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El Paso, TX Real Estate News

By Jese Gonzalez, The Real Estate Matchmaker
(The Real Estate Power Houses)
Traditionally, real estate agents represent sellers. But now consumers have a choice: Buyer's Agents who represent buyers. That's a big difference! A Buyer's Agent is bound by law and ethics to work solely on behalf of the buyer and provides levels of support and service not given by traditional agents. It is a relationship based on legal protection of the buyer, not the seller. And best of all, it costs the buyer nothing extra. Consider this: If you call the agent of a particular property, you're calling the person hired by the seller to get the highest price for his property. The seller's agent has a vested interest in selling that property, and no allegiance to you. A Buyer's Agent, with sole allegiance to you, has access to all properties on the market within the state(s) where she ...
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By Jese Gonzalez, The Real Estate Matchmaker
(The Real Estate Power Houses)
The trend in online users over the past 5 years has demonstrated an amazing demand for online networks that are focused on sharing thoughts and ideas, forming relationships and meeting like-minded individuals as evidenced by the enormous popularity of sites like YouTube, Flickr and MySpace. According to a recent iProspect study "Though sites such as YouTube and MySpace were designed to appeal to a high percentage of the online user population, many social search engines have been built to serve, and attract, a community that is defined by their affinity to a vertical industry, a business model, or an interactive activity type." With all the attention these social sites have received, it seems logical to suggest that creating your own affinity-based social network might be an online mark...
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By Jese Gonzalez, The Real Estate Matchmaker
(The Real Estate Power Houses)
Today, after leaving the office I asked myself, "What have I done to grow my business today?" This started me thinking.... How can I determine if what I did today actually pushed me forward to my goal and was worth repeating? I know that a lot of the time people have a hard time not just doing what they should do to grow their business, but was it effective? Of course you can measure a degree of success by increased sales figures, but sometimes a relationship or contact developed may not mean immediate business that you can measure monetarily. So how do you measure that type of success? I never end my business day without asking myself that simple growth question, and if the answer is nothing, then I make a phone call or contact someone on my List of 10. Now my list of 10 is actually mu...
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By Jese Gonzalez, The Real Estate Matchmaker
(The Real Estate Power Houses)
How can we sell upside down homes and have buyers and sellers happy? The market has so many homes that were bought at 100% financing and now the payments and taxes are sky rocketing. They turn to us to sell their home so they can hopefully not foreclose. I find that sellers want us to lower our commission and cut costs but still sell the home. If by chance you find a buyer, the sale is very fragile until the day of closing. The mortgage brokers will give a denial of a loan without a real denial if the customer wants out. I find this disturbing. The Buyers even want it all, they want the seller to pay closing costs and put 500.00 down. Well no more for me. I thought because it was being bought through a community program I was safe, but no it fell a day before closing. I had a commitment...
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By Yvette Lopez-Robinson
(The Real Estate Power Houses)
Some Realtors from our local RE/MAX offices are trying to plan a drive or fundraiser to assist some of our area organizations like the Children Crisis Center, for example. A few of us sat down with several organizations, toured their facilities and discussed their necessities. We wanted to stay away from the typical can and toy drive. After much discussion, we determined that they need the things we didn't really consider like socks, underwear, toiletries, bedding and of course monetary donations etc.  What I would like to ask is for recommendations/suggestions on how to get the word out for public involvement and make this a success.  Perhaps you know of a company that we can buy bulk items from?  If anyone has participated in such an event your suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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By Jese Gonzalez, The Real Estate Matchmaker
(The Real Estate Power Houses)
From what I've learned about "systems" if you push the system to get what you want, the system pushes back, until you find the right leverage to get results. In this case, if an agent pushes his lead management system to get immediate results, the system pushes back. Leads are set up to receive information and then, in their own time, act on that information and hopefully use your services. The real estate agent might be looking at it as a business generating tool. The consumer, however, hasn't committed to anything-they are requesting information.If an agent misunderstands the system and pushes it for immediate results, the system the leads work within and understand differently might push back. It seems to me an agent has to develop an understanding of the lead's system, keeping in mi...
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By Jese Gonzalez, The Real Estate Matchmaker
(The Real Estate Power Houses)
I had a great call with a Realtor the other day about maximizing her leads. She really wasn't sure what I was talking about and it made me realize how much I've enjoyed helping out so many of you with your Internet programs. After talking with this woman, along with many of the others I have talked too, I decided I should touch on maximizing your leads. We use our leads for four purposes: 1. Real Estate Leads - Buyers who are looking to buy a home within the next year or so. 2. Real Estate Leads - Sellers who are looking to sell their home prior to buying their new home. You should have a question on your search page that asks: "Do you have a home to sell?" This will allow you to capture a substantial amount of sellers in this market needing to sell their homes. In this market about 50%...
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By Jese Gonzalez, The Real Estate Matchmaker
(The Real Estate Power Houses)
Working with buyers is difficult. It's no wonder most real estate agents would rather list homes and avoid spending a lot of time dealing with buyers. Home buyers are demanding, fickle, sometimes emotional, sometimes unrealistic, but always there waiting for an agent to help them. Even though many home buyers think they want to do it alone, I've found most eventually ask a Realtor for help. They may not want a contractual relationship with a buyer agent, but they want assistance. Many have gone from listing agent to listing agent and they are tired of looking for homes that way, so the buyer is in between, they don't want to sign a buyer agent agreement but they want guidance. If you decide to work with home buyers you will have to capture them soon and you will have to impress them wit...
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By Jese Gonzalez, The Real Estate Matchmaker
(The Real Estate Power Houses)
Many mortgage brokers are self-employed, and work out of their homes. As refinancings and sales slow down, many mortgage brokers that you know may be looking for more work. They rely on Realtors to bring them business, just as you rely on referrals. The right mortgage brokers - ones that you trust will stick to a bargain - can be useful in helping you do a better job in marketing your listings and getting them closed. Make a pact Tell the mortgage broker that you are going to recommend him or her on all leads that you get from your listing, but you want the same courtesy in return. If your listing is instrumental in getting the mortgage broker leads, you want those leads turned back over to you to help them either buy your listing or another home. Let the broker know that you expect a g...
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By Jese Gonzalez, The Real Estate Matchmaker
(The Real Estate Power Houses)
It's been a fun couple of years watching the real estate world trying to catch on to the realities of the "New" Real Estate and the importance of the Internet. How many of you have Real Estate Websites? Go ahead, raise your hands! Ok, now how many of you actually get business from your Websites? I don't see many hands out there. So let's take a few minutes and look at why that is so. Lead Capture I am on the Web probably too much these days to see what the competition is doing. The Internet, in my mind, is the best way to capture home buyers. Remember, sales is a numbers game and Real Estate is no different. If you want to work, then the Internet is the place to be. Of course if you are just doing this part time or do not have a great work ethic, Internet leads are not for you. So let's...
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By Yvette Lopez-Robinson
(The Real Estate Power Houses)
It's my belief & personal opinion that Real Estate Agents should attend a Realtor "Etiquette" Class.  What exactly would this entail? It would entail how to deal with the other agent involved in the real estate transaction. How many times have you encountered issues primarily due to the "other" agent? For example, I turn in an offer to the listing agent & ask for a 24 hr response from the seller. On the morning of the 2ndday I call the listing agent & ask for status. He explains that he still hasn't presented anything to the sellers because he couldn't get them together. Now we're on day 3 & he still doesn't have an answer. I'm the one that keeps calling for an update. He then asks for more time. Day 4 he calls & gives me a verbal counteroffer. When I asked him to put that in writing, h...
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By Jese Gonzalez, The Real Estate Matchmaker
(The Real Estate Power Houses)
As a real estate agent, and in my every day life, I believe it is human nature to feel comfortable with someone you are similar to. You can build a greater connection by finding things in common and this can help to build confidence and trust. Traits you need in order to be a successful sales person and/or Realtor®. But first you have to gain someone's confidence to build that special rapport. In order to do this, you have to understand people and their personality styles. There are 4 major personality styles and I have found this model works very well. 1. The Dominant person: Usually a result oriented person, quick to anger, and eager to fight back at conflict. These people are often successful but not always nice. 2. The Influential/Relationship person: Usually a friendly and optimist...
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By Jese Gonzalez, The Real Estate Matchmaker
(The Real Estate Power Houses)
Cheer up sellers, homes in El Paso are still selling. What is the biggest factor in getting a home sold? Price. Yes price. I know that the neighbor does not have the fountain in back or the new 18 inch ceramic tile, but the buyer wants all your great stuff for the same price as the home down the street. I know this is frustrating, but buyers know they are in the drivers seat. After enjoying a crazy sellers market it is only fair that buyers have their day in the sun. So what can a seller do to help their home sell? Hire me! Okay, aside from that a seller can do a lot. For starters, the front of your house needs to look awesome. For those of you in newer communities where everything looks the same, find out what colors you can paint your home. If there is a two or three tone color scheme...
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By Roy A. Peterson, P.R.E.I.
(Domicile Analysis of Texas)
              Saturday morning as I was browsing through the internet on AR site, I received a call from my youngest son, he is eleven years old.  He call to ask me if I would like to go golfing with him, I said sure, I’ll pick you up in about fifteen minutes or so. We went to go practice on our swings and break in his new golf clubs he received for his birthday. We went to Lone Star Golf Club off 1510 Hawkins, El Paso’s finest public course, at the driving range. This is a beautiful golf course I enjoy playing here myself, the staff there are very friendly and the Sandtrap bar and grill has a good American / Mexican Menu. The food is here this very good. So if you get a chance to come out is way and like playing golf, this is the place to come and enjoy yourself. My son and I always ha...
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By Jese Gonzalez, The Real Estate Matchmaker
(The Real Estate Power Houses)
You've found a house you like, but want to offer a little less than the asking price. What is the best way to do it? How an offer is made has a lot to do with the outcome: * Sellers are more comfortable with an offer if they know the buyer is qualified and eager to close.* A buyer's agent can help. When the agent presents the offer in person, the seller can ask questions     that could lead to a favorable decision.* A real estate agent essentially does the same. Though a real estate agent is working for the seller, the sale is still a primary goal.* Always present your offer to the seller in person. Don't fax.* Some sellers don't want personal contact with buyers. If you use a buyer's agent, be sure the offer is presented in person to the listing real estate agent.* When a real estate a...
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By Jese Gonzalez, The Real Estate Matchmaker
(The Real Estate Power Houses)
One of the most misunderstood aspects of buying or selling real estate is the commission and how it works and to whom it goes. Although there is currently no standard for where the commission goes, traditionally, the way it was set up was that, of the total commission offered, the listing broker gets half and the buyer's broker gets the other half. For instance, with the traditional 7% commission, the listing broker would get 3.5% to split with the listing agent according to their agreement, and the buyer's broker would receive 3.5% to split with the buyer's agent according to their agreement as well. What we have come across with many other real estate agents and companies is that they may, for example, list a property for 7%, but then they will only offer 2.5% to the buyer's broker an...
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By Peter Hackett, The National Real Estate Network, HutHub.com
(HutHub Inc.)
**This is Part 2 of another blog I wrote: 10 Cities w/ Fastest Rising Homevalues....What Can We Learn? In my last blog, I commented on an article by Money Magazine that listed 10 cities with the fastest rising homevalues in the nation. I did some further research, and found something VERY interesting:  - only 2 of those 10 cities actually INCREASED in population between 2000 & 2007: McAllen,TX & El Paso, TX.....every other city on the list DECREASED in population between 2000 & 2007 (see here). - McAllen, TX had the HIGHEST 1yr home appreciation forecast of all 10 cities: 4% - El Paso, TX had the LOWEST 1yr home appreciation forecast of all 10 cities: 1.8%, but had the LARGEST 2007 population of any of those cities: 606,913  (which is more than 2x the population of the next largest cit...
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By Roy A. Peterson, P.R.E.I.
(Domicile Analysis of Texas)
Carlsbad Caverns is in the middle of nowhere, a desert-mountain region in New Mexico. Located in southwest USA about 151 miles west of El Paso, Texas, a 3 hour drive.  The deep down Big Room is the most popular attraction of Carlsbad Caverns. Its ceiling are as high as a 20 story building and the floor area is larger than a dozen football fields. Strategically positioned, hidden flood lights give this chamber an eerie other world appearance.Visitors who stay until dusk at Carlsbad Caverns enjoy an awesome treat. They get to see hundreds of thousands of nocturnal bats swarming out of the cave openings to feed on insects. This stunning sight occurs only during warm weather months. During the winter months the bats head south towards Mexico, making the best time to go to Carlsbad Caverns t...
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By Jese Gonzalez, The Real Estate Matchmaker
(The Real Estate Power Houses)
Ok, you thought buying your first home as a Single Homeowner was stressful, now you want to sell it. So where do you begin with all those thoughts running through your mind. When it's time to finally sell your largest investment, many sellers are filled with questions and doubt. For Singles this transition comes with a different set of thoughts; do I really need to move, it's just me?  Is it the right time to move? Will my home sell? Who can I trust to help me? With these questions in mind, I have created the following tips to help you take the steps to move forward. Yes "this" home has a special place in your heart but to sell, you now have to think of it as a "Property".  Of course, you are going to be emotional about your first home. How could you not, when there was so much exciteme...
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By Roy A. Peterson, P.R.E.I.
(Domicile Analysis of Texas)
                                                  Ascarate Park is a state park located in the lower valley of El Paso; I think the park was built around 1955. It is the largest public recreational park in the El Paso, County. The park has a Riverpark Trail, a golf course, Aquatic center and ponds for Fishing.  There are also areas for picnicking and playgrounds for the kids. There is a fee on the weekend to enter the park and free of charge on weekdays.  Its nice to walk around with the ducks, geese, and pigeons one can feed and with the low traffic its great to go bike riding. Some times I go there to take a little nap under the trees.         
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