Tag: Realtor

Why take a home loan?

In my 27 years of real estate consulting, I have seen almost 93% of my clients avail a home loan to fund their home purchase. Since most home purchases are beyond the budget of home buyers, they use home loans to bridge the gap between their funding and the total cost of the home they are buying.

But what if I tell you that many home buyers still opt for home loans even if they have spare funds to buy the dream home. Yes that’s true. In today’s scenario buyers prefer taking a home loan to fund such purchase. And here is my insight into why these clients prefer taking a home loan.

  1. You get your due diligence done –
    All the banks get a rigorous due diligence done for any property that’s funded by them. This due diligence process consists of checking the title of the property, vetting of all the legal documents till date, find out if there are any encumbrances or existing mortgage on the said property and if the current owner has a clear and marketable title to the property.

  2. You get a valuation done –
    Ascertaining the true market value of any property is tricky and best left to professional valuers. Your housing finance company gets your property valued for you at no cost to you. Isn’t that wonderful? You have access to the exact value of the property you are buying and you get it for free.

  3. You have spare money to invest in high pay off investments –
    Home loan interest rates are the lowest amongst all category of loans that a bank has to offer. Now imagine this – You have surplus funds of ₹ 3 Crores and instead of using it to fund your new 3 bedroom home at Borivali, you take a home loan of ₹ 3 Crore and buy that swanky new home. And with this surplus of ₹ 3 Crores, you buy an office at Andheri East. This new office will fetch you a rent of at least ₹ 1,25,000/- per month, which helps you pay off part of your home EMI. Cheap home loans help you leverage your money better and create more assets for you. The only downside is you have to be careful with where you invest your hard-earned money.

  4. You can grow your business with your funds –
    Instead of locking up your valuable capital in buying a new home or upgrading to a bigger home, you can take a home loan and use your funds to expand your business or scale up your operations across the country. Your business gives you the highest ROI and it never makes sense to fund home purchases when you have a huge need of capital to grow your company.

  5. Loan against Property is your emergency fund generator –
    Want funds to renovate your home or have an unexpected expense come up? Top up loans in form of loan against property (your home) can surely come to your rescue. Your asset can always get you liquidity in terms of funds, whenever you need it. But don’t get tempted to take a top up loan and indulge in speculative stock market investments. It may seem lucrative, but it’s not allowed as per the lending norms and you run the risk of losing your capital in the volatile markets. So be very prudent in taking loan against property also known as top up loans.

  6. You get tax breaks –
    Yes that’s right. You get income tax rebates on the interest paid on your home loan and also the principal repaid.

Home loans can become your asset instead of a long term liability if you leverage money in a prudent manner and this can create assets for your future as well.

THE INDIAN REALTOR’S MANIFESTO

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the word ‘Manifesto’ as “a written statement declaring publicly the intentions, motives, or views of its issuer”. The closest we would come to reading a manifesto is before a crucial election when a political party or an aspiring candidate would publish one. It is a detailed statement that tells people what the party/candidate is about and what they hope to achieve by contesting the elections.

The realtor’s profession or the Indian real estate industry, in general, was till recently quite unorganized and hence maligned and misunderstood too. However, in recent times, with new and relevant rules and laws being implemented, things have looked up, giving it a semblance of professionalism, and this has boosted its image. If realtors like us, who wear the tag of the professional realtor quite proudly, decide to pen down a manifesto, it would be a revelation to people outside of the industry and a stark reminder to most of our brethren too. It will also shine light upon the so-called “real estate agents” and highlight the difference between them and professional REALtors. So here goes:

The Indian Realtor may wear many hats during his workday but he isn’t any of the following: Continue reading THE INDIAN REALTOR’S MANIFESTO

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:

  1. 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!
  2. 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.
  3. If you are moving into a resale flat, make sure the bathroom and toilet have been thoroughly cleaned.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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
  7. 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:

  1. A few smart moves will help you save money and time while making this entire process hassle-free:
  2. Get as many boxes from the local “raddiwala” to pack in all your stuff. Believe us, you will need them all.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Writing the contents on the box is also a great time-saving idea so you know exactly where the stuff needs to go.
  8. 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.
  9. Large pots and utensils can be stuffed with spice jars, and small kitchen items to save space and avoid many small packages/boxes.
  10. 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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Keep water, a pack of biscuits, chips or snack bars to keep you refreshed through the day.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Having a good night’s sleep is crucial as moving day is always stressful and tiring.
  7. 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.
  8. 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!

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.

  1. 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.
  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 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.
  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 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.
  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 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.
  5. 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.

 

 

Why should a Buyer/seller choose you as their realtor?

Ask any real estate agent the two most basic questions “Why should a customer choose to work with you?” & “What are your strengths?” about customers choosing them and watch them squirm in discomfort. After a lot of mumbling and probably long stretches of silence, there is often get a standard response “I have been doing this for XYZ years”. This would imply that the guy is a survivor and not necessarily an expert in his field.

Look around and you will find yourself competing with hundreds of realtors who are targeting a limited number of buyers or sellers. With such severe competition snapping at your heels, it is important to bring some strong points to the table that others lack. When your customer places his trust in you, you should showcase qualities that will inspire confidence.

Highlight your abilities

When you meet with a prospective customer, go ahead and showcase a specific skill set you possess. Do not assume that since you have been a realtor for ages, it isn’t necessary to do so. Focus on your negotiation skills if you have a sales background to boast of and this is bound to impress your clients. Showcase your cool head and easy temperament which may be required during stressful situations that may arise during the sale/purchase. Use your past work experiences to build a powerful skill dossier your client will love to browse through.

Be well-informed

The real estate industry and its methods of conducting business are continually changing. A client expects his realtor to know and understand the intricacies of transacting a property. He depends on you to know all about property buying/selling, the legal documents, and the registration process. Your client may have bought or sold a property a few years ago so explain the changes that have happened since. In this manner, he will realize your knowledge level in this field and his confidence will grow. If you do not have the right answer, do not hesitate to say so but make sure you come back with one.

Put your best foot forward

While showcasing a property in-person to a prospective client, ensure that the property has been cleaned and doesn’t have cobwebs or pools of rainwater. Any correspondence you have with the client should be business-like and well-written. Do not send random brochures and flyers to a client who is already in touch with you.

Pay attention to your grooming and dressing, especially while meeting a client the first time. A freshly-pressed pair of trousers coupled with a clean shirt is bound to make a better first impression than a casual outfit. The first impression you create will lay a good platform for business and you can expect a steady flow of references too from the client. Make sure your car has been cleaned from the inside and outside if you are planning to take your client around to showcase properties.

Give undivided attention to the client

That person sitting across the table is most important and there is no harm in making him feel so. He is a client and deserves complete attention from his realtor. When a client speaks, listen actively and respond with genuine questions and answers. Listening is an essential skill one should practice since it can provide many clues and tips about the client’s state of mind.

Cell phones were supposed to simplify the way we communicate with each other but it has added a few challenges to our lives. Do not check messages while speaking to the client and take calls only if it is absolutely essential.

Ensure proper follow-up

A lot of business opportunities are left unexplored due to the lack of follow-up from our side. Respond to a call or a message at the first opportunity if you are unable to attend to them if you are in a meeting or driving. If the property you have showcased to a client drops its prices, inform the client so he has another opportunity to make a decision. Follow-up is an art that is often ignored but can give rich dividends if done in a professional manner.

Place yourself in your customers’ shoes and ask yourself what kind of service you would like. Basic fundamentals like updated knowledge, attention to tiny details and genuine customer service will never go out of fashion and should be diligently implemented wherever possible. Deliver service that is peppered with such gems and you will remain at the top of your clients’ minds forever.

 

 

How to ease Stress While Moving into your New Home

 

Moving into a new home can be a stressful experience for most, considering the hassles of packing, adjusting to a new neighborhood and unpacking. If this phase isn’t planned in a proper, organized manner, it can metamorphose into a stressful situation that could take days to address and lead to a chaotic life. Now that you have secured a beautiful home and landed yourself a new job(if the relocation has happened to a new city or country), it is time to take things in your stride and enjoy the moment. Moving can be a crazy time for the entire family but it can be made less stressful with a little bit of planning.

Here’s what you can do to make moving into a new home a joyful event than a difficult task:

  • Plan well: Planning is the most important part of a glitch-free shifting into a new home. Carry a diary or a notebook and prepare a list of the things you will need to address while moving. It is better to clear your mind well in advance as this will help you to think straight. Things like school admissions, address changes, etc. will gain priority and have to be done way before you actually move. Book movers and packers in advance to save money and avoid last-minute hassles. Prepare your schedule in advance and you will sail through this event in a smooth and settled manner.
  • Don’t Rush: While moving, it is necessary to give yourself and your family, time to soak in the idea of moving into a new home and adjust to it. If the decision is a planned one, then the process can be slightly easier, but in case of a short notice, things can move quite dramatically, throwing your life out of gear. Breathe deeply and begin thinking about the various options before you and plan things accordingly. No one is ever an expert at moving since we move 2 or 3 times in our entire lifetime, so don’t push yourself too much. You will get through. If you have kids, take them around to the new locality you are moving in to, as this helps them to get an actual feel of the surroundings. This will help them to adjust emotionally and physically as well.
  • Begin moving today: Do not wait till the day of actual shifting and begin removing the clutter from your home right from today. There would be a lot of stuff that you won’t carry to your new home and would rather dispose of it here. Identify such items and begin pre-work at the earliest. This will help to reduce stress on moving day and keep you free to focus on other important stuff. Order a few boxes and begin with small items that are not useful on a daily basis. De-clutter as much as possible and begin afresh in your new home, away from the past.
  • Define priorities: Getting organized and prepared for moving is the key to remaining sane and reducing stress. Use that diary you have made, to good effect and split the task into daily and weekly ones, as this will help you to keep track of things yet to get done. Call up friends and family and ask for help. Delegating responsibilities helps a lot and allows you to focus better. Working with friends can be a fun experience too and you can use their calm demeanor and expertise to get work done. An additional pair of helping hands is always helpful and makes work easier and stress-free.
  • Rest: It is easy to get lost in the humungous work that you can see before you while moving and we tend to skip a lot of our daily routine activities. Ensure you get a good night’s sleep in the run-up to your shifting and are having proper meals. Don’t miss or delay lunch and dinner times as you surely do not want to feel exhausted and tired before the big day. Reduce caffeine intake and do not compromise on your exercise/walk routine if you are following one.

While moving, keep a back-up plan ready, in case it rains or there is a truck-owners strike on the day. Knowing that there is an alternate plan ready to implement, is in itself stress-relieving and will keep you relaxed. Your movers and packers may miss the date by oversight so be prepared to take the next available day instead of picking up a fight with the company. Focus on your aim of moving and breathe easy.

How living in an Independent villa can inspire a truly Exclusive Lifestyle

Five Exclusive Benefits of living in a villa

Wouldn’t you give anything (well, almost) for an opportunity to own and live a king-sized life in a villa? A sprawling independent villa in a quiet, upmarket locality is stuff dreams are made of and this is especially true when compared to living in an apartment. A villa will provide a lifetime of privacy and comfort, not to mention the dramatic transformation of lifestyle that it will bring in.

Already dreaming of spending a chilled out and relaxed evening in your own garden space, showing off your splendid home? Check these absolutely undeniable advantages of living in a villa to further endorse your decision to move into one:

Unbridled freedom

An independent villa provides its owner with massive freedom. You can customize the entire living space of your abode the way you want to. Want to give the external walls your favorite hues of bright colors? Go ahead and bring them on, as there is no one to question your choice of colors (assuming the wife has already consented).

You have the freedom to impart character and uniqueness to the entire home, right from the old-fashioned doorbell to the weathercock atop the chequered rooftop. You may have curbed your pet instincts till now, but in an independent villa, pet hating neighbors are the least of your worries.

Complete customization

After you have signed on the dotted line and received possession of your villa, you are free to pull down a wall or build one if you choose to. As time goes by, the kids will grow and you may add a couple of pets to the family. The changing family needs will warrant changes in space and design and your villa will offer you this flexibility without having to ask for permission from the housing society. The freedom to furnish your space as per your tastes is certainly quite sweet and satisfying. Living in a customized space gives a huge sense of belonging and this is one of the biggest advantages of living in a villa.

Indulging the green thumb

You can always practice your gardening skills as a villa can afford garden space, the size being immaterial. Bring out those garden tools and spend the weekend, weeding and poking at the earth, and unearthing a hobby that existed only on paper. Plants have the amazing ability to transform the way a home looks and a villa allows so much in these terms. You can cultivate your own veggies for personal consumption or simply lounge around in its calming environs. How about building a few birdhouses for the winged variety and collecting some brownie points?

Terrific rental returns

If you are not yet ready to move into your villa and yet are keen to earn out of it till you do, how about giving it out on rent? This will ensure your property earns while you are away and it is maintained by the tenants. In case you decide to rent your villa, make sure you draw a legal agreement to ensure there are no hassles in the future. If you have taken a loan to build this dream house, use the rent to pay off some part of the loan or simply treat this amount as additional income.

Enhance your lifestyle

Your lifestyle will rise up by several notches as a villa speaks volumes about the owner’s position in society. If you are keen to live an exclusive life that symbolizes sophistication and luxury, then an independent villa is certainly the key to it.

While we have discussed the top five advantages of living in a villa, there are many such benefits that it will offer and are waiting to be discovered. Ensure that you take an informed decision and engage the services of a professional realtor who can provide a wide choice that you can select from.

 

A comprehensive guide for choosing light fixtures for your home

 

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 ambience. 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 that 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, fibre, crystal, and bamboo. Light fixtures like ceiling lamps, floor lamps, spotlights, chandeliers, wall sconces 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.

Realtors-Employing Technology for a Personalized Touch

With technology improving by the hour, the entire real estate process has undergone a huge metamorphosis, as every step, right from property listing to finalization of the deal, has been impacted by its presence. The transaction process of buying or selling a property can be a tedious one but the right combination of a professional realtor and technology can make it a seamless one for you.

Devices like tablets and mobile phones are commonly used and customers can choose either, to transact and communicate with realtors and vice versa too. Realtors get a better insight into their business and have better control over day-to-day operations. It provides some fabulous opportunities for delighting the customers as new technology are equipped with tools to give great experiences to the customer and realtor. Realtors who employ technology in their business to boost their service quality, are able to provide top quality experiences to their clients, without compromising on a much-needed human touch.

Providing Benefits to the Customer

Many realtor firms focus and spend a lot on digital marketing, lead generation, email marketing, SMS blasts, etc. in the quest to uncover potential customers and to reach them. However, although technology has its own benefits, it is a direct referral from a satisfied customer that still leads the way. Realtors who focus on giving a fulfilling experience to their customers during the entire process of buying or selling their homes are more likely to get references. Remember, buying a home is a hugely emotional experience for most customers and as a realtor, if you connect well at this level, you have earned a client for a lifetime.

While the human touch is important, customers love when things are simplified for them and technology does this quite efficiently and in a seamless manner. After all, they are using technology to simplify their lives, beginning with the morning coffee to booking flight tickets to finding life partners. Prudent realtors ensure that technology is used in the right context and quantity with the human touch. For example, although communication has many channels at its disposal, a face-to-face meeting serves many purposes and is preferred when the issue is complex. Use technology to exchange information and set up meetings. All this leads to a highly positive experience for the customer.

Treating employees as customers

As a professional realtor, you will have a team of sales agents who reach out to customers on the phone or personally. For the successful running of your business, it is necessary to attract new talent and retain them too, as they represent your organization, its values, and ethics. Provide them with suitable means of online communications in the office or when they are on the move since this will help them to give your customers an experience that is garnished with the right amount of human touch.

Keep the team interested and engrossed in day-to-day work by providing online training, a powerful communication device and the freedom to reach out to customers in the most suitable manner. The elaborate use of technology to keep the team connected between themselves and their customers is often the key to attracting talent and employee retention.

Embracing technology for the smooth running of a business

Gone are the days when one had to sift through stacks of documents to review them or comply with the authorities involved. Technology helps us to store files, documents, signatures, deeds, and agreements in the digital format and thus can be retrieved without a hassle. No paperwork is inaccessible as scanned documents can be easily forwarded or presented before the relevant authority in a quick time. This provides a truly improved experience to the customers. Employees too, have more time on hand to carry out the tasks they are supposed to and connect to more customers to sell real estate.

Technology helps realtors to market their business well and reach out to customers quickly, thus leading to more closures. The use of modern communication devices, CRM and marketing techniques can be useful to a certain extent but remember these are only a part of the entire process. Adding the flavor of human emotions and face-to-face communications is necessary for realtors to give a personalized touch to probably the most important transaction of your customer’s lifetime.

Five Top Reasons to use a Realtor while buying a home

Your decision to buy a home could possibly be the most important one in your lifetime (choosing your spouse would be another) and carries the highest value in terms of money invested. It’s a huge step to invest in a home of your own and relieve yourself of the hassles of a rented one. You will need to ascertain that you take the right steps and make this single largest investment of your life, truly count.

Here are 5 major reasons why you would do well to use a Realtor during this process.

  • Put your Realtor’s expertise to best use

Buying a home is easy but locating the right one, sifting through the available choices and more importantly, negotiating for the right price is the difficult bit. The Real estate agent has tons of experience in this field and is critical to the entire process of this major financial transaction that you are about to get into. You are assured of real properties with real sellers when a Realtor is involved, unlike the fake listings on the myriad online property sites.

  • Don’t pinch pennies. Employ an expert!

You DON’T self-medicate during a serious illness, do you? Likewise, this is a big-ticket decision of your life and using a professional will prevent a lot of heartburn in the long run. We know you are eyeing the significant amount you could save on the agent’s commission if you went on your own but as the saying goes “Don’t be penny wise and pound foolish!”

  • Relax a while as your Realtor does what he does best

Your Real Estate agent will always have superior access to the local properties, assuming that he/she is a full-time professional (you should check that out too). Fellow realtors are a part of their network and know exactly which homes are on the block for sale.

Once you share your criteria for choice as a home, the realtor swings into action by sifting through the available choices. Getting in touch with prospective sellers and fixing appointments with them as per mutual convenience is his responsibility now.

 

  • Find your way thru the legal maze with ease

A vital part of the home buying process includes the legal formalities that are necessary to complete the financial transaction. Various government rules have to be complied with and necessary payments and taxes have to be paid. The Real estate agent is well-versed with the contract preparation and liaises with the authorities with reassuring familiarity.

He/she will ensure that all the necessary steps are taken and certify a hassle-free transaction for both the involved parties, as the agent will benefit financially when the deal is sealed.

  • Use the services of a Master Negotiator

After you have zeroed in on your preferred home, it is now time to crunch numbers with the sellers. You and the seller could have a clash of interests while negotiating and could hit a roadblock. With loads of experience of many such negotiations, your real estate agent can negotiate on your behalf and clinch the deal for you at the right price.

Okay, let’s wrap it up!

While purchasing a property, select an agent who is a crack negotiator and knows the neighborhood well. Despite the proliferation of countless online property sites, it is the reassuring presence of a trustworthy Realtor by your side that is comforting, someone who has your best interests at heart. A professional Real Estate Agent will be the right person to have with you when it is the moment of truth and he can bail you out of tough situations too if the need arises!