Barb Schlinker The Real Estate Voice

The Easy Button Zillow Just Got Not So EasySegment 1Selling to Zillow, the Easy Button, Halted Because its NOT so EasyBarb, I know its tough for the first time home buyers to enter the market.  Now we are hearing that Zillow quit buying homes nation wide.  Could they be signaling a market correction? Zillow is only buying in a few RED HOT markets:Zillow was flipping homes for a profitTheir biggest source of reveneCame under scrutiny.Some people think they pushed home to unrealistically high levelsPeyton StorySome Bloggers Say Announcement Signals A Declining MarketZillow Has Been the World Leader  ON  DataIgnoring Some Bloggers are Facts and Guessing to get Ratings Zillow Tells a Diff StoryZillow is Pausing new contracts allows them to focus on sellers already in the pipelineThey have Efficiency Issues NOTHome Selling IssuesZillow Stops Due to a Temporary PauseNeed “Extraordinary Local Expertise”Wall Street does NOT Have ThatTheir Algorithms are wrong!Their People are NOT experts!Who do you want handling one

Sell by Owner Save the Commission - Hot New ListingsSegment 4Sell by Owner and Save the Commission & Hot New ListingsBarb, Most Home Sellers want to get the most amount of money when they sell their homes. Tell us how they can Sell by Owner and Save the Commission.Some home sellers think they can sell their homes easily by owner, in this low inventory real estate market and it will save them thousands.WARNING:  RISKS OF Selling By OwnerI’m Barb Schlinker with Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty Colorado and I have helped thousands of home sellers sell their homes for top dollar.We are offering a FREE report entitled:HOW TO SELL YOUR COLORADO SPRINGS AREA HOME BY OWNER AND SAVE THE COMMISSIONTo get your report visit: www.BarbHasTheBuyers.comClick on the GREEN BUTTON or Call: 719 301 3900In the Report it Discusses the top 10 things you should know.  Here are a few:1. Pricing it Righta. Most common is sellers price to low and leave thousands on the tablei. Mountain shadows story2. Market the Home Effectively:a.

Winter Best Time to Sell 2021Segment 3Why Winter is a GREAT Time to Sell a HomeBarb, we have heard that there are much more limited choices of homes for buyers to choose from. Can you tell us why that is and why this is a great time to sell a home, even in the middle of winter..Make the Timing of the Sale Work for YOUThe Colorado Springs area real estate market is, by far one of the HOTTEST in the CountryHome values have increase by 20% in just 1 year!Interest Rates at Record Low Levels (below 1200 homes)Biggest Home Seller Fears:Market Will CrashPrices Will DropPrices Get So High Cannot Trade Up!~Interest Rates Go UPWhat does that look like if you are thinking of selling?Multiple or Good Offers if: you are priced realisticallyyou hire the right agent who know how to command top dollarPick the best offerPick and choose you preferred closing dateSmooth on time closingI’m Barb Schlinker with YHSGRC…I have helped thousands of home sellers sell for top dollar Not every agent is the same If you are thinking of mak

The Top 5 Things to Prepare Your Home for SaleSegment 2The Top Five Things to Prepare Your Home for SaleBarb, If someone is thinking of selling their home, What are some the top things a home seller should do to prepare their homes for sale1. Curb Appeal – Buyers spend a majority of their time looking at homes at the Front Yard, the Back Yard and View.a. This time of year there is no excuse not to make your yard look great!b. Even though it’s a Sellers Market.c. Buyers Eliminate Homes with ‘Deferred Maintenance’d. Spoke with one buyer last week that told me she eliminates home in just 5 Clicks!e. Wrong:f. Right:#2: Cosmetic finishes really impact buyers…In most price ranges, a home seller’s competition is new construction….Even if you have stellar views!Buyers are ‘doing the math’They will say…”for the same payment, I can get a new home with fresh everything AND a warranty.  g. Staging and Dealing with Clutter:Story: Closets Filled to the BringPantry Bursting with FoodPoorly Maintained Landscaping Nice Views

The Crazy Things Agents Do to Get Their Buyers a HouseSegment 1The Crazy Things Agents Do to Get Their Buyers a HomeBarb, certain homes sell very quickly and with a lot of offers.  What are some examples of things that real estate agents do to get their buyers your listings? Breaking Today:Zillow Just Announced they are Not Going to Buy homes for the rest of the year!Reason: Staffing Issues, Property BacklogIs it Really?Mission:  Flip and make a profit on your equityCan’t find contractors to do cosmetic workHomes are Still in High DemandEspecially Lower Priced, More Affordable HomesRecent Listings:Fountain Story:Early Offer – Push to Get Offer Accepted Ahead of Other BuyersTook Offer to Seller and Handed it to Her!Showing Early – show up BEFORE OpenJust Walked in the Home!Showing Late – show up AFTER openHousing Crisis & COVID Had a Profound Impact on Housing StartsPikes Peak Market Under $Million Still Showing a Low Supply:But FAR LESS INVENTORY THAN 20192019:More Sales in 2021 Than 2019 except in prices

Why Some Homes are HOT & Others NOT + FREE use of a Moving VanSegment 4What Makes Some Homes are Red Hot & Others Not + Hot New ListingsBarb you have talked a lot of ideas on how to get a home ready for sale.  But once they get presented to the market, what makes some homes FLY off the shelf and others sit there?My Team is designed to help home sellers get the MOST MONEY1. Stars are Aligned to get top dollara. Low Available inventory of homesb. Low Cost Financingi. 30 year fixed Conventional: 3.01%ii. 30 year fixed VA/FHA: 2.50%c. Little or No Down Payment Neededi. Navy Fed CU = 100% Conventional Loan (little higher rate 3.65) 0 down jumbo!#1 Pricingd. Pricing a home correctly takes:i. Market Expertise1. We well hundreds of homes in a yeara. Average agent sells less than 3 (74%) of themii. Knowledge of MARKET TRENDS!iii. Pricing REALISTICALLY vs OPTIMISTICALLY1. Pricing Optimistically =a. Longer Time on Marketb. Lower Offers2. Pricing Realistically =a. Shorter Time on Marketb. Higher Offersc. Best and

Tech Companies Trying to Dumb Down the Real Estate Sales ProcessSegment 3Tech Giants Dumbing Down of the Real Estate Sales ProcessBarb, many people have grown accustomed to doing a internet search for a home and hope it makes the entire process more convenient.  What are technology companies doing to in the real estate industry to ‘dumb down’ the real estate sales process?Lets Start with my favorite:  Zillow and their Easy ButtonAs a part of our processes when we are invited to speak with a home seller we ask if they have an opinion of value.Often they answer.. “Zillow says”…:They have gotten much more aggressive now..Zillow is offering an Automated Pricing & Instant Cash OffersIt’s the Real Estate Easy Buttona. Non-Competitive Cash offerb. Move When you Want   Zillow Bought Showing Service“Showing Time” for $500 Million…Why?The DATA:Seller Private Contact InfoShowing AgentsShowing DataFeedback/Demand for HomeAgents Getting Dumbed Down into not having to READ the MLS1. Sync Showings to Mobile Calendar2. M

5 Keys to Thrive When Selling Your HomeSegment 25 Keys to Thrive When Selling Your HomeBarb, Even in a seller’s market, there are some homes that do not sell. What are the Five Keys to Thrive When Selling Your Home?a. Yes, there are Five Keys to Thrive, meaning get the most amount of money when you sell. We go into a lot of detail on my bi-weekly webinar.  Our listeners can register for it at www.HowToSellWebinar.comb. Lets start with the 1st one:  i. Be The Best Home On Block1. In all aspects, condition and price2. If you don’t have the resources to update the home…ok then the price it should be priced to be the best home on the block…Exa. Seller Must Consider:i. Similar Salesii. Similar competitioniii. Market Factorsiv. Home Conditionv. Home Benefits1. Recently had a home that had heavy cigarette smoke damage, seller wanted to sell it as it was…oka. We took the best pictures we could and priced it to get the most offers.i. Result: 48 offers, Sold for 23% OVER asking price…it Was the BEST DEAL on the blocka.

Why a Slowing Market Does NOT Mean a Market CrashSegment 1Why a Slowing Market Does Not Mean A real Estate CrashBarb, you have mentioned that many people are concerned that we are in a Real Estate Bubble and could face a market correction. Even last week you said the market is slowing a bit.  Do you think this will mean lower home prices?People are concerned about another housing bubble.  However….The 2007 Housing Crisis Was an AnomalyHousing Crisis & COVID Had a Profound Impact on Housing StartsPikes Peak Market Under $Million Still Showing a Low Supply:But FAR LESS INVENTORY THAN 2019More Sales in 2021 Than 2019 except in prices below $400K#1 Reason Why Its Not a Real Estate Crash#2 Reason NOT a Crash: LOW INTEREST RATES = Low Payments#3 Reason NOT a CRASH: HOUSING AFFORDABILITY – Annual Payment STABLE – Down Payment Higher in SOME Markets Not This OneYou are listening to the Real Estate Voice with myself Barb Schlinker of Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty, if you are interested in selling your and want

Why Buying Real Estate is  a Safe Stable InvestmentSegment 4Why Real Estate is a Safe and Stable Invesmtnet – Hot New ListingsBarb many people have concerns of market values going down and getting stuck owing more than its worth.  Do you think that is where we are headed or is real estate a good investment?1. People Need Housing2. Cost of Rental Housing Very High Now3. Average Price Increase over LONG Terma. Feb 2013 = $231kb. Aug 2021 - $499K2. Look back since 1985 price increasesa. Prices went down in late 80sb. Early 200sBoth times banking issuesLeverage:$300,000 Home, Average Appreciation = 8% (normal market)Note Average appreciation since 2012 = 11%PriceAppreciationTimeValue$300,0008%Year 1$324,000$324,0008%Year 2$350,000$350,0008%Year 3$377,000$377,0008%Year 4$408,000$408,0008%Year 5$440,000Can you make $140,000 in 5 Years Paying Rent?Cost of Waiting:Rents INCREASEPrices INCREASEInterest Rates INCREASEPayments INCREASEInterest Rates Still VERY LOW – 2.5 to 3.0Payments Same as 2005 – 16 Years Ago Due to

10 Photos Mistakes That Will Have Buyers Swiping Away From Your Home ONLINESegment 310 Home Photo Mistakes That Will Have Buyers Swiping Away from Your Home ONLINEBarb, in the last segment we talked about how it’s a seller’s market, which means, in many cases, the home sellers get to choose from multiple offers, and there is a low number of available homes on the market, but you have said before that Buyers eliminate homes online.  What are some things that will cause a persons home to get digitally eliminated ONLINE:Yes, these are worries that keep me up at night.Home sellers might be surprised to know a few facts:The training for real estate agents in regards to marketing is very limited.There is just not much training on it.80% of Agents get out of the biz w/in 5 yearsYou would be SHOCKED or you may have seen some AWFUL MARKETING PHOTOS trying to entire buyers to see a home posted by untrained real estate agents.Example:  Price:  $590kNot ONE photo was in focusWhat’s Wrong with This Picture?Here is one:  6

Will Real Estate in the Colorado Springs Area Crash SoonSegment 2Will Real Estate the Colorado Springs Area Crash Soon?Barb, there are a lot of people who fear a real estate market dip in values is just around the corner?  Do you think the real estate market in the Colorado Springs area will crash?I understand their fears:People know history can repeat itselfThe last Increase followed by Crash 2003-2012 involved:Shady lending practicesBuyers purchasing more they can affordAdjustable interest rates caught people unaware and unpreparedRecently, COVID Pandemic caused other issues:Job Loss in 2020 – Unemployment rate then 12.6%Most recent date – 6.1%Still TBD:  Foreclosure Moratorium ENDED?Foreclosures up nationwide by 60% as compared to last yearMany, many are WithdrawnIN August: BIDEN Admin Put a New “Loan Servicing Rule” in place through the CFPB that would1. “HOLD OFF MOST FORECLOSURES UNTIL 2022”2. Prevents them from INCREASING Monthly payments for owners emerging from forbearance program3. Prevents them fro

Zillow - The Self-Proclaimed 'Master' of the Real Estate UniverseSegment 1Zillow – The Self-Proclaimed ‘Master’ of the Real Estate UniverseBarb, many people thinking of buying or sellers are now drawn to check in on the tech-giant, Zillow’s website where they will find homes for sale and a “Zestimate” of their homes value.  Is Zillow Really the ‘gold standard’ for real estate?> The real estate industry is still trying to catch up with Zillow> Zillow making some very questionable Anti-Trust moves> ‘Zestimates’ and ‘Cash Offers’ that should be viewed with caution, in my opinion:Let’s start with their corporate mission:The leading real estate and rental marketplace dedicated to empowering consumers with data, inspiration and knowledge around the place they call home, and connecting them with the best local professionals who can help.“Leading Real Estate and Rental Market Place”Same as any other real estate website* Connected to local MLS systems* National exposure give them front page on Googl

Top Pricing Mistakes That Will Cost You Thousands When You Sell Your HomeSegment 4Top Pricing Mistakes That Will Cost You Thousands When You Sell Your HomeBarb a lot of people go off those automated valuations like on Zillow to determine what their home is worth.  How does a home seller decide what price to set when selling their home?1. Pricing a home appropriately can mean the difference between a home seller getting TOP dollar for the home or the home sitting on the market for a longer than normal period of time.Here is why:a. Price too high – no or few showings – no offersb. Price too low – buyers don’t offer enoughc. Price too high and slowly walk the price downa. National statistics – Net LESS Money2. What About Pricing according to those automated valuations?a. Not accurateb. Average homes around youc. They Do not know YOUR improvementsPricing Just Right!Pricing too low:* Most buyers assume you will accept that number* Or if they need work…EVER LOWER! BLA Story* Agents suggesting a PRICE TOO LOW may no

Frequently Asked Questions for Agents When Thinking of Selling Your HomeSegment 3Frequently Asked Questions For Agents When Thinking of Selling a HomeBarb, I know many people ask you questions when getting ready to sell their homes.  What are the top frequently asked questions from home sellers about selling their homes?If you are thinking of making a move and would likePlus we are offering a Free Report entitled the : Top Frequently asked questions when selling a home visit www.BarbHasTheBuyers.comClick on the GREEN Button to Download or call 719 301 3900FAQ: What improvement will I need to do to get my home ready for sale?This is what we do multiple times every week.We come out, and take the grand tour:Give you tips on what to do and MORE IMPORTANTLY WHAT NOT TO do to get your home ready to sell.FAQ: What To Expect When You Call:Get a great idea on how much your home will sell for in this marketAnd show you how much you will put in your pocket when it sells.To order your report go to BarbHasTHEBuyers.com Cl

5 Critical Home Improvements That Make Buyers Pay Top DollarSegment 25 Critical Updates That Make Buyers Pay Top DollarBarb, most people assume that all homes are selling right now.  In this hot market do home sellers really need to make improvements to get the most money when they sell?Makes some minor improvements can go a long way to commanding as much as 11% more for your home!It is worth it in most cases, unless the entire home needs a rehab then I would think twice.WHAT WE DO:We Offer a Free, No Obligation Consultation on What to Do and What Not to Do to Get Your Home Ready for SaleYou can call us anytime at 719 301 3900 or Visit BarbHasTheBuyers.comUpdate According to the Buyers Taste:1. Paint the Interior - NeutralizeRemove Wall Paper:Paint Over Wood Paneling – Gives a Popular Shiplap appearance – Hot Now2. Cue In Curb Appeala. It’s a Challenge to Grow Grass Here!b. Paint your front door, c. Correct peeling paint4. Make the Yard GREAT!a. Refresh mulch bedsb. People love fire pits or places outdoors to

Realtor Association in the Hot Seat for Lack of TransparencySegment 1Realtor Association in the Hot Seat for Lack of TransparencyBarb, many people buying and selling real estate are often confused about how the real estate industry divides up commissions in a transaction. There has been some news about this topic lately, can you tell us about it?This started a few years ago with:Anti-trust lawsuit brought on by some Chicago home sellers about:"Why am I paying for the buyers agent to fight against me in the transaction?”This opened the investigation into the “Industry Norm and StandardSignificant Anti-Trust Law ViolationsSuit RevealedMinimum mandates of commission to buyer’s agentAgents were telling consumers:“If you DON’T offer the buyers agent X commission, they will not show it to their buyersReveal:  Buyers lack of transparency about commission offeredReveal: Some MLS Systems do NOT allow NON NAR members to input their listings (PPAR) or SHOW their listingsDOJ Anti-Trust Case Charges:a. Disclosure to

The Top Ways to Pay Off Your Mortgage Early and Hot New ListingsSegment 4Top 7 Ways to Pay Off Your Mortgage Early & Some Hot New Listings1) Barb, I’ve heard people say there is nothing more exciting than paying off your mortgage, what are the Top 7 Ways to Pay Off Your Mortgage Early Its interesting to note that:Thinking of Refinancing?  Consider:How long you plan to stay in the homeWhether or not it makes sense to add Years to the MortgageThe cost of RefinancingIF plan to stay, paying off your mortgage as fast as possible is the best way to go:Fact:  A typical 30-year mortgage takes 21 years just to pay down LESS THAN HALF of the principal of your loan!Fact: For a $435,000 30-year mortgage at 3.0%, paid monthly with no extra down total amount paid would be $660,231!There are several ways to prepay a mortgage:Make an extra mortgage payment every yearAdd extra dollars to every paymentApply a lump sum after an inheritance or other windfallSome combination of the aboveThe Banks GET THEIR INTEREST MONEY FIRS

What if the Appraiser Does NOT Think Your Home is Worth the Sales PriceSegment 3What if the Appraiser Does NOT Think the Home is Worth the Sales PriceWe are back with Barb Schlinker, Barb…Barb, I’m told the market is red hot and sometimes the appraiser does not think the home is worth what the buyer agreed to pay, tell us about that.1. Yes, its exciting and very scary for home sellers at the same time.a) For the 4th month in a row prices are spikingb) Some sellers are reaching for the moon on prices and not getting itc) bidding wars ARE COMMON2. We have had a few cases where the appraisers have come back and said the home is not worth what the buyer agreed to pay. This can be very frustrating for a home seller.a) Options:  Lower price to appraisal1. Say no and get buyer to make up diff in cash2. Negotiate in between1. HaystackThe Elephant in the Room – Bidding OVER its ValueMany agents are making offers like that …just to get a contract then.If it doesn’t appraise…weeks later, some agents think the seller mus

11 High Cost Home Inspection Traps 2021Segment 211 High Cost Home Inspection Traps You Should Know Weeks Before You List Your HomeBarb, many home sellers fear the inspection.  Many people think most buyers want to purchase their home as it is.  What are some of the High Cost Home Inspection Traps you come across selling homes?Buyers want to buy – but in most cases NOT as isMost sellers assume their home is selling AS ISNot a time for UPGRADES butBuyers want broken things repairedLear Story33 Physical Problems that come under scrutiny, with the inventory low, most buyers are stating they will not ask for cosmetic issues and focus on major systems, health and safety.  Colorado does NOT require a license to be an inspector.Story of Landscaper inspector & DadThe high-cost things include:Roof replacements – particularly high deductiblesFurnace replacementsElectrical panelStructural stuff can be really costlySewer and Septic RepairsSome pre planning with a great real estate agent can help go you ready to sell w