment on Eligible for Federal Tax Credit? – AgentAnswers(SM) by Eric Marcus http://www.agentscompared.com/blog/12/08/2009/eligible-for-federal-tax-credit-agentanswerssm/comment-page-1/#comment-175 Eric Marcus Sun, 20 Dec 2009 23:21:37 +0000 http://www.agentscompared.com/blog/?p=313#comment-175 You do not have to be a first time buyer to take advantage of the new and improved Homebuyer Tax Credit. A first-time buyer otherwise eligible to get the credit may not have had an interest in a principle residence for 3 years prior to purchasing the new home. Also a current owner that has used its current home for a principal residence for 5 of the last 8 years can qualify for a new $6,500 credit. The National Association of Realtors has a nice summary page of the Homebuyer Tax Credit. You can take a look at: http://tinyurl.com/yjsywcl If I can be of any help in your search, feel free to contact me. Eric Marcus ABR, CRS, CNE, CPA ESM Realty Your Real Friend in Chicago Real Estate 773-244-1110 esmarcus@sbcglobal.net You do not have to be a first time buyer to take advantage of the new and improved Homebuyer Tax Credit. A first-time buyer otherwise eligible to get the credit may not have had an interest in a principle residence for 3 years prior to purchasing the new home.

Also a current owner that has used its current home for a principal residence for 5 of the last 8 years can qualify for a new $6,500 credit.

The National Association of Realtors has a nice summary page of the Homebuyer Tax Credit. You can take a look at:

http://tinyurl.com/yjsywcl

If I can be of any help in your search, feel free to contact me.

Eric Marcus ABR, CRS, CNE, CPA
ESM Realty
Your Real Friend in Chicago Real Estate
773-244-1110
esmarcus@sbcglobal.net

]]> Comment on List property even if unable to make important repairs? – AgentAnswers(SM) by Gary Lucido http://www.agentscompared.com/blog/11/18/2009/list-property-even-if-unable-to-make-important-repairs-agentanswerssm/comment-page-1/#comment-144 Gary Lucido Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:59:38 +0000 http://www.agentscompared.com/blog/?p=278#comment-144 I'm inclined to say put it on the market as is and make a list of all known repairs needed and have your agent provide it to buyers about to make an offer. Your agent should tell them that, while they are entitled to having an inspection, the items on the list are as-is and you don't want them bringing up these issues after the inspection and trying to renegotiate the contract. Why do I suggest this? Because getting these repairs done is a pain in the ass and the buyer may have different ideas on how to get it done. If you spend an additional $10K on repairs it's doubtful you would get an extra $10k in price. The things that make sense are replacing shot carpeting and painting (if it needs it). I’m inclined to say put it on the market as is and make a list of all known repairs needed and have your agent provide it to buyers about to make an offer. Your agent should tell them that, while they are entitled to having an inspection, the items on the list are as-is and you don’t want them bringing up these issues after the inspection and trying to renegotiate the contract.

Why do I suggest this? Because getting these repairs done is a pain in the ass and the buyer may have different ideas on how to get it done. If you spend an additional $10K on repairs it’s doubtful you would get an extra $10k in price. The things that make sense are replacing shot carpeting and painting (if it needs it).

]]> Comment on How long to sell in Evanston? – AgentAnswers(SM) by Eric Marcus http://www.agentscompared.com/blog/11/22/2009/how-long-to-sell-in-evanston-agentanswerssm/comment-page-1/#comment-131 Eric Marcus Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:42:27 +0000 http://www.agentscompared.com/blog/?p=284#comment-131 Evanston, Houses that are priced correctly should sell within 60 days (maybe a little higher this time of year. The correct price is the tricky part. If you send me your email address I can send you the stats for the south half of Evanston of time on market for properties that have sold in the last year. If you need any help determining the correct price and properly marketing your home, I would be glad to help with that as well. All the best, Eric Marcus ABR, CRS, CPA, CNE ESM Realty Your Real Friend in Chicago Real Estate 773-244-1110 esmarcus@sbcglobal.net http://www.esmrealty.com Evanston,

Houses that are priced correctly should sell within 60 days (maybe a little higher this time of year. The correct price is the tricky part.

If you send me your email address I can send you the stats for the south half of Evanston of time on market for properties that have sold in the last year.

If you need any help determining the correct price and properly marketing your home, I would be glad to help with that as well.

All the best,

Eric Marcus ABR, CRS, CPA, CNE
ESM Realty
Your Real Friend in Chicago Real Estate
773-244-1110
esmarcus@sbcglobal.net
http://www.esmrealty.com

]]> Comment on No job = No Mortgage? – AgentAnswers(SM) by Eric Marcus http://www.agentscompared.com/blog/11/23/2009/no-job-no-mortgage-agentanswerssm/comment-page-1/#comment-130 Eric Marcus Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:36:39 +0000 http://www.agentscompared.com/blog/?p=289#comment-130 You are correct, without a job you will have a near impossible time getting a mortgage. What would be your motivation for buying a new place if you do not have a job? Do you need more space? My guess is you will still be able to rent for less than a typical mortgage payment + Taxes + assessments on the north side of Chicago. Every situation is different. I would be happy to talk to you about different scenarios and strategies. Feel free to call or email. Eric Marcus ABR, CRS, CPA, CNE ESM Realty Your Real Friend in Chicago Real Estate 773-244-1110 http://www.esmrealty.com esmarcus@sbcglobal.net You are correct, without a job you will have a near impossible time getting a mortgage. What would be your motivation for buying a new place if you do not have a job? Do you need more space? My guess is you will still be able to rent for less than a typical mortgage payment + Taxes + assessments on the north side of Chicago.

Every situation is different. I would be happy to talk to you about different scenarios and strategies. Feel free to call or email.

Eric Marcus ABR, CRS, CPA, CNE
ESM Realty
Your Real Friend in Chicago Real Estate
773-244-1110
http://www.esmrealty.com
esmarcus@sbcglobal.net

]]> Comment on We’re going to relocate soon. When should we list? – AgentAnswers(SM) by Tim McDonald http://www.agentscompared.com/blog/11/23/2009/were-going-to-relocate-soon-when-should-we-list-agentanswerssm/comment-page-1/#comment-123 Tim McDonald Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:44:23 +0000 http://www.agentscompared.com/blog/?p=286#comment-123 Factors such as the location, type of home and price you are looking to sell for are all critical to answering your question. If you are looking at having to move next summer, keep in mind that the spring is traditionally a better time to sell then the winter. The average market time for detached homes sold in Vernon Hills for the last 6 months has been 188 days. With the home buyer tax credit requiring contracts to be in place by April 30, 2010, it would be fair to assume that there will be more interest before that date. Please let me know if you'd like to discuss in further detail. Tim 312-970-0846 Factors such as the location, type of home and price you are looking to sell for are all critical to answering your question. If you are looking at having to move next summer, keep in mind that the spring is traditionally a better time to sell then the winter. The average market time for detached homes sold in Vernon Hills for the last 6 months has been 188 days. With the home buyer tax credit requiring contracts to be in place by April 30, 2010, it would be fair to assume that there will be more interest before that date.
Please let me know if you’d like to discuss in further detail.
Tim 312-970-0846

]]> Comment on List property even if unable to make important repairs? – AgentAnswers(SM) by Eric Marcus http://www.agentscompared.com/blog/11/18/2009/list-property-even-if-unable-to-make-important-repairs-agentanswerssm/comment-page-1/#comment-118 Eric Marcus Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:06:56 +0000 http://www.agentscompared.com/blog/?p=278#comment-118 South Suburbs, Unfortunately you are in a difficult position. Much of how I would answer depends on what your greatest need is. Is maximizing your profit your #1 objective or is just getting out of the house? Replacing your roof probably won't give you the best return on investment and depending on your plumbing issues that might not give you a good return either. The new carpeting is likely your best investment because it does the most to improve the appearance of your home which is what most buyers care about - the appearance. However, I have not seen your home and have no idea what type of plumbing repairs and roof repairs you might have and what they might cost to fix. If you don't have the money to fix them, then you have to factor those into your price compared to other sales in the marketplace. What you need is a very good local agent to advise you on your options to move forward. Depending on what suburb you are in I can recommend one of a few excellent agents (I do not handle most listings outside Chicago). Feel free to contact me for a referral. Best of luck! Eric Marcus ABR CRS CNE CPA ESM Realty Your Real Friend in Chicago Real Estate 773-244-1110 esmarcus@sbcglobal.net http://www.esmrealty.com South Suburbs,

Unfortunately you are in a difficult position. Much of how I would answer depends on what your greatest need is. Is maximizing your profit your #1 objective or is just getting out of the house?

Replacing your roof probably won’t give you the best return on investment and depending on your plumbing issues that might not give you a good return either. The new carpeting is likely your best investment because it does the most to improve the appearance of your home which is what most buyers care about – the appearance.

However, I have not seen your home and have no idea what type of plumbing repairs and roof repairs you might have and what they might cost to fix. If you don’t have the money to fix them, then you have to factor those into your price compared to other sales in the marketplace.

What you need is a very good local agent to advise you on your options to move forward. Depending on what suburb you are in I can recommend one of a few excellent agents (I do not handle most listings outside Chicago). Feel free to contact me for a referral.

Best of luck!

Eric Marcus ABR CRS CNE CPA
ESM Realty
Your Real Friend in Chicago Real Estate
773-244-1110
esmarcus@sbcglobal.net
http://www.esmrealty.com

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