Louisville Real Estate Blog and News

Are Pocket Listings Unethical?

2013-05-02T10:29:00-07:00

With the housing rebound in full swing, “pocket listings” are growing in many parts of the country as some sellers look to preserve their privacy, and brokers use them to trigger an aura of exclusivity to a listing. But some in the industry worry that exclusivity may be crossing an ethical line. Pocket listings refer to situations in which real estate agents purposely keep sales information about a home off the multiple listing services, and brokers only show that house to people they expect to actually purchase it. The National Association of REALTORS® does not have an official policy on pocket listings, spokesman Walt Molony told CNNMoney. But some real estate boards say they don’t like the practice. Read more.

Putting Your Home In Its Best Light

2012-08-27T12:29:00-07:00

CHICAGO (MarketWatch)—Good pictures are crucial in marketing a home for sale. Just ask Clarissa and Mark Padilla, who were able to get a contract on their Sherman Oaks, Calif., condo unit in less than two weeks—and at a price they wanted. Clarissa Padilla attributes the quick sale to the professional photography that marketed the home and was able to lure about 20 to 25 people to an open house the first weekend. “When we saw the photos, we fell in love with our place all over again,” she said. “The colors were so bright, and it made it look fresh and very spacious. It’s only 950 square feet. [The pictures] made it look huge.” Read more.

6 Lowball Offer Mistakes Buyers Make

2011-10-10T08:13:00-07:00

For some home sellers, it was a long summer without a home sale. That means this fall, some buyers — smelling the desperation — may be able to cut a better deal. “Sellers who had their homes on the market all summer are anxious to move on, especially before the holidays hit,” said Bill Golden, a real-estate agent with ReMax in Atlanta. The closer it gets to the holidays, the more anxious unsuccessful sellers can become, he said. Read more.

Be A Nosy Neighbor At Nearby Open Houses

2011-06-11T07:59:00-07:00

Going to the open house of a home for sale down the block may make you feel like a nosy neighbor. But there are good reasons, beyond sheer curiosity, to take a peek inside.By knowing the selling prices and how properties look inside, homeowners can become more educated about values in their neighborhood, said Karen Goodman, a real-estate agent with Keller Williams Realty in the St. Louis area. Read more.

When Decor Makes Home Sale Harder

2011-04-15T15:27:00-07:00

“What’s fine for living is not always fine for selling,” said Donna Dazzo, president of Designed To Appeal, a home-staging company that serves New York and the Hamptons. “You want to portray a lifestyle that people can relate to and aspire to,” she said. “You have to have them fall in love as soon as they walk in the door. ' Staging got its start a decade ago when the housing market was on fire and every seller wanted to up the value of their home both emotionally and physically by making it more attractive and purchase-worthy than the house next door. More.