Can You Afford to Be A Real Estate DIYer?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-rVMd-EP4snzhiOaE4GGJIgq-kmrsXoHXCj_OtG7v17S_FkWeMIeFfCnEBu70otenHejMobfIDjdeE6sGDgmvcB_E_T_3-n7HOvIyMYpwkXN6SZBP5TwTzcI2F7FPTGb0fcJK42eM7vA/s1600/DIYer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-rVMd-EP4snzhiOaE4GGJIgq-kmrsXoHXCj_OtG7v17S_FkWeMIeFfCnEBu70otenHejMobfIDjdeE6sGDgmvcB_E_T_3-n7HOvIyMYpwkXN6SZBP5TwTzcI2F7FPTGb0fcJK42eM7vA/s1600/DIYer.jpg" width="172" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <h2> <b><span style="color: blue;">Are you a real estate DIYer?  </span></b></h2> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> We live in the Age of Information, thankfully!  For most, gone are the days that we have to rely solely on libraries and professionals to complete our daily tasks from things as simple as replacing a blown fuse to the more complicated things of building a computer.  Thanks to the plethora of information just a click away through Google, for many, our innate desire to be self-sufficient has flourished and <b>we proudly (and may even pop our collar a little) admit to being a "Do-It-Yourselfer" (DIYer)</b>.  Probably like you, I have found online articles and Youtube videos that have helped me fix various items around my home (including repairing my air conditioner unit and replacing the keyboard on my laptop) and learn assorted skill sets.  </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>But being a DIYer can go amuck! </b> Last week I replaced a faulty hose on my toilet myself after following the instructions online and from the Lowe's store clerk.  I thought it was a success until a few days later I started to hear the sound of running water... yikes!  It was as if I heard the trumpets of surrender as I dialed the number to the plumber.  My sense of victory (mankind against toilet lol) waned with just a couple of strokes on my phone's keypad.  I was told by the plumber that the model of flusher I had required an additional piece to prevent leaks.  </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="color: blue;">I learned a valuable lesson in my DIYer attempt: just because I can find <b><u><i>general</i></u></b> answers to "everything under the sun", it still takes a professional to address the <b><u><i>specific</i></u></b> issues I may be facing, especially since it is usually down the road that we encounter problems from our inexperienced actions.</span></blockquote> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Similarly, I have chatted with many homebuyers, home sellers and real estate investors that enjoyed the satisfaction of being DIYers.  <b><i>I get it. </i></b> There is an initial satisfaction in accomplishing a task and seemingly saving a buck.  </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> One lady in particular proudly told me how <b>she found a bargain priced home in the area that she desired to live in without a real estate agent</b>, which gleefully meant to her that no commission had to be paid (but it was to a professional that would have represented her interests as a homebuyer yikes!).  In her next breath, her countenance saddened as she proceeded to tell me all of the problems she has had with the home in the year that she has been there.  She shared that within just a few weeks of closing on the home, she was not able to get the home insured until the roof was replaced for thousands of dollars.  She discussed how dead trees in the backyard had collapsed and caused property damage.  To top it all off, she has had constant repairs made to the plumbing but may still have to gut it and replace it all!  </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> I was very sad to hear her predicament and offered information to help from this point onward but I could not help but notice that all her problems began with not using a real estate professional to represent her.  The <i><b>right, properly-trained</b></i> real estate agent (what I refer to as an "<i><b><span style="color: blue;">agent+</span></b></i>") would have informed her about the merits of a home inspection (which she did not know) that would have exposed the items in disrepair.  Furthermore, the <b><span style="color: blue;">agent+</span></b> would have likely <b><u>negotiated</u></b> the repairs noted in the home inspection report to be paid by the Seller or helped the woman find a more suitable home if the Seller was unyielding.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiW9Cv7bKh_8Ocz1ki_iRW2XpwhMlB2wHHXhg_McDxKH9rPMIkHpBd-dgCqxSxDJmD14MLeLChTBJQcHf1B60Y4sc5lZDPIrRLE33WTjkOSap8tN1PBIMMS4WufHwfHOl2firT7i0bNDc/s1600/bigstock-Why-Not-Do-It-Yourself--54376127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiW9Cv7bKh_8Ocz1ki_iRW2XpwhMlB2wHHXhg_McDxKH9rPMIkHpBd-dgCqxSxDJmD14MLeLChTBJQcHf1B60Y4sc5lZDPIrRLE33WTjkOSap8tN1PBIMMS4WufHwfHOl2firT7i0bNDc/s1600/bigstock-Why-Not-Do-It-Yourself--54376127.jpg" width="222" /></a></div> <b>As a DIYer home buyer, home seller or real estate investor, you may <i><u>unknowingly</u></i> face issues in your real estate sale or purchase that may not cost you today but may cost you in the long-run.</b>  We may relish in our ability to do-it-ourselves but when we are dealing with transactions that can effect substantial sums of our earnings, savings, investments, etc., maybe just maybe we should involve the proper professionals.  To this point, the founder of ForSaleByOwner.com, a prominent website that encourages real estate DIYers, <a href="http://realtormag.realtor.org/daily-news/2011/08/09/forsalebyownercom-founder-uses-agent-sell-home" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">used a real estate agent</span></a> to sell his home after unsuccessfully attempting for six months to DIY!  <b>The ForSaleByOwner.com founder's condo sold with the help of a real estate agent for $150,000 MORE than what he attempted as a DIYer.</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Follow me on <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+LeeDavenport/posts" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Google+</span></a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/YourRealEstateInformant?" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Facebook</span></a> for more tips and check out our <a href="http://www.eventbrite.com/o/agents-around-atlanta-plus-real-estate-trainers-7326445619" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">upcoming events and FREE webinars</span></a>.  <i><b>Here's to your success</b></i>!</div>

diy, diyer, ForSaleByOwner.com, Google, home, home inspection, homebuyer, investor, Lowe's, plumbing, real estate, real estate agent, realtor, seller

Can You Afford to Be A Real Estate DIYer?

Are you a real estate DIYer?   We live in the Age of Information, thankfully!  For most, gone are the days that we have to rely sol...

REALTORS(r), Save Money On Your Next Home Purchase

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYnXhEV8jfbU_s7sYzjw_HLHVx6inOJmpaM3jFBFF-TQ4AYESDDryAPj5rHiulCAhp379z74yro4GYqF_gs-2cOZPsShVcowoaQu8MwL6K53ls-F5OBtwpKUEzHFk1aPTizWe8dJI_hI/s1600/MoneyGift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYnXhEV8jfbU_s7sYzjw_HLHVx6inOJmpaM3jFBFF-TQ4AYESDDryAPj5rHiulCAhp379z74yro4GYqF_gs-2cOZPsShVcowoaQu8MwL6K53ls-F5OBtwpKUEzHFk1aPTizWe8dJI_hI/s320/MoneyGift.jpg" width="320"></span></a><span style="font-size: x-large;">As a REALTOR(r) making a personal home purchase, we are able to find the best deals because of our market savvy and connections in the real estate industry.  Well, <b>here is one more connection that can save you some green this month</b>.  </span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>

agent, appraisal, buying, home, purchase, real estate, realtor, realtor federal credit union, selling

REALTORS(r), Save Money On Your Next Home Purchase

As a REALTOR(r) making a personal home purchase, we are able to find the best deals because of our market savvy and connections in the real...

How to Survive the Jungle of Mobile Apps

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQgQee14UWLv8w0vQz04uKxUhx8KL_mq4G6V1dQzFLY8idwFhkwvXycF1dotpybms3NhEKZvO8wky0O01zyIWoybRAdjZEa-WHeV07HJ6d5XVBjqoJOQX815yprV3GUqbsmaSIgkj_2N8/s1600/RepurposedAppsSite1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQgQee14UWLv8w0vQz04uKxUhx8KL_mq4G6V1dQzFLY8idwFhkwvXycF1dotpybms3NhEKZvO8wky0O01zyIWoybRAdjZEa-WHeV07HJ6d5XVBjqoJOQX815yprV3GUqbsmaSIgkj_2N8/s320/RepurposedAppsSite1.jpg" width="320"></a></div> <span style="color: purple;"><b>NOTE: This article originally appeared in 2013 but the NAR resource mentioned is no longer in operation as of 2016.</b></span><br> <span style="color: blue;"><b><br></b></span> <span style="color: blue;"><b>Has anyone else noticed that there is seemingly daily the "latest and greatest, must-have, can't live with out, this will revolutionize your life and business" app?</b> </span> If you are like me, it is difficult to keep up with all of the new apps that are coming out and, on top of that, wade through the ones that are actually beneficial to real estate agents (instead of eating the memory on your phone or tablet ugh).  Well, I think I just discovered the solution to our quandary!<br> <br>

agents, apps, buy, home, house, mobile app, real estate, realtors, reviews, sell

How to Survive the Jungle of Mobile Apps

NOTE: This article originally appeared in 2013 but the NAR resource mentioned is no longer in operation as of 2016. Has anyone else noti...

How to Become the Agent of Choice in Your Community: Exclusive with COLLETTE MCDONALD

<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZV0wM5LRBHk-BO78aPrWWGrkdPYwTUFaBG3SU1LRWjlaBM0aOOXCPreBlAridlDF5LrdxfiL8khwNyI9kudXRTL5ePU3ElvyRL-d_hBIYF0hjRInvLqzusgQxHQs4uyqrEgHQUnDST9k/s1600/banner_bang_for_buck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZV0wM5LRBHk-BO78aPrWWGrkdPYwTUFaBG3SU1LRWjlaBM0aOOXCPreBlAridlDF5LrdxfiL8khwNyI9kudXRTL5ePU3ElvyRL-d_hBIYF0hjRInvLqzusgQxHQs4uyqrEgHQUnDST9k/s1600/banner_bang_for_buck.jpg" width="200"></a></div> <b>If you are a fan or even just a casual viewer of HGTV, you are probably familiar with HGTV's on-air real estate expert <span style="color: blue;">Collette McDonald of RE/MAX Around Atlanta</span></b>.  With a lifetime of experience lived vicariously through her father as a successful real estate agent and over a decade of personally being one of Georgia's top real estate agents, Collette has a wealth of knowledge to help you as a new or experienced agent become the agent of choice for your community.</div> <br> <br> <b>Watch our exclusive interview and learn Collette's tips to:</b><br> <b></b><br>

atlanta, coach, collette mcdonald, georgia, hgtv, home, homes, house, mentor, re/max, re/max around atlanta, real estate, real estate agent, realtor

How to Become the Agent of Choice in Your Community: Exclusive with COLLETTE MCDONALD

If you are a fan or even just a casual viewer of HGTV, you are probably familiar with HGTV's on-air real estate expert Collette McD...

Time Saving Apps: CAMSCANNER

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCLJB8Fk1wCadtuHFVkjMUP7jZ2x1PwhHT5pZm7fmCi3tqIsv3ZT3FsrgtSWipSD7R30k1dkLeuawJiL3-NI1Bza-7z36sqq3cKf5Yofr9LF60VU86M_c1ohpdfGDs6cAMWPL2masoIk/s1153/OldFax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCLJB8Fk1wCadtuHFVkjMUP7jZ2x1PwhHT5pZm7fmCi3tqIsv3ZT3FsrgtSWipSD7R30k1dkLeuawJiL3-NI1Bza-7z36sqq3cKf5Yofr9LF60VU86M_c1ohpdfGDs6cAMWPL2masoIk/s320/OldFax.jpg" title="Old fax" width="320"></a></div> Whether you are a real estate agent, a buyer purchasing a home or a seller listing your property, there is a <b>FREE mobile phone and tablet app that can save you time, gas and ultimately money</b>.  This may sound too good to be true - an app that can help every party in a real estate transaction for free - but it is real.  What is this marvelous app?<br>

agent, agents, android, app, buy, buyer, CamScanner, home, house, ipad, iphone, land, marketing, mobile app, online, pictures, property, real estate, seller, tips

Time Saving Apps: CAMSCANNER

Whether you are a real estate agent, a buyer purchasing a home or a seller listing your property, there is a FREE mobile phone and tablet ...

How to Prosper as a New or Returning Real Estate Agent in ANY Market: Exclusive with ANDREW MALONE

<br> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRUde0w9X1U6eX1-uFpw8Zy8kYvdUcrCqFWzKyLt_XpGmQoqGZDjRdUkOq1Il9kpnKR2zODg57yu-mzDazkB9akifA2yvTTL2hidJ8p4wwCB8AXWw36Cyk1l8uorOn4K28h2ljYpFoK4/s1600/AndrewMalone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRUde0w9X1U6eX1-uFpw8Zy8kYvdUcrCqFWzKyLt_XpGmQoqGZDjRdUkOq1Il9kpnKR2zODg57yu-mzDazkB9akifA2yvTTL2hidJ8p4wwCB8AXWw36Cyk1l8uorOn4K28h2ljYpFoK4/s1600/AndrewMalone.jpg" width="173"></a></div> <b style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: blue;">Andrew Malone of RE/MAX Around Atlanta</span></b><b> </b>has been a successful and in-demand real estate agent in Metro Atlanta for the past 12 years. <b style="font-weight: bold;"> Despite the "Dot-Com" market crash of 2001 and "The Great Recession" that began in 2007/2008, Andrew has thrived in real estate</b><b> </b>and we have the inside story on how he did it!</div> </div>

andrew malone, buy, home, house, land, property, real estate, remax, remax around atlanta, sell, success, tips

How to Prosper as a New or Returning Real Estate Agent in ANY Market: Exclusive with ANDREW MALONE

Andrew Malone of RE/MAX Around Atlanta   has been a successful and in-demand real estate agent in Metro Atlanta for the past ...

When the Picture is NOT Worth a Thousand Words

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-0-lxEBqDzfJDEmPTGCwSHHQ67UmSylFFdCqzYkH0-34OfbuT17JCrBusJeazCRvTw1smlS8lTsoh9unjjSoxLcnI7HgTXKnUJrsytxs5VOlFIrwPYwTrX09bpJJWMywP6hIAw1mVz0/s1600/file0001550782043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-0-lxEBqDzfJDEmPTGCwSHHQ67UmSylFFdCqzYkH0-34OfbuT17JCrBusJeazCRvTw1smlS8lTsoh9unjjSoxLcnI7HgTXKnUJrsytxs5VOlFIrwPYwTrX09bpJJWMywP6hIAw1mVz0/s320/file0001550782043.jpg" width="320"></a><b>As real estate agents, we are thrust into the world of photography with the very first home we list.</b>  Whether we are taking the pictures ourselves or proofing the pictures of a hired photographer, real estate agents must have an eye for detail because our photos tell a story about our listings that our voices may never share.<br>

advertising, agents, buyer, home, house, iPiccy, marketing, online, online presence, photo editing, photography, PicMonkey, pictures, real estate, seller

When the Picture is NOT Worth a Thousand Words

As real estate agents, we are thrust into the world of photography with the very first home we list.  Whether we are taking the pictures ou...

Build Your Online Presence FREE

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91gd3dUU9ACVUORkI4DWPpisnR-mKyRfcYUzkZERRAw6QB0a9wvO8WeVzIvgms0WYZ-gmnqkdMge7GcvmWnFMEg2aRZQMkKWWiHyb-bFAWbHLgwum9XI0Rh5fneCIs1AbahIF7O-5_Og/s1600/IMG_1734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91gd3dUU9ACVUORkI4DWPpisnR-mKyRfcYUzkZERRAw6QB0a9wvO8WeVzIvgms0WYZ-gmnqkdMge7GcvmWnFMEg2aRZQMkKWWiHyb-bFAWbHLgwum9XI0Rh5fneCIs1AbahIF7O-5_Og/s320/IMG_1734.JPG" width="320"></a></div> In this Age of Information,<b> it is vital for every real estate agent to have an online presence</b> - this we know.  Without an online presence, you may have the most wonderful product and service but its like you are talking to a room full of empty chairs. However, an online presence can become quite expensive and even prohibitive relative to the resulting new clients it actually produces if any at all.  In the world of entrepreneurs, it is imperative that we prudently account for ever dollar while simultaneously maximizing our exposure.  I am sure you are thinking at this point, "Lee, that's an impossible contradiction!  To increase our internet exposure, we have to spend, spend, spend."  But there is one critical and FREE thing that you need online that will have consumers seeking you out.  Can you guess what it is? It is...<br> <br>

advertising, agents, buyer, home, house, likes, marketing, online, online presence, real estate, recommendations, referrals, reviews, seller, testimontials

Build Your Online Presence FREE

In this Age of Information, it is vital for every real estate agent to have an online presence - this we know.  Without an online presen...