Selling Your Home? Don't Neglect These 6 Maintenance Tasks—or Else

By Wendy Helfenbaum

If you're a homeowner, you already know that keeping your property in tiptop shape requires dedication and patience for ongoing maintenance. But what if you've put your home on the market, or even accepted an offer? Perhaps you're thinking: Not my problem anymore.

Sorry, folks, we've got news for you: Just because you’re selling doesn't mean you're off the hook from routine maintenance tasks—and that's especially true if you’ve already vacated the house.

Sure, a well-cared-for house shows better: Small things like broken doorbells and leaky faucets make buyers wonder if your property also has bigger issues elsewhere. But more important, a little routine maintenance can help you avoid a catastrophic problem down the line (e.g., burst pipes, roof leaks, critters moving into your attic) that could devalue your property and derail that sale.

To prevent minor issues from escalating into full-blown, money-sucking, sale-killing problems, focus on these six important areas you can’t afford to neglect.

1. Keep up the yard and walkways

Whether you're still living at the home or not, you'll want to make sure to keep your landscaping tidy—remove dead tree limbs, rake leaves, and clean out flowerbeds.

If your home is already vacant, have someone tend to the yard regularly so that grass and weeds don’t detract from your home’s appearance, suggests Kyle Hiscock, a Realtor® with Re/Max Reality Group in Rochester, NY.

“If your home does not have a well-maintained exterior, (potential buyers) will keep driving,” he cautions. “Plus, this kind of neglect can be a bull's-eye for vandals to break into your property.”

Consider having lights on timers so the house doesn’t look dark all the time, and arrange for driveways and walkways to be plowed weekly in the winter months. And don't let mail pile up in the mailbox.

2. Clean the gutters and check the roof

This one's easy to forget about, even when you don't plan on going anywhere. But when it comes to gutter and roof issues, neglect can cause a dangerous domino effect.

Overflowing gutters can damage your foundation, and also lead to drainage issues. And, of course, you don’t want buyers seeing puddling water as they approach your house.

Just ask Alise Roberts, owner/broker at Alise Roberts & Company in Bellevue, WA. In the rainy Pacific Northwest climate, she frequently has to remind her clients to keep sidewalks clear of moss and clean gutters of pine needles and leaves.

"Buyers, seeing the house when it’s raining, will also see your gutters overflowing," she says. "That’s a terrible first impression.”

And then there's the roof. Of course, it'll be examined during the home inspection, but it would behoove you to do it before putting your home on the market. Small roof cracks can remain undetected for years, causing water to slowly infiltrate your home and damage ceilings and walls.

“If water starts to penetrate a property, it can be a very difficult sale," Hiscock notes. "Water in basements or in homes is one of the top three things buyers are scared of.”

3. Service your heating systems

It’s not sexy, but the hidden guts of your home need regular attention, whether you’re still living there or not. That means having your HVAC systems professionally serviced.

First up, your furnace: If you get it addressed before you list your home, it won't smell like dust when you crank up the heat during an open house on a chilly day. While you're at it, have the duct work and filters cleaned as well. And if you have baseboard heaters, vacuum those out, too.

(Speaking of heat, Roberts suggests keeping the thermostat at 66 degrees Fahrenheit when agents are showing your house so buyers can visit your place comfortably. This will also avoid any issues with pipes freezing or bursting.)

Have a chimney? Be sure to have it inspected and cleaned as well.

“You want to make sure there are no cracked flue tiles, and that from the exterior, there are no gaps in the mortar between the bricks,” Hiscock explains. “Otherwise, you could potentially have the chimney fall over onto the house, and that’s a very expensive fix.”

4. Keep the critters out

If you don’t want to add "family of raccoons included" to your listing (and pay the hefty tab for getting them out), inspect the inside and outside of your home for any areas that need to plugged up. Take care of holes from damaged siding or fascia under the roofline—and do it promptly.

“In a colder climate, squirrels look for somewhere warm to go, and they’ll find their way into your property,” Hiscock says.

Stove and dryer vents, for example, should be covered with wire mesh to deter pests.

5. Wash your windows

Most people associate sparkling windows with spring-cleaning, Roberts says. But if your house is on the market, it doesn't matter what time of year it is—you need to get those babies squeaky clean.

“If buyers walk through your home and all they see is dirty windows, that’ll really mar the showing process," she says.

Make sure to wipe them down after a bad storm, when they're especially likely to show muck and grime buildup.

6. Check the calendar

Depending on what time of year you bring your house to market, pay attention to any details that scream, "We don’t live here or care anymore," Roberts says.

That means tackling seasonal tasks such as clearing away lawn mowers in the fall and storing shovels in the spring.

“Too often, I see a seller’s patio furniture still outside during the winter time. To me, that's not a good reflection on the property,” Hiscock says. “It shows deferred maintenance and lack of caring, and can really turn off a potential buyer.

"If a seller can’t put away their patio furniture and lawn mower, what makes you believe that they've actually maintained the property all the years they've been there?” he adds.

Staying on top of these regular tasks will make it easier to sell your home with fewer headaches. Plus, it'll preserve the value of your property, and potentially, the thickness of your wallet, too.

Wendy Helfenbaum is a journalist and TV producer who covers real estate, architecture and design, DIY, gardening, and travel. Her work has appeared in Woman's Day, Metropolis, Costco Connection, Garden Collage, Parenting, Canadian Living, Canadian Gardening, and more.

Follow @wendyhelfenbaum

Real Estate Outlook - February 2018

Here is the latest real estate outlook for Dallas and Collin counties!

7 Small Home Flaws That Can Be Big Deals for Buyers

By Stephanie Booth

After living in the same home for a while, it's amazing what you can get used to. A creaky floorboard, for instance. A chipped tile that you've been meaning to replace but haven't gotten around to. A doorknob that needs a little coaxing to turn. No big deal, right?

Well, these small flaws can be huge deal breakers when you decide to sell your home.

“Prospective buyers are going to add all the ‘flaws’ they find to the price of the property, and that’s when they start trying to discount the price,” cautions Jane Peters, a real estate broker and owner of Home Jane Realty in Los Angeles.

Curious what some of these seemingly small problems are? Check out this list of minuscule (to you) things that buyers see as big hurdles to closing a sale.

1. An old electrical panel

Recently, home buyer made a controversial request for a repair at a property listed by Cedric Stewart, a real estate consultant at Keller Williams in the Washington, DC, area.

Apparently their home inspector claimed that $2,000 worth of repairs were needed on an electrical panel to get it “up to code.” The sellers insisted the current panel worked just fine.

“To the sellers, it was a small issue,” says Stewart, “but to the buyers, it was an electrical panel that could fail them at any time.”

To end this particular dispute, Stewart received bids from four electricians and got the repair quote knocked down to $1,200. The sellers offered that amount as a credit in lieu of repair at closing.

“The buyers grumbled," Stewart recalls, “but they took it.”

2. Ripped window screens

Window screens will wear out over time, but if yours are torn, take it seriously.

“They're a pain for anyone to replace,” says Stewart. “Therefore, sellers don't want to do it and buyers will insist that they do. If the sellers refuse to fix it, the buyers will demand a credit. This can be a major point of contention, and we've seen it delay progress before.”

Stewart recalls one seller who agreed to replace a damaged window screen. But on the final walk-through, it still hadn't been done—and the buyer threatened to walk away from the deal.

“It worked out,” says Stewart, “but it wasn't pretty.”

3. The location of your laundry room

Even if you own a state-of-the-art washer and dryer—and plan to bestow both on your lucky buyers—they may not be so thrilled with these nice appliances if they aren't situated in what they think is the "right" place.

“Some buyers have a problem with the laundry being on the ‘wrong’ level, especially in a three-level house or townhouse-style condo,” Peters explains.

In other words, you might be fine lugging your laundry to the basement, but don't expect all buyers to feel the same way. Offer to move these items to a new locale to warm buyers up.

4. Sticky door locks

Live in a house long enough, and you'll encounter a malfunctioning door latch or lock. That may be no big deal to you, but it may alarm buyers big-time.

If it's an exterior door, they will likely view this as a major safety issue, explains Stewart. And although it may seem like a simple fix, it’s often a complex one, he says.

Think about it: The company that installed the doors may no longer be around, the model may not be in production anymore, and/or it could be tough to get someone to replace the exact hardware. Consider fixing this problem before a buyer notices it.

5. Your bathtub or shower

Some people prefer showers, others want baths (particularly parents who must clean up small kids). So if you're missing one or the other, watch out.

In an ideal world, you'll have both: a bath with a showerhead above. But even if your bathtub works just fine, make sure the style isn't too off. Not everyone is excited to soak in a tub straight out of “Stranger Things" in avocado green. If that's you, luckily there is an easy fix: Consider slapping on a new coat of paint (yes, you can do that). Here's how to paint a bathtub.

6. Small closets

“Many buyers focus on closets,” says Peters. “Are there enough? Are they large enough? Walk-in closets are also preferred.”

There are a few things you can do to ease these concerns. For one, try to make your closets look roomier by decluttering them as much as possible. Put excess items elsewhere (like a rented storage unit). You might also consider hiring a contractor to build or extend closets where needed—or at least point out to buyers that they can do this themselves.

7. The walls of your kitchen

Some people like—no, make that love— open kitchens. So if your kitchen currently has four walls, you could be in trouble.

“Buyers may look at the possibility of breaking down a wall,” Peters says. But be warned, many might not want to do the work, or just get such a bad first impression of your kitchen that they move on. If you think your kitchen's four walls feel cramped and is stalling your sale, consider opening it up yourself. Here's how to knock down a wall.

Stephanie Booth's stories have appeared in magazines such as Real Simple, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, and Psychology Today.

Follow @stephanieBbarth

10 States Predicted to Have Strong Housing Markets in 2018 (Texas is #2!)

By Credit.com

The housing market in the U.S. has experienced a major uptick over the past two years. In 2016, existing home sales were the strongest they’ve been since 2006. More than a decade after the worst housing crisis in U.S. history, it seems we’re finally in a sustainable recovery period.

As we enter 2018, the housing market shows no signs of slowing, and is slated to remain among the world’s top performers, according to a forecast from Fitch Ratings. U.S. home prices are expected to rise 4.6% this year.

Here are 10 states that are predicted to be among the top performers in 2018:

1. Nevada

Housing forecasts for Nevada suggest that the market will continue to be strong, and that home prices will continue to rise in 2018. The fact that the state is home to Las Vegas — where median home values are expected to rise approximately 5.8% over the next 12 months — accounts for much of the market strength. Home values in Sin City rose 8.6% during the most recent 12-month reporting period, according to S&P/Case-Shiller’s Home Price Index. The median home price is approximately $285,045.

2. Texas

Thanks to a booming economy, Dallas and many other areas in the Lone Star state have seen a boom in housing over the past several years. A steady flow of profitable companies continue to relocate, expand, or launch their businesses here, thanks to lower taxes and a lower cost of living. The median home price in North Texas is $339,950. In 2018, home sales are expected to grow by 6% in 2018.

3. Florida

Led by cities including Deltona and Lakeland, Florida will continue to see a strong housing market in 2018. With the appeal of oceanside living, warm weather, and the ability to live an active lifestyle, Florida’s most popular areas are expected to see a more than 5% boost. The median home price in Deltona, the state’s most-booming housing area is $275,050.

4. California

With the economy expected to continue growing statewide, housing demand is poised to remain strong into 2018. However, a shortage of available homes for sale and affordability constraints make it a more challenging market to get into for homebuyers. Those with top credit scores have a competitive advantage over the competition when it comes to securing a mortgage. One of the fastest-growing areas, Stockton, is predicted to grow its housing market by 4.6%, and the median home price there is $385,050. In the most desirable areas, would-be homebuyers have been largely squeezed out altogether. For example, the median price of a home in San Francisco has increased $100,000 in the past year.

5. Utah

Businesses continue to flock to many parts of this state, making for a booming housing market that’s set to continue into 2018. The Provo/Orem region was recently ranked as the best-performing city by the Miliken Institute, thanks to a robust high-tech sector and broad-based job and wage growth. In Salt Lake City, the median home price averages $360,000, and the market is predicted to grow 3.2% in 2018.

6. North Carolina

North Carolina’s strong housing market is being largely driven by the amount of people relocating there from other states. Home sales are predicted to grow 6% in 2018, and the median home price averages $325,000. Charlotte is among the fastest-growing because it has capitalized on the popularity of mixed-use developments that surging in popularity across the country.

7. Colorado

The home of the Mile High City has seen some of the steepest price increases in housing of any other state in the U.S. over the past two years. While the market will remain strong, it is poised to level out a bit in 2018 to around 3.1%. Colorado Springs tops the cities for growth and the median home price there is slated to rise 5.7% this year.

8. Tennessee

In Nashville, the housing market will continue to flex its muscle in 2018. According to a Nashville Realtor, single-family homes in the city’s premier suburbs often fetch multiple offers above asking price “overnight.” Currently, the median home price hovers around $358,500.

9. Oklahoma

Oklahoma City boasts one of the strongest — yet affordable — housing markets as we move into 2018. That makes it an attractive option for those looking to secure a mortgage with a manageable payment. Home prices average $99,000 there, which a bit lower than the national average, and also lower than the statewide median home price of $116,800. Thanks to a lower cost of living, steady job economy, and low crime rate, the state will continue to stay at the top of the U.S. housing market this year.

10. Georgia

This “peach” will continue to be sweet in 2018. In a one-year period between July 2016 and July 2017, home values jumped 10%. Thanks lower median home prices of $218,350, and a smaller amount of home available for sale, we will continue to see a strong housing economy, particularly in and around Atlanta.

This article was written by Josh Smith and originally published on credit.com. 

How Rising Home Prices Will Help You Build Family Wealth in 2018

Shared from Keeping Current Matters

Over the next five years, home prices are expected to appreciate on average by 3.35% per year and to grow by 24.34% cumulatively, according to Pulsenomics’ most recent Home Price Expectation Survey.

So, what does this mean for homeowners and their equity position?

As an example, let’s assume a young couple purchases and closes on a $250,000 home this month (January). If we only look at the projected increase in the price of that home, how much equity will they earn over the next 5 years?

Since the experts predict that home prices will increase by 4.2% in 2018, the young homeowners will have gained $10,500 in equity in just one year.

Over a five-year period, their equity will increase by nearly $45,000! This figure does not even take into account their monthly principal mortgage payments. In many cases, home equity is one of the largest portions of a family’s overall net worth.

Bottom Line

Not only is homeownership something to be proud of, but it also offers you and your family the ability to build equity you can borrow against in the future. If you are ready and willing to buy, find out if you are able to today!

Valentine Wishes

Wishing you a home and heart full of L-O-V-E!!!

Real Estate Unicorns

The danger of overpricing & chasing real estate unicorns

January 30, 2018 By Ryan Lundquist

Overpricing. It happens all the time in real estate – especially in today’s market. I get where sellers are coming from because we’ve had so much glowing real estate news for more than five years. But that doesn’t mean we’re in a market where you can command whatever price you want. 

Chasing the unicorn: Many sellers are pricing their properties too high. It’s as if they expect record-breaking prices and multiple offers every time because of how “hot” the market is. Homeowners get so fixated on the idea of a fiery market that they price for that one unicorn buyer who’s going to mysteriously pay more than anyone else. This “unicorn” will ignore all recent sales and listings and magically offer 10% higher than anything. In Sacramento the idea is a Bay Area “unicorn” will swoop in with fat stacks of cash and totally ignore similar comps that are selling for less. It’s nice when sellers get lucky like that, but in today’s market buyers are actually much more finicky about price. Despite a legitimate housing shortage we don’t have a market where buyers are willing to pay crazy prices that are totally disconnected from reality. In other words, we don’t have a market where pricing for the “unicorn” makes good sense (unless you want to sit on the market instead of sell). Take a look at the image below that shows price reductions over the past 24 hours in the Sacramento region. These 78 properties have been priced too high for the market.

My advice? Price for the real market instead of the unicorn. Give the most weight to similar sales and similar listings that are actually getting into contract.

Aspirational pricing: If you aren’t familiar with the term aspirational pricing, Jonathan Miller coined this phrase. It’s a great way to describe the phenomenon of sellers fixating on prices that are simply disconnected from the real market.

10 reasons why sellers overprice:

1) Hot headlines are imposed on the price instead of looking at comps. 

2) Dissimilar sales are used as “comps” to price the home.

3) Too much emphasis is put on price per sq ft instead of actual comps.

4) A property is priced like it doesn’t have a busy street or adverse location.

5) Sales from a higher-priced area are “cherry-picked” to price the property.

6) The seller is too subjective and feels “my house is better.”

7) The owner believes the cost of any upgrades should be paid for by buyers.

8) A more aggressive trend from a lower price range is assumed to be present at a higher price range.

9) It’s a tricky property and not easy to come up with a price.

10) What else?

Real Estate Outlook - January 2018

Real Estate Outlook for Dallas & Collin Counties!

Happy New Year from The Key Team

Warm wishes for health and happiness from Julie & Lauren to you and your family in 2018.

Real Estate Outlook - December 2017

Real Estate Outlook for Dallas & Collin Counties!

Recent Real Estate Articles for Early December

7 repair requests buyers should never make

Source: Inman

Repairs unrelated to a safety issue or the breakdown of an expensive system are better left alone

Most buyers and sellers understand that buying and selling a home requires negotiation. You give a little here, and they concede a bit there. But what do you do when you have a buyer who demands unnecessary repairs after a home inspection?

Educating buyers so that they better understand which repairs are necessary and which may annoy the seller enough for the deal to shatter is part of the job of a real estate agent.

Here is a list of seven repair requests that buyers should think twice about before making.

1. Easily repaired items under $10

Whole house inspectors often come back with a list of items that cost under $10 to repair or replace. Save yourself the hassle, and omit these things from the list of requested repairs.

If repairs are not related to a safety issue or the breakdown of an expensive system, it's better to refrain from listing them.

2. Replacement of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

Sometimes buyers are adamant they want missing smoke detectors or carbon monoxide detectors replaced.

Although these are safety items, unless local codes say differently, it is better if the buyer installs the smoke and carbon monoxide indicators after closing. That way, they can make an informed decision on the type of alarms they feel most comfortable using in their new home.

3. Cosmetic issues in a resale home

Unless the home is brand-new construction, advising your clients against noting uneven paint or stained baseboards on a repair request is a good idea.

Normal wear and tear should be expected in any resale home and should be a factor in the original price negotiations.

4. Repairs related to minor plumbing and electrical issues

Often, a whole-home inspector will list in the report issues with simple electrical and plumbing items such as an upside down outlet or corrosion on a fitting. Unless the problems cited are a safety concern, a buyer should not list them as a requested repair.

Simple issues such as an upside down outlet or a corroded water line to a sink are simple DIY repairs or matters easily handled by a handyman.

5. Repair of hairline cracks in the basement or driveway

Concrete expands and contracts naturally, and over time, cracks will occur. As long as the cracks are minor, don't list them in a request for repairs.

However, if the breaks are over a quarter inch, it's an excellent idea to have a structural inspection. Structural cracks are a whole new ballgame.

6. Outdoor landscaping, porch and fence repairs

These items were visible at the initial showing and will be a factor in the initial offer and negotiations.

It's not a good idea to ask for things that were obvious at the beginning such as sod replacement, fence restoration, loose railings or loose hinges.

The exception is if the repair is necessary as part of the loan process such as in an FHA or USDA loan.

7. Replacement of failed seals in windows

Unless the window is under warranty, most sellers will refuse to fix a failed seal. Window seals fail over time with use, and depending on the age of the window seal, failure can be expected.

It's another simple fix, and sometimes you need to choose your battles.

For all items on this list that your buyer would like to have fixed and are not safety or related to the failure of an expensive system can be included in a request for credit at closing.

Sellers are more likely to agree to a $300 credit for the buyer to replace 30 $10 items than they will to repair or replace the 30 issues themselves.

These Real Estate Trends Will Be Game-Changers in 2018

Source: Realtor.com

We're almost there: the long-awaited home stretch of 2017. And quite a year it's been! Already, we can't help imagining what developments next year might bring to the wild world of U.S. real estate. So we asked our realtor.com® data team to give us the inside scoop. The team sifted through historical real-estate data and other major economic indicators to come up with a realistic forecast of just what might be in store next year.

And it looks like a sea change is brewing.

From housing inventory to price appreciation to generational and regional shifts, these are the top trends that will shape, and reshape, real estate markets in 2018. Buckle up! It's going to be quite a ride.

Game-changer no. 1: Supply finally catching up with demand

After three years of a crushing shortage of homes for sale, the realtor.com economics team is predicting that the shortfall will finally ease up in the second half of 2018.

"The majority of the year should be challenging for most buyers, but we do expect growth in inventory starting in the fall," says Danielle Hale, chief economist for realtor.com.

That's a potentially transformative development for many would-be buyers who've been frustrated in their search for a home that meets their needs—and their budget.

"Once we start to see inventory turn around, there is plenty of demand in the market," Hale says.

Although for-sale housing inventory is expected to stay tight in the first quarter of the year, reaching a 4% year-over-year decline in March, if it increases as predicted by fall, that will be the first net inventory gain since 2015. Markets such as Boston, Detroit, and Nashville—all of which recently made it onto our monthly list of the nation's hottest real estate markets—may see inventory recover first.

Bullish construction is the engine that's turning this ship around, bringing new homes to the market and creating opportunity for people to trade up into new homes.

"It's adding inventory instead of just shuffling people around in existing homes," Hale says.

But those itching to buy a starter home may have to be patient for a while longer.

"We expect the relief to start in the upper tiers, and it will make its way down to the lower tiers," Hale says. Specifically, most of the initial inventory growth will be in the mid- and upper-tier price ranges, $350,000 and up.

As the market eases, home prices are expected to slow to 3.2% growth year over year nationally. But again, it's the higher-priced homes that will be appreciating less. And even slower appreciation still means that prices will continue to rise.

"Overall, prices are expected to increase, and we're expecting to see more of that in lower-priced homes," Hale says. "It will get a bit worse before it gets better for buyers of starter and midprice homes."

Game-changer no. 2: Millennials starting to come into their own

The housing market in 2018 will continue to present challenges for millennials—sorry, all of that student loan debt isn't just going to disappear—but there are some bright spots on the horizon for these millions of Americans.

Millennials seem to be having more success at taking out mortgages on homes at varying prices, and not just starter homes, Hale says.

"They're at that point where they're seeing their incomes grow, and that will help them take on bigger mortgages," she says. That's because of both the overall strong economy and their own career development.

And as the largest generation in U.S. history reaches that sweet spot in their 20s to 30s when they're settling down and starting families, they're particularly motivated to buy. Millennials could make up 43% of home buyers taking out a mortgage by the end of 2018, up from an estimated 40% in 2017, based on mortgage originations. That 3% uptick could translate into hundreds of thousands of additional new homes. As inventory starts to rebound in late 2018 and in years to come, first-time home buyers will likely make up an even larger share of the market.

They probably shouldn't wait too long to buy, either—mortgage rates are expected to reach 5% by the end of 2018 due to stronger economic growth, inflationary pressure, and monetary policy normalization.

Game-changer no. 3: Southern homes selling like crazy

When it comes to home sales growth, bet on Southern cities to beat the national average in 2018. We're especially looking at you, Tulsa, OK; Little Rock, AR; Dallas; and Charlotte, NC. Those markets are expected to see 6% growth or more, compared with 2.5% nationally.

The South has been luring corporations and individuals to its balmy cities with its low costs of real estate, and living in general. The resulting strong economic growth and strong household growth, combined with an accommodating attitude toward builders, is setting the stage for an accelerating boom in homeownership, Hale says.

As soon as there are more homes to sell, these places will be selling strong.

Game-changer no. 4: Tax reform (maybe)

The Republican Party's proposed changes to the tax system could change everything—but with both the House and Senate versions in limbo, the jury is still out on this one.

If a version of tax reform does pass with the current provisions affecting real estate, Hale says she would expect to see fewer home sales and declining home prices. However, it would be the upper price tiers that would likely be affected the most, in areas with expensive homes and high taxes, such as coastal cities, especially in California.

READ MORE

Mobile agent: The 7 best places to write a contract on the go

Source: Inman.com

Be truly mobile, and you will be around in 5 years

Providing better customer service means being more available, being super responsive to questions and being a great communicator; this means knowing the best places to go to write contracts for your clients quickly.

Let's face it, being mobile is a necessity for a real estate agent who plans to be around in the future. There are still some agents who believe being mobile still means carrying a laptop around with them, but it is so much more than that, and customers know it when they meet you.

The industry is definitely all about being mobile, but really, how functional are you on the road? Do you long for your personal computer at your comfy home office to finish the contract, scan checks, email it over and do your paperwork?

Clients don't want to drive very far from their home or where showings are taking place, and frankly, there is no need for them to.

What is good customer service?

Providing better customer service means being more available, being super responsive to questions and being a great communicator.

After the home showing, it means being fully functional wherever you are, so that you can negotiate that contract before the next agent.

This is the age of working on the fly, being mobile in all aspects of your job, running virtual offices and ultimately not losing the home your client desperately wants.

When I am on the road, I never have plans to finish the deal at my office, especially because my office is any Regus facility in the country.

When I leave the office to go out with clients, I'm out until we get the home they want, and that means knowing the areas I'm servicing and the locations where I feel comfortable finishing the deal, even if it's my home.

There are a few select places that have everything we need: a bathroom, food and drink, workspace — and most importantly — high speed Wi-Fi.

Before I list my favorite places to get the job done, I should say first:

• Make sure your laptop has access to your Dropbox or other shared files
• Charge your computer, or have your power cord with you
• Know how to connect to any and all Wi-Fi, and ask for the password when you walk into the joint (unfortunately, there are still agents who don't know how to add a new Wi-Fi network to their own devices — embarrassing in front of clients)
• Have a link on your desktop to the forms for your state, and have your association dues paid so that you can access them
• You might laugh, but you would be surprised what happens when you are out and ready to write a contract. Your clients' minds are on one thing: the house and how they can get in for as little money as possible.

Thank goodness their agent is prepared to make the deal happen.

Best public places to write an offer

• Panera
• Quiet hotel lobby
• La Madeline French Cafe
• Starbucks or any coffee shop
• Regus Office or WeWork shared office space
• FedEx/Kinkos
• Home office

Whether or not you have these places in your area, you'll need to think about where you can go in your city — with or without a client. I never ride with clients anymore; they always want to drive separately, and usually after showings, they typically just want to go home.

I am usually writing up the offer on my own, but if they are with me, I choose a restaurant, and the first on my list is a local Panera. The ambiance is nice, and there's little noise, so you can freely talk and be heard.

The Wi-Fi is always a strong signal, there's a variety of food, and the bathrooms are clean and available.

My no. 1 concern is finding a place that feels comfortable, safe, friendly and has a great Wi-Fi signal. A quiet hotel lobby with great Wi-Fi and a coffee shop is my second choice because the environment is professional and business oriented.

Rent No More! 10 U.S. Cities With Huge Increases in Homeownership

Source: Realtor.com

It's time to tune out the chatter, the doom, and certainly the gloom: The American Dream of homeownership is alive and well. Really.

But that doesn't mean it's easy to buy a home these days. So what are the stumbling blocks? Stroke-inducing student loan debt. Soaring home and rent prices, and a lack of properties in many markets. And let's not forget the Great Recession, which set so many would-be buyers back on their heels.

All this has dragged down homeownership rates, which hit 63.9% nationally in the third quarter of the year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That's down about five percentage points from their pre-crash high in 2004.

The data team at realtor.com® set out to find those metros where homeownership rates are growing the fastest. In the process, we discovered a few trends. Ownership is shooting up the most in Rust Belt cities undergoing a resurgence; in smaller cities close to much bigger and pricier metros, where commuters can snag a home for less; and in fast-growing Southern hubs that are continuing to experience booming job markets.

Bonus: More than half of the metros on our list boast median prices well under the national median of $274,492.

"Affordability is a strong draw to these areas," says Danielle Hale, chief economist at realtor.com®. A lot of these cities are on the outskirts of big cities where folks can snag an abode for less and then commute downtown for work, she adds.

However, interested buyers had better move fast—all this demand is steadily pushing home prices skyward.

To come up with our findings, the data team analyzed Census data comparing the homeownership rates in the first three-quarters of 2014 to the first three-quarters of 2017. The Census data only included 75 of the largest metros (with some cities moving on or off the list over the years, due to population shifts). Home list price data, from realtor.com, dates from Oct. 1.

So where are the most buyers settling into homes of their very own? Get ready for a few surprises...

1. Milwaukee, WI
Median home price: $224,950
Current homeownership rate: 68.7%
Three-year homeownership change: 11%

After decades of steady decline, this former industrial powerhouse is on the precipice of a game-changing resurgence.

About a hundred large real estate projects are either underway or have recently been finished in the city center. They include a 32-story office tower of gleaming glass and steel, a new, soon-to-be-opened arena for the Milwaukee Bucks, and a 44-story lakefront apartment building with tons of retail space.

No wonder the homeownership rate in Brew City is also taking off. Bidding wars, once unheard of, have become commonplace, and well-priced homes in move-in condition can go for thousands over asking, according to Betsy Head, real estate broker at Milwaukee Executive Realty.

Milwaukee, long under the radar, but the fifth biggest city in the Midwest, is becoming something of a destination stop. For some time, "we haven't had much of any image nationally," says Bret Mayborne, director of economic research at the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce. "That's changing."

And the growth is likely to continue, as Foxconn Technology Group plans to open a plant in the suburbs that will employ up to 13,000 workers.

In the city, many buyers seek out condos along the Milwaukee River; most are in rehabbed warehouses, where units can start at $350,000 and go well past $1 million.

The most desirable homes are in more walkable city suburbs about 20 minutes or so outside the city limits. These are mostly older, single-family homes that run from the mid- to high $300,000s to about $600,000.

2. Charlotte, NC
Median home price: $327,050
Current homeownership rate: 62.8%
Three-year homeownership change: 10.5%

Charlotte just keeps growing and growing. It's carved out a niche for itself as a financial hub (it's the nation's second-biggest banking center), and its warmer weather, lower cost of living, and international airport have made it appealing for businesses and for buyers fleeing higher-priced cities.

"We have people moving here from all over," says Sandy Kindbom, a real estate broker at Allen Tate Realtors in Charlotte. She's seeing plenty of transplants from the Northeast, Midwest, and even Florida. And make no mistake: Charlotte has aggressively gone after those newcomers. As Kindbom says, "After the recession, we vastly broadened our types of industries."

As a result, the population of the city shot up about 14.5% from 2010 to 2016, according to Census data.

Many baby boomers and millennial professionals are buying small, single-family houses, townhomes, and condos in mid- and high-rise buildings in the city. Condos and townhouses start around $150,000 and can go into the millions, Kindbom says.

If you're interested in putting down roots here, you'd better get moving: Prices have risen nearly 10.2% in the last year, according to realtor.com data.

3. Memphis, TN
Median home price: $195,050
Current homeownership rate: 61%
Three-year homeownership change: 9.3%

Memphis, known for its finger-licking-good real BBQ and the blues, is also undergoing some big changes. Cranes now dot the former hometown of Elvis Presley. The biggest project is the $7 billion—yep, billion—St. Jude Children's Research Hospital expansion.

"Memphis leaders are making a big push to attract talent to Memphis," says Jimmy Ogle, historian of surrounding Shelby County. "We are going through changes, trying to get to the 21st century."

Those changes are luring more locals from the surrounding area back into the city limits, to enjoy the arts, sports, and growing restaurant scene.

"I'm seeing a lot of empty nesters moving into town, and that's raising prices," says local real estate broker Joe Spake of InCity Realty.

Young professionals are more likely to scoop up single-family houses and townhouses in the city, he says. Anything priced from $150,000 to $300,000 goes fast. Meanwhile, families often prefer master-planned communities in the suburbs.

But it's a seller's market. There are about two buyers for each home going onto the market, Spake estimates.

4. Baltimore, MD
Median home price: $300,040
Current homeownership rate: 68.4%
Three-year homeownership change: 7.3%

Baltimore doesn't often make the news with feel-good headlines. More than 300 people have been killed in the city this year. And just two years ago, the city erupted into riots after the death of Freddie Gray, an African-American man, while he was in police custody.

But Baltimore's proximity to Washington, D.C., just 40 miles away, is its saving grace.

More folks priced out of the nation's capital have been buying homes in Baltimore. That's because the median home price is 30.2% less than in the D.C. metro area. And there are plenty of commuter trains between the cities.

Baltimore has one of the lowest average costs of housing in the region, says Wayne Curtis, a real estate agent at RE/MAX Advantage Realty in Baltimore. In this area, it's often much cheaper to pay a mortgage than to rent.

Much of the housing within the city limits is single-family, row homes that share walls, with a few detached homes sprinkled in. They start at $225,000 to $250,000 in the more desirable neighborhoods, Curtis says.

But buyers be warned: Most of these abodes are about a century old, as the city hasn't seen a lot of new construction.

"Baltimore is a blue-collar city ... so the houses were built for working and middle-class people," Curtis says.

5. Allentown, PA
Median home price: $225,050
Current homeownership rate: 74.8%
Three-year homeownership change: 7.3%

"Well I'm living here in Allentown
And it's hard to keep a good man down
But I won't be getting up today"

— Billy Joel

The Piano Man's 1982 song "Allentown" immortalized the struggles of the real-life Rust Belt city as its factories shuttered. (It still makes us cry.) The next town over was home to Bethlehem Steel, once the nation's second-largest steel producer, which shuttered operations in 1995.

But remarkably, Allentown has found new life as a distribution center, capitalizing on its location just about an hour outside Philadelphia and two hours from New York City. Companies like Amazon, Walmart, and Nestlé have fulfillment centers in the area, while FedEx is building a warehouse and distribution facility.

These blue- and white-collar jobs, combined with low, low housing prices, mean that more locals can now afford to become homeowners. The city is also popular with commuters from Philadelphia and New Jersey seeking cheaper homes and lower taxes.

Row homes and single-family homes, ranging from $250,000 to $850,000, are popular within the city limits, says Joe Golant, a local real estate agent at Weichert Realtors.

"It's common to see homes priced appropriately, in good conditions, go under agreement in a matter of days," he says.

6. Pittsburgh
Median home price: $174,950
Current homeownership rate: 74%
Three-year homeownership change: 7.2%

Pittsburgh, home to the storied U.S. Steel, may now have more in common with Silicon Valley than the rest of the Rust Belt. That's largely thanks to its universities, including prestigious Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh, whose grads are being gobbled up by the local operations of tech companies like Google, Uber, and Intel.

Nearly a quarter of the area's workforce is involved in the high-paying tech industry, according to the Pittsburgh Technology Council. And they can get way more for their money in Pittsburgh than in Silicon Valley's San Jose, where the median home price is $1,100,050!

"We've had an influx of a professional workforce moving into the Pittsburgh region, and it created a new pool of [home] buyers," says Bobby West, a real estate agent at Coldwell Banker Pittsburgh. "The cost of living is really attractive. You can buy a house for $100,000, and your mortgage payment is going to be less than your rent."

Many of his clients, however, are younger locals who are choosing to stay in the area instead of setting off for bigger cities. They often prefer the older, single-family abodes that make up the majority of the city's housing stock within the city limits. Those with children tend to go out to the suburbs, where there's a slew of new construction.

Pittsburgh "has been one of those 30-year, 'overnight' successes. [But] it's only been the last couple of years we've been getting attention for it," says Jonathan Kersting, spokesman for the Pittsburgh Technology Council.

7. Albuquerque, NM
Median home price: $239,950
Current homeownership rate: 66%
Three-year homeownership change: 5.7%

Albuquerque was slammed by the recession, with existing-home prices plummeting 8.8% from 2006 to the bottom of the market in 2011, according to National Association of Realtors® data. But the area's mild climate, low home prices, and close proximity to scenic Santa Fe (about an hour away) have helped it rebound—particularly with retirees.

Out-of-state baby boomers make up 10% to 20% of real estate broker Matt Templeton's buyers.

"We've got a huge retiree population from the East Coast, especially from New York," says Templeton, of Templeton Prime Properties at Keller Williams. "We tend to get a lot of people who don't want snowy winters and want to appreciate the [Native American] tribal culture and the mountains."

They are also drawn to the area's bargain-basement prices. The region has both existing and newly constructed homes in the $250,000 range; prices can go as high as $400,000 in the western suburbs of the city, where buyers can snag three- to five-bedroom houses in master-planned developments.

"It's much cheaper to own than rent," says Templeton. The median rent for a two-bedroom apartment in the city is $870, according to Apartment List.

8. Nashville, TN
Median home price: $359,050
Current homeownership rate: 68.8%
Three-year homeownership change: 4.9%

Few iconic American cities have been taking off lately quite like the nation's country music capital, which regularly makes realtor.com's monthly list of the hottest U.S. real estate markets. Home list prices shot up 89% from September 2012 through September 2017. Prices rose 10.8% in the past year alone.

Yet, it's still more affordable—and certainly more relaxed—than many of the bigger cities along the coasts.

"We are very walkable," boasts Nashville-based real estate agent Brian Copeland of Village Real Estate Services. "We have [miles and miles of] greenways of our city."

That's drawn transplants to the Music City; the county's population surged 9.2% from 2010 to 2016, according to Census data.

And builders are taking note. The ambitious Nashville Yards plan will create more than 4 million square feet of retail, hotels, offices, residential, and entertainment spaces over 15 acres. Luxury condos catering to baby boomers are sprouting like kudzu across the downtown area.

Single-family residences dominate the city, and with land growing scarce, builders are now putting up two homes, separated by a wall or fence, on single lots.

9. Dallas, TX
Median home price: $339,950
Current homeownership rate: 60.7%
Three-year homeownership change: 4.8%

It's no big mystery why the homeownership rate in Dallas is skyrocketing. The Texas city has seen an explosion of companies moving and expanding into the area over the last decade, thanks to its low taxes. About 500,000 jobs have been added to the region since 2010—and all those folks and their families need a place to live.

"We have had a lot of Californians coming to Dallas, because we don't have the state income tax," says real estate broker Debbie Murray of Allie Beth Allman and Associates in Dallas. (She conceded, however, that the state does have high property taxes.)

Dallas newbies often prefer the newer, luxury, high-rise condos downtown. Some come with all the latest amenities, like private elevators, pools, and personal garages in which residents can recharge their Teslas. They aren't cheap: Two-bedroom pads start at $850,000.

Single-family homes are getting progressively more expensive—and scarcer. It's very hard to get anything for $250,000 anymore that's in move-in-ready condition in a desirable neighborhood, Murray says.

10. Syracuse, NY
Median home price: $149,950
Current homeownership rate: 66.5%
Three-year homeownership change: 4.6%

Syracuse, about four and a half hours north of New York City, is a former manufacturing hub that was struggling even before the recession hit, triggering a rash of foreclosures.

But in the last few years, its housing market has been bolstered by a wave of immigrants. Nearly 10,000 refugees from war-torn countries including Syria, Afghanistan, Somalia, Iraq, and Bhutan have been resettled into this region over the last decade.

"There's been a lot of transition from apartments to purchasing their first home," says Glenn Riemenschneider, associate broker at Saya Real Estate in Syracuse.

Often, these are multigenerational buyers looking for two-family houses to accommodate both parents and grown children. And there are deals to be had.

Many of the homes that became foreclosures during the recession are now coming onto the market. And first-time buyers and investors planning to flip the abodes are jumping on them.

Buyers can snag a single-family home for between $80,000 and $100,000 in the city and about $130,000 in the suburbs, Riemenschneider says.

READ MORE

4 open house mistakes only rookies make

Source: Inman.com

Don't believe what some agents say -- these marketing events aren't a waste of time

Key Takeaways
When done right, open houses attract buyers and potential clients.

Not only do open houses create opportunities for sellers to find buyers, but they also create future business opportunities for real estate agents — when they're done right.

Despite the fact that open houses can be excellent for both sellers and their agents, many real estate rookies don't take them seriously. After a few half-hearted attempts with open houses, rookies often claim that they're a waste of time.

Well, they are a waste of time, if you blow the opportunity.

Honestly, though, there's no excuse for wasting everyone's time with uninspired, ineffective open houses.

After all, holding an effective open house isn't rocket science; it's simple as long as you avoid the following rookie mistakes:

1. Not selecting the right house

Not every home is a good candidate for an open house. Some homes simply aren't suited for this type of marketing.

A run-down home, for instance, is definitely not an ideal candidate for an open house. Buyers likely won't be impressed with the home or with the agent.

Don't forget that open houses are representative of your real estate business.

2. Performing poor marketing

Why put time and money into an open house if you're not willing to market it? It just doesn't make sense.

Regardless, it's not uncommon for rookie agents to advertise their open houses with nothing more than a single sign. That's not enough!

For an open house to draw enough attention to make it worth doing, substantial marketing is required. Multiple signs, social media posts and advertisements must be used to generate interest.

3. Not setting up for lead generation

Setting up on the day of an open house isn't just a quick, easy cleanup — at least it shouldn't be. Getting the home looking as good as possible is just the first part of preparing for an open house.

The second part is setting up systems to ensure optimal lead generation. These systems include sign-in sheets, the placement of marketing materials and giveaways.

You can get creative with the ways you generate leads at an open house, just remember to make an active effort to get the contact information of people who show up.

4. Forgetting to follow up

Forgetting to follow up with attendees is one of the biggest open house mistakes an agent can make; it's even worse than performing poor marketing.

If you're not going to stay on top of follow-up, you shouldn't bother with open houses. Potential buyers will only remain interested in a home for so long; something else is always just around the corner.

Potential clients are even less forgiving, and you can't blame them. Why would they hire you as their agent when you're not even willing to call them back?

Open houses are worth doing

Don't believe what some agents say about open houses; they aren't a waste of time.

If you're willing to put in the work and able to avoid the aforementioned rookie mistakes, they'll pay off for you and for your sellers.

Recent Real Estate Articles for Late October

Creating a great homeowner experience for repeat and referral business

Source: Inman.com

Make yourself memorable and earn more business from clients

A great dinner, a great movie, a great listing ... what makes something great? A lot of factors, right? But when we talk about something being great, it has everything to do with the experience, not with the thing itself.

Greatness lives in the engaging experience of a meal, the enjoyable experience of a movie and all those little surprising and heartfelt moments that enhance a client's homebuying or selling experience.

And still, when we talk about being "great at what we do" or running a "great business," we immediately leap to results, skipping over experiences. "Hey, we sold it right? Why are you crying?"

How aligned are your goals with those of your clients? What experience do your clients have and what can you do to improve it so significantly that "you" become the positive and memorable experience?

Surely the repeat and referral business you could generate is worth extra consideration, right? So let's take a look at some key factors that drive a truly positive and memorable experience.

Immediately demonstrate purpose and value

Show your stuff right off the bat. As you walk up and greet your clients with a smile and extended hand, introduce yourself and clearly remind them of what you are going to do. "Hi, I'm Kathy and I'm going to sell your home."

This boldness will be rewarded long after the home is sold, when you've demonstrated that you're the doer (look out for Kathy, lackluster agents)!

Ask emotionally-driven questions

It's easy to assume that asking questions comes across as not knowing the answers. But, more often than not, your clients will feel more engaged and involved if you follow up each statement you make with a question, especially an emotional one that addresses their feelings.

Try it on for size. "This is a beautiful property and I don't think it'll be listed for long before we start receiving bids," you might say. "Are you comfortable making the move here in the next few months?"

In this statement, you've complimented their investment, demonstrated confidence in your service, commented on the property's position in the market, set expectations and addressed their comfort level in the form of an emotionally-driven question. Efficient, professional, heartfelt — memorable.

Own it

What good is a memorable experience if clients forget it? Think shiny objects, shiny objects. Never underestimate the power that small but meaningful tokens have on instilling a positive experience in your clients' eyes.

A postcard photo of their new home the day they close with the caption, "Here's to your next chapter in life!" can respark the emotional connection you worked so hard to establish. With a bit of humility and gratitude, remind them of their time with you. You delivered a positive memorable experience — own it.

No one knows your business like you do, but hopefully these tips will help you keep the endgame in mind.

Yes, closing the deal is paramount, but your list of happy clients anchors your long-term business. Everything leading up to the creation of that list has been an opportunity. This aligns with the juice at the core of real estate and the heart of our message: establishing positive, long-term memorable relationships will generate more business.

As a real estate technology disruptor, you might think we at Offrs have our hands full with more technical considerations, but user experience is at the heart of everything we do — that focus is visible in our latest solutions suite.

From our home valuation experience at HouseValueReport.com to our home listing experience at offrs.com, we're all about cultivating a great experience. Making the experience memorable makes you memorable. Can real estate tools and services be results-driven while still easy and memorable? Unequivocally, yes!

Renting Is Overtaking the Housing Market—Here’s Why

Source: Realtor.com

Single-family rentals—either detached homes or townhomes—are developing faster than any other portion of the housing market. These rentals outpace both single-family home purchases and apartment-style living, according to the Urban Institute.

"Almost all the housing demand in recent years has been filled by rental units," says Sara Strochak, a research assistant with the Urban Institute. She also states that single-family rentals have gone up 30% within the last three years.

This change is unique to newer generations. But when did rentals become so popular? And why are people more inclined to rent than to buy? Below, we'll further discuss the rise in rentals and how it affects the housing market.

When did the rise in single-family rentals start?
The housing bubble collapse and the recession that followed shattered the decades-old tenet of American wisdom that you can't go wrong buying a home. Most of the housing market fallout from the Great Recession has finally receded—foreclosures and underwater mortgages are back to traditional levels and housing values have recovered in most places. But one thing hasn't recovered: Americans' unquestioned desire to own a home.

Today, single-family rental homes and townhomes make up 35% of the country's 44 million rental units, compared to 31% in 2006.

Who is leading this trend?
Millennials are leading the way to single-family rentals, and myriad factors contribute to this trend. Many young adults aren't in a hurry to lay down roots, whether they're prone to traveling or simply aren't ready to commit to one area or one home. Student loans and stagnant incomes can also make it harder to save up for a down payment. And it's inevitable that young people who came of age during the housing bubble would be reluctant to take a leap of faith and commit to a 30-year mortgage.

"While the age distribution of the US population suggests most millennials are reaching the age of household formation and demand for single-family homes, much of this demand is likely to be channeled into the rental market," says Strochak.

Are only millennials affected?
However, it's not just young people. Americans over 55 have also grown more interested in renting. According to RENTCafé, the number of renters aged over 55 has grown by a whopping 28% between 2009 and 2015. Many of them want to rent homes instead of apartments. From 2010 to 2016, single-family rental households in the US increased by nearly 2 million—1.26 million of those renters were 34 to 65 years old, while just under a half million were 65 or older, according to a RENTCafé Census data analysis provided by Adrian Rosenberg. In places like Miami, Houston, and Minneapolis, more than two-thirds of new single-family renters were over 65.

What led to this trend?
When did home renting become so popular? The trend began with large firms buying up cheap homes during the recession and turning them into cash-generating rentals—often rented by families who'd lost their own homes or who could no longer qualify for mortgages. Institutional investors, which are organizations like banks, hedge funds, and mutual funds, gobbled up millions of single-family homes that fell into foreclosure. In Phoenix, for example, the total of single-family homes occupied by homeowners—instead of renters—dropped by 30,000 from 2007 to 2010. Two-thirds of those homes were bought by institutional investors, the Urban Institute says.

But as prices have recovered, that business model no longer works. Instead, small-time landlords now dominate the market, explains Strochak. Investors who have fewer than 10 units own 87% of all single-family rentals, while investors who have only one rental unit own 45%.

How does this change the home-building market?
Bbig players continue to push the trend, some deploying a new build-to-rent model. Housing firms are actively building single-family homes intending to rent them rather than sell, says ATTOM Data Solutions, a firm that analyzes housing market data.

"I can buy lots in areas that I can't sell homes, but I can rent," real estate agent Adam Whitmire told ATTOM in a recent report. "The local economy may not have enough income or enough credit to buy but there is enough income to rent."

While big-time rental firms are backing off in some larger cities, the single-family rental investment play is picking up in smaller markets around the country in places like Dayton or Chattanooga, according to ATTOM.

How does renting affect local neighborhoods?
The movement to more single-family rentals is a mixed bag, says Daren Blomquist, senior vice president at ATTOM. On the one hand, the professionalization of the single-family rental industry is good for both families and neighborhoods, as there could be more standardized levels of maintenance and management services.

But there will likely be "unintended consequences as the nature of some neighborhoods change," Blomquist warns. Renters might not be as invested in communities as owners.

"For example, people who want to own a home may no longer be as active in the typical suburban white picket fence neighborhood as properties in those neighborhoods become more prominently rentals," he says. "That may push those homebuyers back into more urban, walkable environments, or it might push them further out to more rural areas."

Should you rent a home instead of buying?
Renting a home instead of buying can be a sensible choice for those looking to break out of apartment life. It can even serve as a good halfway step toward owning, to make sure single-family home life is really for you before you commit to a mortgage.

The main attraction to renting is obvious: buyers don't need a large down payment to move in. While plenty of mortgage programs give would-be buyers a break on the traditional 20% down mortgage model, skyrocketing prices in urban areas like Seattle or Washington DC mean that even 5% can be a prohibitive down payment requirement. So renting might make sense if you are ready to live in a house.

What should you know before renting a single-family home?
While all rental transactions are similar, there are a few things you should consider before moving to a home rental. If you're moving from an apartment, utilities will probably be considerably more expensive—after all, you'll be heating and cooling an entire home much of the year. There's also quite a few more maintenance requirements, particularly if there's a yard. Ensure your lease has clear terms regarding who pays for upkeep of the property. Gardening might seem appetizing if you are sick of your apartment, but it can be a year-round job, so make certain you're ready for the extra work. If you want to paint the walls or make other changes, know that you will need permission in writing.

Additionally, because you will inevitably have more possessions than in an apartment, it's more important than ever to get renter's insurance—your landlord's policy likely won't cover damage to or theft of your property. You should also consider liability insurance, in case you're found responsible for any kind of accident at the property that causes personal or property damage.

If you're moving to a single-family rental for more space or for monetary reasons, remember to adjust your budget to accommodate the new utility and rental costs. For resources on how to stay financially fit, check out Credit.com's Personal Finance Learning Center.

READ MORE

Real Estate's 6 Most Dangerous Everyday Situations

Source: http://realtormag.realtor.org

If you work in real estate, you undoubtedly do the following tasks all of the time, but did you know that you could be putting yourself in danger? Here's how you can stay on guard and protect yourself.

As a real estate professional, you put yourself at risk every day — you just might not realize it.

Meeting new clients, showing properties, holding open houses, letting strangers get into your car, and even your marketing may be jeopardizing your personal safety.

Such everyday tasks seem harmless, but as some real estate professionals have learned the hard way, these situations can expose you to danger.

Real estate is considered by security experts as a high-risk profession, says Robert Siciliano, CEO of RealtySecurity.com in Boston, and author of The Safety Minute: Living on High Alert (Safety Zone Press, 2003).

"The root of the issue is that you have real estate agents with no formal security training who are then meeting with complete strangers at odd times of the day and in vacant homes," Siciliano says. "Real estate professionals put themselves at risk at so many points. The industry opens itself up to predators."

Below are tasks common to practically every real estate professional. Learn the risks associated with each and what precautions you can take to stay safe.

1. Entering foreclosed or vacant homes
The Risk:Foreclosures may attract unexpected house guests — such as squatters — or former home owners refusing to leave. The homes also may be damaged and poorly lit or attract wildlife since it's abandoned, leading to more potential safety hazards.

Safety Tips:

Inspect the exterior. Walk around the perimeter before you enter the house and make sure the door hasn't been kicked in and no windows are shattered, suggests Tracey Hawkins, owner of Safety and Security Source in Kansas City, Mo. Call police if you suspect someone is in the property. (Read: Be on the Lookout for Clues)
Don't confront a squatter. If a squatter is in the home, leave immediately, Siciliano says. Call law enforcement once you've left and allow police to deal with any trespassers.

Use the buddy system. Ask a coworker, spouse, friend, or family member to come with you when you show the home. Let others know where you are. Before you leave, tell your coworkers, family, or friends where you are, whom you are with, and when you expect to return.
Visit during the day. Visiting homes at night makes it more dangerous, Siciliano says. Try to make appointments during daylight hours only.

2. Meeting with a new client for the first time
The Risk:Meeting with people you don't know can put your safety at risk. You don't know whether this person could potentially be a criminal, stalker, thief, or worse.

Safety Tips:

Meet at the office first. Get them on your territory before you visit any property with them so you can learn more about them and collect personal information about them for your files.
Ask for identification. The public is used to having their identification checked, so don't be reluctant to ask because you're scared you'll offend someone, Siciliano says. Tell clients it's company policy that all clients' driver's licenses are photocopied. "This will significantly reduce your risk because the bad guys don't want to give you their I.D. or get their picture taken," Siciliano says.
Have all clients fill out a customer identification form. You can find an example of this at REALTOR.org. Click on "Prospect Identification Form" under the Office Safety Forms heading. The form asks for car make and license number, contact information, and employer information, and also requests a photocopy of the driver's license.
Introduce them to a coworker. When you meet them at the office, introduce them to at least one other person in your office. Criminals won't like that others have seen them for identification purposes, according to tip sheets provided by the Washington Real Estate Safety Council.

3. Showing a property alone
The Risk:You're touring vacant properties with strangers.

Safety Tips:

Use the buddy system. "There's always strength in numbers," Siciliano says. Whether you bring a coworker, spouse, or even your German shepherd, avoid going alone.
Don't go into confined places. Avoid basements and attics — it's too easy to become trapped. Instead, know the selling points of these rooms and remain in the foyer on the first floor with the front door open as the buyer tours these areas, Siciliano suggests. If you must join them in each room, always stay by the door, leaving doors open so you can flee more easily if necessary, the Washington Real Estate Safety Council suggests.
Walk behind. Let potential buyers take the lead when exploring a home, with you always following behind.
Let others know where you are. Tell them where you are going, when you will be back, and who you're with. Better yet: Share this information while the client is with you so they know someone else knows where you are.
Have an excuse. If you feel uncomfortable, tell the person your "cell phone or beeper went off and I have to call the office" or "another agent with buyers is on his way," suggests the Washington Real Estate Safety Council in their tip sheets. (Read what one real estate professional said to get out of an uncomfortable situation she experienced at a client's home.)

4. Open houses
The Risk:You're inviting the public to a property, which is an invitation to anyone, from thieves to those who might want to harm you.

Safety Tips:

Promote security in your advertisements. When you advertise the open house, note that identification will be required at the front door and video surveillance will be in use. "The bad guys will be less likely to show up," Siciliano says.
Partner up. When would-be assailants see two people at the front door, they'll be less likely to go in. (Read one agent's story how the buddy system protected her).
Introduce yourself to neighbors. Let them know you'll be showing the house so others know that you are there.
Watch for patterns. At an open house, note any patterns in arrivals, particularly near the end of the open house. One common scam: Thieves come near the end of the open house, working as a team. They have "buyers" distract the agent as others steal valuables in the home. (Read what happened to one sales associate.)
Stow away your valuables. Never leave your purse, laptop, or wallet unattended on the counter in plain view. Keep them in the trunk of your car. However, always keep your cell phone on you so you can call for help if you need to. Also, before the open house, tell your clients to put away all of their valuables, prescription drugs, and mail.

5. Flashy personal marketing
The Risk: Marketing materials that contain photos of yourself may attract the attention of criminals. Police have found criminals circling real estate professionals' photos in newspapers and marketing materials (Read one agent's account of this.)

Safety Tips:

Avoid provocative photos in your marketing. Low-cut blouses, full-body photos, and looking over your shoulder in a sexy pose can send the wrong message to criminals. "Why do you have to have photos anyway? What are you selling?" asks Hawkins, who advises against ever using a photo for business reasons; she uses a caricature. "You make a living meeting complete strangers in empty houses. They see your photo and if you're exactly what they're looking for — whether that be an older or younger agent, blonde hair, blue eyes, whatever — they know all it takes is one phone call to meet you in a house. A picture can be dangerous."
Watch what you wear. Only wear shoes that you can run in. Avoid short skirts, low-cut tops, and expensive jewelry. "Predators don't have the same boundaries as you do. They look at you like that and say 'She's asking for it,'" Siciliano says.
Protect your personal information. Use your cell phone number and office address in your marketing so it can't be tracked back to your home address. Never use your home address or home phone number. Also, don't reveal to your client personal information about your children, where you live, and who you live with — you can still build a relationship with clients without revealing all of your personal information, recommends the Washington Real Estate Safety Council.

6. Transporting strangers in your car
The Risk: You're showing houses to potential buyers and chauffeuring them in your car from house to house. Most people don't pick up hitchhikers, yet real estate professionals put strangers in their car all of the time and don't think anything of it, Siciliano says. There's a risk of being robbed, your car being stolen, and you victimized and thrown to the side of the road.

Safety Tips

Drive separately. Have the client follow you from listing to listing. If you absolutely have to take one car, then you should drive. Watch where you park. Make sure your car won't be blocked in and that you park in a place where you'll be able to get out quickly. Park on the street or the curb, if possible, suggests the Washington Real Estate Safety Council. You'll attract more attention if you run and scream when fleeing, and it'll be easier to escape than having to back out of a driveway, experts say.

"Security is all about layers of protection. Open house signage, notation in ads, using the buddy system — everything that you do is an extra layer of security," Siciliano says. "The more you do, the more secure you'll be. Do nothing and the more vulnerable you'll be."

Nav app Waze now serving up property ads via Homesnap

Source: Inman.com

Real estate agents can pay to pin home listings to map or set up sponsored listings

Home search app Homesnap, also the public-facing brand of the Broker Public Portal, is partnering with mobile navigation software Waze to provide real estate agents with a new way to reach potential buyers.

Waze Ads by Homesnap will allow agents to place listing ads via map pins or purchase "digital billboards" through the community-based navigation app that claims over 80 million active users.

Agents who use the service will be able to target potential customers based on their location after they search for their destination or as they drive past a listing through geofencing. Waze is the only map application with geo-targeted ads.

"Agents deserve marketing tools that reach their clients where they are, whether they are on their phones, at a desk or in their cars," said Lou Mintzer, senior vice president of product development at Homesnap.

Agents who purchase advertisements through the platform — which already has access to listings through a real-time MLS RETS feed, making for an easy transition — will be able to have their properties seen in myriad ways.

For an individual listing, a picture of a home would appear as a pin on a map when users search for or drive by the property's location. Agents can also set up sponsored listings that appear when the user punches in a real estate-related search phrase, such as the name of a realty office, for example.

Individual listings cost $99 and Homesnap's Mintzer estimates that each advertisement will provide approximately 60,000 impressions. The listing stays live for 30 days.

For $999, brokerages can create advertisements for up to 50 listings (agencies wanting more can contact Homesnap's sales department to work out a deal). They can also opt to have the map pin depict their agency's logo rather than the home's exterior.

The purchasing agency will also have access to "digital billboards." When a user is stopped for more than three seconds, a sponsored listing of a nearby home will take over half of their phone's screen, and then disappear when they start driving again.

"The Waze ads are so unique because they are essentially the modern day equivalent of a billboard," Mintzer said. "They are a digital billboard that's displayed at the right time, the right place, to the right person."

And unlike a physical billboard, Homesnap will be able to provide advertisers with metrics such as how many times the listing was viewed, how many times it appeared in the app or how many times people actually navigated to the home, through a dashboard accessible to the advertiser.

Critics of the product may point out the possibility that it could pose a safety risk by essentially asking drivers to spend more time looking at their phones. In many states, it's illegal to even hold an electronic device while driving.

Mintzer said the company is sensitive to this issue but pointed out that Waze is owned by Google and that the product already has other advertisements.

"Certainly, [Google's] not going to make design decisions that put their user base at risk," he said, adding that the app is also used by passengers.

Co-op vs. Condo: What's the Difference Between These Types of Homes?

Source: Realtor.com

coop-vs-condo

Urban dwellers and potential buyers who want to purchase a new home in a common building or community will likely consider two types of properties: co-op and condo. Although they're similar in size and appearance, a co-op (short for "cooperative") and a condo (short for "condominium") are actually quite different.

To help you decide which property is right for you—and how buying one or the other will affect you financially—let's take a closer look at the intrinsic differences between co-ops and condos.

Co-op vs. condo: What's the difference?

The major distinction between these two properties is exactly what you will actually end up owning. A condo is a private residence owned by an individual or family in a building or community where the residents share common areas with the other condo owners.

"When you purchase a home in a condo building, you are buying the actual home and a share of the common elements of the building," explains Ryan Hardy, a Realtor® with Gold Coast Realty in Chicago. Those common elements can include yards, garages, rec rooms, lobbies, or gyms.

But when you buy into a co-op, you don't technically buy (or own) the property at all.

"You are purchasing shares of stock in a corporation or other legal entity that owns" the building, Hardy says. "You then are allowed to occupy a specific apartment in the building outlined in a proprietary lease that you receive with your stock certificate."

Going co-op earns you the right to be a voting member of the building, which is sort of like being a voting member on a board of shareholders. Typically each resident who owns shares has an equal say in how the co-op is run and maintained. Residents typically vote on any decision that affects the building; they also elect certain residents as board members who carry out the group's wishes. You also get a say in who else buys in the building.

"The pro is that you can pick your neighbors," says Michelle Lane, a Realtor with Commonwealth Realty in Newton, MA. "But when you go to sell, the board has to approve your new buyer, which can delay the sale of your co-op."

Another big detail to keep in mind about co-ops?The boards often require some hefty personal information before they'll sign off on your buying the place. They may ask to see your personal tax returns and have you interview with multiple residents—even after you have received approval from a bank for a mortgage.

Financial concerns

Speaking of mortgages, co-ops typically restrict the loan to value ratio, or the percentage of the purchase price that a buyer is allowed to finance. The LTV varies among co-ops, but it's common for them to require an LTV of less than 75%, Hardy says. Some co-op boards will even deny buyers who are financing the deal outright—requiring that they pay the entire purchase price up front with their own money.

Most condo associations, on the other hand, do not tend to restrict lending or financing in the building. If you can get a mortgage, the condo association will generally let you buy a place, Hardy says.

READ MORE

Real Estate Outlook - November 2017

Real Estate Outlook for Dallas County

and Collin County!

Great November Real Estate Articles from ONE

Fading FSBOs: More Sellers Admit They Need You

Source: Realtormagazine.com

Homeowners are increasingly turning to real estate agents for help in selling their home, as the share of for-sale-by-owner sales remains at the lowest share on record, according to National Association of REALTORS®' 2017 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers.

Sellers' use of a real estate agent remained at an all-time high this year at 89 percent, according to the survey. Meanwhile, for the third consecutive year, for-sale-by-owner sales continued to be at the lowest share in the history of NAR's survey at 8 percent.

"Homeowners understand the value, and seek the expertise and guidance REALTORS® bring to the table when it's time to sell their home," says William E. Brown, NAR's president. "Despite incredibly favorable market conditions for sellers, where finding interested buyers was not a problem, nearly all turned to a REALTOR® to help assist them through the intricacies of listing their home on the market, accepting offers, negotiating the sales price, and closing the deal."
Sellers reported mostly being satisfied with the performance of their agents, too. Eighty-eight percent of sellers surveyed indicated they were satisfied with the selling process, and 85 percent said they are likely to use their agent again or recommend him or her to others.

Buyers say they need agents too, even though a rising share are turning to the Internet for real estate information. Eighty-seven percent of buyers said they ended up purchasing their home through a real estate agent. They said help finding the right property to buy and assistance in negotiating the terms of the sale were the two main things they most wanted from their agent.
"It's no surprise a majority of first-time buyers indicated that the top benefits received from their agent were help understanding the buying process (83 percent), pointing out unnoticed property features or faults (60 percent), and negotiating better sales terms (51 percent), Brown said. "REALTORS® over the past year have helped buyers, and especially first-timers, navigate extremely competitive market conditions where the need to be prepared and act quickly has been paramount to the success of purchasing a home."
READ MORE

Know the Competition: Who's Buying Homes, Who's Selling—and Who's Not?

Source: Realtor.com

With soaring rental prices, extremely low mortgage rates, and a stronger economy, it seems that just about everyone wants to buy a home these days. But high home prices are keeping many aspiring homeowners, as well as would-be sellers (who need a new home to move into) out of the market.

So who is buying and selling these days?
It turns out the typical buyer and seller both are getting older—and buyers need to make more money to be able to afford a home of their own, according to the 2017 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers by the National Association of Realtors®. The report is based on a 131-question survey filled out by nearly 8,000 recent home buyers.

"Prices are going up," says Chief Economist Danielle Hale of realtor.com®. "So in order to get into the housing market, buyers need to have more income to afford the same type of properties."
Who is the typical home buyer these days?Home buyers come in all shapes and sizes, but the typical one is about 45 years old. That's up considerably since 1981, the inaugural year of the report, when the median age was just 31.

Buyers these days are also making good money, at about $88,800 a year, according to the report. It was $88,500 in the previous year.

Most buyers preferred the suburbs and more rural areas, at 85%, compared with urban areas, which is where just 13% of folks bought homes. And the vast majority, 83%, also preferred a stand-alone, single-family house, the kind that typically has a lawn out back.

The suburbs reigned supreme because that's where many of the available homes with the desired features are, says Hale.

"Properties tend to be a bit more affordable than in urban areas," Hale says. "You'll get much more space in the suburbs for your money than you will in an urban area, and the schools do tend to be better as well."

Calling all the single ladies
In another indication of just how much things can change in 36 years, about 18% of home sales were made by single women. That's up from 17% last year and just 11% in 1981. And while it's still well below the 65% of sales that married couples scooped up, it's ahead of the 7% of sales that unmarried men made. An additional 8% of closings were made by unmarried couples.

There are more single women today than there have been historically, says Jessica Lautz, NAR's managing director of survey research and communications. She points to how folks are marrying later in life, or not at all. Or, some may have been married before and become widowed or divorced.

Being able to have a 30-year fixed mortgage provides financial security, compared with facing rising rental prices, Lautz says.

In addition, single women buy homes that cost just a little bit more than single men: a median $185,000 versus $175,000 for the men. And that's despite often making less than their male counterparts.

Fewer first-time buyers are getting in on the actionHigh student debt, coupled with rising home prices, kept many first-time buyers out of the market. These real estate virgins made up only about 34% of home sales, according to the report. That's slightly down from 35% last year and the long-term average of 39%.

Those who were able to buy a home were a median age of 32.

"Right around turning 30 is still a significant milestone in many people's lives," says Hale. "That's why we tend to see a lot of first-time buyers."

These buyers typically had a household income of about $75,000, up from $72,000 last year. They were likely to buy a 1,650-square-foot abode for about $190,000 in a suburban area.
"The dreams of many aspiring first-time buyers were unfortunately dimmed over the past year by persistent inventory shortages," NAR's Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said in a statement.

"Multiple offers were a common occurrence, investors paying in cash had the upper hand, and prices kept climbing, which yanked homeownership out of reach for countless would-be buyers."
Big student loan bills due every month also make it harder for many of these younger folks to save up for a down payment. And it could affect their debt-to-income ratios, which lenders look at before issuing mortgages.

About 41% of first-time buyers have debt, according to NAR's report, up from 40% last year. And they now owe about $29,000—compared with $26,000 in 2016. Ouch.

"An overwhelming majority of millennials with student debt believe it's delaying their ability to buy a home, and typically for seven years," Yun said in a statement. "Even in markets with a plethora of job opportunities and higher pay, steep rents and home prices make it extremely difficult to put savings aside for a down payment."

What kinds of homes are buyers snagging?
Buyers overwhelmingly opted for existing homes (ones that had previously been lived in), at about 85%, compared with just 15% who closed on brand-new abodes, according to the report. That's likely because there are fewer newly built homes on the market as well as the newer homes tending to cost significantly more.

They shelled out a median $235,000 on their homes, which were a median 1,870 square feet. The typical home was built in 1991 and had three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
And they're not moving far away. Usually buyers moved only about 15 miles from their previous home.

Who's selling their homes?
They typical home seller in 2017 was much older than the typical buyer, at about 55 years old. Their household incomes were also higher, at about $103,300 a year.

"The age of sellers and repeat buyers continues to increase," says NAR's Lautz. That's because many baby boomers are purchasing retirement homes later in life.

The top reasons for selling were a residence that was too small, the desire to be close to family and friends, and the need to relocate for work.

Sellers usually stayed about 10 years in their homes before putting them on the market. Their properties stayed on the market for a median of three weeks, compared with four weeks last year.
And, in a boon for sellers, they sold their homes for a median $47,500 more than what they originally paid for them, and got about 99% of their final listing price.
READ MORE

Home Decor Ideas for People Who Love Their Dogs a Little Too Much

Source: Realtor.com

Believe the cliché! Dogs are indeed man's best friend. So why not express this bond with doggy doorknobs? Or pillows made from your dog's hair (no joke) and festooned with clever statements calling all that doggie fur in your house "tiny strands of love"?

You can have all this and more, thanks to a bumper crop of home decor items that pay homage to your beloved pet. Whether your love of dogs is approaching critical levels or you just want to enjoy a hearty laugh at such (well-meaning) folks, get a gander of these dog-themed home decor ideas below. We won't judge!

Dog paintings
If you don't have a custom painting of your dog hanging somewhere in your home, do you even really have a dog? It's one of the best ways to show visitors that you care about life's finer things: art, dogs, and art featuring dogs.

Andog Warhol, indeed!
Andog Warhol, indeed! MarionDeLauzun/etsy.com

If you're more of a traditionalist, then perhaps you would prefer to have a portrait of your dog as Alexander Hamilton ($180, Etsy.com). What a handsome fellow! What a completely normal thing to have in your home!

Dog wallpaper
Wallpaper's back in fashion, and if you think there's not going to be colorful wallpaper featuring every breed of dog imaginable, then you do not know dog people. This whimsical pug wallpaper ($60, Spoonflower.com) is available as fabric or wrapping paper. Will you get tired of looking at a wall of pugs cavorting with pink donuts? Of course not! Pugs and pastries are timeless.

Wallpaper for people who love pugs who love donuts.
Wallpaper for people who love pugs who love donuts.Petfriendly/Spoonflower.comDog decals
If dog wallpaper is just too many dogs for your tastes, there are scores of dog-themed decals for something more subtle. Here's a doggy decal that classes up those unsightly wall sockets ($14, Etsy.com).

A bit on the nose?
A bit on the nose?Stickdecor/Etsy.com
And here's a decal for people who think it's just adorable to have a dog panting down your neck while peeking out from behind the furniture ($20 to $50, Etsy.com). Cute? Creepy? Cute and creepy?

We're not sure how easy it would be to relax on this couch.
We're not sure how easy it would be to relax on this couch.WallumsWallDecals/Etsy.com

Dog pillows
Throw pillows are one of the lowest-commitment kinds of dog-based decor, so they're a great starting place for dog people just dipping a toe in these slobbery kiss-filled waters. And, there are so many ways to celebrate your animal companion in pillow form! This one's a printed canvas ($68.48+, Etsy.com ).

Dog pillow with pictures
Or instead of throw pillows with pictures of dogs, you want throw pillows with clever statements about dogs? You're in luck: There are so very many options, a disturbing number of which are focused on informing visitors to your home that you are chill about having dog hair all over the place—or warning people who enter your home that they are about to eat and/or be covered in said hair ($10.79, Etsy.com). As a person who does not have dogs, I appreciate the heads-up.
Yum!Others go so far as to call dog hair "tiny strands of love" ($30, Etsy.com). If that's true, dogs must love their owners a lot.

Dog bedding
I'm just going to go out on a limb here and guess that anybody shopping for dog decor shares a bed with their dog. Depending on the size of the dog, that could mean snuggly spooning on cold winter nights, or a hundred-plus-pound dead weight shoving you to the very edge of your mattress. Why not celebrate that special discomfort with dog-themed bedding like this one below ($130, Cafepress.com)?

It's the truth.

Doggy doorknobs

OK, now visualize your home. There are images of dogs gracing every available surface. Right? Wrong! Think of something you and everyone in your house use every single day, that does not yet have a dog theme. Doorknobs! Everybody needs 'em. Why not have a ceramic poodle instead of some boring brushed-nickel knob? You're welcome ($33.70, And Mary).

Pet a poodle every time you open a door.

Dog statues

If your tastes run a bit grander, dog statues are an excellent choice. This handsome bronze homage below, for instance, is suitable for indoor or outdoor use, just like your real dog ($5,000+, Lenatoritch.com).

A standard poodle, custom cast in bronze

If you don't have space for a large statue (or if you already have a large statue and need some dog tchotchkes to fill your curio cabinet), this Etsy seller will make custom polymer dog figurines based on photos of your dog ($44+, Etsy.com).

A wee version of your best bud

Dog taxidermy

Not to be indelicate, but when the time comes for your dog to journey to the Rainbow Bridge, you can preserve your pet's furry shell forever with the help of a skilled taxidermist. Thunder Bay Taxidermy offers pet preservation for dogs, cats, and even birds and reptiles ($950+, Thunderbaytaxidermy.com).

He'll sit and stay for good.And there you have it: Dog-themed decor ideas for every corner of your home. With even a few of these purchases, nobody will ever question your commitment to your four-legged friend again. (So why is it that even one cat throw pillow makes you a cat lady but dog people can get away with this sort of thing? That's a question for another day.)
READ MORE

In The Loop - Late November/Early December

The holidays are full of fun ways to bring family and friends together.  Here are a few of our favorite ways to explore our city this season!

Easy Ways to Stay In Touch This Halloween

We love this article about fun ways to connect with clients this Halloween!

reposted from inman.com

Don't let your epitaph read 'forgettable' this Allhallow's eve

Any holiday is a great excuse to engage with clients. With Halloween right around the corner, here are seven clever real estate agent "tricks" that'll "treat" your clients to something fun!

1. Pumpkin patch map

Door-knock or send a Halloween mailer to your farm with a map of local pumpkin patches in the neighborhood.

Make sure to put your face and contact information on the map side because most clients will post the flyer on their refrigerator until they're ready to go grab one.

2. Branded halloween treats

Tie your business card around a lollipop or large candy bar, or create a bag of goodies, and stick a note with your information inside the bag.

It's cute and clever, and it'll leave a lasting impression on your clients as they inspect their kids' treats.

3. 'Haunted' open house

Host an open house with a theme, and keep the home open a bit later than usual to give trick-or-treaters a chance to stop in for a tour.

If you have a chance, invite the neighbors beforehand, and invite them to dress up and bring their children.

4. Halloween-themed office party

Halloween is a great opportunity to invite neighboring businesses or clients into your office. Let guests know you'll be serving drinks and light hors d'oeuvres, and offer a prize for the best costume!

5. Pumpkin pie eating contest

Have your team or office devour as many pies as possible. Record it all, and post in on social media so clients can see your team's fun company culture.

6. Online costume contest

Head to social media, and invite your friends, followers and past clients to submit a picture of themselves in their costumes. Best costume gets a shoutout and a prize mailed to them.

7. Pumpkin carving contest

Invite your clients to bring in their best carved pumpkins to be displayed in the office. Take pictures of each pumpkin, and have your social media following vote for the best entry.