Choosing the RIGHT Agent
There are nearly 83,000 licensed Real Estate agents in North Carolina. Some are full time agents who pour their hearts and souls into creating the best possible experience for their clients. Those agents work tirelessly to stay abreast of what's happening in their local market, they network well and have spent years honing their negotiation skills. The really great ones know that no matter how long they have been in this business, there is always much to learn because it is an ever changing industry with new laws, new expectations, and new obstacles to contend with year in and year out. Some of those 83,000 agents are part time or hobby brokers who may sell a house or two per year, they do this as a hobby to help friends and family, but their main focus of their "work day" is not gaining expertise as a REALTOR®. Who you choose to work with when you are ready to buy or sell a home is one of the most important decisions you will make in the process. Having an agent with a lot of experience, or even a new agent who has significant support from their brokerage is at the top of the list of qualities you should look for. Here are some questions we think you should ask before you hire anyone to represent you for this important financial (and emotional) transaction. 1. How many clients have you helped to buy or sell a home? Even if the answer is not one that builds confidence in their experience, you should not automatically write them off! You may have found a super star who sells dozens of home each year and their experience speaks for itself. Or, you may have just stumbled upon an up and coming rookie who has little experience, but who works at an office with a very involved broker-in-charge and a support staff who give you a team to work with as opposed to just a newbie. Just make sure they either have experience or support. Both have the potential to serve you well. At Realty Executives, our rookie agents have a very involved broker and and in-house marketing specialist there to provide all of the support needed. 2. What is your communication style? What can I expect from you? Throughout the buying and selling process, there is much information that needs to get from one party to another. It is important to know on the front end what you can expect from your agent. Will they send you weekly communication on showings, feedback, and changes in the market? What happens if an offer comes in and your agent is "off" or out of town? How do they handle communication with cooperative agents? Are they beholden to texts only or are they willing to pick up the phone to have a conversation to get the deal done? Communication is hands down one of the most important factors in a real estate transaction. How your agent communicates with you and also the cooperative agent is of utmost importance. At Realty Executives, we offer regular training for our agents to hone these skills. 3. What is your marketing strategy? Selling a home takes more than a sign in the yard. When the market is hot and buyers are flooding seller inboxes with offers, it might seem like all you need is a listing in the MLS and a sign in the yard. That might get you an offer, but will it get you the most favorable terms? Having an agent who is willing to market every property to the best of his or her ability, regardless of the market, will help to ensure that you have more choices in the offer you accept. Professional photography is a must and when appropriate, drone video can highlight a property from a vantage point you can't get from the ground. You need an agent who understands visual marketing and also knows how to spotlight the best features in your home in order to draw in offers with the best possible terms for you. At the very least, ask them to show you how they have marketed past properties and what is considered included as a part of their listing service. Do they have a marketing professional at their office? Are they willing to pay a professional for needed materials? Every REALTOR® at our office has access to our in-house marketing specialist who can create custom marketing materials to get your home sold. 4. What do you believe will be your most important role as my agent? A REALTOR® is not a salesperson. A REALTOR® is a matchmaker, a communicator, and a problem solver. Their job is to help willing buyers connect with willing sellers and to facilitate an agreement that leaves all parties feeling like they got exactly what they were looking for. A great agent will be your guide through the process and leave you satisfied that their experience, education and know-how was exactly what you needed to navigate a process that can be challenging. Make sure that the agent you hire knows that you are relying on them to guide you, to find the answers to your questions, and to see you through to the closing table. Of the 80,000 plus agents in North Carolina, you deserve to find the one best suited to you. Make sure that your personalities mesh, because you may be spending a lot of time together. But beyond personality, find someone committed to their craft. Being a great REALTOR® doesn't look the same on every agent. But every truly great REALTOR® will put you first and be committed to your satisfaction with the process. Our brokers at Realty Executives of Hickory and Lake Norman are truly great. That's why we have been voted the Best REALTORS® in the Catawba Valley over and over again. Whether you are buying, selling, or both, we are sure that we have a professional who will be the perfect guide to take you from thinking about moving to the closing table. Connect with one of our executive brokers, you'll be glad you did.
SPRING BEDROOM UPDATE!
RENOVATING YOUR PRIMARY BEDROOM THIS SPRING Does your primary bedroom need a makeover? Spring is the perfect season to refresh and renew this all-important room in your home. You spend so much time here, after all, that you want it to be a space you love. If a bedroom renovation is on your to-do list, you have a lot of options. A full-blown remodel can add more closet space, windows, or square footage. But you can also create maximum impact with something as simple as changing out your old linens for high-end bedding. Before you get started, you will want to get organized: Develop a list of everything you would like to accomplish with your renovation project. Then take a hard look at your budget and timeline. You will want to price out key components of your renovation project so you can track projected costs. This will help you hone your list and cut any items you do not have time or money to complete right now. Create a mood board with ideas for design aesthetics, color palettes, furniture, and other sources of inspiration. It is ideal to get samples of fabrics, flooring, and paint chips so you can see how they look in your bedroom. Determine what jobs you can do yourself, such as painting, and what work may require a contractor, electrician, or other expert. For the latter, you will want to get estimates from licensed professionals to get a clearer picture of your expenses. Clear out your primary bedroom to make way for the renovation to begin! Areas to Focus On Wondering where to get started? Here are some key ways to transform the look of your primary bedroom: Enlarge Your Closet Who would not want an expansive, well-lit, walk-in closet for storing all their clothing and accessories? And while you are adding square footage, be sure to include a closet organizer system that can be customized to your specific needs. Add a Mini “Room” Primary bedrooms are meant for rest and relaxation. The bed has “rest” covered; now add a small sitting area where you can relax with your morning cup of coffee or a good book. Add a decorative screen to divide the sitting area from the rest of the bedroom then furnish this new space with a cozy chair, small table, and lamp. This also helps you look at your bedroom layout in a new way, and you may end up moving other furniture around, too, which can make the room feel brand new. Harness Natural Light If your bedroom seems dark and cramped, add windows or doors to let in the sunshine. If you are not increasing the square footage of the room, this extra light can make the space seem airier and more expansive. Be sure to budget for window coverings to go with the new windows. We also recommend purchasing blackout curtains to block ambient nighttime light that can disrupt sleep. Change the Furnishings A renovation is a prime opportunity to change the design aesthetic of your primary bedroom with new (or in the case of vintage, new to you) furniture. Maybe you choose a matching bedroom set, an oversized headboard, or an elegant chest that doubles as a storage solution at the foot of your bed. Color Your World New paint or wallpaper offers immediate transformation. You can opt for go-with-anything neutrals and pops of color in art and design accessories, soothing pastel blues and greens that create a peaceful environment, or a striking, bold color like oxblood or peacock. Work from the Ground Up Flooring is another high-impact design element of a primary bedroom. Perhaps it is time to pull up old carpets and install the wood floor you have always dreamed of, or maybe you want to get a new, plush, wall-to-wall carpet. You can also layer on a beautiful woven area rug for extra visual appeal. A lumpy bed has no place in a luxury bedroom. Think of the finest bed you have ever slept on in a hotel. It likely had luxury bedding, including a cloudlike duvet, tastefully coordinated throw pillows, sumptuous sheets, and, perhaps most importantly, a high-quality mattress that offers premium support and plenty of comfort for a good night’s sleep. Small Changes, Big Results Even if a remodel is not in the cards, you can still make your bedroom feel fresh. Try some of these ideas for revitalizing your bedroom without spending too much money or time: Update your lighting fixtures with new pendant lights, wall sconces, or floor and table lamps. Order a new mattress and bedding, including decorative throw pillows and blankets in your chosen color palette. Change the art on your walls. Hang a large mirror or a grouping of smaller mirrors to give the appearance of more space. Use fabrics with varying patterns or textures on cushions, pillows, and bedding. Swap your traditional-looking drapes for modern shades (or vice versa). Add baskets or drawers under the bed for extra storage space that keeps clutter to a minimum. Install a decorative shelf to display a curated grouping of family photographs, heirlooms, or other personal treasures. Pay attention to details: Use a room spray, candle, or diffuser to create a welcoming aroma, or put a small vase of fresh flowers on your nightstand. Spring is a time of rebirth, a chance to start something new. Why not make this the year you say goodbye to the old and create the primary bedroom of your dreams? Be creative and let your design imagination take flight. Whether you tear down a wall or simply hang up new wall art, you have the capability to make your bedroom something truly special. Credit: Alysia Heun
Relocation Resources
You're going to love it here! If you are looking to relocate to our fabulous area, click on the information below to access a plethora of information! Relocation Guide Discover Catawba County Relocating to Catawba County Starts Here Chamber Relocation Resources Things to Do Corporate Relocation and Temporary Housing Hickory Spotlight
Categories
