|
This is not another everybody knows
article about the great advantages of buying real estate. Yes, it is a
great buyer's market and yes, you can get the house in that street you
always wanted and now it's even affordable! But I already told you about
this.
This month I want to tell you why the over publicized event of
Zillow.com did not scare me. Not a bit. Not even when a couple of
clients warned me about the possibility of being replaced by a computer
database: homes, prices, and days on the market. That sounded like fun!
I immediately went on line and checked out my house, the curiosity was
just way too strong, so I admit it, I pretended not to be in real estate
and asked Zillow.com "How much is my home worth?" Wow, about 80K
more than I would have guessed, and probably even 80K more than any sane
appraiser would have ever told me. OK. The value is a bit off, but after
all it did tell me I was richer!
Let's check out the area, an aerial map! I can see where I live in
Clearwater. The oak trees, the park. Wait a moment, can you see it? If
you were a buyer, a buyer Zillow.com claims to address - Can you
see how much care homeowners in my subdivision put in their gardens or
how well these homes were built? Can you see if a ruthless developer is
about to build a chemical plant near by?
Statistics state that over 80% of homebuyer’s start their search on the
Internet, and then over 85% of them turn to a realtor before they
purchase. Surprised that the web will not be able to replace a good
agent after all? No. I knew it. A computer might replace an agent turned
to the dark side, but never a good one. Truth is: we need the human
touch.
I personally have met too many agents, who, like me, crave that personal
connection, that person that they can look in the eye and say, "you are
important enough for me to put down my cell phone, my computer, my sales
personality and talk with you". Just for a moment, that look in the eye
makes the difference between human and machine, the difference that
communicates, "I want your business and I really care about you". Agents
that want to tell you the hidden potential a house has also want to tell
you about the projects around it that will affect its future value; they
want to help you see what is not visible to an inexperienced eye.
Whether you are a client or an agent, the real estate is about paying
attention to the details. As Oprah says "love is in the details".
Yes, take your time to research before you buy. Research for the most
knowledgeable, most caring realtor you can find. Take that moment to
connect with him or her. Let them know what you need and want. The right
one will show you that they care, that you are important. They will go
out of their way to find the best deal of all - just for you. And that
is an investment all by itself.
Paola Lombardi is the
owner/broker of Great Homes Realty, Inc. Her career includes
over three years in politics and 15 years as an accredited journalist.
She can be reached at paola@ClearwaterPostulate.com
www.NewCondosClearwater.com.
DOWNTOWN
CLEARWATER
REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
CRITICAL POWER - WHEN THE MAYOR IS ONE OF THE GUYS...
Get
in the driver's seat, we are going home
How
to really understand this market & feel good about it
REAL ESTATE
IS LIKE A PIZZA
- Dec 2006
Whatever
 is,
you can get
in
Clearwater
- Jan 2007
|
