Author Archives: Jesse

What you need to know about FSBO

Posted on October 3, 2011 by Jesse

Not sure if you’re able to sell your own home?

For Sale By Owner is a growing trend in the real estate market which could save you thousands in real estate fees. Going the FSBO route, home sellers skip out on listing agent costs and instead list and sell it themselves. After all who knows your home better than you!

Although you will save on listing your home, you must still be prepared to give your buyers listing agent a commission. A tip to take advantage of your lowered real estate fees is to increase the commission to the buyer agent by a bit more than the average, as incentive for real estate agents to bring more buyers to your home.

Being your own agent requires you to become knowledgeable in the market your selling in. Understanding fair market value is crucial for the pricing of your home. The best way to establish this is to look at recently sold comparable MLS Listings. It’s important to know for how much similar homes in area with common features, have been sold for in the current market. This will help you to price your home competitively.

When you are the only point of contact for interested buyers you will have more of a sense of how your home is being perceived. You will be there for the showings, open houses, and be the one negotiating purchase contract yourself. When you have direct contact with your buyers and less agent back-and–forth negotiations, closing a deal is quicker and easier.

When your selling you home, you’re also in control of all the major decisions including where and how to advertise. According to the National Association of Realtors, over 77% of homebuyers use the Internet to search for homes. There are many sites (including this one!) which are focused on advertising for sale by owner homes to ensure you get the most exposure.

All of the tools you need to sell your home are at your fingertips. Now it’s up to you to take them and save money!

Selling Property Online

Posted on September 30, 2011 by Jesse

The trend of private home sales and For Sale By Owner (FSBO) appears to be increasing along with selling houses on the internet. No longer using traditional marketing methods such as advertising in the local paper, using word-of-mouth and for sale signs, private home sellers are more educated in online marketing and getting the most exposure for their home as possible.

Recently there has been some competing between Private Property Sale’s sites for sponsorship advertising space on Google. A recent survey conducted by Alliance & Leicester has found homes being marketed on private home-sellers websites sold their house in an average of less than 2 months compared to using the traditional real estate agent.

While having your property online will get it the most exposure, you must also ensure it’s ready to being shown in the best light to its potential buyers. Getting the best pictures of your property is vital as they provide the first impression. Also pricing your property competitively from the beginning is key for a quick sale. Sellers need to remember to take into account the potential commission savings they’ll make and use this to price their home competitively.

4 Ways Technology is Helping Major Cities be more Energy Efficient

Posted on September 28, 2011 by Jesse

As technology keeps getting smarter, people all around the world are exploring different ways to use these new abilities to save money and reduce carbon emissions. The following are 4 examples of green tech which stood out for us, which you may see rolling into an urban city near you!

1. Smarter City Streetlights

Currently used in the China, Malaysia and some US cities, these Ultra Smart Streetlights use FlexNet Lighting Control System to monitor and control 35 energy-efficient LED and induction fixtures.

With a ‘Smart Grid “ wireless radio control the lights can be dimmed or brightened according to the situation (in case of emergency) or by a police dispatcher. Not only does this reduce carbon emissions but is safer for residents, as the lights are also programmed to increase light output as it gets later in the night.

2. Small Urban Wind Turbines

Currently there are 9 turbines being tested throughout Reno for efficiency, measuring wind currents and speed, peak times, and total output.

“Right now, we only have very preliminary data,” says Jason Geddes, the environmental services administrator for the City of Reno. “What we have found, though, is that roof-mounted turbines, like the ones on City Hall, have experienced more turbulence than anticipated and shouldn’t be installed on the parapet, but high enough above the roof to get out of the turbulence zone.”

3. Solar Trees & Groves

Photovoltaic (PV) solar structures aka ‘solar trees’ and ‘solar groves’ serve as many great energy efficient solutions including generating electricity for specific areas such as parks and parking lots, offering shade in parking lots and even offering charging stations for electric cars

These solar trees and groves are already being installed in cities around the world. Appearing in some cases as outdoor art installations, like the one at Museum of Applied Arts/Contemporary Art (MAK) in Vienna.

Santa Clara County anticipates an electrical cost savings of $18 million over the next 25 years and a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. Amazing numbers!

4. Tinting Glass Technology

Currently being used internationally SageGlass product that can be switched from clear to tinted by either the click of a button or can be programmed to respond to changes in sunlight and heat! Zoning is also an option, meaning that panes hit by direct sunlight can tint, while ones receiving indirect sunlight can stay clear.

“On hot, sunny days, the glass can be tinted to reduce glare and block out heat,” says Derek Malmquist, VP of marketing at SAGE. “On cold, cloudy days, the glass can remain clear to allow sunlight and heat to fill an office or home.”

While most of SAGE’s customers are architects, building owners and operators, they also sell into high-end residential markets.

Welcome!

Posted on December 29, 2010 by Jesse

Welcome to eSolds Blog where you can find the latest statistical data on real estate markets and browse eSolds listings.