My New Blog

I have to say it really surprises me how sellers and buyers continue to pay brokers fees and costs that are frankly unearned and not necessary at all, disguised as a closing fee, or a settlement charge, a file storage fee. Come on the commission most brokers charge is far too much for the level of service, knowledge or counsel most provide any seller or buyer period...

Now let me say, I know many realtors and brokers who don't charge nearly enough for what they bring to the transactions but this blog targets the boggest fees that are in the fine print of listing agreements and purchase agreements that when you finally realize them you are at the closing table having reels of documents shoved at you by bankers and escrow closing agents to sign, and charge you fees that go to your agent who is sitting in the corner of the room or not even at the closing at all charging you fees that they couldn't even explain to you, let along what you are signing and then fees to store your files. Hey, brokers earn enough from the commission they charge. Wake up consumers and pay attention to what they are slipping by you, or just call us in the first place, as unfair profit builds ruinist competition.

So is the consumer naive or are brokers greedy?  I'll let you make that call, but first look over what additional fees out side of the commission your agent received, then you make the call......

Jeff Hedberg

It is said that ones greatest power is the power to choose. Well, for  25 years I've seen these critical first two choices be the difference of selling for the most money, in the shortest period of time, or take a long time.

Choice #1, Choose a competent as well as confident Realtor , how do you know they are both? Well, that's a whole new subject. 

Choice #2, All the suggestions your competent, confident Realtor advises you to do, DO It......

That's it, pretty simple in thought. I hear it all the time, "Thank You, you were great", but actually "Thank You, you were great". You see, a great Realtor is only as  great as his great clients. So remember, the choice is yours, choose wisely.

Jeff Hedberg 

I was just recently sitting down with a first time home buyer, writing a purchase agreement on a home she wanted to buy.  She asked me "can you tell me at that price how much my payment would be"? Now she was pre qualified, as all my buyer clients are, so I said "sure I can, I'll just call the loan officer to get the interest rate so I can use that to calculate the correct payment". I reached him and asked him what rate I should use and he told me 4.25%.  My buyer client heard me repeat that rate back but seemed puzzled when I chuckled. I hung up the phone and she said to me "is that a bad rate"? I said "bad rate?, she said yea, you laughed when he had quoted that, my reply was girl, you have no idea how good that rate is along with how nice the home price is too", you're having your cake and eating it too".  The perspective of today's 1st time home buyers is it is just a rate and no prior (I remember when to reflect on). So yea, all you 1st time home buyers it's a really good time to buy. 

Jeff Hedberg

This is a question that could be talked about at length.  I'll try to keep it short. Many sellers and agents believe the best time to sell is in the Spring and Summer.  I won't debate that as we do know that seasonal highs are during that time period, but highs and best times are different.  Remember the question "Best Time To Sell".

After nearly a quarter century selling homes, yes I was quite young when I started... I have found in the Spring and Summer months you do have many buyers but you also have many sellers, making it difficult to find the serious buyers as well as the serious sellers.  From my experience, serious sellers and serious buyers have two things in common.  They happen to be in the market at the same time.  In other words, you have to be on the market to be in the market.

So back to the question "when is the best time to sell"?  Well here's your short answer. When the buyer is ready to buy and if I knew when that buyer would be, I certainly wouldn't be writing these blogs. So sellers, serious sellers, stay on the market, listen to the advice your agent gives, "that is of course if you have a good one", that is a whole other blog, but for you sellers who aren't really serious, do us all a favor and remove your home from the market.

Jeff Hedberg 

   The idea that you can borrow money to buy a home at the same rate in the U.S. Housing Market is simply stupidity.

   Some housing markets need better rates to stimulate borrowing than others.

   FHA sets limits on loan amounts based on where the home is. Why not tie interest rates the same way with low rates in challenged areas and higher rates in non challenged areas. Oil Companies understand this as you see it in costs per gallon different throughout the country. Base rates "The cost of money" by state, country and city where stimulous is needed and where it is not.

Consider the unemployment, the growth rate and population declines of states, countries and cities. Then set rates based on the needs to grow those economies. This factor alone may become a equalizer to the cost of money against the market the consumer finds himself in.  Having low rates in markets that don't need them is like adding fuel to the fire, which only over stimulates the haves and hurts, the have nots.

The one rate fits all method doesn't work and it's bad economics and frankly dumb.

Jeff Hedberg 

Here is another way we are helping those you introduce to us.

Tim and Michelle wanted to sell their home and make a move at these extrodinary prices and super low interest rates.

They learned that after selling their home, paying off their existing loan, and other associated expences, they simply were short the money to put down on their dream home. 

That's where we explained to Tim and Michelle about our sell now pay us later brokerage fee.  By us deferring our brokerage fee for them they were able to have the necessary funds to take advantage of these super low prices and rates and are now enjoying the home of their dreams at an interest well below their prior rate. How sweet is Home Sweet Home now!!!

If you know of anyone who could use our sell now pay later program, please take a moment to call me so I can help them too. 

My Best, Jeff Hedberg

                                Sell Now Pay Later

                        Another 1st by Real Estate Masters

Real Estate Masters understands that these are a challenging times.  We speak to many people who would love to sell and buy their next home at these extraordinary prices and super low interest rates however, they find themselves short of the necessary funds to do so.  That's why we are proud to intoduce

                            The Sell Now Pay Later Program

That's right, you get all of our company's selling and marketing abilities from selling to closing and you pay nothing at closing.  That's right and you can pay us later, but call us now 987-8600.  Real Estate Masters and You, together we'll get you moving.

Jeff Hedberg, President

Real Estate Masters of America, Inc.

Three weeks into our new mall office and wow, what a difference.  It's been amazing how many sellers and buyers have stopped in awe, with that we say "Thank You".

However, what's even more amazing is how many have told us how hard to reach or even get a realtor to return a call is, without repeated attempts.  Let me put this out there to all buyers and sellers.  If you find yourself with that kind of agent, do yourself a favor, get rid of them, and stop in to see one of us here at Real Estate Masters.  We are here to serve you.  That is why we are in the Business of Real Estate.