February Market Update...

I hope this letter finds you well and enjoying 2014! We are off to a busy start with many new properties coming on the market as sellers want to take advantage of eager buyers. As a result

of the increase in inventory, it is very important to determine your homes position in the market. There are three elements which are very important to your homes placement; we call it the “3 P’s of selling”!

PRICE – By properly setting the price you will create value in the buyer’s mind and stay in front on the market by being more aggressive instead of chasing it down. Keep in mind that the market determines the value of every home and it all depends on what a buyer is willing to pay.

PACKAGING – This is the condition of your home and property. Take a tour of your home, look at it as a new buyer would, and fix or repair any problems you notice. However, keep in mind improvements made to the property should be done for enjoyment/maintenance, not resale, because the buyer cannot be expected to pay the original cost of your maintenance project. In accordance, maintenance preserves value, it does not create value. For instance if a new roof is needed, it was needed as a maintenance requirement and cannot be added to the market price of your home.

PROMOTION – Marketing is very important in order to secure buyers who not only want to tour your property but ultimately write an offer. You can count on Jose Medina & Associates to do our very best to market your property in as many venues as possible MyStarkCountyHome.com, Homes.com, HarmonHomes.com, Craigslist.com, Trulia.com, Yahoo Real Estate & Zillow.com. Your home is listed on numerous other websites and will often be advertised on the back cover of the Real Estate section of The Repository. As well as our new text lead system for your property.  Also check out the new and improved JoseSellsHomes.com. 

Ultimately, you as the seller are in control of 2 of the 3 factors determining the sale of your home.   Keep in mind that every home is in a pricing war and beauty contest with all other homes on the market. Let’s talk soon. 

-Jose Medina & Associates

Even a Duck knows the Importance of Prospecting...

Posted by The KCM Crew on January 23, 2014 in For Buyers, For Sellers

You can learn so much just by observing nature. Last year, Steve was staying at a fabulous hotel in southern California. He and his wife were having lunch at an outside table at the hotel restaurant. It was impossible not to notice the ducks that gathered around the tables at the restaurant looking for food. The birds would wait for the people to leave and then they would flock to the tables looking for crumbs that were dropped to the floor. There were dozens of birds fighting over the scraps left behind. Every duck did the same thing; except for one.

This duck was different. Instead of waiting for the couples to leave, this duck would wait only until the food was originally delivered. At the moment the staff delivered the food, the duck would race to the table and look up at the people who were about to eat. Surprisingly, every person immediately took something from their plate and fed it to this duck. They fed the duck BEFORE they began to eat.

This duck didn’t settle for scraps and leftovers. He ate the best food off the plate. This duck didn’t fight with dozens of others. He was alone when the customers fed him.

It was truly amazing.

It made us think about the difference in real estate agents. Some will list a house, put it on MLS and hope for the best. Others will represent a buyer by simply checking the MLS to see if a suitable house is available for sale. They are like many agents in the marketplace. They are waiting for something to happen. Just like all those other ducks.

Then there are agents who will take it upon themselves to make something happen. They will diligently search for the buyer of their new listing. They will knock door-to-door looking for the perfect house for their new client who is dreaming of a new home for their family. They are like that special duck. They are not waiting for the leftovers.

Bottom Line

In all of nature, some wait for things to happen and others make things happen.

 http://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/blog/

Our team feels very strongly about "making things happen" for our clients.  Here's an email we recently received about the diligent service provided by one of our buyer agents, Anita Reese...

Jose - Just wanted to drop you a line and let you know how helpful 

Anita Reece has been to us. She consistently had our best interests at heart -she really helped us find a safe place for our son and his family to start with. We will definitely be referring any of our friends who are looking for homes to her. 

Thank you,  Mila & Paul Facemire

We Got Mail...

Jose & Team,

We don't know for sure how we came to choose you as our Realtor for the sale of our home, except from your great ads that promote your successes, and a great interview in which you

came across as sincerely honest.  We interviewed three other Realtors and have never once regretted our decision.  We couldn't have asked or wanted more from you.  We will refer you whenever we have the opportunity.  We really appreciate you and your business philosophy!  We wish you continued success and thank you for all your efforts on our behalf in successfully selling our home. 


Sincerely, Floyd & Joan


Jose & Team,

Thank you for your annual holiday movie and celebration at the palace.  Our family has attended for several years and it has become one of our favorite traditions!  The kids especially love the cookies, popcorn & hot chocolate!  

Thanks again, The Tabellion family

What a Community...

It was WONDERFUL to see so many familiar faces (over 400) at our Sixth Annual Client Party at the Palace Theater! A sincere THANKS to all who came out to share some popcorn and a movie with us.  We hope your families enjoyed the yummy treats (baked by our own little elves) and the surprise guest of honor...Santa! 

 We loved seeing you all there and appreciate your continued support.

FREE MOVIE AND GREAT GIVEAWAYS!

We look forward to seeing you... 

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1ST 
THE CANTON PALACE THEATER - 2PM
(doors open at 1:30PM)

FREE viewing of ELF 

Great giveaways...

ipad mini, 2 Kindle Fire HD's, restaurant gift cards 
& a $200 gift certificate to Kalahari!

    (complimentary cookies, hot chocolate, and popcorn)

WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR OUR BEST YEAR YET, 
SO GRAB YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY ON DECEMBER 1ST 
AND WE'LL SEE YOU THERE!

*No RSVP required - Pass the invite along*

NOVEMBER MARKET UPDATE...

   You may be thinking that the coming of the holidays equates to a “slow” market. I’m sure you’ve pondered “Do we have any chance of selling our home in November, December or January?” “Should we just take our home off the market?” I hear this daily, so I want to address what is on a lot of seller’s minds. One thing you will find is the number of showings slows down over the next few months. The reason this will happen is that 1) there are less sales 2) the “lookers” are busy with other seasonal things 3) the buyers are more motivated and focused on what they want so they see fewer homes. Think about it, if someone is looking at homes in November, December, and January, they are typically motivated to buy! I would expect one showing every 2 weeks for most listings. (This can vary greatly based on area and pricing.)

The other key factor to consider is that there are fewer homes on the market during these months, which means LESS COMPETITION! Last month at this time there were 1,700 homes for sale in Stark County - currently there are about 1,500 homes for sale. The less motivated sellers take their home off the market and put it back on in the spring. They are missing the “motivated” buyers that we see buying in the next 90 days.  The same holds true for the next 90 days as it did for the spring and summer months, the homes that are priced aggressively, marketed properly and show the best, will sell. If any one of these three are out of line, you will not have a chance to sell in today’s market.  If you would like to discuss any of this, please feel free to call or email me. 

                                                                                               

Your Realtor,

                                                              Jose Medina

P.S.  Don’t forget about our Client Appreciation Party!  It is Sunday, December 1^st at the Canton Palace Theatre. It is a free viewing of “Elf”.  Doors open at 1:30 pm, the movie will start at 2pm. Please bring your kids, grandkids and neighbors… everyone is invited! No RSVP required.  Great giveaways!

Don't Miss Our 6th ANNUAL CLIENT CARE PARTY!

Mark your calendars and grab your family & friends! 

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1ST AT THE CANTON PALACE THEATER - 2PM

FREE viewing of ELF (complimentary cookies, hot chocolate, and popcorn served)

Great giveaways... ipad mini, 2 Kindle Fire HD's, restaurant gift cards 

& a $200 gift certificate to Kalahari!

WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR OUR BEST YEAR YET!
No RSVP Required