For most people, the home’s value, represents their single – biggest, financial asset. Therefore, when one determines, it’s time, to sell his house, shouldn’t he take care, to select the real estate agent, which will represent him, not only with the finest skills, abilities, aptitude, attitude, and skill – set, but, also, the level of ethics, they deserve, and should be able to expect! Although, ethical behavior, and ethics, are required, by nearly every state, as well as real estate board, it’s important, to fully examine, whether the individual, selected, is consistently, truly, ETHICAL, in every aspect of his behavior and actions. With that in mind, this article will attempt to consider, examine, review, and discuss, using the mnemonic approach, what this means and represents, and why, it’s so important, in determining, the right real estate agent, for you, and your needs/ best interests.

1. Empathy; emphasis; enrich; excellence: When someone listens, more than he speaks, and learns from every conversation and experience, he becomes capable of proceeding with genuine empathy. This positions him, to place his emphasis, where it focused on your specific needs, priorities, etc, and he strives to enrich, the entire process, from listing to closing, in your best interests! He never settles for good – enough, but always demands his utmost degree of personal excellence!

2. Timely; trends: How we conduct and sell real estate, has changed, over time, because of many relevant trends, technologies, etc! You need an agent, who is fully prepare, recognizes these evolving trends, and consistently proceeds in a well – considered, timely manner, focused on your best interests, etc.

3. Head/ heart; healing; humane: One must call upon, both his logical and emotional components, in a head/ heart balance! You are best served, when you’re represented by an agent, who is humane, and emphasizes healing, and greater understanding!

4. Ideas; ideals; imagination; integrity; insights: Ethical behavior begins with absolute integrity! Your agent’s ideals, must inform you, of his insights, and reasoning, and he must possess the imagination, to consistently, introduce the finest ideas, on your behalf!

5. Character; clear/ clarity; cooperative; coordinate: When you choose an agent, with the utmost quality of character, he will strive to be clear, in his plans, and proceed, with clarity, and focus on cooperation! Great representatives realize, they must coordinate, simplify, and ease the process, throughout the entire transaction period!

6. Attitude; aptitude; attention; articulate: Everything goes better, and with far less stress, when your agent possesses a true, positive, can – do, attitude! When the individual develops the most relevant, finest aptitude, and skill – set, and he is ready, willing, and able, to pay keen attention, to the most essential needs, and priorities, you benefit! Great agents articulate a compelling, inspiring message, which tends to bring about, the necessary, meeting, of the minds!

7. Listen; learn; leading: Carefully observe, when you interview potential agents, which ones, prioritize, and emphasize, effectively listening, in order to learn, what you seek, and your goals and priorities. Once, this is agreed to, an agent must be leading you, towards your best directions and needs!

ETHICAL representation is necessary, needed, and required (by law, etc), but compliance, often, varies, from agent, to agent! Choose carefully, and hire the right individual, to fit your needs!

Since, for most of us, our house represents, our single – biggest, financial asset, when the time comes, when you decide, it’s time, to relocate, and sell it, shouldn’t you, do all you can, to get the best, positive results? Each of us are individuals, with individual needs, goals, and prioritizes, and different people, create different connections and memories, in/ with, their homes. For most, they seek, the highest possible, available price, in the shortest, possible period of time, and a minimum of hassle, but, precisely, what each of these means, and represents, should be thoroughly discussed, during the period, you are interviewing potential real estate agents, to represent, market and sell your home! With that in mind, this article will attempt to, briefly, consider, examine, review, and discuss, using the mnemonic approach, some of the key components and considerations, regarding who, you should HIRE, as your agent.

1. Healing; head; heart; house: In many cases, the transaction period, from the time, one has his home, listed, on the market, to when the closing is accomplished, includes many emotional moments, stresses and strains. You need an agent, who prioritizes healing, and bringing together, a quality, meeting – of – the – minds. The head of an agent (meaning, the logic, technical prowess, and attention to necessary details), combined with someone with the necessary heart (to care about his clients), should be examined, up – front. Will the individual you choose, be ready, willing, and able, to look at your house, objectively, and tell you, what you need to know, rather than merely, what you might prefer and want, to hear?

2. Integrity; insights; imagination; issues: Ask probing questions, and pay attention, to whether a prospective agent, possesses the utmost degree of genuine, absolute integrity, you need, seek and desire! Does someone present and offer insights, beyond the same – old, same – old? What kind of relevant imagination does he possess, and how, will he focus, and address, potential issues, and obstacles?

3. Relevant; reasoning/ rationale; realistic; responsive/ responsible: During your discussions, observe, whether the individual, discusses relevant considerations, or, seems, stuck – in – the – past! Can you understand his reasoning, and his rationale? Is he suggesting realistic pricing, based on the competition and other factors, or making empty promises? How responsive is this person, when you ask a question, because if you aren’t satisfied, at the onset, will you be comfortable, with his responsibilities, duties, and insights, in the future?

4. Empathy; excellence; endurance; energy/ energize: Examine whether any agent listens, effectively, far more than he speaks! You need someone with the utmost, genuine empathy, who is willing to proceed with the utmost excellence, rather than good – enough! Great agents need real endurance, and preparation for contingencies, etc. You will be best served, by someone, with personal energy, and an ability to energize, inspire and motivate others!

Protect your financial assets, and HIRE the best agent, for your needs and prioritizes! Are you, up to the task?

Similar as to how political pundits claim that this election cycle will be the most important in a generation, this year could be the most important year in recent memory in terms of mortgage loans and the residential real estate industry at large. (And if you believe that I have some swap land in Florida I’d like to sell you). For a variety of reasons, I have decided unilaterally to keep it short and sweet this year. Hence, here are the three perennial predictions for 2019.

1. Gig Work.

At first glance, the phrase “Gig Work” seems antithetical to sound mortgage underwriting standards, but it is in fact actually very refreshing. And that is to say that as the aftermath of the 2008 crash could not be further from the subconscious, there perhaps is subprime “creep” into present underwriting standards. But this is not your Daddy’s Oldsmobile underwriting standards. Meaning, that lenders today are more than willing to count part-time and intermittent work as bonifide income, even though it had been looked down upon post-2008.

According to Saideh Brown, President Emeritus of the National Council of Women at the United Nations, “Mortgage lenders are beginning to factor in gig-work for mortgage approval. This is only going to become more prevalent with the current job market. Banks are looking into all sources of income and gig-work is quickly becoming a primary source of income for millennials and must be factored in to get an emotional buy-in to homeownership from this generational block.”

Thus, the bottomline for 2019 on Prediction 1, expect creative – yet reasonable underwriting standards to become apart of normal mortgage underwriting procedures.

2. Saved by the Millennials (again). Whaaat??

At second glance, who isn’t bored by the self-absorbed Millennials. Me for one, but not withstanding that tongue and cheek denigrative response to the flavor of the month generation – who will undoubtedly be replaced by the next off-spring of eternal hopefulless, they do at least make for good print. And here’s the angle; while many are concerned if real estate is a safe bet today, then historically speaking it is – and thus, one’s perspective should be long term, despite the naysayers on non-real estate appreciation for 2019.

According to Dan Green, CEO of real estate site Growella, “Rising mortgage rates aren’t slowing the Millennial Generation’s desire for homeownership. Pent-up demand will continue to unfurl through 2019, moving home values up across all price points. Like all markets, housing is defined by supply and demand. And, so long as supply and demand remain within tolerable ranges, housing will continue to be a good investment.”

Thus, the bottomline for 2019 on Prediction 2, buy now and forever hold your peace, since interest rates are still good.

3. Home price decline.

Real estate has always been local. Hence, the adage “Location, location, location.” With that in mind, there is nothing to catastrophically fret about in terms of buying a home as a primary home. If you’re an investor, then pick your fights carefully, since not all markets will perform as anticipated no matter how smart you may think you are! With that in mind (again), there will be a slight degree of variability – as there sound be, since it would be insanely moronically not to expect some degree of variability. Even in the Garden of Eve, market value likely dipped in price after Adam bit into the apple.

According to Ruben Gonzales, Chief Economist at Keller Williams, “As we look toward 2019, we are anticipating home sales to decline around 2%. We’re expecting it to be another slightly slower year as buyers continue to wrangle with higher mortgage rates after contending with several years of rapid price growth.”

Thus, the bottomline for 2019 on Prediction 3, proceed with caution as an investor, but as a primary homebuyer nothing should reasonable caution you from a buying decision, since home appreciation should be an afterthought, and especially so depending upon your hold period.

Although, every real estate agent, must be licensed, and comply, with, both the laws of the state, he does business, in, as well as the Code of Ethics, of the National Association of Realtors, some may be, better – suited, for you, than others. There are many factors, which might, influence, your important decision, of, who you should hire, to represent you (also known as, list your house). Since, for most people, their house represents, their single – biggest, financial asset, wouldn’t it make sense, for you, to choose wisely, when selecting your real estate agent? Often, one of the most essential skills, is overlooked, or misunderstood, This characteristic and skill, is the art and science of quality, effective negotiations. With that in mind, this article will attempt to consider, examine, review, and discuss, how great real estate agents, effectively negotiate for your best – interests, and make a real difference, for the better.

1. Listen far more than talk: One of the most overlooked aspects of negotiating, is proceeding, with a willingness, and ability, to listen, far more than talking. Since, for most of us, our favorite sound, is the sound, of our own voice, this becomes challenging, but is essential! When one effectively, listens, and learns from every conversation and experience, he becomes capable of providing customized, quality representation, focused on the needs, and priorities of his clients. This genuine empathy is rare, but how can anyone, hope, to do, what’s in a client’s best – interests, if it is not the driving force.

2. The art of negotiating: Negotiating is both, an art and a science, but, unless, one, first masters the art, it becomes, nearly impossible, to provide the best negotiations, for the specific homeowner. Negotiating begins during the interview stage, when the agent must demonstrate, clearly, his skill. A homeowner should observe, whether, an agent, can defend, effectively, the fee/ commission, he requests, because if someone can’t negotiate, in his own, best – interest, how will he be able to do so, for you? In addition, there is a need, for agent and client, to communicate clearly, so they proceed, consistently, on the same – page, throughout the entire transaction process, and period. How an agent explains his marketing plan, niche market/ audience focus, and creates a clear – cut strategy, will determine, how well he positions you, to be in the best possible, negotiating position!

3. The science of negotiating: There are certain specific techniques, needed, to negotiate, effectively. Some of these skills include: effective listening; understanding both your client and potential buyer’s needs, goals and priorities; accentuating the positive, while minimizing/ addressing, areas of weakness, etc; timely responses, always; and, closing the deal!

Master the art and science of quality negotiations, and you will be a better real estate agent! When you serve your clients, more effectively, and efficiently, you’ll do a better job!

We, often, discuss, the need, to hire, the best real estate agent, for your personal needs, priorities, circumstances, house, and personality! However, what is essential for a homeowner to recognize, and realize, while all these factors, are significant, and relevant, until/ unless, the house gets sold, the transaction is not completed, nor successful! An essential component, in this process, is, contemplating, and implementing, the best approach, and methods used, to transform, listing, marketing, and using the finest selling techniques, etc, to reaching the desirable point, of making it, a house – SOLD, word. With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly, consider, examine, review, and discuss, using the mnemonic approach, what this means and represents, and why, it’s such an essential consideration.

1. Strategy; system; selling; strengths: In order to get a house, sold, creative agents, create and implement a meaningful, relevant, strategy, focused on the particular house, neighborhood, and area. This must lead, to a system, for selling the target property, and clearly identify, its strengths, especially, related to the competition. Relevant, focused marketing, promotion, and advertising, combined with well – considered, pricing, prompt, timely, follow – up, and attracting substantial numbers of qualified, ready, buyers, makes one’s proactive selling, gain the necessary traction, to get the home, sold!

2. Options; opportunities; open – mind; opinion; organized: Avoid the My way, or the highway, approach to selling a house. Consider various options, and alternatives, and, carefully, evaluate, and weigh, which ones, make sense for the specific house! Does the house have any specific options, and/ or inclusions, which might make it, stand – out, from the crowd? Will the agent take advantage of every opportunity, in an open – minded, manner, and be organized, enough, to control the transaction, effectively? When you interview agents, seek someone, who will openly, voice his opinion, in a customized manner, which considers numerous details and considerations!

3. Listen; learn: One thing, a smart homeowner, should observe, during the hiring interview, process, is whether an agent, effectively listens, to learn, what you seek, and will respect your priorities, as a major component of the overall marketing plan!

4. Delve deeply; discover; deliver: Seek an agent, who will delve deeply, into the options and possibilities, and discover, the best paths, to achieve your finest objectives, and priorities. Don’t be overly impressed, by someone, who proposes a listing price, higher than all the others, because there’s a huge difference between listing and selling prices! Your agent must over – deliver, on his promises!

Make real estate, focused on, creating and developing, a house – SOLD, word, and experience! Until/ unless, the transaction is completed, it doesn’t really make a difference, for the best interest of the homeowner!

Real estate has several unique characteristics that affect its value. There are economic characteristics and physical characteristics. Real estate is a product to be purchased but it is different from anything else due to the characteristics that will be discussed here.

The economic characteristics that influence value are scarcity, improvements, permanence and area preference. Scarcity is simply demonstrated in the saying, “They aren’t making any more.” The supply of land has a ceiling and cannot be produced more than what exists today. This value of this supply however, is influenced by other characteristics.

Improvements, such as buildings on one parcel of land may have an effect on the value of neighboring parcels or the entire community. If a large company builds in a certain depressed neighborhood, the value of living their will probably increase because of the introduction of jobs. This value would impact on neighboring communities, thus increasing value in some ways to the real estate in these areas.

Permanence has to do with the infrastructure. As buildings, houses or other structures are demolished, the infrastructure, such as sewers, drainage, electricity, and water remain intact. Permanence effects real estate, or the type of infrastructure. If you buy a piece of land in an area with no utilities, drainage or paved streets, it will most likely be worth less than a parcel of land that has this infrastructure intact and developed.

Area preference refers to the choices of the people in any given area. This is usually referred to by most people when they talk about real estate as, “location, location, location.” The location of a preferred area, for whatever reasons, is what makes values of homes higher. Conversely, the location of a nonpreferred area, for whatever reason, is what makes the values of homes less. 8000 square foot brand new homes on the coast of Long Island’s, East Hampton will be worth much more due to their area preference, over an area with 1200 square foot starter homes in the middle of Long Island, located next to a garbage dump.

The physical characteristics of land represent its indestructible nature, immobility and nonhomogeneity. Working backwards, we’ll start with nonhomogeneity. This simply points out that no two parcels are the same. Two pieces of land may be very similar, but every single parcel is different geographically because each parcel is located in a different spot. This includes two lots right next to each other. It is important to remember that parcels are created by subdividing land, so as one large parcel of 20 acres is subdivided, each individual lot becomes its own separate piece of land.

Land cannot be moved, therefore it is immobile. Even when soil is torn from the ground, the part of the Earth’s surface will always remain. It is important here to note how this physical characteristic affects real estate law and markets. Immobility of land is the reason why real estate laws and markets are local in nature.

The indestructibility of land simply means that it is durable and cannot be destroyed. It can be damaged by storms and other disasters, but it remains and weathers the changing times and will always be there. This is a main reason why land is talked about as being a sound investment.

So the basic characteristics of real estate include scarcity, improvements to the land, permanence, area preference, nonhomogeneity, indestructibility and immobility. Please note there is a big difference between land and real estate. Land is the the part of the earths surface, subsurface and air above it. Real estate is anything that becomes attached to land. So when you’re looking for investments, it is important to note the infrastructure of the area, the surrounding neighborhood and the preferences of the area or…location, location, location!

Although, for most of us, our house, represents our single – largest, financial asset, when, we go, to either, buy, or sell it, the vast majority of individuals, seem to choose, their real estate agent/ representative, in a somewhat, haphazard manner. Wouldn’t we better off, if we hired, a true, QUALITY agent, and proceeded, with the necessary degree of consideration, to make a decision, which best – served, our personal best interests? With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly examine, consider, review, and discuss, using the mnemonic approach, what this means, and represents, and why it’s a logical, meaningful, important consideration.

1. Quest; questions: Thoroughly interview, potential agents, and discover, their quest, focus, and reasoning. Only when a client asks the most relevant questions, will there be, the best potential of hiring, the individual, who will best serve your best interests!

2. Useful; unique; urge: What unique services, and value, does one agent offer, which someone else, may not, to the same degree? Are these qualities, and services, truly useful? Will the individual, you hire, urge you, to move, in the best – possible direction?

3. Attitude; aptitude; attention; articulate: A real estate transaction, and the period leading up to it, is often stressful, and thus, your agent, must possess a true, positive, can – do, attitude! This must be combined with the finest skill – set, and development of a relevant aptitude, which will best serve your needs, and bring about desirable results! Will the person, you choose, pay keen attention to you, and your needs, rather than his personal, self – interest? Hire someone, who is capable of clearly articulating, the best message, to serve your purposes!

4. Listen; learn; leading: When you interview potential agents, observe whether they listen, clearly, on what you say, rather than interrupting, and articulating some self – serving, pre – planned, message! Great representation comes from learning, what you need, and leading you, in the proper direction!

5. Integrity; ideals; ideas; imagination: The single, most important, issue, is to only hire, someone, who will consistently, maintain absolute integrity, even when it might be inconvenient! Are their ideals, based on, and aligned with, yours? Does the individual possess the level of developed, imagination, to provide the best ideas, to meet your needs, and best interests?

6. Timely; trends: The real estate agent, you hire, should understand, and utilize, the finest, relevant trends, and have the self – confidence, and ability, to proceed, with well – considered, timely actions!

7. Yes; you; yours: It must be an agent’s priority, to say, yes, to your best interests, even when it may be challenging! This person must maintain his allegiance, to you!

Hire a real estate agent, who will provide the finest QUALITY! Proceed carefully, and protect yourself, and your financial and personal assets!

Until, the discussion, about some of the components, of the tax reform legislation, enacted, at the end of 2017, few people, paid much attention, to what is often, referred to, as, SALT, or state and local taxes. This provision, appears to favor, many of the smaller states, where there are, often, lower, income and property taxes, etc, over, those, which may have higher taxes. Was this a coincidence, and mere, by – product, or, a concerted political effort, to punish, states, which, generally, vote against the party of this President? This article will attempt to, briefly, consider, examine, review, and discuss, the impact of this limitation, on the ability to deduct, local and state taxes, on various aspects of real estate.

1. Effects higher – priced, and, taxed, houses and properties, more: This provision has impacted, those owning higher – priced, and taxed houses, and properties, to a larger degree, than other homes. Since the limit (or, cap) on how much one is permitted to deduct, is only $!0, 000, it means, if a state, has both, income taxes (state, and/ or local), as well as higher real estate taxes, the owners, lose any potential benefit, from the so – called, tax reform. The higher the differential, the greater the impact!

2. Makes buying harder, especially, for, first – time homeowners: These provisions make it far more challenging, to home buyers, especially, first – time homeowners! When there is less tax benefit, the overall benefits of owning a house, versus, renting, is severely reduced! The lower the tax benefit, the net effect, is, often, severely increasing the overall costs of buying, and owning, a home, of one’s own!

3. More susceptible, when mortgage interest rates, increase: Obviously, when mortgage interest rates, rise, it means, someone has a larger, monthly responsibility. When this is combined, with higher taxes, and limited tax savings, the probability of effecting the real estate market, and pricing, becomes, potentially, pronounced!

4. Perceptions: The tax legislation, appears, to benefit, those who, do not itemize, at the expense, of those, who do! Perhaps, the biggest challenge, may be, how potential buyers, perceive it, and whether, it affects, the price, they are willing, and able to pay, for a home. Obviously, in true, net terms, if one can no longer deduct, all, of the state and local taxes, the advantage of home ownership, is reduced, and, many taxpayers, suffer, to a far greater extent!

What we need, is a fair system, where there is more understanding, than, there might be, under present circumstances! Greater involvement, and fairness, should be, the rule of the land!

Most of us, have lived through, a variety of real estate markets, from a buyers, to a sellers market, to, what many consider, a normal, balanced market. Sometimes, this occurs, over an extended period of time, and often, we witness, changes occur, without much notice. For example, in the last year, or two, we have gone through, a strong, sellers market, where there were more qualified, potential buyers, than, homes, for sale, on the market. After, over a year, of ever – escalating, home prices, combined with little available inventory, we, then, observed, a little cooling, and more of a balanced situation. Many factors are involved, including: perceptions (buyer and seller); local area; overall economy, local economy; interest rates and availability of mortgage monies, etc. With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly, consider, examine, review, and discuss, some recommended, marketing strategies, for a variety of circumstances and conditions.

1. Sellers Market: When inventory of houses, for sale, is extremely limited, and conditions, are such, where many qualified buyers, are seeking a home, there are two possible strategies, which might be most effective. One, which, we see, most often, is pricing the house’s price, in the highest range, believing that the number of buyers, will bring, a higher price. Another possibility, especially for a homeowner, who wishes to market/ sell his home, in the shortest, possible, period, is to price, the house, on the lower end of the real estate market. When this strategy is used, it often, brings, far more views, and action, and we often witness a bidding war. I did this with a client of mine, during this past, recent market, and received 22 over – asking price, offers, in the first weekend, and the house sold, for more than fifteen percent, over the listing price. Sellers should interview potential agents, and discuss, marketing strategies, and which might work, best, for a specific property!

2. Buyers Market: When there is more inventory, than qualified buyers, we often, witness a buyers market. Obviously, in these circumstances, the best approach, is to conservatively, use, a Competitive Market Analysis, in determining the listing price. Remember, in the vast number of instances, the best offers come, in the first few weeks, after it’s been listed, so, those who price the house, too aggressively, often suffer. Price the house, right, from the start!

3. Balanced Market: When neither side, experiences, a significant advantage, over another, we see, a balanced market. In these instances, smart pricing, and accentuating a property’s strengths, against the competition, in the local area, is a necessity, for success!

A wise homeowner, interviews potential agents, and hires, the one, who has the vision, and understanding, to use a strategy, which works, best, for the particular property. Since, for most, their house represents their single – biggest, financial asset, doesn’t that make sense?