Tag Archives: real estate

Red Day?

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What exactly is Keller Williams “Red Day”?  RED Day (Renew, Energize and Donate) is an initiative dedicated to celebrating Keller Williams Realty’s year-round commitment to improving our local communities.

Each year, on the second Thursday in May, tens of thousands of KW associates like myself, across the United States participate in a wide range of projects, devoting our time to renewing and energizing parts of the neighborhoods we serve.

RED Day initiatives run the gamut: From rebuilding homes, refurbishing local parks, giving to local food shelters, hosting blood drives, beautifying beaches and so much more. Projects are chosen by each individual market center based on a need they see within its community.

Recognizing her leadership in guiding the culture of our company, RED Day is held in honor of Mo Anderson, Vice Chairman of the Board, Keller Williams Realty.  Most of you won’t know this, but when the consultant Gary Keller hired to help him expand the company, fired him, and Mo was named Keller Williams Realty’s president and chief executive officer in 1995. Known at times as the “Velvet Hammer” for her uncompromising approach, Mo’s astute business acumen and leadership abilities are uniquely matched by her faith and compassion. She has continuously cultivated the firm’s value system, inspiring tens of thousands of associates throughout North America to maintain high standards of character within both their personal and professional lives.

Indianapolis is home to four Keller Williams Market Centers and for the first time, we have come together to serve one project in the city on Thursday.  I moved my business to Keller Williams in June last year, so this will be my first Red Day and I am so excited about the opportunity to share in the Day.  This year we are working on the Boys and Girls Club at 1949 E Troy Avenue.  Painting, cleaning….going to be a busy day!

What do you do to “Renew, Energize and Donate” to your community?

Red Day

Vicki Reed

Think you are ready to sell?

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When selling your house, remember when you put it on the market, it is no longer your home, there are certain improvements that pay and others that don’t.

Check out this seller secret to understand why making costly improvements isn’t always your best bet.

Turning Your Dream into an Address

Want to know which updates will make your property most marketable?  Call me today to set up your free consultation.

Vicki Reed

Opportunity is Knocking…

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Research tells us that real estate may very well be at its most affordable level, RIGHT NOW.

Check out this quick video to find out why home buying is more budget friendly than it’s been in decades.

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History is being made. When you look back, will you say, “I wish I had …” or “I’m so glad I did”?

Now is the time to BUY!  Let’s talk!

Vicki Reed

What is a FSBO?

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For Sale By Owner, or FSBO (pron.: /ˈfɪzboʊ/), is the process of selling real estate without the representation of a real estate broker or real estate agent. Homeowners may employ the services of marketing or online listing companies or market their own property but do not pay a commission and represent themselves with the help of a lawyer throughout the sale.  Okay, so you know I’m a Realtor…what do I think of this practice?

As a home seller, do you know what your home is worth?  My job as a Licensed Real Estate Professional is to know the answer to that question.  Are you overpricing your home?  Underpricing?  How are people finding your home?  How are you managing showings?  Telephone inquiries?  Is it interfering with your job?

With the prevalence of the internet, you can easily advertise your home but for many FSBO’s, you will likely get one of 4 types of buyers:

1.  Serious and in a hurry.  They may be moving here and have three days to find a home, or maybe they just sold theirs and need to get into another or they will lose their contract.

2.  Serious, but not in a hurry.  They can qualify; they may be a first-time home buyer proceeding cautiously or looking for that special home.  Are you willing to hold their hand through the process?

3.  Investors.  They want to buy everything ten cents on the dollar.  These folks are easily identifiable…they are going to quickly make you an offer way under your asking.

4.  Looky Lous.  They really aren’t buyers, they can’t qualify for a mortgage and Agents won’t work with them so they go out and prey on FSBO’s.

If a buyer is serious, they are going to be working with an agent…it doesn’t cost them anything!  Agents are searching the Multiple Listing Service for homes that meet their clients criteria…not Craigslist which is where a lot of FSBO’s advertise.

I will handle all these issues for you…and get your home sold for the best possible price in the shortest amount of time!  The market is moving in Indianapolis, let me serve you and get your home sold!

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Vicki Reed

Tattooed…and Employed

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Do you remember when…having a tattoo was taboo?  I was driving home down I-465 yesterday and saw this on the back of a really nice car!

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There are many myths about people who have tattoos…they can’t donate blood or organs (visit donatelife.net for accurate information!), that they are barred from burial in Jewish cemeteries (Torah law prohibits a Jew from being tattooed, says Rabbi Gedalia Dov Schwartz, the presiding judge of the Orthodox Beth Din of America, however, “there is no reason why a Jew with a tattoo may not be buried in a Jewish cemetery.”), only “trashy people” have tats…well let me tell you, I’m educated, own my own business, own my home, drive a nice car, go to church regularly, come from a “good” family and I HAVE A TATTOO!  And so do a lot of others!

What about you?  I was 42 when I got mine, I wanted a specific cartoon character from my college days…anyone remember “Bloom County“?  Opus, Bill the Cat are among the cast of crazies that inhabit the mind of Berkeley Breathed and reading Bloom County in the Ball State Daily News was a staple of my college days!

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It took me a long time to work up the nerve, find the right image and have the money to go through with it, decide where it should go…a friend has dolphins swimming around her navel, looked great until she got pregnant…then those little dolphins became whales and became the size of a dinner plate!  Mine is small, on the right side of my back, just above my waist…I did it for me, to remind me of a more carefree me and just to make me smile!  What do you think?

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Vicki Reed

Mastermind? What?

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What is a mastermind group? No, it’s not an evil Mastermind like Dr. Evil in the Austin Powers movies, or the guy who tied the pretty lady to the railroad tracks in the old silent movies…what do you think when you hear Mastermind Group or Mastermind Coaching?

I was recently asked to take part in a Mastermind Group with Business Women Connect, our first topic, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.  This book was originally published in 1937 and its guiding principles are as  relevant today as they were then!

Napoleon Hill first defined the mastermind as a “coordination of knowledge and effort, in a spirit of harmony, between two or more people, for the attainment of a definite purpose.”  His concept of the Mastermind was inspired by Andrew Carnegie and according to Mr. Hill,

“Mr. Carnegie’s Master Mind group consisted of a staff of approximately fifty men, with whom he surrounded himself, for the DEFINITE PURPOSE of manufacturing and marketing steel. He attributed his entire fortune to the POWER he accumulated through this ‘Master Mind.’

Since the publication of Think and Grow Rich, the idea of mastermind groups has grown and evolved to become a staple tool of successful individuals.  The benefits of such groups are abundant, you have a group of people available to help you succeed, you benefit from others perspectives, access to resources and connections of others in the group, and you receive inspiration and accountability from the group toward reaching your goals.  Napoleon Hill even went so far as to say there was a mystical quality created when a mastermind group was formed. He said: “No two minds ever come together without, thereby, creating a third, invisible, intangible force which may be likened to a third mind.”  In other words, your ability to create things in the world is increased by having that invisible “third mind” of the mastermind group.

There are two basic types of mastermind groups: One which is focused on the success and vision of one individual, and one that is focused on helping everyone in the group.  The mastermind group Carnegie had was solely directed at his personal vision. The 50 men in the group were not all there to discuss their own projects. They were all focused on one main goal: the building of a steel empire.

The second type of mastermind group is one where all members of the group are meeting to support one another in achieving a goal. These types of groups are everywhere, but aren’t always named “mastermind groups”. An Alcoholics Anonymous meeting is a form of a mastermind group, where the members get together to support each other in their sobriety.   This is the most common type of Mastermind, when someone mentions that a Mastermind is forming, they mean a group dedicated to success and achievement. You can create a group that is led by a facilitator (sometimes paid), or a group that is run by members. These groups can meet in person, over a telephone conference line, or even in online chat rooms.

Are you part of a Mastermind?  Many of us have created our own “mastermind” simply by those we associate with!  The Group (my personal group of exceptional friends) are a mastermind, we give each other support, feedback and ideas on life decisions…let’s just face it, they are great friends!   However you create a mastermind support system for yourself, consider it an essential part of your success plan. As Napoleon Hill said:

“Analyze the record of any man who has accumulated a great fortune, and many of those who have accumulated modest fortunes, and you will find that they have either consciously, or unconsciously employed the ‘Master Mind’ principle.”

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Vicki Reed

Why is your home not selling?

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Why do some homes linger on the market for months (or years) while others are snapped up in a matter of days?  Much has to do with price, but a lot of factors can conspire to keep your home sitting…

Let’s talk about price…this is usually the largest factor in any home that doesn’t sell.  Did you meet with several Realtors?  Let me guess, you chose the one who said they would price it the highest and now here you sit.  As your agent, it is my job to price your home to sell, not just put a sign in your yard and garner new buyer clients from sign calls, yes, that’s what happens when your home doesn’t sell, we just get new buyer clients from you while your home languishes!  I watch the market, watch the trends and provide you with the best possible price to get you to your next home, be it in the same city or across the country.  A great rule of thumb is 10 showings no offers or 2 weeks no offers means your home is overpriced.

Now about that decor…everybody’s taste is different, so less is more when it comes to decor at sale time.  Declutter, move away from the 80’s (or even 70’s?) and do everything you can to make the home seem clean and fresh…change out those “builder brass” light fixtures for brushed nickel or bronze, you’ll increase your bottom line!  Paint the walls a light neutral shade and the trim white, pack away the knick knacks and make the home as clutter free as possible: too much clutter = not enough storage in the buyer’s minds!

Make certain you have finished all those little home repair projects, if a home looks as if it’s going to cost half as much to repair or renovate as it does to purchase, it’s going to take a long time to sell.  Don’t forget to deal with the cooking, pet or mold odors!  You may have to consider replacing carpet or painting walls to get rid of the odor, your home should smell clean and fresh, but don’t overdo it!  If potential buyers notice a heavy scent of air freshener, they will wonder what you are trying to cover up!

I have turned down listings because the homeowner was not willing to listen to me regarding price – they listed with another agent at a higher price and sat on the market for 6 months until their listing expired with that agent…then called me, listed at my suggested price and sold in 30 days.  Will you listen to me?  Call me today and let’s talk about it!

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Vicki Reed

Who are your Role Models?

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March is Women’s History Month and today is International Women’s Day, when we take time to appreciate women’s contributions to society. I strive to lead by and set an example for my five beautiful nieces, to make certain they know they can do anything they choose…the road might not always be easy, but the rewards are worth it!

I grew up on a farm in Madison, Indiana, but I always knew I wanted…more, but I could never define “more”.  My beautiful, strong mother set a great example for me.  I was fortunate to have grown up knowing two other amazing women, my Grandmothers.  Between Mom, Granny (Mom’s Mom) and Mamma (Dad’s Mom), I learned so much about life, love, cooking, and well, just living.  I didn’t choose the path that was expected, I could have married, had babies and stayed on the Farm, but they instilled a certainty in me that I could do anything I chose…who knew that it would be a Realtor, changing careers in my late 40’s is something I never expected, but am thrilled that I did and while my Grandmother’s have gone (Granny 28 years ago and Mamma only recently) I’m so fortunate to have my Mom, never wavering in her faith that I will succeed.

Fast forward to today…the strength of the friends I surround myself with (both women and men) astounds me. From those I’m closest to in The Group, My Clients, my fellow Keller Williams agents and the people I have met during my journey…I am so blessed  to have them all in my life.

Who inspires you?  Do you live your life as an inspiration to others?  Click here to see a great MSN slide show on the women who inspire them…who would be on your list?

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Vicki Reed

5 Things NOT to do during the Closing Process!

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You’ve gotten your pre-qualification, found a home and now your Lender is working on finalizing your loan…it is important that you NOT do the following 5 things…

# 1 – Change your Marital Status:

How you hold title is affected by your marital status. Be sure to make both your Realtor, Lender and Title Company aware of any changes in your marital status so that the documents can be prepared correctly.

# 2 – Change Jobs:

A job change may result in your loan being denied, particularly if you are taking a lower-paying position or moving into a different field. Don’t think you’re safe because you’ve received approval earlier in the process as your Lender may call your employer to re-verify your employment just prior to funding the loan.

# 3 – Switch Banks or move your money to another institution:

After the Lender has verified your funds at one or more institutions, the money should remain there until needed for the purchase.

# 4 – Pay off existing accounts unless your lender requests it:

If your Loan Officer advises you to pay off certain bills in order to qualify for the loan, follow that advice. Otherwise, leave your accounts as they are until your escrow closes.

# 5 – Make any large purchases:

A major purchase that requires a withdrawal from your verified funds or increases your debt can result in your not qualifing for the loan. A lender may check your credit or re-verify funds at the last minute, so avoid purchases that could impact your loan approval.

As your Realtor, I will remind you of these things, your Lender should remind you as well.  I’m excited about Turning your Dreams into an Address!

Closing-On-A-Home-300x229image credit to Tim Pierce, http://www.flickr.com/photos/qwrrty/3446221502/

 

Vicki Reed

Is your Realtor serving you?

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As I work with Buyers, I’m often baffled by the lack of information on listings…you know, the Multiple Listing Service or as it is know in Indy, the Broker’s Listing Cooperative (BLC) or just MIBOR (Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of Realtors).  Information from this source is what feeds the internet…Trullia, Zillow, Realtor.com and a host of others…95% of Buyers find their next home ONLINE!  Are you certain your agent is getting your home online in the best possible way?

In addition to active properties, I am often trolling the expired listings in specific neighborhoods that my clients are interested in…who knows, it may be the perfect home for my Buyers and the Homeowners may still be interested in Selling!  I recently found an expired listing in the mid $200,000 price range, over 2,500 square feet and the agent had only 8 pictures of the living area, nothing upstairs, backyard and no virtual tour…and you wonder why this property never sold?

When considering who to hire when Selling your home, ask a lot of questions, not just about what they do to sell homes in general, but specifics!  How many pictures do you use?  Do you use a virtual tour?  Do you work with a lender partner?  Besides putting a sign in my yard, what will you do to sell my home?  ASK THE QUESTIONS!  Remember, YOU are hiring ME to represent you in the best possible way in the sale of your biggest asset!

The BLC allows for 24 photos AND a virtual tour…how many photos has your agent put on your listing?  The quality of those photos?  It is not necessary for your agent to hire a professional photographer, we’ve been in the business a while and understand the best way to take photographs and are generally quite good at it.  There are only 500 characters available for describing you property, but we want to make everyone count!

What about information packets in the home?  I always create a packet of information with the sales disclosures, a list of upgrades and features of the home, school, church and shopping information.  This same information is uploaded to the listing.  I also add a stand-up display for the home flyer along with bottled water and snacks for prospective buyers.

I want to Sell your home, I will work to serve you.  I am part of the Number 1 Real Estate Company in the Nation, you not only have me working for you, but every Keller Williams agent in the country.  Click here for videos about my service…then call me!

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Vicki Reed