Realtor Corner with Jim English, Broker-Keller Williams Realty

Let’s talk about the real state of the Real Estate Business. It’s not as bad as you might think. In fact, the situation is bright and getting brighter!

2011 was essentially a year where the volume of business stayed pretty much the same as 2010. However, the average selling price did drop a bit.

Let’s look at the situation realistically. Sure, prices are down from the highs of 2006 & 7. However, we saw unprecedented double digit increases in prices during that period. Right now we are back to the levels before 2006. Reality has returned. Ok, sales are off about 35% from what they were at the peak of business. That means that 65% of the business is still being done.  

What does all this mean? If you are willing to be realistic with your asking price and have an aggressive realtor with a great marketing plan, you can sell your property. This is the best time to buy that we have seen in many years-much better than the during the peak years!

With each newsletter I will share one of today’s innovative marketing ideas. Let’s start with the Virtual Tour. Every Residential Listing should have one as well as many Waterfront Lots. 95% of the people who buy real estate today go to the internet to view listings first. 85% of those go to listings with Virtual Tours first and never go back to look at the others.

Today the Virtual Tour has replaced the typical first showing of a property. It is critical that this Tour be extraordinary-not run of the mill! For example, my Virtual Tours are done by a professional photographer, who, instead of utilizing the usual boring background music, does a voice over tour of the property, literally putting the buyer at his shoulder.

Please visit my website: www.jimenglishinnewbern.com or call me at 252-670-6801 if I can be of any assistance to you.

Submitted by: Jim English, GRI, CRS Broker - Keller Williams Realty