Helpful tips on picking an agent and a company to represent YOU ! tip #1

over the next few weeks I will attempt to present some helpful tips in helping you picking a listing or buyers agent. 1. is your potential agent a full time Realtor or is this a part time job? for most people the purchase or sale of a home is the largest financial transaction they will ever take part in does the agent you are choosing have the experience and the contacts to assist you- have they done enough transactions to know which lenders don't charge junk fees, have the most competitive rates compared to closing costs being charged? does your agent have enough experience when going over a whole house inspection report to know if a stated repair is legitimate or being overly critical or possibly missed something - a current example is a report calling for windows to be replaced due to a gap in the sash at the frame - turns out upon further inspection the lock mechanisms were loose a $250 repair vs a $3500 repair which would have cost the buyer the house and the seller a sale. Does your agent have maintenance people they can depend on, inspectors that are doing the inspection with the diligence and knowledge required? This is one of the facts you should consider when choosing, look for more to come. If you are interested in the whole set of tips contact one of the sold team members.

How about some cabernet???

No we're not selling alcohol illegally..The Sold Team: Mike Wheeler, Bob Argento and Kim Moyer of Prudential Bob Yost Homesale Service is becoming Berkshire Hathaway in approx 40 days and our new colors will be Cabernet & White & Cabernet and Cream for the Luxury homes division. Same great team, Same great People Even better service and tools - so come on over and have some cabernet.

Warren Buffet - 43 days

Well that's a little embellishment but in 43 days Prudential Bob Yost Homesale Services will be Berkshire Hathaway home services, of course Warren is the famous head of Berkshire Hathaway and this will mark the first time the Berkshire name will be used for direct marketing. This will set the industry on its head.. in the short time that the real estate division has existed it has already climbed dot the top of many lists including: recognizing of the name, trust of the brand, and many other prestigious heights. Watch for more updates.

Berkshire Hathaway is coming to York

Exciting news in the real estate industry - well if you are part of the prudential system that is changing names to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Homesale Realty if your not it may not be good news. After extensive negotiations and study - Berkshire Hathaway - yes Warren Buffet's company has decided that as the owner of the Prudential Real Estate name they will for the first time use the Berkshire name as a direct marketer, so Prudential companies that meet the criteria to become Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices have been picked to use this new name. What does this mean? well besides being one of the most respected companies nationwide and a brand that even though has never been directly marketed is tops in name recognition. Berkshire owns or has major holding in many companies such as Coke, Dairy Queen, American Express, Sees Candy, IBM, Walmart, Heinz, Helzberg Diamonds, Kraft and many many more companies. For the Homesale team - we get all of the same team members we have always had all the great tools and now a whole lot more recognition, and respect of the Berkshire name. we officially change names June 4, 2014 - exciting things are happening.

2013 -2014 market update

As we start the new year we are cautiously confident, yes prices have stabilized and even risen in some areas. Interest rates are still very attractive.  There are still great properties on the market. the challenges are many though: how many short sales and foreclosures are there yet? buyers confidence in the companies they work for and if they will have continued full time employment still waivers, inventory is till higher than needed, what will happen to the market when rates go up? What effect will affordable care act have? even with all of this We truly believe it is a great time to buy- The conditions cant stay as they are now will you look back and say damn I missed those rates and those prices.

Who are you working with ?????

The biggest financial decision most of us will ever make and do we treat it that way? If you are selling or buying have you done some homework? Some questions you should be asking yourself or your prospective representative:

- Is the agent you're using experienced? how much business have they done? are they familiar with the different types of financing,technologies, laws, that it takes to sell your property and avoid pitfalls, do they know how to negotiate?

- are they working in your best interest? is your goal to sell as quick as possible or to maximize your net value of your property, not everyone wants or needs to sell in 3 days- is the agent low balling you or  overpricing you to get the listing? are they explaining the difference between a full service listing and cut rate commission listing

- are you dealing with the person you think you are hiring or are you dealing with an assistant, are you dealing with someone who does real estate full time - do they have a "real job" somewhere else.

- what are the hours of availability, what systems do they have backing them up to answer client calls, have information available to clients both the techie and the traditional client.

- do they recognize a qualified offer? do they have a network of lenders, title, attorneys, inspectors, maintenance people that they know they can trust when they are told looks good should be good for settlement

ask yourself if you've asked these questions

where's our recovery?

had a client say to me where is our recovery? and I am sure a lot of people in ?York county are asking the same thing. Remember if you are from York we were always slow and reliable didn't have the big swings either way - then we finally did, and people are conservative so they are cautious about the market. I hear "well I am waiting to see if my job is stable" or "how are prices going to be affected by Obamacare, everything else is going up will I be able to afford my payment" but we are seeing the signs still - prices seem to have stabilized, the wild sale prices of foreclosures and short sales has calmed, property prices beyond stabilizing have even started to go up in some segments. rates are low, financing is not as hard as some people expect. it is a great opportunity