Portland Company Success Rate for Properties Above $500,000

 The difference between companies is significant to say the least. So, why?

I think it may have a lot do do with three things I notice.

1.) A collaborative environment where brokers support one another. This does not mean sharing private information about their clients. But it does specifically aknowledge how the brokers tour each other’s listings and offer honest feedback on their impressions, staging and marketability. It also means that, rather than “Old-School Approaches” that have limited effectiveness, Windermere brokers collaborate on market trends, buyer trends, and other industry data that results in clear, concise information. People feel secure knowing that the best price was achieved.

2.) Windermere brokers are using resources, tools and approaches that actually work well in today real estate market. The Graphing tools, for example, help people understand more clearly the pricing of homes in neighborhoods, zipcodes and even down to the block.

3.) Finally, I think something as simple as their professional, personable and down-to-earth style is especially appreciated by people in Portland. They have the most effective resources yet listen to the unique situations people express.

There are a host of reasons Windermere Brokers do well, and especially above $500,000, but I believe that the three above represent the essence of all the client feedback responses we get daily.

What do you think?

You already know the first thing I’m going to say so let’s get that part over with; it depends. There you didn’t want to
read that and I didn’t want to say that but it is how it is. Now, let’s hit a few points about that and see if we can’t stir up better reading.

Weigh Your Options

Question for you, “What is “cheaper” and what is an “amazing find”?CHEAPER #1: Let’s agree that there are two kinds of “cheaper”. Right? Of course there is the initial price thing. Like, “I bought this house for $275,000 and
several similar sized houses just all SOLD for over $350,000 each.” That is cheaper initially. Usually that also means you just bought a fixer-upper and
you got into an area that may otherwise not have been possible. This is awesome when it happens when you also tell your broker one other thing. “I am ready, able and willing to fix this place up and take on the project mentally, physically and financially.” Nice buy in this case. Very cool. Even cooler, you
got one of those houses that need actually less repair and work than expected. This does happen and it is really REALLY cool.

CHEAPER #2: The other “cheaper” is a lot trickier. The other cheaper may look like one of the follow two scenarios:

Scenario #1:

“I bought a house already all fixed up because I got the remodeled house for a fraction of what it would have taken me to fix up the fixer.” Quite often, maybe more often, would you believe that the nicer house was actually the “NET CHEAPER” house because of the cash it may have taken to remodel the fixer? What do you think? Are you the “I can fix it all” person? or, are you the, “I’m not handy” or the” I can but I don’t want to” kind of buyer? Can you imagine these next two words showing up in your remodel; Scope Creep? If so, Scenario #1 is your cheaper. Buy the already done house and get the whole package cheaper than it would cost you to buy all the materials and labor. Not even counting the frustration and stress related to your time invested.

Scenario #2:

“I bought the fixer, had a great time remodeling it, and I ended up with sweat equity”. Is this you? These houses are out there and you have the skills to know the difference between a loser and a winner. If this is you, your broker pulls comps, and you use the wide expertise of your broker to discuss trends, pricing data and examples of remodeled homes nearby. You also may have carpentry and/or mechanical skills and know other tredespeople who do and who may assist you. Yes, Scenario #2 is your cheaper. You love it! It is plain fun!

Finally, what is an “amazing find”?

Isn’t it simply either one of the two scenarios above? Could the buyer who buys Scenario #1 be as able to brag about an “amazing find” as the buyer who bought Scenario #2? What would most skilled real estate brokers say? My experience is that they can definitely be equally great finds. Think about it this way. The net savings on either scenario could be equal even if one ended up with sweat equity and one did not. Why? The answer is because the “Sweat Equity” part is an additional benefit that the other buyer was never going to try for or realize. They won’t fix up a house themselves. So, each buyer saved money and ended up with their amazing find. I think “AMAZING” is truly in the eyes of the beholder who, THE WHO, buying the house.

So, bottom line:

A distressed property, like a Foreclosure or Short Sale is not always the best deal. It does depend on who is buying the property. Who are you? Find a great real estate broker who is willing to work with you whoever you are. Of course, I feel quite certain that you will find such a real estate broker at the  Windermere Lloyd  Tower Office. I am friends with brokers of other companies that impress me, but the Windermere Lloyd Tower Brokers impress me daily. I respect them and enjoy working with them every day. Check them out and see what you think.

Many buyers of Northwest

Who Doesn’t Like This Look?

homes are accostomed to and

Seek Out Older Homes.

Others come from places where the older homes were built in the 1970′s.

So when we are asked to handle the sale of a home not remodeled in 40, 50 or more years we get interesting feedback.

The house always wins over the hearts of buyers!

These special homes generate a lot of excitement and potential buyers then walk through the home in a dream-like state. For most, the dream is attractive. They are gently caring for a living, breathing being that provides an emotionally charged feeling of connection to the past and present. The house is always wanting a little love and attention just as a child or even a pet. The house is an extension of the household. The home purchase is a significant moment in their life.

Yes, some potential buyers attend our OPEN HOUSE events and are attracted to the location. But, for some, the location is one thing and the house is another. For a potential buyer who hhas not considered the fact that the location is comprised of older homes, a bit of shock occurs. But a really interesting phenomenon occurs at this exact point. a small number of these potential buyers see nothing but ….. well….. old houses and the are not at all attracted to the floorplans, built-ins, or designs. For them, the house is just ……. “old”. For this group, even the tree canopy is a problem because of the obscured view of clear shy.

For most, quite a different phenomenon occurs. For some of these buyers, sometimes the less remodeled the home is, the more attractive it is. A connection to the past, to the architecture, or to a certain symbolism of an era; things like this are said aloud in the viewing. Others begin to recite spontaneous poetry. The poent in them is having an experience. In a busy, multitasking and challenging world these homes may represent an escape to a more simple time. Even if for moments at a time owners of these homes enjoy walking in the same steps as a person 70 years ago. Sipping coffee while looking out 80 year old panes of glass is an escape of the pressures of today.

The house always attracts it’s new owner(s) and the house stands proud to host these fine people until such time that the house is prepared to choose new owners.Buying an older home in Portland, especially, one not remodeled in the rat-pack era, or during the lovely 1970′s, is definitely an expierience more than a simple selection. I really enjoy these homes and the care given to their transitions by the brokers who sell them.