5 Powerful Tips to tackle fears about investing in property
Sweaty palms? Heart beats at the speed of a jackhammer? Unsteady hands? Well, we are
not describing a medical condition here. Investors in property often get the jitters and take a
reverse turn just before signing on the dotted line in the agreement copy. One cannot blame
a potential buyer for this condition since investing in a property is probably the single largest
investment he or she may commit to during a lifetime. After all, he may be investing a huge
chunk of his savings and if he is taking a loan, he is committing to a lifetime of EMIs.
Many potential property buyers turn into fence sitters after thinking about rising property
rates, mortgage worries and excessive market speculation. In this article, we will explore
these fears and find ways to tackle them in an effective and practical manner.
1. Falling Property market: This is unarguably the single biggest fear any investor
has. Although fall in property prices can be cause of sleepless nights for buyers, it is
necessary to assess the situation from a practical viewpoint. Rather than falling
property prices, it is actually the asking value by the seller that sees a fall. Real
estate is an asset that grows at a slow pace but it returns can be measured and
quantified. Choosing a property that has good schools, shopping areas and business
hubs in the vicinity rarely see a price drop and hence should be first choices. Such
locations will always stay in demand.
2. Cost of maintenance and furnishing the flat: A new home often demands new
expenses, especially when it is unfurnished and it has to be readied for people and
their needs. Interiors, appliances, furniture and furnishings are essential expenses
one has to invest unless the property is fully-furnished and in a ready-to-move
condition. Homes with newly done interiors and painting/wallpaper are ideal choices
when selecting a home. Identify damages to the flat early and get them repaired
before they metamorphose to unmanageable proportions. Set aside some funds for
repairs or other contingencies to help you face them without breaking the bank.
3. Complicated loan or mortgage procedures: Buyers often feel that applying for a
loan and understanding the terms of the finance company or bank is a difficult task.
Excessive paperwork is also a deterrent for many property buyers and keep them
away from dealing with financial institutions. Buyers should remember that this is
avoidable so it is better to make peace with the fact and learn as much as possible
about the procedure instead of deferring the decision to buy property. Engage a knowledgeable and certified real estate professional who can guide you in such
matters and ease the process for you.
4. Fear of debt: When investing in a property, taking a loan has become quite
necessary for a large segment of buyers. However, buyers can often doubt their own
capability of repaying a home loan or falling behind on EMIs due to loss of job or any
kind of medical emergency. It is therefore necessary to take a realistic view of the
budget one can afford and also consider any kind of inconsistency that you may
encounter in future. With practical future planning and inculcating the habit of
savings, you can disable the fear of debt and face the future with confidence.
5. Loss of confidence: Buyers often get sceptical about their choice of property in
terms of wrong location, unscrupulous developers or overextending their budget.
Buyers also worry about taking a wrong decision and later repenting about it. Take
an informed decision so you know that you cannot go wrong with it ever. List out the
positives and the negatives of the selected project, check out the amenities and
make a note of the conveniences it offers. Look for a property that gives out positive
vibes in the first instance and think over your decision before committing yourself to
it. Remember there is always an ideal home waiting for you and it is a matter of time
and consistent effort that will bring you face-to-face with it.
Indulging in too much speculation, listening to unwanted advice and giving into your fears
can prove to be detrimental in this quest to secure the perfect property. The above tips will
ease your worries to a great extent.
Feeling confident already? Go ahead and take the right steps in the right direction. The
home of your dreams is just around the corner.
Tag: realestate investment
Why Selling your home without a Realtor is a Nightmare you’d never want to see!
If you plan to sell your home without recruiting the services of a realtor, think again.
You do not want to take such a massive risk while carrying out what is probably the
biggest financial transaction of your lifetime, do you? By sidestepping this critical
enabler, homeowners expose hard-earned money and valuable time to a larger risk,
while frittering away some significant benefits.
Most buyers/sellers who opt for this route, usually want to forgo the commission paid
to the agent but fail to pre-empt the valuable benefits he offers in return. In fact,
surveys have shown that such properties usually sell for a comparatively lower price
than those sold with the assistance of a professional realtor.
Before taking a decision, check out these proven benefits a realtor will bring to the
table if you engage his services to buy or sell a property
1. Availability of Time: Given the tight work schedules, you actually do not
have time to show around the home and play the role of a real estate agent.
How will you manage showing the home while you are out on a business trip
or a vacation? Your friendly, neighborhood realtor is ready to showcase your
property at a short notice and collect the right feedback from prospective
buyers about it too, by asking the right questions (could you do that?). He will
even offer solutions to problems a prospective buyer perceives, especially
those that could come in the way of concluding a deal.
2. Priceless Knowledge: The domain knowledge that a realtor possesses is
truly invaluable and as a layman it is difficult to match up to it. He knows how
to pick holes in the story that the property websites weave around the home
and provide valuable insights to the prospect. He is aware of the history
surrounding the home and is able to turn it into a selling point.
3. Marketing awareness: While selling a property, image is of vital importance
and you rarely get a second chance to create a good impression about your
home. Professional realtors know how to “prepare” a home when a
prospective buyer comes visiting or when property images have to be shared
with an interested party. Marketing your property will need the expertise of a
realtor and you wouldn’t want to miss out on this valuable quality for the sake
of commission.
4. Experienced negotiator: When you engage a certified realtor and entrust the
task of finding the right buyer for it, you get many bundled-up qualities too. His
expert negotiation skills (due to the endless hours he has spent doing this)
always keeps the buyer interested and he ensures that terms and conditions
always work in your favour.
5. Understands Closure: There are dozens of things to be taken care of, after
the deal is sealed in your favour. With a realtor managing things for you, you
can be assured that last-minute issues and unexpected delays at the
registrar’s office or loan formalities are taken care of. He is qualified enough to
carry out firefighting activities whenever needed and this truly makes a realtor
an indispensable part of a buying/selling process of a home property.
6. Safety: With property portals and online agencies making the buying and
selling easy, it has also attracted a lot of negative attention too. When you put
up your home, its images and other details on the internet, you can expect
unknown buyers wanting to see your home. You wouldn’t know the actual
intentions or background of the so-called “prospect” since there is no agent
who can verify that. Won’t this put your home and family at a risk? And all this
because you do not want to pay a commission to the agent. Think again!
It makes great sense to appoint a certified realtor to help you to sell your property
and avoid a lot of costly mistakes that could come back to haunt you in the future.
Use the professional services of a realtor who not only helps you to protect your
interests but will also justify your home’s value that is so rightly deserves.
Considering taking up a Realtor’s job?
Considering taking up a Realtor’s job? Take this reality check first!
Making a career as a realtor or a real estate agent is the easiest thing in the world. Absolutely wrong. Contrary to popular notions, building up a career as a realtor is NOT as easy as it is thought to be and needs as much dedication, sincerity, and effort as any other job in the world. The society, which is unaware of the hard work that goes into the making of a competent realtor, views it quite differently and forms its own misconceptions about this profession. We all would have known that “Uncle” who, banking heavily on “contacts and personality” jumped into the business of real estate and soon fizzled out after learning the hard truths well, the hard way.
If you are someone who has set your sights on becoming a realtor, it will be prudent to understand that it’s not a glamorous job and definitely not one for the faint-hearted. Generally, it is thought to be the ideal profession for someone who is gregarious, out-going and independent. However, it needs much more than these qualities to even qualify as a realtor and a lot of grit and determination to succeed as one.
Check out these real-life confessions by realtors who gave defined success in a brand new way and then decide if this is truly the profession you want to be in
It’s definitely not a “Work for 2-3 hours & earns millions” kind of a job
So what kind of a pay-check do realtors take home? It will surely be enough to cover all the expenses of running a shop, showing clients around and footing the occasional hotel bill. Realtors taking off large chunks of money in the form of commissions is close to being a myth as there are many expenses to be managed. Office rentals, utilities, staff salaries and many other miscellaneous expenses like advertising, promotional material, business cards, etc. have to be paid and you need to consider them before jumping with joy about the large commission cheque received.
Did I mention taxes yet? Well, you would have to pay taxes on the income received. Meeting up with clients, checking out properties, fuel expenses, and the works. Add them up and that large commission amount shrinks up a lot.
Can you sell “yourself”?
Selling homes is not a profession for the meek. Though an outgoing, gregarious personality may not guarantee a successful career as a realtor, it surely helps to be an individual who can connect to perfect strangers with ease. Building trust and confidence about your capabilities and your ability to conduct transparent transactions will go a long way in creating a long and loyal client list. But if you are one who constantly shoots off the hip, it is ultra-careful with your aim. Homes are large transactions that many of your buyers may conduct only once or twice during their lifetimes. This means that they will need to have implicit trust in the person facilitating this deal.
Realtors can easily get slotted in a category similar to insurance agents and are labeled as being “commission-hungry” or “pushy”, so ensure you are not one of them. Having a professional yet friendly attitude towards clients is the key to success as a realtor selling high-value properties.
Get ready for that “middle-of-the-night” call
I hope you are a light sleeper and even the faintest beep from your mobile can wake you up at unearthly hours. No, it’s not going to be a love note. Rather expect a call from a distraught buyer/seller who himself is spending sleepless nights over the biggest transaction of his life and expects you to join in and give him company in tiding over this difficult phase. Go ahead and hold his/her hand (strictly theoretically speaking) for a while to assuage their feelings and sing them a lullaby to put them to sleep.
Buying or selling a home is a long-drawn process and during this period, there could be occasional tiffs and tiny cold wars. Your client will always demand the moon (and not want to pay as much) so it is your talent that will come in handy to convince him/her that the moon does not have enough amenities that will do justice to their budget.
If BYOB is your mantra, then real estate selling is THE job for you!
You are going to be sailing off all alone in your own boat with no or little support when you decide to get into this demanding but highly satisfying profession. If you are comfortable chatting up clients, putting them at ease with your knowledge and a dash of humor, ready to spend days without a single prospect in sight (Who told you a realtor’s life is an easy one?) then you are primed to BYOB (Be your own boss).
However, this is a profession that will empower you with abilities to help others create their homes and settle down in life. Being a go-getter and a positive thinker will help since there will be days when nothing seems to be going right. Tiding over such situations will test your true caliber and transform you into a true blue realtor ready to take on the world.
You will do well to remember that we all buy or transact through people whom we trust. By creating the right visual imagery before a client and empathizing with their needs as yours, you can expect a lifetime emotional connect with them. Selling real estate is not about reading a book that says “How to”. Carry out a reality check for yourself before you get your feet wet in these turbulent waters of real estate buying and selling and you will never regret your decision ever.
A comprehensive guide for choosing light fixtures for your hom
It is better to illuminate than to merely shine- Italian Philosopher Thomas Aquinas
We all need that positive shaft of light to brighten our lives and the same is true for our homes too. The kind of lighting options one chooses for the home plays a highly influential role in setting up its ambiance. Lights are also instrumental in impacting the mood of the home’s occupants. This article lists all the information you need to choose lights and make your home appealing and attractive for your family and guests.
Types of Lighting
Lighting can be divided into three basic categories, viz. Ambient, Accent and Task Lighting. Let us explore them in brief:
- Ambient Lighting: The primary purpose of ambient lighting is to focus on a specific space. It can create a dramatic effect and is generally used to highlight a décor piece, sculpture or a work of art. Using wall mounted lights or track lights, it is possible to create an impact on the viewer.
- Accent Lighting: Tube lights, CFL or LED bulbs that cover a large area and have the potential to light up an entire space are categorized under Accent lighting. Choose lighting that is capable of providing uniform lighting and is pleasant too. Every room should have at least one source of accent lighting.
- Task Lighting: Areas that are created specifically for certain activities like kitchen, dining or study areas need task lighting. They are designed to enhance spaces to help certain activities and are dedicated to the task at hand. They should encourage productivity and should be pleasant. Choose task lights which are neither too dull nor too strong. It is recommended to choose white lights for this purpose as yellow lights can create a relaxing environment.
Styles and functionality
Lighting options are available in a huge variety of styles, from traditional to contemporary and a range of budgets too. You can choose from different shapes, sizes, and materials used like metal, glass, fiber, crystal, and bamboo. Light fixtures like ceiling lamps, floor lamps, spotlights, chandeliers, wall scones, and lighting strips can be used according to your need, taste and application.
There is a massive range to select from vis-à-vis tones, colors, energy-saving options, and brightness. The modern customer is truly spoilt for choice while selecting lighting elements for interior and exterior areas as lighting options are now available for every part of the home like the main door, balcony, garden, passageways, staircases or verandas. Having said that, make sure that the purpose of the lighting is clear before selecting and deciding on its placement. Always remember, your aim should be to use less number of fixtures and maximize their effectiveness.
Lighting types and fixtures for different rooms
- Living Room: Your living room and the passageway that leads to it create the first impression on guests and you should ensure that it is a lasting one. Choose to light as per the size of your living room and it should complement the room’s décor too. The use of floor-mounted lights can create a welcoming atmosphere that is relaxing as well.
You can create a pleasing and relaxing ambiance by combining the use of ambient and accent lighting. Bring out the artwork and sculptures now and display them proudly using focus lights which will highlight them beautifully. The use of dimmers can help in creating a comfortable environment as desired.
A word of caution: Too many lighting fixtures can make space look cluttered and gaudy, so choose prudently.
- Dining Room: It is quite obvious that the focus of the entire room is the dining table and the chairs around it. The use of accent lights can light up this space wonderfully. A set of drop lights or a good-looking chandelier can do wonders to the ambiance. Your fine dining chinaware and crockery can now find a place of pride as the use of wall-mounted focus lights can accentuate them handsomely.
- Bedrooms: This space needs an eclectic combination of accent and task lighting to make sure this private space has the right balance of warm and romantic vibes. Task lighting is mandatory in dressing areas where mirrors are placed and if there is a study in the bedroom, task lighting will be perfect here too. Every bedroom should have bedside lamps and floor lighting wherever possible. They are guaranteed to create a romantic ambiance and provide enough light to the room without looking too harsh.
- Kitchen: Choosing the right kind of light fixtures is extremely vital while designing the kitchen. A single source of accent lighting is mandatory in the kitchen to light up space while small LED focus lights can be spread across the kitchen at various vantage points. Activities like cooking, washing or cutting will benefit from the extra light that LEDs will provide.
- Bathroom: It is prudent to choose simple yet effective light fixtures that will illuminate the space. Ensure the lights do not cause shadows or harsh reflections in the bathroom. Place wall-mounted focus lights over mirrors so that daily activities like brushing and shaving can be made easier.
Apart from the above, areas that do not receive natural light or have steps, should be well lit to avoid accidents, especially if your family consists of young and young-at-heart members. Combine the features of lighting fixtures to create a pleasant and efficient living space, that’s not only great to look at but is practical too.
Top Common sense Tips to be used while moving home!
Shifting into a new home seems like an exciting event in one’s life as you look forward to new environs, better amenities and of course, new neighbors. It is the process of moving to the new address that is the scary part and most people look for a fool-proof and easy way to do this. We know that and here’s a useful and comprehensive list of hacks which will ease the moving process helping you to navigate through the tricky waters.
For your convenience, we have divided these useful hacks into three parts:
- Before you move
- While you move and
- The day you move
Before You Move:
- Makes sure all perishable items, frozen food, opened containers, etc. are consumed prior to your moving out so that you do not have to carry them to your new home. Plan your lunches and dinners accordingly!
- Reduce the volume and quantity of items to carry into your new home as this will reduce the clutter. Old clothes, unused furniture, utensils, footwear, etc. can be donated to orphanages or old homes. Create a separate area to store these giveaways for easy identification.
- If you are moving into a resale flat, make sure the bathroom and toilet have been thoroughly cleaned.
- Update your new address with utilities, banks, credit card companies, magazine subscriptions, etc. and leave your forwarding address with a neighbor for any mail you may receive.
- Your furniture must fit into your new home so make sure you measure your furniture before you move in. What doesn’t fit should be left behind.
- Unless you have a large group of super-enthusiastic friends, you would want to use a packer & mover service for shifting. Check as many services as possible and we are sure you will save some money
- If you are staying in a rented place, it always makes great sense to leave it in a nice condition. Use toothpaste or soap to fill holes you have drilled in the walls. Also in your new home, while hanging picture frames, glue eraser pieces to the back of the frame to give them stability and prevent scuffing.
While you Move:
- A few smart moves will help you save money and time while making this entire process hassle-free:
- Get as many boxes from the local “raddiwala” to pack in all your stuff. Believe us, you will need them all.
- Pack glass, mirrors, and other delicate items along with magazines and newspapers to avoid damage. Similarly, clothes and linen are the best packing materials for dishes and another crockery.
- Instead of folding clothes that are hanging in your wardrobe, put them in large trash bags while they are still hanging. This will help you to unpack quickly.
- Organize the boxes room wise and make sure you have labeled them as this will save you a lot of headaches when you reach the new home. Use colored tapes for different rooms to identify the boxes easily.
- Very Important: Any marking/identification you make, have to be on the sides and not on top/bottom so you can read them while they are stacked vertically too.
- Writing the contents on the box is also a great time-saving idea so you know exactly where the stuff needs to go.
- Remember to defrost the refrigerator the night before to any smell or leakage during transit. Plastic wrap is the best way to pack the refrigerator and lock the refrigerator if you still have the keys with you.
- Large pots and utensils can be stuffed with spice jars, and small kitchen items to save space and avoid many small packages/boxes.
- Laundry baskets, suitcases and trash cans (clean ones, of course) serve as excellent packing boxes, so make sure you use their space effectively.
The Day you move:
- Buy ready-to-cook, instant breakfast mixes, milk, and bread for your moving day so you and your family have enough food available for the day after.
- Keeping kids busy on the day is critical. To make them feel a part of the entire effort, entrust them with small jobs that they can manage. If possible, ask them to gather their toys and books, etc. in a box.
- Keep water, a pack of biscuits, chips or snack bars to keep you refreshed through the day.
- Important documents like your driving license, Aadhar card, PAN, registration deed of the new home, etc. need to be handy so keep them together on your person for easy retrieval.
- If you are going to reach late in the night, pack your overnight bag with nightclothes, toothbrushes, medications, and toiletries so you don’t have to rush into unpacking in the middle of the night.
- Having a good night’s sleep is crucial as moving day is always stressful and tiring.
- If you have a pet, try to maintain its routine of a walk or food/snack time, so they settle down easier in their new surroundings too.
- A clear plastic bin with an “Open this first” label on it, will go a long way in calming your nerves for items needed first thing in the morning. Believe us!
The more you try to stick to a proper schedule and adhere to these hacks listed above, the easier and stress-free your moving day will be. Your moving process just became easier with these 25 simple, common sense moving tips, go try them!
Is the Real Estate Business going the dinosaur’s way?
As per researchers at Oxford University, the potential for artificial intelligence computer algorithms to replace jobs like telemarketing and real estate broking is estimated between 97% and 99%. Losing your job is scary; to an AI Computer algorithm or another human does not matter. The technological disruption that is taking the real estate world by storm is set to dramatically change the way the real estate industry operates as a profession. There are many indications from researchers and the market itself that it is not only the brokers but the entire real estate industry that will have to rethink about how the change in technology, behavior, and demographics will affect business models and opportunities.
Through this article we shall explore the plausible reasons why we think that the real estate industry could be moving rapidly towards extinction:
There is a new kind of customer on the block who needs to be treated differently:
The world is gradually gravitating towards a sharing economy where people are keen to rent and borrow goods instead of owning them on a permanent basis. This kind of economy is expected to net more than $300 Billion by the year 2025 and this will lead to traditional real estate business losing their market share in a major way. Service like AirBnB is already gaining massive popularity with the youth, but it is the aging society that is pushing us to change the way we think about real estate business. The growing volume of the aging population has to be catered to and assisted living and accessibility to necessary facilities will have to be focussed upon. Real estate demand and success will be driven by factors like lifestyles, attitudes, values, opinions and more importantly, the personality of the consumer, who is increasingly becoming more and more unpredictable.
We are not prepared for the onslaught of Urbanization and Migration:
Urban infrastructure and affordable housing are on high priority since it helps every individual to succeed, but due to a serious lack of initiative and funding, these projects often do not take off, forget completion. With more and more urban dwellers struggling to secure their own housing, by 2025, this number could take gigantic proportions and with a large percentage of the population getting urbanized in the developing and the developed world, there will be a huge impact on economic, environmental and health issues.
Prices for accommodation are expected to rise along with social worries and community living will take a dip. The real estate sector can provide valuable inputs like the development of new housing concepts to suit the social issues along with regulation policies and incentive models.
The unreliable future of the real estate profession:
A large percentage of people who were a part of a survey conducted said that computers and automated technology were all set to carry out a number of activities that humans do today. However, they did not feel that this would affect their own jobs in any way. Such irrational assessments and biases exist within the real estate industry too which can be detrimental to its future. Real estate entrepreneurs will have to generate entrepreneurial skills and aptitudes to create their own jobs in the future, and this will change the way real estate industry functions.
Is Location no longer the keyword for real estate success?
The requirement for office space is changing dramatically as increasing interconnectivity, better mobility and flexibility towards work is having a growing effect on property rates on urban and semi-urban areas all over the world. The idea of traditional office space has already gone drastic changes and we can see the trend changing over the years.
Live-work space integration solutions will go a long way in reducing wastage of space and increase the potential of using space in a more effective manner. A large portion of office real estate lies vacant during the night and on weekends and its utilization is really low. In the past and in the present too, real estate agents have sold property utilizing the “location” carrot quite effectively, which may not be the case in the near future.
Real estate versus virtual space
Businesses are no longer dependent on swanky offices and high-cost workplaces to achieve success as hyper-connectivity has changed the equation drastically. More and more virtual space is being utilized thus bringing down the importance of physical space and with technology continuing to evolve, the impact on the real estate industry will be highly visible and stronger. Virtual communication, webinars/ web-conferences and video conferences are quite common, bringing down the need to travel and create spaces for seminars and meetings, thus impacting real estate requirements.
Governance and transparency
One of the first casualties of government policies is the real estate market as the development of real asset markets is easily affected. The real estate industry can contribute positively by proposing better urban planning, highlighting policies and tackling important issues like corruption and non-transparency. Managing cities are increasingly becoming difficult and if the real estate industry contributes positively to it, it will surelrenting
help its own cause in a huge way.
5 Powerful Tips to tackle fears about investing in property
Worried about investing in property? Here’s how you can beat these fears
Sweaty palms? Does the heart beat at the speed of a jackhammer? Unsteady hands? Well, we are not describing a medical condition here. Investors in property often get the jitters and take a reverse turn just before signing on the dotted line in the agreement copy. One cannot blame a potential buyer for this condition since investing in a property is probably the single largest investment he or she may commit to during a lifetime. After all, he may be investing a huge chunk of his savings and if he is taking a loan, he is committing to a lifetime of EMIs.
Many potential property buyers turn into fence-sitters after thinking about rising property rates, mortgage worries, and excessive market speculation. In this article, we will explore these fears and find ways to tackle them in an effective and practical manner.
- Falling Property market: This is unarguably the single biggest fear any investor has. Although a fall in property prices can because of sleepless nights for buyers, it is necessary to assess the situation from a practical viewpoint. Rather than falling property prices, it is actually the asking value by the seller that sees a fall. Real estate is an asset that grows at a slow pace but it returns can be measured and quantified. Choosing a property that has good schools, shopping areas and business hubs in the vicinity rarely see a price drop and hence should be first choices. Such locations will always stay in demand.
- Cost of maintenance and furnishing the flat: A new home often demands new expenses, especially when it is unfurnished and it has to be readied for people and their needs. Interiors, appliances, furniture, and furnishings are essential expenses one has to invest unless the property is fully-furnished and in a ready-to-move condition. Homes with newly done interiors and paint/wallpaper are ideal choices when selecting a home. Identify damages to the flat early and get them repaired before they metamorphose to unmanageable proportions. Set aside some funds for repairs or other contingencies to help you face them without breaking the bank.
- Complicated loan or mortgage procedures: Buyers often feel that applying for a loan and understanding the terms of the finance company or bank is a difficult task. Excessive paperwork is also a deterrent for many property buyers and keeps them away from dealing with financial institutions. Buyers should remember that this is avoidable so it is better to make peace with the fact and learn as much as possible about the procedure instead of deferring the decision to buy a property. Engage a knowledgeable and certified real estate professional who can guide you in such matters and ease the process for you.
- Fear of debt: When investing in a property, taking a loan has become quite necessary for a large segment of buyers. However, buyers can often doubt their own capability of repaying a home loan or falling behind on EMIs due to the loss of a job or any kind of medical emergency. It is, therefore, necessary to take a realistic view of the budget one can afford and also consider any kind of inconsistency that you may encounter in the future. With practical future planning and inculcating the habit of savings, you can disable the fear of debt and face the future with confidence.
- Loss of confidence: Buyers often get skeptical about their choice of property in terms of wrong location, unscrupulous developers or overextending their budget. Buyers also worry about making the wrong decision and later repenting about it. Take an informed decision so you know that you cannot go wrong with it ever. List out the positives and the negatives of the selected project, check out the amenities and make a note of the conveniences it offers. Look for a property that gives out positive vibes in the first instance and thinks over your decision before committing yourself to it. Remember there is always an ideal home waiting for you and it is a matter of time and consistent effort that will bring you face-to-face with it.
Indulging in too much speculation, listening to unwanted advice and giving in to your fears can prove to be detrimental in this quest to secure the perfect property. The above tips will ease your worries to a great extent.
Feeling confident already? Go ahead and take the right steps in the right direction. The home of your dreams is just around the corner.
Social Media as a Lead-Generation Tool- Truth or Myth?
Social Media platforms are a great way of connecting to long-lost friends, business associates, bosses, and peers. Apart from this, these platforms are a wonderful method of connecting to customers and potential clients. They can be relied upon to broadcast a premium property that is up for rent or sale and to announce a new service you have recently started to offer. But is it prudent to rely on social media to generate leads for your real estate business?
Realty Business is much more than only being active online
You surely do not think that once you post a property listing or an ad on Facebook or any other social media platform, leads will start gushing in, do you? If you do, you are not alone. A large number of realtors spend a huge portion of their productive time, posting property listings on social media and tweaking their status every few hours, hoping to grab the attention of buyers and sellers. Instead of supplementing their main activity of meeting and physically interacting with potential clients with a robust social media strategy, they work the other way round and often find themselves staring at the wrong end of the business funnel.
It would make greater business sense to connect to clients with whom successful transactions have been conducted in the past than looking for leads in the virtual world. The realty business is more about building personal contacts, asking for referrals and strengthening current relationships than fortifying an existing online presence. While there isn’t an iota of a doubt about the ease and convenience that social media offers, it can never replace the face-to-face interactions and even a phone call. Social media can surely complement your efforts after you have had the initial meetings and discussion, but it cannot lay the foundations of a strong and long-lasting business association.
Send that friend request NOW!!
If utilized efficiently, social media possesses the power to take communication to the next level and strengthen a business relationship. Let’s see how:
- Follow-up: Right after a meeting or an interaction with a client, you would do well to follow it up with a personal note on a common social media platform. This small but powerful step can lead to generating a lot of goodwill and will come across a thoughtful one. Asking for referrals while doing so is also a good move if done innovatively and without sounding overbearing.
- Add value: Customers and potential clients are always looking for realtors who can provide value through information and services. Make sure your social media posts are relevant to your client base and have authentic information about areas like changes in Government regulations or property laws and even home loan procedures.
- Use it as a Platform to display your range of services: Social media can be utilized to establish your brand and the range of services you offer. If you specialize in commercial property, ensure that it is highlighted well enough for clients to recall when required. Be selective about what you post and make sure your page isn’t cluttered with irrelevant posts. Images of completion of a project, keys being handed over and client testimonies are always the best bet so use them judiciously. This will build relationships and generate leads too.
Heady Cocktails for everyone to savor!
Remember, social media is a highly effective way of reaching across to clients and prospects when you are not meeting them face-to-face or haven’t called them up for a long time. It can never replace the physical connect a realtor builds with his customers but can serve timely reminders on his behalf. A personal visit or an appreciative gift does wonders to the health of a realtor-client relationship and so do likes on the Facebook page. Ensure you stir up a healthy concoction of one-to-one connects and online contact and remain in touch with existing clients while building up a steady pipeline of prospective customers too.
Five Powerful Tips for Realtors to plan their Digital Strategy
Dear Realtors, New Opportunities are always knocking at our doors and while most us are busy with our daily tasks at hand and cracking deals, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to give shape to a robust business plan that can help you sail through troubled waters.
How about reviewing last year’s strategy and evaluating what worked for you and what didrael?
Is there any business challenge that you could have managed in a better way?
Eliminate the fluff and trim some excess weight your business has put on and welcome the New Opportunities in a brand new avatar. The real estate industry is turning over a new leaf and your buyers and sellers are getting increasingly dependent on digital information and seamless transactions. That’s why it should be your priority to enhance your presence in the digital world and implement processes accordingly.
The following tips are worthy of a look and will assure you of a robust digital strategy in 2019 -2020:
Focus on Personal branding this year:
It is time to use the entire goodwill that your business has created over the past year and utilize it to create a personal brand. Pushing the value of your organization in the digital world will ensure that your business receives more eyeballs than ever before. Connect to a professional digital marketing firm and focus on improving public relations that will give your business the necessary impetus right at the beginning of the year.
Revitalize your website:
Modern-day clients are known to visit a business website first and then call to discuss details. Since digital is the way to go, ensure that your first impression is as impressive and impactful as possible. Check your website now and infuse it with some new energy by altering its design and content so that your clients can relate to it easily. Check if navigation is simple and provides all the necessary information without much fuss. Most clients access information on their mobile phones and tablets to make sure the website is mobile-friendly too.
Create a blog:
There is no better way than creating a niche blog to get people talking about you and noticing your business in the digital world. People are on a constant lookout for quality information and if it is relevant to their needs and updated, you are assured of a continuous flow of visitors (read potential customers). Push your blog and its content on social media and build a loyal following that will grow steadily as time goes by. As a Realtor, your blog can be very effective you in branding you like the Local Specialist and the go-to guy…. think about it.
Communication is the key:
If you want to share your story and ideas with the right type of audience, there is no better way than the digital way. Build a sense of anticipation around your story and personalize it as much as possible to suit your audience’s needs. Use CRM platforms or email marketing campaigns to ensure consistent communication with your potential customers. Draw up a budget and arrive at the most cost-effective ways of reaching out using multiple delivery points. Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, and emails can form a great mix of communication with existing and potential customers.
It’s the time for Video:
The visual medium has proved to be more effective than the written or spoken word and your business too could benefit if it is used in the right manner. Promote your business and attract a larger volume of clients by creating a short bio about yourself from a professional agency. It would also help if you could get a few of your clients to talk about you and your work. Share your latest success in the form of a video and create a dramatic impact on your viewers.
Explore the above tips with an open mind and bring in some dramatic changes to the way the world looks at your real estate business. The real estate industry is going through a metamorphosis and it’s definitely time your digital strategy is geared up to handle this change.
Create your BluePrint for Success in 2019 -2020 by using the digital medium and increase your market share by leaps and bounds. And don’t forget to invest the requisite capital to do this…… Wishing you a bountiful time ahead.
Practical Vaastu Tips you must know before buying your new Home
When literally translated, the term ‘Vaastu Shastra’ means the Science of Architecture and is an ancient Hindu system of architecture. This science is a combination of Hindu and Buddhist beliefs and has integrated architecture with nature to formulate unique rules to be followed during the construction of a house. A large number of home and commercial property buyers consider Vaastu Shastra while taking a decision and this has driven property developers and builders to build Vaastu-compliant homes.
This science is often treated as an irrational belief but being based on the principles of the five elements of nature, it does deserve a second thought, especially when such a large investment is at stake. Let us understand a few basic but practical Vaastu tips you can easily follow while buying a property:
- Entrance to your home: While buying an apartment, it is the entrance to the entire property or the main gate that shall be taken into consideration. North or North-East entrances are generally recommended as opposed to South or West. The sun rays from the north or north-east are beneficial to the residents of the home, thus this precaution.
- Ventilation and sunlight: As a regular buyer, you would definitely consider these aspects as they are integral to a homeowner’s well-being. Vaastu too lays great emphasis on homes being airy, well-lit and should receive ample amount of sunlight. Any home that has a claustrophobic atmosphere is bound to breed germs and bacteria, which sunlight can kill and stop its growth.
- Kitchen: The south-east end (Agneya- a direction governed by fire) of your home is the most ideal place for the kitchen with the kitchen platform facing the east (the sun rises in the east and the stove/cooking gas should face it). Ensure that your main door does not face the kitchen as it brings negative energy into the kitchen directly.
- Water Tanks: While building a home, ensure your water tank is placed in the north-east direction as the morning ultra-violet rich rays can reach it easily.
- Kid’s Room: To avoid harmful rays of the sun from entering a child’s room, having the room in the North-east or north-west direction is recommended.
- Toilets and Bath Areas: South-west or the southern-most end of the apartment are ideal for wash areas. One line of thinking says this is done so that winds that generally flow from south-west do not contaminate the rest of the home. Also, it makes sense to keep the puja room away from the toilet area, whether you are a believer of Vaastu or not.
- Master Bedroom: The master bedroom should be ideally located in the South-west corner, especially when you have selected and east facing home. The winds flowing from the kitchen carry their aroma and this along with its sounds, could be a hindrance while trying to sleep.
It is recommended to use these Vaastu tips in a practical and sensible manner, after consulting with a certified Vaastu expert. Do not follow any suggestions blindly and make sure you have checked all the parameters before implementing them in your home. One cannot simply expect Vaastu tips to work out of thin air and needs support from the members of the home in every possible way. The benefits will be surely visible when these tips are followed up with the basics of cleanliness and hygiene.