Waco Real Estate

Home Selling Video

2011-02-04T06:24:00.000-08:00

Heart of Texas Chapter - Women's Council of Realtors Innaugural Installation

2011-02-04T06:08:00.000-08:00

What a momentous day it was when we were finally installed yesterday, January 25, 2011. It has been 9 years since a new chapter has formed with the Women's Council of Realtors and, as the Heart of Texas Chapter we are proud to be Charter members and a brand new chapter.

Congratulations to all of the 2011 Line Officers - Cristi McGowan - President, Malisa Spivey - President Elect, Ann Cordes - Vice President of Membership, Vicki Gonzales - Secretary, and Cindy Gant - Treasurer.

(From the top left to right - Cristi McGowan, Malisa Spivey, Cindy Gant, Ann Cordes, Vicki Gonzales)

It was a lot of time and hard work to get to this day and at times we wondered if it was worth all the effort we were putting forth, but I can tell you, I am so glad we preserved and stuck with it. Yesterday was the greatest day, we had Travis Kessler, CEO of TAR as our speaker, and what an amazing speech he gave, but after that the floor was opened and, to our amazement, we had the most wonderful outpouring of love when our sister chapters came forth with donations from their home chapters to help us have a successful start.

The house was packed with over 100 people in attendance. We had dignitaries from all over the state Texas including Sharon Eddings, Texas State Chapter President, VaLois Hounsel, Texas State President-Elect, Sylvia Seabolt, Texas State Treasurer, two of our Texas State Governors, Sharon Morton, & Lois Malone and two of our District Vice Presidents, Karen Carlton, & Gayle Loyd. A most loving thank you to the above and all of the members from each chapter who came to our installation.

It is my personal opinion, but I think that our fellow Waco Realtors and Affiliates realized not only from the start with the tremendous turnout but also with the generosity of our sister chapters that this was no small organization, and this is bigger than they thought. We have high aspirations for our Chapter and we need the support of everyone, so hopefully yesterday was a testimony that won't be quickly forgotten.

Women's Council of Realtors is a Network of successful Realtors empowering women to exercise their potential as entrepreneurs and industry leaders. Their mission statement says it all. Without the help and love of special people from our sister chapters we would have never been able to pull this day off.
The Heart of Texas Chapter Mission Statement - That Realtors of diverse backgrounds and affiliations feel personally welcomed, as a valuable part of the larger WCR family. We invite everyone in Waco and surrounding areas to become a part of our family and we are so excited to watch this chapter grow and unite as a loving and supportive family.
I am so excited grow/learn professionally and personally, also to help other achieve their goals and dreams. Thank you so much for such a wonderful opportunity and all of the friendships that I have acquired through my initial journey into the Women's Council of Realtors.

Women's Council of Realtors Rock and for you Realtors who have no idea how much fun it can be I encourage you to attend TAR's Winter meeting on Friday, February 11th, and come to WCR's Under the Big Top Dinner. Proceeds from the nights event goes back to your home boards and support TREPAC. Come be a part of our family!

Home Buying Guide

2010-07-12T10:40:00.000-07:00

Innovative Realty Group, Damon Crelia & Malisa Spivey at The Executive Real Estate Center were Awarded The Prestigious 'Real Estate Online Marketing A

2009-09-08T13:33:00.000-07:00

Waco, TX, September 4, 2009, Nationally renowned real estate marketing and technology speaker and REALTOR.com® Vice President, Max Pigman, has presented to Damon Crelia & Malisa Spivey of the Innovative Realty Group the prestigious “Real Estate Online Marketing Award of Excellence.” The Award of Excellence recognizes a very select group of top real estate agents who consistently provide outstanding marketing services on behalf of their buyers and sellers.Maximizing marketing exposure for a seller is critical in today’s market: the combination of the Damon Crelia & Malisa Spivey’s outstanding customer service, and the Highly-Touted Seller Marketing System, and premium REALTOR.com® marketing services such as Showcase Listing, are just a few of the many ways the Innovative Realty Group is leveraging recent trends in home buyer online behavior to his clients’ benefit.“There are but a select number of real estate agents who distinguish themselves from other agents by doing more for their sellers and buyers – and Damon Crelia & Malisa Spivey are two of them. In particular, when the Innovative Realty Group lists a home, they market it on well trafficked sites such as the #1 ranked real estate site REALTOR.com®, plus other high-trafficked Internet sites

including Trulia.com, Zillow.com, Yahoo! Real Estate, MSN.com and many others. Even simple efforts like having more photos displayed, crafting better property and area descriptions, or adding a full motion video, can make a home stand out from competing properties,” says Max Pigman, Vice President of REALTOR.com® - and Damon & Malisa go the extra mile in marketing their properties.The marketing excellence award was presented to Damon Crelia & Malisa Spivey at a recent real estate marketing and technology seminar that demonstrated cutting edge techniques for leveraging the Internet and technology in real estate marketing.Malisa says, “Our clients appreciate how we bring more attention to the unique selling attributes of their home and ultimately help attract more qualified buyers. Buyers are also appreciative of a well presented home that has a better description, and more photos, which allows them more ways to learn about the property before arranging an appointment. We feel it is important to be the source of information. While it’s certainly an honor to receive this award, we believe it is a disservice not to make an aggressive Internet marketing part of the standard home marketing plan.”“The extra steps agents like Damon Crelia & Malisa Spivey are taking on behalf of their clients is the reason we thought it worthwhile to call out the effort we have seen these agents make online and to recognize them for providing these added value services,” says Mr. Pigman.To find out more about the Innovative Realty Groups award-winning marketing system, contact Damon or Malisa at (254) 638-0898 or via email at team@MoveWithIRG.com, or visit their website @ http://www.movewithirg.com/

Foreclosures for week of 6.8.2009

2009-06-08T05:47:00.000-07:00

Here are the foreclosure listings for the week. I am currently working on the numbers for the month of May and will publish those as soon as they are done. I know of a great deal in Hewitt for 99, 500 - 3 bedroom, 2 bath with approx 1400 sq. ft. it is on 144 Topaz. It was reduced from the 145,500 and is a short sale. This one will go fast, so if you interested get a hold of us, we will help you. Call us at (254) 638-0898.

6.8.2009 reo.xls

Week of 6.1.2009 Foreclosure Listings

2009-06-01T04:51:00.000-07:00

Well another month has passed in 2009. June is already here, that mean that there is 6 months left to take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit for first time homeowners or homeowners who haven't owned a home in the last three years. You can now apply to use the $8,000 as part of your down payment or closing costs. Take advantage of your current opportunities. Below is the list of weekly foreclosures.

6.1.2009 reo.xls

Week of 5.25.2009 Foreclosures

2009-05-26T04:36:00.000-07:00

Hope everyone had a great Memorial Day Weekend! I was a beautiful day. It appears that our foreclosure listings haven't been increasing and they have been selling fairly quick. Everyone wants that great deal. Remember sellers are ready to deal with buyers also, so give it a try, don't limit your options.

As ususal if you have any questions or you want more information regarding a property listed below, please do not hesitate to contact us.

5.25.09 reo.xls
This information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

5.18.2009 Foreclosures

2009-05-19T10:37:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for a great deal, here are some foreclosures that may peak your interest. If you see anything that you like or want more information on, please do not hesitate to contact us. You can also go to realtor.com and type in the mls to try to see some pictures of the listings. Have a great and prosperous week!

5.18.2009 reo.xls

Waco, McLennan County Market Reports

2009-05-11T05:53:00.001-07:00

www.mymarketreports.com The latest reports with April numbers are out. If you are curious as to what your area is doing and you live in the McLennan County area, please visit www.mymarketreports.com to view the latest numbers. If you would like a more detailed report to your street, please contact us and we would be happy to provide you one free of charge.
Our mission is to the be the source of the information. As always it is a pleasure working for you and keeping you up-to-date on the market happenings.
The Innovative Realty Group strives to keep ahead of the market trends and the industry, your opinion counts, so please take a moment to take this short survey http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=iu4cIc9wEikylMwrKWpFwg_3d_3d
Have a happy, safe and wonderful week.

2009-05-04T04:19:00.000-07:00

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. We accomplished a lot around the house with the beautiful weather. Heres to a wonderful week ahead. Below you will find the latest and greatest of foreclosures this week. As always, if we can help you with anything, please do not hesitate to contact us. Help is free and we never bug you. Our philosophy is that - you want information, we want to provide it, so, when you do need our services you'll remember us.

http://activerain.com/blogsview/1061430/Week-of-May-4th-Foreclosures

Has your home Expired? Consumers your opinion is needed!

2009-05-01T06:26:00.000-07:00

Expired? Yes, reached the end of its contractual obligation to be listed on the MLS and with the listing Realtor. On an average most Realtors will list your home for 6 months or at least the length of time that is equal to or greater than the average days on market (average number of days that it has taken to sell homes similar to yours in your neighborhood).

Couple of questions. Did you interview the Realtor you hired to sell your home? What kind of questions did you ask? Would you ask different questions now that your home has expired? Are you going to let the same Realtor re list your home? What was their marketing plan? How did you arrive at the list price? (see overprice properties blog) What were their average days on market for the homes that they have listed?

Selling a home is not as easy as putting a sign in the yard and hoping and praying that it sells. The same old same old that has been done is nearing its end. Realtors are having to step up to the plate and realize that you can't just put a sign in the yard and wait for a buyer. You need to be an expert in the area, your industry and proficient in technology.

Before you re list your home with the same Realtor that failed to sell it the first time maybe you should consider interviewing other Realtors for the position. Just because a Realtor agrees to list your home doesn't mean that it is in your best interest. Check the facts and rely on the numbers and ask lots of questions. If you are curious as to how your specific area is doing in the market go to http://www.mymarketreports.com/. All this information is free of charge and you can look at without having to give any information.

We are striving to make a paradigm shift, we understand that consumers have a wealth of information at their fingertips and we want to help you get this information. Help us improve our industry by taking this short survey (less than 5 minutes, I promise).
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=iu4cIc9wEikylMwrKWpFwg_3d_3d

Explanation Please....

2009-04-30T08:22:00.000-07:00

How many times have you just signed a contract without reading it or going over the entire agreement? I know I have many of times. Although, in Real Estate, whether you represent the seller or the buyer, it is so important to go over these fine details with the clients. No you are not a layer and no you cannot interpret the language of the contract but you can go over with them and if they have questions that you can not answer they can contact their lawyer. So many times I have spoke with clients that said they didn't know what they signed, they just signed. I know that clients aren't going to remember everything they sign, but they should be able to recall that you took a significant amount of time going over the contract, and all the addendum's explaining what each one meant to them, and they will remember the jist of things.
According to Article 9 - Standard of Practice 9-2
When assisting or enabling a client or customer in establishing a contractual relationship (e.g.,
listing and representation agreements, purchase agreements, leases, etc.) electronically,
REALTORS® shall make reasonable efforts to explain the nature and disclose the specific terms of
the contractual relationship being established prior to it being agreed to by a contracting party.
(Adopted 1/07)
Understand it is time consuming but so worth it in the end and it is our duty.

1st Qtr. 2009 Market Statistics for Greater Waco

2009-04-29T14:04:00.000-07:00

Ok, we have just finished compiling the numbers for the first quarter of 2009. As I have been preaching all along, 2007 was such an inflated market that the market needed to readjust itself and that it did, but on a whole we are still under the national average for the decrease in the average sales price of a home. Just based on the 1st quarter of 2009, we are down approximately 8% from our very best year in 2007, and if you base it from last year we are only down approximately 4%. You could also look at the numbers in a positive way, if you compare 2008 to 2007 we droped by approximately 5% and comparing the first quareter of 2009 to 2008 we only dropped 4% in the average sales price of a home compared to 2007- 2008. There are some great deals out there to be had, but I predict that the market will be making a shift here very soon and buyers beware......it will become a sellers market. Sellers will soon take advantage of the interest rates themselves and make up for the low selling prices. Interst rates are at an all time low and if you are in the market to buy you had better do so soon, you have all the reasons in the world to buy now, 8,000 tax credit until 12/2009, low interest rates, and some good home prices compared to recent years.

If you would like more information that is updated monthly , please visit www.mymarketreports.com.

These numbers are deemed accurate but not reliable. These numbers are based on Residential sales only

A Reverse Offer

2009-04-29T14:01:00.000-07:00

Do you have a fantastic listing, gorgeous inside and out, with countless upgrades, lots of showings but no offers! Sound familiar? When Real Estate gets tough, we have to get innovative. Non-traditional marketing and pro-active methods become necessary. exactly what the Innovative Realty Group does. Waco is not a tough Real Estate market, but when you have a fairly specific property and don't have traditional buyer's looking at it, it's definitely a challenge!
Recently, a video from 60 Minutes, 20/20 or Dateline show aired about what Real Estate agents and seller's are doing to get homes sold in hard hit areas. The video was about a family in California who couldn't sell their home, since everyone else in the area is trying to do the same thing. They were priced well, had lots of showings but no offers. So their agent suggested they do a "Reverse Offer." In the video, the hopeful sellers had a family come through for a second showing. Normally this is a sign that an offer is about to be made, but the potential buyer's were also viewing a home down the street for the second time. Being innovative and pro-active, their agent suggested they make a reverse offer. This is where the sellers actually make an offer to the potential buyers!

Probably not something you should do every time you list a home and get a showing. I know your thinking, sounds a little desperate. Well if you a seller needs to sell a home, aren't they a little desperate anyways?

Real Estate is not the same as it was 20 or 10 years ago and we need to keep the innovative ideas flowing, why must we play the same old game of lets list the price high so we can haggle down to what we will really accept, (frustrating everyone), why not just give your best offer to someone who may be interested to see what could happen, your not out anything. Is this a desperate attempt to sell a house? No, its a pro-active measure to get your clients home sold, and that is a Realtor's job.

A reverse offer is to encourage a serious buyer to get off the fence and do something. Sometimes people just need a little push!

Overpriced Listings - Stagnant Properties

2009-04-29T07:33:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered why there are so many properties on the market that have been listed forever? Have you ever thought, I know it is because they want to much for that property?

Did you know that we as Realtors have a code of ethics and standards of practice and within those we have duties to the public and other Realtors? Probably not.

I know this is a controversial subject but that is alright, we take our profession serious and wouldn't hold anyone to a standard that we ourselves wouldn't practice.

Today I want to talk about overpriced listings. Yes, we have all seen them and I am sure at times when we first started in the business we might have taken one unknowingly. Overpriced listings hurt our market, increase our days on market, and give the perception of a bad market. There are many reasons that a house may be overpriced, (ex. the owner needs to pay off bills, they want money for their next purchase, they bought too high, they financed all of their closing costs and have lived in the home for a short time, it's their house and they feel it is worth it) but the fact is, when your house is overpriced it becomes stagnant on the market and people begin to wonder what is wrong with it.

Really people should wonder what is wrong with the Realtor for listing that house. We are the professionals and as professionals we should know what the house is worth. Again, several reasons why a Realtor may have listed that house, but a big one is, self promotion and sign calls. Yes we know your house is overpriced but that is ok, we will get calls off of the sign and refer these ready willing and able buyers to another home that isn't, or we will let you suffer for a while and then get you to drop the price. My question is....if we are professionals who do this for a living day in and day out what sense does it make to take an overpriced listing? Wouldn't it make much more sense to have properties priced right on the market that sell quicker with less hageling because the general public can trust that we as Realtors have priced the property in line with what the market is doing? If not,the owner is only going to dislike you after months of it not selling, you decrease your credibility as a professional, you spend money on advertising something you know isn't going to sell (or do you advertise it), and above all those you have just violated

Article 1 - Duties to Clients and Customers - SOP 1-3

When representing a buyer, seller, landlord, tenant, or other client as an agent, REALTORS® pledge themselves to protect and promote the interests of their client. This obligation to the client is primary, but it does not relieve REALTORS® of their obligation to treat all parties honestly. When serving a buyer, seller, landlord, tenant or other party in a non-agency capacity, REALTORS® remain obligated to treat all parties honestly. (Amended 1/01)

Standard of Practice 1-3
REALTORS®, in attempting to secure a listing, shall not deliberately mislead the owner as to market value.

I know you are saying "I am not deliberatley miselading the owner", and I am sure your not. All I am saying is that if our duty is to the client, why would we mislead them in thinking that they can get something for their house that you yourself know they can't. Think this is crazy? Look at some houses that have been on the market for a long period of time and look at the price reductions or expired listings.

Example - Waco Association of Realtors MLS - *This information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. (these numbers are strictly residential)

as of 4/29/2009 -

Active Listings 1384
Sold Year to Date 515 (divided by 4 months = 137 per month)
Months of Inventory 10.10
(this means if we listed nothing else from this day forward it would take us 10 months to sell the inventory we have based on the average numbers of homes sold per month from 1/1/09 to today)
Average Days on Market 157

How many properties have been on the market past the average? 515 listed for more than 160 days (3 days more than what the average days on market is)

If we take the number of properties listed over 160 days (our average number of days to sale) out of the active listings (1384 - 515) that would decrease our Months of Inventory to 6.34 months.

Who really is in control of our market? Is your sign in that yard helping the client? Remember we have duties to the public and other Realtors.