e-Pro Certified makes a difference in home sales

I have been blogging about real estate on my website since 2011.  Please check out my archives: LizSandwick.com.  

As an e-PRO certified MN licensed REALTOR®, I focus on being up to date with the market conditions, marketing techniques and networking skills to sell a property for the highest market value in the least amount of time.  What does it mean to be an e-Pro certified REALTOR®?

 e-PRO® certification means I am willing to go the extra mile to provide the most up-to-date and sophisticated service, and truly be a successful agent for my buyers and sellers. Applying advanced technologies and social media strategies to my business plan expands my capabilities, increases my reach, and builds trust with my clients. Being an e-PRO® is good for my business and for my clients.  :)  If you have any questions or thoughts on how I might best help you.  Please contact me in your favorite contact medium and we'll connect.  

Social media is changing how people in real estate do business
The web is often the first place people turn for answers. They use it during every stage of the purchase process for buying everything from a toothbrush, to a television, to a home. Businesses are taking notice and increasing their online presence, especially on Facebook and Twitter. Real estate professionals are also using social media to offer advice, serve as a resource, and position themselves as the expert in a particular area.

The proof is in the numbers
Today, there are over 500 million users on Facebook, over 70 million on Twitter, and millions of others on YouTube, blog sites, and numerous other social media sites. And the greatest thing about social media marketing is that you can engage these users, and see measurable results.  With innovation and commitment, I make social media a part of my real estate business.

Now is the time to connect
By incorporating social media into my business strategy now, I will grow with existing technology and be ready for what’s next.  I plan on using the right and best tools to help my clients achieve their goals and dreams.


Why Use an e-PRO®?

Social media is still relatively new, and evolving every day. An agent with NAR's e-PRO®certification is dedicated to making the most of today's social media and technology to help you with your real estate needs, whatever they may be.

e-PRO® is the only technology certification to be officially recognized, endorsed, and conferred by the National Association of REALTORS®.

Agents with NAR’s e-PRO® certification demonstrate:

• Advanced training in using the latest technology and social media to promote your property or find your next home
• A clear understanding of the ways that e-office strategies, rich media and social networking can benefit today's consumer in a real estate transaction
• Excellence in adopting, implementing, and promoting technology best practices
• Ethics with commitment to use technology in fair and responsible manner
• Professionalism by completing an education program designed to keep one’s technical knowledge and skill sets up-to-date

Three Reasons To Sell Your Home This Spring

Many sellers are still hesitant about putting their house up for sale. Where are prices headed? Where are interest rates headed? These are all valid questions. However, there are several reasons to sell your home sooner rather than later. Here are three of those reasons.

1. Demand is about to skyrocket

Most people realize that the housing market is hottest from April through June. The most serious buyers are well aware of this and, for that reason, come out in early spring in order to beat the heavy competition. We also have a pent-up demand as many buyers pushed off their home search this winter because of extreme weather. Sellers in markets where seasonal weather is never an issue must realize that buyers relocating to their region will increase dramatically this spring as these purchasers finally decide to escape the freezing temperatures of the winters in the north.

These buyers are ready, willing and able to buy…and are in the market right now!

2. There Is Less Competition - For Now

Housing supply always grows from the spring through the early summer. Also, there has been a growing desire for many homeowners to move as they were unable to sell over the last few years because of a negative equity situation. Homeowners have seen a return to positive equity as prices increased over the last eighteen months. Many of these homes will be coming to the market in the near future.

The choices buyers have will continue to increase over the next few months. Don’t wait until all the other potential sellers in your market put their homes up for sale.

3. There Will Never Be a Better Time to Move-Up

If you are moving up to a larger, more expensive home, consider doing it now. Prices are projected to appreciate by approximately 4% this year and 8% by the end of 2015. If you are moving to a higher priced home, it will wind-up costing you more in raw dollars (both in down payment and mortgage payment) if you wait. You can also lock-in your 30 year housing expense with an interest rate at about 4.5% right now. Freddie Mac projects rates to be 5.1% by this time next year and 5.7% by the fourth quarter of 2015.

Moving up to a new home will be less expensive this spring than later this year or next year.