Local Housing "Market Knowledge" Is Most Valuable Attribute Consumers Look for In Hiring An Agent

In today?s changing real estate marketplace, one-third of consumers said in a national survey that local ? housing market knowledge? is the most valuable attribute they look for in hiring a real estate agent. ?Commissions? and ?communication? tied for second place in the survey. Each received 22%.

Fourteen percent of consumers responding to the random survey said ?experience? is the most valuable asset they seek in hiring an agent. Ranked last is ?negotiating skills.?

?Market knowledge is critical in all kinds of real estate markets, no matter the location,? observed Michael Bearden, President and CEO. ?This is especially true when housing markets are as balanced as they are now between buyers sellers.

?By taking advantage of the free ?Current Market Conditions? feature on their websites, our member agents can immediately establish themselves as real estate market experts in their exclusive territories,? Bearden continued. ?These quarterly surveys measure such things as days on the market, percentage differences between listing and selling prices, inventories of unsold homes, the ratio between buyers and sellers, local market hotspots, and repeat and first-time buyer activity.?

By participating in the survey, local sales data developed by member agents also becomes part of regional and national housing data released quarterly to the media and publicized both internally and externally.

The importance of communication between agents and their customers is underscored in the survey results. ?The Internet has become an important tool in establishing and maintaining good communications with clients, past clients and prospects. The customer expects and demands instant communications.

By ranking ?commissions? ahead of agent ?experience? and ?negotiating skills,? consumers are focusing on the bottom line after a five-year run-up in homes for sale prices in many parts of the country. ?We?re talking about bigger commission dollars and higher expectations of services and results by home buyers and sellers in slower markets,? Bearden said. ?To be successful, real estate agents must have aggressive marketing plans and have a solid track record of successful results in all kinds of markets. Our system and our marketing tools were designed to do just that for our members.?

Monte Helme is a national public relations consultant with HouseHunt, Inc. Previously, he was vice president of public relations and publications for Century 21 Real Estate Corp.; vice president of communications for AmeriNet Financial Services (now LendingTree); assistant city editor/Orange County for the Los Angeles Times; executive sports editor of the Rockford, IL, Morning Star and Register-Republic; and reporter for the Dixon, IL, Evening-Telegraph. Find real estate, homes for sale through public MLS and check what my home is worth in your area.

Introduction to Investing in Real Estate

?The property boom has made us all feel wealthy, but unfortunately it has lulled many of those nearing retirement into a false sense of security.? -Noel Whittaker

Making money in the real estate market has never been easier. It used to be that investing in real estate was an activity only the affluent could afford to indulge in. However, today, property investing is available to anyone at any price range.

If you have ever dreamed of being a successful investor, or buying and selling properties at a huge profit, now is your time! Do not let this opportunity pass you buy. Not only would you be involved in the most profitable and exciting form of investment in the current economic market but you would be securing your financial future.

Never having to think about financial concerns again ? sounds like a dream come true. Real estate investing is a great way to earn an income off your investments. All you need to learn is how to it and then take your newly acquired skills and make it happen! The first step is stop dreaming and start acting.

If you are truly interested in finding financial freedom you have to act today. Once you have decided to get out of your chair and do what it takes to become an active property investor you need to first start with research. There are many websites which offer information and advice about how to get started in investing in real estate.

There is plenty of free information, ebooks, tutorials, and even mentors just waiting for you to get involved. Remember the first step to any investment is learning and that cost absolutely no money.

Once you learn the basics, seek out a successful real estate investor to discuss your options with. Most people are more then willing to show a new investor the ropes and offer insider tips and wisdom.

Then you must learn the techniques of real estate investing which you will soon have to utilize. These skills include how to find the right properties to invest in, how to be a good negotiator, and how to structure legal and binding financial contracts. The goal of all real estate investments is to put out as little capital as possible and then reselling to achieve the maximum profit available.

To become a real estate investor no formal education is needed. All that is needed is understanding the value of hard work, determination, and drive. A couple of solid real estate investments can turn a substantial profit for the investor.

For those folks who are not looking to get rich but merely have a decent income, real estate investing is for you. With just a single real estate investment, four times a year, you could bring in an income that is far greater then the salary you receive from working your 9 to 5 job. Stop working, live off investments, and enjoy you present as well as your future.

Visit the Global Investment Institute and signup for our free Investing For Beginners E-Course at http://www.Global-Investment-Institute.com

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