KITCHEN Job Cost Resale Value Cost Recouped
National Average $17,928 $15,278 85%
Harrisburg Average $17,444 $12,632 72.4%
BATHROOM Job Cost Resale Value Cost Recouped
National Average $12,918 $10,970 85%
Harrisburg Average $12,270 $8,278 67.5%
HOME OFFICE Job Cost Resale Value Cost Recouped
National Average $20,057 $12,707 63%
Harrisburg Average $19,089 $9,368 49.1%
BASEMENT Job Cost Resale Value Cost Recouped
National Average $56,724 $44,685 79%
Harrisburg Average $52,717 $34,700 65.8%
SUNROOM ADDITION Job Cost Resale Value Cost Recouped
National Average $49,551 $32,854 66%
Harrisburg Average $47,371 $27,974 59.1%
REPLACEMENT MIDRANGE Job Cost Resale Value CostRecouped
Roofing $16,056 $11,536 71.8%
Siding $9,483 $8,748 92.3%
Window (wood) $11,610 $10,095 87%
Window (vinyl) $10,682 $9,523 89.2%
Friday, October 26, 2007
Sunday, October 21, 2007
MOTIVATE YOURSELF
Ever have one of those days where you can't do what's necessary? I'm having one now. What to do?
Make it Rain!
NoShotScott
Make it Rain!
NoShotScott
Monday, October 15, 2007
SELLERS KEEP YOUR INSURANCE CURRENT
Sellers,
For the love of God don't cancel your insurance. I have seen it happen more than once with very bad consequences.
In the past year, one out of state home owner, had a radiator freeze and blow out, cost $2,700.00. Lost a buyer with that one. Same home all the copper was removed about a week before settlement, cost $1,900.00. This was on a $59,000.00 home.
NoShotScott
For the love of God don't cancel your insurance. I have seen it happen more than once with very bad consequences.
In the past year, one out of state home owner, had a radiator freeze and blow out, cost $2,700.00. Lost a buyer with that one. Same home all the copper was removed about a week before settlement, cost $1,900.00. This was on a $59,000.00 home.
NoShotScott
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Attitude
I just passed this on to another Agent.
When I first heard it, the words were piercing. "You are the average of the 5 people you hang out with the most".
Wow! Think about that for a moment. What if you eliminated the negative influences in your life and replaced them with positive, pleasant, and productive people. (I call them the 3P's). I expect all of our averages would go up a good bit.
NoShotScott
When I first heard it, the words were piercing. "You are the average of the 5 people you hang out with the most".
Wow! Think about that for a moment. What if you eliminated the negative influences in your life and replaced them with positive, pleasant, and productive people. (I call them the 3P's). I expect all of our averages would go up a good bit.
NoShotScott
Friday, October 12, 2007
BUYERS & SELLERS- Try reading a few Blogs
In this new market place a great resource, besides the Web sites offered by Agents and their Agencies, is the Blogosphere. Here Buyers & Sellers can search for an Agent, pick up tips on staging, pricing, obstacles to avoid, how to begin, where to begin, and much more.
I really didn't know how much information was available until I began Blogging. I have found so much more information / recourse's it is almost shameful. Active Rain, www.activerain.com is an excellent place to start, whether it be consideration of an Agent, tips, almost anything you can imagine and a lot you may never had considered. There are many other Blogging sites out there, this one I just found and I am very impressed with what is offered.
When I ask other Agents if they have looked into Blogging they look at me with some skepticism. I expect it is just a matter of time until they realize the opportunity this new medium presents. If not, they will be left behind in many cases.
NoShotScott
I really didn't know how much information was available until I began Blogging. I have found so much more information / recourse's it is almost shameful. Active Rain, www.activerain.com is an excellent place to start, whether it be consideration of an Agent, tips, almost anything you can imagine and a lot you may never had considered. There are many other Blogging sites out there, this one I just found and I am very impressed with what is offered.
When I ask other Agents if they have looked into Blogging they look at me with some skepticism. I expect it is just a matter of time until they realize the opportunity this new medium presents. If not, they will be left behind in many cases.
NoShotScott
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
ActiveRain.com
Holly crap............if you are a blogger and haven't suscribed to this site you're missing out on what is to come....Holly crap!''
I was welcomed by not 1 or 2, but many. I will be utilizing this forum and forwarding what is going on as I learn more.
NoShotScott
I was welcomed by not 1 or 2, but many. I will be utilizing this forum and forwarding what is going on as I learn more.
NoShotScott
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
IMPROVING & MARKETING YOUR BLOG
Where is this Blogging headed? Hard to say, but I want to be a part of it.
I have been reading a lot lately about how to market your Blog. “Buzz Marketing with Blogs FOR DUMMIES”, $24.95 at most book retailers, is a great primer. This book took me, the uninitiated, through the entire process of considering a name, a hosting site, content, good Blogging manners, HTML, and much more in short order. As well, there are numerous Blog Marketing sites with helpful hints. The best tip I have heard to date is to simply start Blogging and Blog regularly. Listed below are several other hints which I hope are helpful to you.
Subscribing to, reading, and contributing meaningfully, to other Blogs, is an excellent way to expand your own sites presence. By meaningfully, I mean not saying “Great Blog”, or “Yea I agree”. Take the time to participate in the discussion by being thoughtful; share your knowledge and experiences.
Another technique is to add your site to blog registries. There are many out there broken down by subject and content. When you add to your site, the post is included in the body of the Registries and depending on how the reader is registered, forwarded to them. The RSS feed is another option. I have declined RSS at this time because I want people to come to my site, not read the post in their email. I think this is how it works. Stay tuned.
Finally, when possible contribute as a guest blogger. This takes some looking to find sites willing to allow others to contribute. Most will require you to register.
Please feel free to share your thoughts and advice. I won’t censor any material unless it is crude.
NoShotScott
I have been reading a lot lately about how to market your Blog. “Buzz Marketing with Blogs FOR DUMMIES”, $24.95 at most book retailers, is a great primer. This book took me, the uninitiated, through the entire process of considering a name, a hosting site, content, good Blogging manners, HTML, and much more in short order. As well, there are numerous Blog Marketing sites with helpful hints. The best tip I have heard to date is to simply start Blogging and Blog regularly. Listed below are several other hints which I hope are helpful to you.
Subscribing to, reading, and contributing meaningfully, to other Blogs, is an excellent way to expand your own sites presence. By meaningfully, I mean not saying “Great Blog”, or “Yea I agree”. Take the time to participate in the discussion by being thoughtful; share your knowledge and experiences.
Another technique is to add your site to blog registries. There are many out there broken down by subject and content. When you add to your site, the post is included in the body of the Registries and depending on how the reader is registered, forwarded to them. The RSS feed is another option. I have declined RSS at this time because I want people to come to my site, not read the post in their email. I think this is how it works. Stay tuned.
Finally, when possible contribute as a guest blogger. This takes some looking to find sites willing to allow others to contribute. Most will require you to register.
Please feel free to share your thoughts and advice. I won’t censor any material unless it is crude.
NoShotScott
Saturday, October 6, 2007
SAVY SELLERS
Recently, I presented a client (Seller), with a fair offer on their property. Their home was on the market for nearly a month without an offer. The offering price was acceptable, but the Buyer, through his Agent, insisted we respond to each, Reply to Inspection, demand immediately, as opposed to handling all Inspection issues after the entire inspection processes were completed. Pest, Home Inspection, Water, the roof was obviously in need of replacement. After several terse calls from the Buyers Agent regarding these issues, I went to see the Seller to review and propose an acceptable compromise. The Seller was not opposed to the conditions of my compromise but was not willing to negotiate anything until all the inspections were completed and forwarded at one time. He was very willing to walk away from this Buyer.
Now this Seller and his wife, wonderful and honorable people are very contemplative, (thoughtful) folks. I thought, I was doing them a service, preparing a fair compromise to an issue forced upon us. What I learned through these seasoned folks was that they were not willing to do business with a pushy, thuggish Buyer, as "he will never be done with his demands if we consider a premature negotiation". The Buyers Agent is an excellent and experienced Agent who was being run by her Buyer. I was being run, at least for a while, by him as well hoping to do the best for my client. In the course of my professional life I have been involved in serious, complex, and very expensive negotiations for many years and thought I had been around long enough to have most of the answers.
After that meeting with the Sellers, I thanked them for the "Life Lesson", went home waited for the certain Buyer insisted call, and suggested to the Agent we cancel the deal as the Sellers don't wish to play with her buyer. The Agent did her best to plead the Buyers case but realized our certain position. The Buyer was finally controlled, which was in his best interest. Negotiations went forward, after all the inspections were completed, a fair compromise was worked out and the Buyer didn’t give us another problem as he finally understood we were willing to walk away.
What have I learned from this experience? At 48 years of age, I still have a lot to learn from those who have been around longer than I have.
NoShotScott
Now this Seller and his wife, wonderful and honorable people are very contemplative, (thoughtful) folks. I thought, I was doing them a service, preparing a fair compromise to an issue forced upon us. What I learned through these seasoned folks was that they were not willing to do business with a pushy, thuggish Buyer, as "he will never be done with his demands if we consider a premature negotiation". The Buyers Agent is an excellent and experienced Agent who was being run by her Buyer. I was being run, at least for a while, by him as well hoping to do the best for my client. In the course of my professional life I have been involved in serious, complex, and very expensive negotiations for many years and thought I had been around long enough to have most of the answers.
After that meeting with the Sellers, I thanked them for the "Life Lesson", went home waited for the certain Buyer insisted call, and suggested to the Agent we cancel the deal as the Sellers don't wish to play with her buyer. The Agent did her best to plead the Buyers case but realized our certain position. The Buyer was finally controlled, which was in his best interest. Negotiations went forward, after all the inspections were completed, a fair compromise was worked out and the Buyer didn’t give us another problem as he finally understood we were willing to walk away.
What have I learned from this experience? At 48 years of age, I still have a lot to learn from those who have been around longer than I have.
NoShotScott
Monday, October 1, 2007
STAGING YOUR HOME
I have found from experience that the activity during the first two weeks a home is on the market tends to predict how long it will take to sell. Potential buyers eagerly jump on new homes on the market.
Here are some “staging” tips you might find helpful:
* Keep your home in “show shape.” Make sure that beds are made, dishes are in the dishwasher or put away, everything is picked up, and the kitchen and bathrooms sparkle.
* Decorate with fresh flowers. Many home sellers use potted flowering plants that last much longer than cut flowers. Place them inside and out. They really add cheer!
* Turn on lights; replace all burned-out bulbs. Open blinds and draperies. Let the natural light in.
* Confine pets and keep them out of sight when possible. They can be distracting, and some people have allergies.
* Create a relaxed atmosphere with soft background music.I'll stay in touch. In the meantime, if you have any questions don't hesitate to call or email me.
NoShotScott
Here are some “staging” tips you might find helpful:
* Keep your home in “show shape.” Make sure that beds are made, dishes are in the dishwasher or put away, everything is picked up, and the kitchen and bathrooms sparkle.
* Decorate with fresh flowers. Many home sellers use potted flowering plants that last much longer than cut flowers. Place them inside and out. They really add cheer!
* Turn on lights; replace all burned-out bulbs. Open blinds and draperies. Let the natural light in.
* Confine pets and keep them out of sight when possible. They can be distracting, and some people have allergies.
* Create a relaxed atmosphere with soft background music.I'll stay in touch. In the meantime, if you have any questions don't hesitate to call or email me.
NoShotScott
Thursday, September 27, 2007
New Service, FLOOR PLANS
Time to shake up the status quo. Beginning 3 months ago I began creating customized floor plans of all floors on most of my home listings. I believe the floor plans allow perspective buyers an additional tool for the consideration of a property.
I use a CAD program........where were these programs 20 years ago when I was doing 3 dimensional perspectives and floor plans for new home builders using a drafting table, translucent film, right angles, and artist pens that dried out?
The floor plans, when printed are not a specific scale but are scaled to the size of the home and really look great. Each reflect accurate door opening direction, window placement, overall room size, patios & porches, with the dimensions in each room.
Update: See Sample Floor Plans in Additional Services
NoShotScott
I use a CAD program........where were these programs 20 years ago when I was doing 3 dimensional perspectives and floor plans for new home builders using a drafting table, translucent film, right angles, and artist pens that dried out?
The floor plans, when printed are not a specific scale but are scaled to the size of the home and really look great. Each reflect accurate door opening direction, window placement, overall room size, patios & porches, with the dimensions in each room.
Update: See Sample Floor Plans in Additional Services
NoShotScott
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
My first blog post.......I feel naughty!
Well, I finally got it started. Here, I will post thoughts and circumstances that are occurring or have occurred in my daily duties.
How's business? Thank God the phone is ringing!
I have only been at this Real Estate game for 3 years, coming into RE/MAX with no formal Real Estate training. Just as well, I haven't pickup too many bad habits. I honestly believe that this industry has lacked the service element and intend to introduce it, or reintroduce it. I'm proud to be a Sales Person, but the reality is, the only Sales involved in this business is in getting the listing. Other than that it is all Service.
Recently, well.....frankly now, I have begun a different, a new technique for my business growth. That is referrals. Many of you I know, and others who I will make your acquaintance, will be receiving regular calls, and will be forwarded "things of value", which will hopefully be of value. The bottom line is that most agents spend 69%-85% of their time marketing and prospecting new business. I intend to mainly focus my attentions in this direction, (referrals). I have too much invested in time, money, and effort to forgo my "turnkey" marketing altogether and will continue.
I am blessed to have people in my life who know me and trust me to do what is in their best interest and the best interest of the people who they refer.
So feel free to send a referral!
NoShotScott
How's business? Thank God the phone is ringing!
I have only been at this Real Estate game for 3 years, coming into RE/MAX with no formal Real Estate training. Just as well, I haven't pickup too many bad habits. I honestly believe that this industry has lacked the service element and intend to introduce it, or reintroduce it. I'm proud to be a Sales Person, but the reality is, the only Sales involved in this business is in getting the listing. Other than that it is all Service.
Recently, well.....frankly now, I have begun a different, a new technique for my business growth. That is referrals. Many of you I know, and others who I will make your acquaintance, will be receiving regular calls, and will be forwarded "things of value", which will hopefully be of value. The bottom line is that most agents spend 69%-85% of their time marketing and prospecting new business. I intend to mainly focus my attentions in this direction, (referrals). I have too much invested in time, money, and effort to forgo my "turnkey" marketing altogether and will continue.
I am blessed to have people in my life who know me and trust me to do what is in their best interest and the best interest of the people who they refer.
So feel free to send a referral!
NoShotScott
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