I’ve had an influx of emails from other local Realtors® lately asking why I use one service or another. First of all, I’m a very frugal person. Stay tuned for Monday’s post for more on that topic. I search high and low for the best resources to use on my site that will provide you, the visitor, with information that will aid you in your quest for understanding our market and finding not only the perfect property, but also the perfect deal.

I find that many real estate agents spend more time worrying about their PageRank and keywords than they do about aiding buyers and sellers in real estate transactions. No matter what business you’re in, don’t let Google take over. After all, the Google code of conduct is simply “Don’t be Evil.” Google may not be evil. After all, the corporate mission statement is “to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.” But not everyone plays by the rules, and certainly not everyone conducts business in an ethical way. And Google knows this, which is why the complex algorithms that Google employs are constantly updated and tweeked. The best site is not always the site with the best financial backing or the one that hired a firm for their Google placement.  In fact, most firms that claim to be able to improve your PageRank can’t and really have no intention of doing so.  Even those who are valid companies can only improve your rankings if you have a legitimate site, right?  It’s supposed to all be about content and often it is.  Corporations are learning how to trick Google in order to be placed higher in search results while Google in turn works to improve algorithms to compete these tricks.  It’s a constant battle, and the deeper into bed a company gets with Google, the less (I would guess) that Google would care even though that is a tad evil.  But they are, indeed, first and foremost, a mass-advertising company.  Spend a ton of money with Google and viola, better results for less work (albeit more money).  The image credit for the photo in this paragraph goes to Future Now.

So how does this relate to the emails I receive from other agents and the third-party services on my website?  Real estate is a maliciously competitive industry, especially in these times when agents need to actually work their asses off to make a buck.  Many agents spend countless hours optimizing their sites for Google and many spend thousands of dollars on services promising to do this for them.  The key to high placement in Google appears to be a great combination of keyword-dense articles and links pointing to the site, but Search Engine Optimization, or SEO, cannot be learned in one day and techniques are dynamically changing constantly.

Although this site officially launched as LiveAustinRealEstate.com early this past May, it is already climbing in popularity and Google, as well as my competition, as taken notice.  I have a large amount of agent traffic coming from various agent resource sites that I am active with.  Everyone likes to see what is on other agents’ websites to get ideas for how to improve on their own (naturally).

Here’s where Trulia comes in.  I use Trulia for both the resources on their website as well as for features on my own website.  First of all, Trulia provides me with listing RSS feeds which even our own national, state, and local board of Realtors® won’t do.  I’d love to feature listings from austinhomesearch.com or realtor.com, but the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) is stingy and won’t provide me with this tool.  Using Trulia’s RSS feed sends them traffic and creates links to their site from mine, thus boosting their apparent usefulness and popularity with Google and ranking them higher among your search results.  In addition to Trulia’s RSS feeds, I also use a free widget that displays a graph of home sales.  Although their statistics aren’t as accurate as those from NAR, the Austin Board of Realtors® (ABOR), or Texas A&M, these organizations do not provide me with a quick and easy way to get you, the consumer, the information.  I have a new system in the works, but have been unable to complete the project because my first priority in my business is my clients.  I have some incredible (but challenging) listings right now that need all the exposure that I can get them and I have buyers with some challenging goals and needs.

In addition to the services on my site, Trulia’s strategic methods to place high in a Google search make me want to promote my listings with them.  In fact, all of my listings are featured with Trulia among many other services.  They do a great job of helping me insure that my listings are found by buyers searching in Google and other search engines.

Like Trulia, RealBird has tools that help me run my business effectively and efficiently.  It saves me time by again, providing me with an RSS feed of my listings as well as great listing websites that I can create quickly and efficiently.  These tools allow me to spend my time with more activities, such as promoting my listings and their websites through various other services, my own website, and through my network.  To see what these site look like, visit my 2012 Cueva de Oro, Austin, Tx  78746 listing site.  Their templates are far superior to other sites and aside from that, they don’t charge me an arm and a leg for this service.  I receive so many solicitations for the “best” service out there for Realtors® you wouldn’t believe it.  They all just want a piece of my pocket, and like I said earlier, I’m frugal and spend each penny carefully.  I want the best return for my dollar because it’s the best return for my clients as well.

In addition to the RSS feeds and listing websites, RealBird offers several widgets and services.  One that I use is their map view of my listings.  I find this extremely useful for my website because it provides a quick overview of what I have to offer the consumer and they can quickly link to more information about these properties via my listing websites.

And there are others, like the Altos Research graph at the top of the sidebar, but Trulia and RealBird are the ones I am most frequently asked about.

Agents ask me why I link back to these services without using a “nofollow” tag.  I feel it is ethical to link back to a website providing me and my consumers with a service.  Sure, it may give them a higher Google ranking, but I feel they’ve earned it.  I’ve been working on some widgets myself, and you’d better believe that they will link back to my site for the work I put into coding them!  So many people feel that they should have something for nothing; a mentality that I believe is encouraged by the vast amount of free information to be gained on the internet.  I may be stubborn, but I’m sticking to my principles on this one.  If a site deserves it, I believe that it will have a consistent ranking earned through organic means.  Some site may be at the top now, but they won’t necessarily sustain that placement.  You have to earn your placement as well as the right to stay there.

And if I ever use anything of value from you or your website, you will get proper credit!

In my business I put my clients and prospective clients first.  That means marketing properties and delivering pertinent and useful information first.  I firmly believe that this mentality is what has me climbing the Google ladder and that it will keep me there as long as I work as hard as I do to keep my priorities in aliment with my future success.

My business is still referral-based and I plan on keeping it that way. When my business becomes Google-based, I’m letting Google run my business.  Google doesn’t know Austin Real Estate, just where to find information about it.  They don’t do the real work in my business I do.  It’s still about the services I provide, which includes but is not limited to optimizing listings for search engine placement.

Further Reading
Google, stop lying to us

Now have a great weekend!

Tags: aria, austin real estate, facts, info, real estate, technology, web 2.0 by Aria
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It’s quick and easy to find out! Visit Real Estate Financing or use this calculator!

Tags: austin real estate, finance, hot market, housing, info, loans, market, money, mortgage by Aria
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My Live Austin Real Estate Web Channel has been Updated!

You will always find it at: http://liveaustinrealestate.com/live

I’m always searching for great content and with my new MacBook, I’m looking into giving information about my listings on there as well. This is a brand new media and concept, is there anything you’d like to see? Do you have any great videos (YouTube counts) that you’d like to see added?

The feed should load below:

Tags: facts, green, green energy, hot market, housing, info, web 2.0 by Aria
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I’m at it with my numbers again! While I was logged into MLS to update my listings, I decided to do a quick search for the most expensive home sale for 2008 to date (as of 4/14/2008). With so much unfounded real estate panic floating around, wouldn’t the rich and famous be weary of making a home purchase right now? Of course not! Those in the know are taking full advantage of this buyer’s market before it turns. And at the rising rate of multiple offers that my office has seen this year, another seller’s market could be just around the corner. Of course, I still recommend buying if you need to move closer to work or find a larger home for your growing family, not as an investor unless you are really up for it. Like buying stocks, real estate goes up and down and it’s best to be in it for the long hall.

Anyway, the most expensive home sold so far this year was listed at $3,800,000 in Northwest Travis County. The sales price was under asking, but I don’t believe in revealing those details! This home was one of two homes to sell for over $3 million so far this year.

5 homes have sold for $2,000,000 to 2,999,999 and 37 have sold from $1,000,000 to $1,999,999 this year alone in the 4.5 months we’ve had so far.

According to my ABOR MLS search, 4858 homes total have sold so far this year by Austin’s Realtors.

Tags: austin real estate, buyers, economy, estates, hot market, housing, info, luxury, market, money, sales, seller, sellers, statistics by Aria
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Austin has been making national headlines lately, and good ones at that. While we hear that the real estate market nation-wide is in a slump, we also keep hearing that Austin’s economy is still strong (even if it is no longer booming). It should be no surprise, then that Austin topped Forbe’s list for big metros.

Check it out!

Of course, if one looks at economic growth in the country’s largest 100 metros, the usual suspects jump to the top of the list. With an estimated 32% GMP growth from 2007-2012, Austin, Texas, is the winner for big metros. Atlanta, Seattle, Orlando, Houston and San Jose, Calif., also appear high on the list. What do they all have in common? They’re tech hubs with proximity to universities and a healthy increase in population. Austin’s population, for example, is expected to increase by nearly 15% by 2012, according to Moody’s Economy.com forecasts.

Once again, Austinites, you live in one of the top cities in the nation. Austin is a great place to live, work, make movies, listen to music, and buy real estate!

Tags: austin, austin real estate, development, facts, hot market, housing, info, living, market, money, planning, real estate, statistics by Aria
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Don’t forget that there is more to vote for this year than a president! Politics aside, Texans over 65 years of age could use your support.

In the May election, there will be an amendment for your ballot to correct an error made previously in 2005 when property taxes were reduced by 1/3 for the 2006 and 2007 tax years (don’t forget, property values went up city-wide, so net taxes often went up). Don’t blame this on the elderly, who are the victims of the error attached to this bill.

The State caps property taxes for those who are age 65 or older, or who are disabled. They did not receive the same reduction that the rest of us received when the tax cut for schools passed in 2005.

Early voting will take place April 30 - May 5 from 7 am to 7 pm;
May 6 from noon to 6 pm and May 7 - May 8 from 7 am to 7 pm.

Tags: austin, austin real estate, estates, financial planing, homestead exemption, housing, info, money, planning, responsibility, retirement, savings, tax, voting by Aria
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• Price - This cannot be stressed enough. There are two easy-t0-understand reasons why your potential buyer pool can’t see past it. First, they may never even see your home. Buyers already have a top number in their head and if you’re priced over it (especially if you’re priced over your neighborhood), your home simply won’t come up in searches. But let’s say, for the sake of my second point, that your home does come up in their search or their Realtor knows to look just a little over their price range to make offers. They take a look at your home with high expectations and are left disappointed asking “isn’t the house down the street the same price and it has xxxx?” Unfortunately, you are not the best judge of your home’s value. Although you have many reasons for selling it now, you have a high opinion of it. It was your pick, it’s been your home, it’s great for all these reasons! We know, but your competition is sitting much better if they hit the price on the nose. They are more likely to get a full-price offer and to sell their home for more. Buyers want to feel like they are getting a great value.
• Overpricing - If your home is overpriced, it will sit on the market longer and you will lose the interest of those who don’t want to get into heavy negotiations, make an offer than may be insulting, and who can find a comparable home elsewhere.
• Underpricing - This far less-common pricing mistake obviously leaves you netting less on the sale of your home and may also leave buyers wondering what’s wrong with your home that doesn’t meet the eye.
  
• Laziness - Now I don’t want to just call my sellers lazy, but you must be willing to take care of the things that make your house ready for buyers to move in or they’ll move on to the one that is. Far fewer buyers are looking for fixer-upers than you think. Sure, HGTV is inspiring, but those looking to live their own episode of “Flip This House” are looking for an under priced home to invest in. Unless your price really reflects it, don’t try to sell “As Is”. If you do, be prepared to have your house sit on the market while the neighboring listings sell. Your house needs to look it’s absolute best; as close to a magazine photo as possible. This means getting help, packing up your books, photos, personal items, and being prepared to return your house to “magazine shape” each morning before you leave. Sure, it’s a hassle, but you are extremely likely to be inconvenienced for a far shorter listing period when your house impresses well beyond the neighbors. Again, it goes back to value.
  
• Clean - I don’t mean the kind of clean you do to get ready for a party or the in-laws. If you’re not an expert house cleaner, I recommend hiring one if at all possible. It’s a psychological thing. Buyers are much more likely to buy an immaculate house stripped of any evidence of previous residents. My sellers always want to argue this with me saying “I had no problem looking past the messes,” but it’s a proven fact with hard evidence. If you are serious about selling your home, it needs to be seriously clean. That means every nook and cranny, organized cabinets, clear counters, clean baseboards, clean doors, clean corners. If it sounds like too much for you, consider investing in a cleaning service for 2-4 times a week. Your house should sell more quickly and you will have time for other things (like getting ready for your new home!). Again, buyers are looking at the value of your house compared to the competition.
• Staging - Staging is even more important in these days of trendy design shows on so many channels these days. With so much information available with a click, buyers are seeing perfectly decorated homes that are becoming the standard. Before you list, your home represents who you are. When you list, your home need to represent trends and why buyers want. The two are never the same. Your house may be decorated beautifully, but neutralizing and updating just a few things while getting rid of the clutter (less is truly more value) will make your home appeal to more buyers. Many Realtors, myself included, now offer a professional staging consultation as a part of the listing package. This is money well-spent for us because it is the objective opinion of a specialized professional who have great ideas on how to get that “magazine finish” in your house. A beautifully staged house makes people want the image that comes with your house. This adds value to your house and that will put you ahead of other competing listings.
  
• “For Sale by Owner” - On the surface, many believe they can sell their house for the same about of money as a Realtor without paying any commissions, especially when they are in a high-traffic area. In these situations when I am asked my opinion, I give the facts and say “Give it x amount of time and then call me.” According to the National Association of Realtors, sellers who list with a Realtor make 16% more on the sale of their home — easily covering commissions. Here’s why… the house has been your home, filled with memories, projects, and things you cherish. Hiring an objective outsider gives you insight that no one can come up with themselves. In face, even when selling my own home, I get the help of my colleagues. Even with all of my knowledge of what makes a house show to sell, on how to price a home, and staging, even a home I’ve lived in for a couple of years as an investment is too personal to me for a truly objective analysis. And many do-it-themselves sellers skip over a major part of the process in their reasoning and are ill-equip to deal with the contracts and negotiations needed to get the transaction to the closing table. Not to mention the lack of safety of inviting strangers off the street into your home, many of whom have not been pre-qualified and screened by a Realtor. I feel your pain, but after trying to sell my house myself before I became a licensed Realtor, I can truly appreciate the value in a hired professional. I tried it both ways, and in the end the trick is to hire someone who will stick with you and not bolt after signing a listing agreement and placing the property in MLS. It is the list-and-run agents who tarnish the reputations of true professionals who provide a highly valuable service.
• Picking the Wrong Agent - This leads me very nicely into my next point. Do your research after getting recommendations. Everyone gets the nice cards in the mail and an offer of a free market analysis, but who can follow through? With thousands of Realtors to choose from in the Austin area, you have the opportunity to be selective and find someone who meshes well with your personality and needs. You need someone knowledgeable in Austin and your specific area who is passionate about their career. An agent with passion will keep up with all of the market news and fluctuations and keep you as in the loop as you would like to be. Don’t be afraid to interview agents to find the right fit.
• At Home During Showings - Make your potential buyers feel at home by getting out of the house. Take a walk if you have warning as this is also a great opportunity to get pets out of the house for your showing. If you have a surprise showing or an appointment that arrives early, ask as if you were headed out for a walk anyway and act as though you are also a guest in your newly staged home. Be ready to show your best patience during your listing period because your flexibility is key. Make your home available to those who would like to see it. Of course, this ties in to the earlier point of hiring a professional to list your home. Buyers will be accompanied by trained professionals if not your agent who is watching your home and your belongings. Don’t limit access to your home if you can help it, and get out so buyers feel comfortable in making it feel like home to them.

Tags: austin real estate, info, market, seller by Aria
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