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By Kathleen Chiras, on October 6th, 2011
I was very sad to hear of the death of Steve Jobs, as his visionary Macintosh computers made it possible for my small company survive and thrive for the past 17 years. Steve Jobs created a computers I could intuitively learn on my own when starting my business. Thanks to the strong advice of an old boyfriend, I bought a Mac computer when I started up my business aimed at helping buys find the best real estate buyer agents.
I was recently divorced and had two small children to raise, so I would get up at 6:00 am and read Macintosh technical manuals so I could understand thoroughly how to do word processing, spreadsheets and databases on this amazing machine. In the 17 years hence, I have never had a virus on my network of 8 Mac computers and I’ve never had to employ a technician to come in and fix my computers. It was all available to me through the amazing Apple support system that Steve Jobs created.
The days of hearing my clients say, “When are you going to stop using those toys and get a real PC?” are long past. Steve Jobs continued to innovate and make all the tools and interfaces to enable me to greatly expand my business. Sure, the computers cost a little more, but I’ve never had one fail me mechanically or with regards to applications or needed business tools. Steve Jobs was always there with a solution.
I continue to run my business on all Macs, and I’m using the iPad to communicate with workers and run my sheep & reforestation farm down in Costa Rica. Wherever you are Steve, I just want to say “thank you!”.
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By Kathleen Chiras, on December 13th, 2010
Many real estate buyers in countries aside from the US who are English-speaking use an estate agent instead of a “real estate agent.” Estate agents provide many of the same services that US real estate agents do, but there are also some key differences.
The United States is one a small number of countries who have buyer agents. Buyer agents are licensed professionals who work in buyer’s best interest, not the seller’s. Traditional realty offices may have designated buyer agents and designated seller agents; exclusive buyer agent offices are completely comprised of buyer agents. The US also has transaction brokers who try to work a deal for the buyer and seller within the same firm.
The owner of this blog, Kathleen Chiras, is a Certified International Property Specialist. Please call our office at 303-670-0246 and ask staff to page her for a personal free consultation on the purchase of real estate within the US and how it differs from purchases in other countries.
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By Kathleen Chiras, on August 5th, 2010
I recently asked our Exclusive Buyers Agent in Everett, WA to help out a family member who is experiencing the distress of this extremely down market in real estate.
Because this agency only helps buyers and does not take listings, she was able to provide objective advise for Dave, who is recently divorced. However, she cannot represent him in the sale of his property due her choice to represent only buyers in her firm. Dave has two homes with negative cash flow, and two “boomerang” children living at home:
“Dave is on the right track. He is going to try FSBO on his rental and see what happens from there.
I have advised him on associated costs in the sale so he is aware that even in a FSBO there are costs.
I will certainly keep him in mind if I have any Marysville clients that his homes would be a good fit for.
Thank you for contacting me and if I can be of any other assistance just let me know. It is such a bad time for Seller’s
As homes are now selling below appraised value.
Nancy”
Read the Full Post »(259 words, 1 image, estimated 1:02 mins reading time)
By Kathleen Chiras, on June 25th, 2010
The broker/owner of our SmartHomeSearch exclusive buyers agent company reported today that they recently helped their buyers save $108,000 off of one property and $62,000 off of another due to their expertise in negotiating in this market. Another recent closing is paying closer to asking price, but the buyer is happy with their purchase as this particular property fit their price and location parameters.
Apparently the market for real estate in Ann Arbor, MI is about average, but a number of real estate traditional firms are short of work. The broker/owner of this exclusive buyer agency company is also seeing a drop in traffic to his web site, but says he is working on making it more current with short videos that clearly explain the benefits that buyer agents can offer.
Select a top quality buyer agent for your own search today by getting a list of agents to consider.
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By Kathleen Chiras, on May 11th, 2010
I spoke with one of our premier exclusive buyer agents in the Dallas, TX area today and asked him about foreclosures and short sales. Are they the great bargain everyone is talking about? In this broker’s opinion, and in the Dallas-Fort Worth, TX area, the answer would be “no”. He says that in 8 out of 10 foreclosure homes, there is typically some sort of problem that would NOT make it a good deal.
This buyer agent looks very closely at not only the comps for a similar house but also the repair costs to make a below-market home a good livable home. Oftentimes, he says people at auctions who have not really done their homework will bid the price of the home over the threshold of what would make a “great deal”. Marion says that one must know how to add in the repair costs, or the overall price of the home will more than one that is well-maintained & simply sold by a motivated seller. He said, “Maybe two in ten might be a good deal, but many people would rather not be exposed to the risks of getting into something where repairs are more than anticipated. It might work well for someone who is very handy at doing the repairs themselves”.
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By Kathleen Chiras, on April 1st, 2010
Can real estate buyer agents give you objective advise on buying a home in today’s market? Clearly, if they don’t make a sale, they don’t get paid. Buyer agents are not your most objective source of advise on IF you should buy. This question is best answered yourself before engaging the services of an agent.
Your upfront homework includes examining your own financial situation to determine if you will come out ahead if you continue to rent, and instead invest the down payment, closing costs and maintenance money in another investment. Three important items to consider in this analysis are:
- the amount of time you anticipate you will stay in your new home (the longer the better for buying)
- your informed guess of whether the home will appreciate or not
- whether home ownership will benefit you with regard to taxes
A middle of the road option many folks are also examining in the current economy is whether a rent with purchase option makes sense.
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By Kathleen Chiras, on March 17th, 2010
Exclusive buyer agents and the advantages of using one were featured March 17, 2010 on the Lifetime channel, the Balancing Act. The executive director of the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents (naeba.org)http://www.naeba.org/, Kim Kahl, explains how having someone who is 100% on your side in a real estate transaction is so important. President Benjamin Clark does an excellent job of explaining how exclusive buyer agents typically get paid out of the transaction, a question commonly asked by consumers.
The host of this program appears to enthusiastically endorse the idea of every home buyer seeking out an exclusive buyer agent.
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By Kathleen Chiras, on January 14th, 2010
Because we work with around 1,000 buyer agent companies nationwide, we hear back from them on a daily basis regarding their real estate markets. Most areas of the country are reporting that real estate buyers are closing on homes and many are jumping back into the market after a pause from last year as the economy continues to improve.
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By Kathleen Chiras, on November 4th, 2009
Because Costa Rica has no multiple listing service and because many properties are held in anonymous corporations, it is very difficult for people interested in Costa Rica real estate to determine property values. Real estate buyer brokers are able to help you determine the value of property for sale.
Market values are simply the result of what sellers are willing to sell for and buyers are willing to buy for. Knowing what those values are in Costa Rica without an MLS is very challenging. However, one of our buyer brokers who helps people buy proerty in the Jaco area shared that these closings have happened in the past 60 days:
Los Suenos Condo – $770,000
Acre Lot – $45,000
2 Bedroom Townhouse – $220,000
Beachfront Studio $213,000
Oceanview Lot – $100,000
3 Bedroom Home – $180,000
Beachfront Studio – $215,000
2 Bedroom Condo – $205,000
Oceanview Lot -$100,000
2 Bedroom Condo – $235,000
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By Kathleen Chiras, on September 25th, 2009
We have seen the interest in real esate purchases nationwide slow down a bit, and are feeling that people are feeling a bit skeptical about the economic recovery. We all know that this much debt & high unemployment are reasons enough for any of us to be very cautious before entering in to any big debt decisions.
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