March 2018 Executive Times

Executive Times March 2018

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Birthday Heddy Humcke Mark Mundt Karen Berger Frank Ferlindes Kim Schedler Jodie Perzacki Diane Alexander Heather Steiner John Plavsic Gene Anderson Marc Pehowski Tonya Thomsen Laura Glosemeyer

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Anniversary Karen Berger Emily Hangartner David Herrington Vadim Ruzell Tyler Layne Josh Prostek Michael Allen Yvonne Caby Brittany Siller Miranda Zuege Chuck Kinzel Neil Miyashita Larry Giorgi James Perzacki Peter Sylvester

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Lake Country Mastermind March 7 th | 9:15am - 10:15am Milwaukee Street Traders

Brookfield Mastermind

March 14 th | 9:30am - 11:00am Brookfield Lower Level Conference Room

Franklin Friday

March 16 th | 12:00pm - 1:30pm Franklin Office Workroom

How to be a Kick _ _ _ Buyer’s Agent March 21 st | 10:00am - 11:30am Brookfield Lower Level Training Center

North Shore Mastermind

March 27 th | 9:00am - 10:00am Northshore Office Conference Room

ET March | 2

What is Your Online Reputation?

Personal branding in your business is encouraged and nurtured at Realty Executives Integrity. The story of our company is comprised of the stories of our Sales Executives, which is why YOUR story matters.

That’s why we emphasize the importance of showcasing positive interactions between You and Your Clients, to build a masterpiece of who we are as an organization.

In today’s world of social media posting and global information sharing happening with a simple click, maintaining a positive image online has presented itself as another challenge to Realtors® which can seem like a full-time job at times.

The internet, unlike print advertising, does not have a shelf life and once information is on the web it can remain there for all time. Have you ever Googled yourself? I bet you’d be surprised at what pops up or maybe surprised at what doesn’t show up at all.

More than ever, consumers treat word of mouth advertising and random opinions found on the internet as gospel. This information is easy to obtain and provides uncensored opinions at our fingertips. For a society that thrives on instant gratification and quick response times, this information can extremely beneficial, or harmful to your business, depending upon how well it is managed.

At Realty Executives Integrity, we are fully invested in growing your business and finding solutions that streamline and develop sales opportunities. Beginning in March, we will provide you with another incredible tool that makes the process simple and automatic. As an incredible benefit to all our Sales Executives, each of you will be given Testimonial Tree, which will ROCK your social media presence and enhance your business. Your Leadership Team is thrilled to make this gift available to you, and thought it prudent to highlight some key features of this platform.

First, what exactly is Testimonial Tree? Testimonial Tree is an online reputation management solution geared towards growing your business through happy customers. The software is unique in that is only allows 4 and 5 stars reviews to seamlessly post to the selected outlets of your choosing (i.e. your personal website, Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, Google +app, etc.). Any reviews 3 stars or lower are collected; where you will have the opportunity to reach out to the client for follow up, but it does not display online.

Beginning this month, you’ll have the opportunity to learn how to put this platform to work for your business and continue to build a positive online presence that will attract clients to the services you provide. A client testimonial is the strongest asset you have online, make sure it’s the best reflection of you as a professional and an individual.

Throughout the month of March, look for information to be sent to you with steps on getting started. You will have training opportunities via webinars with Testimonial Tree and hands on training sessions with your office CME. We are thrilled to be able to bring you another opportunity to enhance your business.

With Cheer, Dana Keegan

2017 MARKET LEADER

BROKERAGE OF THE MONTH APRIL 2017

2016 EXTRAORDINARY BROKERAGE

Powered by ExpertsTM

ET March | 4

Market Trends, and Your Big Opportunity in 2018

As a student of history and the markets, I believe the real estate industry is the healthiest it’s been in more than three decades. Although sales and home prices are close to where they were before the housing boom, there’s more economic stability.

Overall, I expect the housing market to remain solid, led by a slight uptick in sales, the national economy and interest rates, and a small decrease in first-time buyers. Millennials, many of whom are feeling the pinch of student loan debt and relatively low wages, may find it difficult to purchase a home.

Many areas may be experiencing a slight squeeze on inventory; however, the speed of the market is good, which acts as a stabilizing force. With the economy expected to grow 2.7 percent by the end of the year and interest rates ticking up slightly, I anticipate that we’ll continue to enjoy a healthy housing market in the year ahead.

How does this translate for the average real estate professional? Here are three timeless strategies for success, regardless of the market: 1. Invest in your relationships. Agents are spending a staggering amount of money on purchasing leads when their best leads are already in their databases. When you invest time into your relationships, you get it back in the form of referrals. Connect with past and current clients over the phone, with a personal note or even a monthly marketing flyer.

2. Stand out with service. If you want to be great in business, become a great servant. It’s the small things— the unexpected extras—that help you stand out. After you’ve spoken with a client on the phone, follow up with a handwritten note. Show your favorite clients that you’re thinking of them by delivering a small, thoughtful gift to their home or office. People will be touched that you took the time to think of them, which will set you apart.

3. Sharpen your skills. While sales skills are important, there’s more to a transaction than listing a home and negotiating on a client’s behalf. A true professional also has skills pertaining to listening, understanding and relating to clients, as well as business skills that help them generate leads and create a lasting business. When you take the time to develop your skills, you can serve your clients at a higher level and become the true real estate professional your market needs.

How can you boost your skills this year? Go to real estate-focused events and network with other highachieving professionals. Also, focus on lead generation and continue to build relationships with the people in your database.

To reach your financial goals, it’s important to generate at least 40 percent of your leads within the first quarter. While that may sound intimidating, it’s not impossible. In fact, we’ve developed a program comprised of three productivity sprints throughout the year to help agents generate a large number of leads within a short amount of time by just leaning into relationships.

The American housing market will continue to thrive this year. Take the time to foster your relationships, deliver great service and sharpen your skills and you will build a strong business in the process.

Article written by Brian Buffini for RISMedia Real Estate magazine

EXECUTIVE

OPINIONS

ET March | 5

“What unexpected extra(s) do you do for

your clients that has a big return?”

“

I’ve done a number of unexpected extras for my clients over the past couple of years.

Recently, I installed a new garbage disposal, changed out smoke alarms, and took a carload of things that wouldn’t fit into the moving truck to a new house. I take pride in trying to go above and beyond for my clients. Generally, these small things don’t take much time, but it let’s them know I really care about them and would do whatever is necessary to help them through the process. It’s been helpful for me getting client loyalty and referrals. For me, it’s the little extras that help me the most in building my business.”

Erick Belus | Lake Country Office

“

My best response is to rely with what my past clients have told me. These comments have then turned into these same clients passing along my name to Parents, Children, Relatives or Friends to help them sell or buy a home. My clients have said the following extras made the different in their Real Estate transaction: - Explain either the selling or buying process thoroughly up front.

- Quick response and follow-up.

- Clear and accurate communication.

- They felt that I cared and did what was best for them.

- Appreciated the honesty and felt I was a person they could trust.

In summary, I take a very common sense approach to how I treat people and it has really helped my Real Estate career.”

Dave Krebs | Lake Country Office

“

I think the one thing I do a little differently is I’m pretty good at judging someone’s pace and slow down or speed up to match it. By that I mean, if I have a buyer who is looking for a 3 bedroom, 2 bath house in Waukesha for $130,000 (even though they’re pre approved up to $180,000) I know they aren’t going to find it. But I will go out with them a couple of times so that they come to that realization on their own with a little nudging. Likewise, if I have a seller who wants to sell but is a bit reticent for one reason or another, I let them come to the conclusion that it’s time with the help of a little information. It may take a bit longer for each but I don’t want them to feel like they were pressured by a pushy salesperson. By asking leading questions and letting them answer, they usually come to the correct decision.”

Pat Wunderlich | Brookfield Office

“

Unexpected extras that I do for clients that has a big return? I’ve done many things throughout my career ranging from picking up and delivering earnest money for my buyers after we get an accepted offer to bringing along my bolt cutters to remove old abandoned lock boxes from properties. Being accommodating for my clients is what they appreciate the most, from a pre-signing at Children’s Hospital right after a baby delivery for one of my clients, to bringing along a duffle bag with a change of clothes to closing in order to help other clients unload their moving truck into their new home because closing got delayed a couple of days due to seller issues. Being in the know and helping people out has been very rewarding with referrals. Might be a little overkill what I do sometimes but it has it’s benefits down the road! Keep people happy and they will keep you happy!”

Bob Starchevich | Brookfield Office

IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU!

ET March | 6

SPRING CLEANING: HIGH TECH VS. THE OLD FASHIONED WAY A good old-fashioned spring cleaning does the home, and the homeowner, good.

Some spring cleaning tasks tackled “the old-fashioned way” bring tried and true results. While other chores have a modern day, high-tech upgrade that can make your life easier. Keep reading for more options to help you accomplish some of the most popular spring cleaning tasks.

Vacuuming and Cleaning There’s no escaping the need for vacuuming and general cleaning year-round. But spring cleaning is the time to get to hard-to-reach places and give your floors a refreshing, deeper clean.

Old-Fashioned The old-fashioned way to vacuum and clean the floors is, well, to just do it. It sounds simple enough, but it can take a lot of effort.

Get out your vacuum with all of its extensions along with your floor cleaner of choice, whether that’s a combination sweeper/duster, a mop, or a bucket and a rag, and roll up your sleeves. The trick is to get all the nooks and crannies that easily get overlooked during regular cleanings by removing obstacles in your path. Those areas behind the couch, in between counters, and under all the beds will benefit from an old-fashioned cleaning.

High Tech While an old-fashioned vacuum you’ve had on hand for years might be perfectly sufficient, our high tech age brings many cleaning appliance options to help make things easier. Taking advantage of vacuums and cleaners that make Judy Jetson’s set-up a reality can be a smart choice for busy people.

Consider vacuums that are easy to maneuver, have different floor settings, various add-ons and extensions for electric dusting, steaming, and cleaning, all while vacuuming up debris with a high-powered motor.

Some of the most high-tech vacuums emit a UV light that will kill bacteria and other germs on your floor. If that wasn’t high tech enough, there are also robotic vacuums and robotic mops that will vacuum and clean the floors for you. Homeowners can plan to put in less effort for routine cleaning as many of these robotic appliances can be set on a timer to go through your home and do the daily dirty work.

Outside With all the cleaning and organizing happening inside year-round, many homeowners find the outside of their home deserves a lot of attention when it comes time for spring cleaning.

Old-Fashioned Some outdoor tasks to do the old-fashioned way include: raking leaves, replacing your welcome mat, wiping down the garage door, and changing the outdoor light bulbs, just to name a few.

High Tech Landscapers can make your yard and garden look ready for spring after a hard winter. Investing in professional services or in high-tech lawn tools and appliances may be worthwhile for those looking to make the whole process easier and quicker.

Power washers can help clean your porch or your deck to get rid of deep stains and crud that’s built up over the year. Window cleaning can be made easier with a high-tech window cleaning robots, similar to the vacuum robots we mentioned earlier.

Article written by Elliot Walsh for Realty Executives International, to read more go to www.realtyexecutives.com

ET March | 7

Welcome New Executives!

Please Welcome Martha Luna to the East Troy Office. Martha can be reached at (262) 215-3865 or

Please Welcome Katya Voina to the North Shore Office. Katya can be reached at (414) 403-9265 or

Please Welcome Noah Kurz to the Cedarburg Office. Noah can be reached at (414) 350-2295 or

MarthaLuna@RealtyExecutives.com

KatyaVoina@RealtyExecutives.com

NoahKurz@RealtyExecutives.com

Do you know someone who would make a great Executive?

Let our Professional Development Team know!

MakeYourMove@RealtyExecutives.com

h t on M e h t f o p Ti

Reviews & Testimonials

With the New Website look that we highlighted in February, Executives have the ability to add unlimited personal testimonials from their clients which are featured on their website. These reviews scroll through to highlight their expertise!

To turn the new ‘Review’ feature on, log in to www.PrimeAgent.com be sure your New Website Look is turned on; then follow these steps:

Marketing Tab > Agent Website Management > click on the sub category ‘Reviews’ > click blue button

to ‘Add Review’

Ask Your Office CME to Learn More!

ET March | 8

7 Home Maintanence Tasks Sellers Should Do Before Listing Proactive is the buzzword when addressing both cosmetic and mechanical components of a listing. It’s that time of year again, the 2018 selling season is upon us. If you have clients getting ready to put their home on the market, the task list to prep for the market can seem endless. To make it easy, we’ve compiled a home maintenance list for you of the seven things sellers should do before putting that for sale sign in the ground.

1. Spruce up the exterior Let’s face it, the exterior of the property is the first thing a buyer will see whether online or driving by.

Now is the time to make sure it looks its best. Walk around the entire exterior of the home, and conduct an assessment. Consider pressure washing, painting, having the windows cleaned, cleaning out gutters, trimming back any overgrown or dead landscaping, cleaning the front door and changing out any worn door hardware that may look old and corroded. And make sure the front doorbell actually works, you’d be surprised at how this simple first impression of your house is overlooked.

2. Service the heating/cooling system A home inspector is going to check this anyway, so beat ’em to the punch by having the system serviced and cleaned. When was the last time it was serviced anyway? It’s better to take care of any repairs that may need addressing now versus waiting until a buyer decides to make an offer.

3. Do a light bulb check Make sure all of the lightbulbs are working and free of dirt and debris. Yes, these need cleaning too — just make sure they are off. Don’t forget to check the outdoor lights as well.

4. Check the smoke detectors Maybe sellers took the batteries out the last time they were playing Top Chef in the kitchen. Now is the time to make sure that all smoke detectors are working and have new batteries. Replace any old ones as an inspector is likely to flag those during a home inspection and recommend that they be replaced.

5. Blue tape it Conduct a thorough walk through of the interior of the home. If there are any nicks, dents or scratches on the walls and moldings, blue tape them so sellers can go through and have each area repaired. The more wear and tear a home appears to have, the more the buyer is going to chip away at the asking price.

6. Deep CLEAN, and DECLUTTER Now is the time to give the home that deep clean it needs. Consider hiring a cleaning crew to tackle this; the more hands, the better. Deep cleaning means wiping down all of the baseboards and moldings and cleaning cabinets, appliances (including the oven) and every corner from top to bottom including light fixtures and ceiling fans. It’s also a good time to gather all those unwanted closet items together to donate as well as any unused furniture and decor. The less stuff in the house, the less there is to organize and keep clean.

7. Clear out the garage Often overlooked when preparing a home for sale, don’t forget this space. Make sure the garage is clean, in good repair, organized and that you can actually walk through it. Consider painting the floor or having an epoxy finish put down. And that ceiling? Buyers also look up when touring this space, so make sure any drywall cracks or loose seams are repaired. Buyers recognize and appreciate homes that have been taken care of. Taking some time to invest in home maintenance before selling will likely yield a big payoff when it becomes offer time.

Article BY CARA AMEER, courtesy of INMAN news.

ET March | 9

2018 Spring Training

Buyers Seminar: How to be a Kick _ _ _ Buyer’s Agent!

Join our panel of experts as they deliver their tips, tricks and expertise to learn what it takes to be a kick _ _ _ buyer’s agent. We’ve all heard the phrase “buyers are liars”, but it’s more about “buyers are uneducated”; especially a first-time home buyer. Position yourself for success by designing a business and client services that attracts individuals looking to purchase real estate.

Wednesday, March 21st at 10:00am | Brookfield Lower Level

Bob Arnold

Northshore Office

Miranda Zuege Brookfield Office

Jason Schiller

First Bank Financial

Tina Catalanotte Lake Country Office

Breakfast items & morning refreshments sponsored by First Bank Financial Centre

MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW! 2018 Executive EXCELLENCE Awards Breakfast Friday, April 20 th 8:00am - 11:00am breakfast served at 8:00am, program begins at 8:30am

Wisconsin Club Downtown 900 W Wisconsin Avenue

RSVP

www.ExecutiveExcellenceAwards.com

Voting

www.EEAVoting.com

All Sales Executives are welcomed and encouraged to attend, whether you have been a part of the RE-Integrity family for one week or 20 years!

We hope to see YOU there.

ET March | 10

HOW TO FALL IN LOVE WITH YOUR HOME AGAIN Whether it’s the neighbors or the wallpaper, there are usually a couple things about our homes we’d like to change. Here are four easy solutions to your common home woes: Problem: My house needs more personality.

Solution: Paint the walls! An easy and cheap way to transform a room is to pick a new paint color. There has been a lot of modern research on the psychology of color and some argue that color can affect our moods, so there’s merit in brightening up your kitchen with a yellow accent wall or bringing calm into your bedroom with a soothing lavender. If you crave a color that’s truly bold or trendy, fear not. A quick neutral paint coat can save your resale value down the line. If you are shy about a full on wall treatment, even some paint on a prominent furniture piece or a unique, colorful, wall-sized art piece can spice up your space in no time.

Problem: My house feels tiny.

Solution: Mirrors and floor-to-ceiling designs are your friend. It’s not true that you have to only use one piece of tiny furniture and hope a room opens up. Be unafraid to take design around the whole room: place a mirror on the wall instead of an art piece to open the area, take that newfound paint color all the way up to the ceiling and accent it with floor-to-ceiling light drapes to give all your spaces a grandiose feeling.

Problem: My house could use some updates.

Solution: Change your home from residence to oasis. Design each room after a favorite travel destination and turn a walk through your home into the ultimate staycation. Convert a back patio, unused extra garage or basement into a secondary living space to give your home the feeling of a new addition without needing a construction crew or a visit from HGTV. All of these will help modernize your home with things easily found at the home store.

Problem: My house is fine — it’s my yard I don’t like.

Solution: Makeover your outdoor areas by creating a focal point for design. Have a pool? Set up a grilling area and lounge chairs so you can invite friends over during the warmer months. If you are set on lounging with a smaller group, salvage some wood or make use of that beautiful oak tree and set up a hammock to enjoy the ambiance. Even some upcycled pallets with waterproof cushions and a fire pit can transform your backyard into a new space you enjoy, and an extension of the home you’ve learned to love again.

Article courtesy of Realty Executives International

s e l Sa

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h t f Tip o

WORK AHEAD and COME PREPARED

One of the best pieces of advice I have ever been gifted, came during my college days, from a Professor who taught me the value in working ahead. Using the syllabus for his class, he taught me ways to always be prepared a week in advance. If a major report was due on the 21st, I got it done by the 14th. The “spare time” allowed me the benefit of using those days to tweak my report as needed without pressure.

This approach eliminated any last-minute anxiety I experienced when faced with a deadline. Being disciplined in my habits provided a restful night’s sleep before exam day; rather than cramming and pulling an all-nighter. With this approach, I overcame my bad habits and poor grades to become an honor student. I later finished graduate school with a perfect 4.0 and at the top of my class.

What does that have to do with Real Estate Sales? Everything! You only get one chance to make a good first impression with your Clients and I’ve found what impresses them most is being prepared to offer your service and expertise that is personalized to their situation.

When working with Buyers, begin by asking questions that help you identify clear parameters of their wants and needs. Then use those parameters to narrow their search. Bring them into the office to learn about the many benefits you offer through Buyer Agency. Being prepared and working ahead allows you to save time, effectively show them their best options, and encourage them to make smart decisions in less time and with less hassle.

When working with Sellers, begin by asking questions that help you gain a solid understanding of the unique benefits and value of their home. Do your groundwork well before your appointment. Drive the neighborhood at least a day in advance to get a feel for the home. Arrive at your listing appointment on time and with a plethora of information that other Realtors lack; because they failed to work ahead and come prepared. This will make you shine, significantly improve your capture rate, create advocacy that leads to referrals, and send you to the Top of the Class!

Want to learn more? Just ask!

100% Yours,

ET March | 12

Our Charitable Organizations At Realty Executives Wisconsin Region, we believe community support and outreach is incredibly important. We actively support the following charitable organizations and each one is connected personally with a member of the Realty Executives Wisconsin Brand.

• • • •

We make it easy for our Executives to support these charities by allowing them to make donations directly from their closing checks. Outside of financial contributions, our leadership team and Executives donate their time and energy to work events associated with these charities as well.

•

• • •

• •

Unite 4 Peyton was created to give hope. Hope to families - Spinal Muscular Atrophy families. We know that we cannot find the cure ourselves, but we can help children and families maintain a quality of life.

We wanted to help, in what seemed to be a helpless diagnosis for many families. We wanted to make a difference in the lives of those diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

SMA is a motor neuron disease. The motor neurons affect the voluntary muscles that are used for activities such as crawling, walking, head and neck control, and swallowing. It is a relatively common “rare disorder”: approximately 1 in 6000 babies born are affected, and about 1 in 40 people are genetic carriers.

Learn more at www.Unite4Peyton.com

• • •

• • • •

Build and renovate homes for families in need of sustainable housing.

Mission - bringing people together in homes, communities and hope.

“We envision a world where everyone has a decent place to live.”

Learn more at www.Habitat.org

• •

SALS offers freedom with accountability for men and women who are serious about their sobriety.

We provide non-institutional sober living with a unique balance of independence and structure.

We are committed to providing safe, comfortable, and modern Recovery Houses for men and women. A house that you can call your home and a home where the diseases of alcoholism and drug addiction are understood.

Learn more at www.SALShouses.org

Lindsay’s Voice was created as a way to celebrate the life of Lindsay (Wenzel) Lopez, a 32 year old wife and Mother, who lost her 14-month battle against Leukemia on November 22, 2010.

Mission - raising awareness for Leukemia, Lymphomas, and blood Cancers AND raising funds to support patient services and ongoing research locally.

“Until there’s a day that nobody has to hear the words, ‘It’s Cancer’, we continue to fight.”

Learn more at www.TreesOfHopeWI.org

JR’s Pups-N-Stuff began with one goal in mind to save animals from life threatening situations.

Built by a network of foster parents in the Milwaukee Metro area.

“The little rescue with a big heart.”

Learn more at www.JRPupsNStuff.org

Before 16 is a 501(c)3 nonprofit foundation built to care for orphans.

We strive to get these children hosted by a family who is either considering adoption or will advocate for adoption.

Our hope is that the hosting process can provide the avenue to find a loving family for each child. We are dedicated to rescuing as many orphans as possible before they turn 16 years old and age out of the system.

Learn more at www.Before16.org

. . . h c a o c r ou y om fr d or w A

ET March | 13

Influence.

Some people think it’s reserved for only the rich and famous. You know, the types of people who have millions of followers on social media or those who run large organizations. But the truth is, every single person wields significant influence in their lives. It starts with their family and friends, but it also includes their teams, co-workers, and community. These are our primary circles of influence.

As a leader in those circles, we have many opportunities to positively or negatively influence the trajectory of those around us. Since influence is power, we all have a great responsibility to utilize our influence for the best interest of those in our lives. To better understand this responsibility of influence, let’s take a quick look at two key words: • •

Effect – to affect someone is to do something that changes the way they think, work, or live Impact – to impact someone is to mark them indelibly or otherwise alter their trajectory due to a deep, core-level influence

For example, we are affected by a thunderstorm due to temporary power outages, causing inconvenience, discomfort, and possibly changing the way we react to power outages in the future. But we are impacted forever if that thunderstorm produces a tornado that destroys homes, property, or lives on a deeper level.

Similarly, every one of us affects each other in our lives on a daily basis, sometimes for better and sometimes for worse.

But very few people make an impact on others.

People who merely affect us can be forgotten, as their influence is passing and not permanent.

People who impact us, however, are memorable and significant to our personal growth.

Therefore, we can choose to: • Positively affect those around us through random (and intentional) acts of kindness OR • Negatively affect those around us through immature or selfish behavior That means we can decide to…

• Positively impact others by going above and beyond what they expect OR • Negatively impact others by domineering behavior As leaders, let’s choose to not only make a positive effect, but to raise the game and invest our efforts in making a lasting impact that ripples beyond the surface. Let’s be intentional about altering the trajectory of others in a positive way for their long-term benefit.

To be memorable is to carve out the gift of a good legacy and it all starts with a choice… a conscious choice that each of us needs to make.

If you’re interested in learning how to make an impact versus an effect, I’m happy to schedule a meeting to discuss!

Adam Zastrow Performance Coach Realty Executives - Integrity

3 PROACTIVE STRATEGIES TO REACH YOUR HOMEBUYING GOAL Buying a new home can be a smart and satisfying financial goal. Is becoming a homeowner for the first time or finding your next dream home one of your heart’s desires? Aiming for a big picture strategy and breaking your plan into steps over time can help make your home ownership goals a reality. If you don’t see yourself making a move for quite some time but know you’d like to buy a home down the line, the following are proactive steps you can take sooner rather than later, along with some ideas to keep in mind.

1. Get Your Financials In Order Buying a home is a huge financial investment that requires planning and commitment.

Credit Score

Checking your credit score early in the process is an important step. Checking on your credit score in

the beginning stages — when you are only thinking about buying a home — will allow you to take a

proactive approach if you are looking to considerably improve your credit score. Doing so will put you in

a much better position when it comes to applying for a home loan. When you start the process early, you

can also begin to pay off other debts you might have, whether that is other loans, credit cards, etc. This

will free you up to put more of your energy and money towards the new home instead of being limited

by older debts.

Research

You’ll also want to take the time to thoroughly research mortgages and home loans that are right for you.

Choosing a loan officer and real estate agent early on will connect you to some of the best resources and

most up-to-date information so you can better understand your options.

Start Saving Beginning to save for a down payment as soon as possible can make what might otherwise feel like a major cost become a much more achievable goal.

Smart Spending Be sure that you don’t make any other large purchases before taking out a home loan. You’ll want to avoid major spending throughout the home closing process as well.

2. Research Potential New Living Areas Moving to a new home can often mean moving to an entirely new area, new city or across the country. If you have kids, you’ll likely want to do some research on the schools in various areas you’re considering moving to.

School district boundary lines may rise to the top of your list as the deciding factor for the neighborhood you ultimately choose.

Another important thing to consider is your potential new neighborhood’s proximity to your work. Think about how long your commute would be from various areas and whether it is economical to travel from your new home’s area to your workplace.

Some other things to research are the population size and the general feel of areas you’re considering moving to. Is having a bustling town important to you? Do you want to live somewhere that offers a lot of things to do? Or are you more content in a small, quiet town?

These are all important questions to ask yourself and other members of your household well before you are ready to make an offer on a new home or decide on a new neighborhood.

3. Prepare Your Home for the Move Before you buy a new home, you have to think about the one you’re in now!

Make an imminent move easier on yourself and your family by getting rid of any clothes, household items or belongings that you don’t need or use anymore. This means less stuff to pack and move later, which means less stress for you. This is especially true if you’re planning on downsizing your living space.

Article written by Elliot Walsh for Realty Executives International

This is a paid advertisement.

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Compliance Corner..............

Are you in the KNOW? When market inventory is tight and multiple offers becoming a more common occurrence, making sure you cover your requirements as a licensee when presenting offers is more important than ever. Below is a recent article from the WRA regarding offer presentation and best practices. Read and be in the know!

Too often, the WRA Legal Hotline receives calls about presentation of offers, or more accurately, the perception that the buyer’s offer was not presented. This article focuses on the standards set forth in Wisconsin law and the REALTOR® Code of Ethics as they relate to lawful and professional ways to present offers and communicate with consumers. Good communication is one of the best ways to avoid an allegation of less-than-perfect or less-than-professional conduct. Lack of professionalism in the presentation of offers, documentation of presentation and communication between firms can create misunderstandings and further miscommunication between brokers as well as consumers.

The questions and answers that follow are in context of this back story, which is all too familiar to the Hotline attorneys. The cooperating agent submitted the buyer’s written offer to the listing agent. The binding acceptance deadline passed, and there has been no response from the listing agent about the offer. The buyer is demanding to know what the seller thought of the buyer’s offer, and the buyer wants to know why the property is no longer available. The cooperating agent asks for evidence of presentation, and the listing agent refused to provide information.

What are the rules about presentation of offers for the listing broker?

The listing agent is required to present all offers in a timely manner UNLESS the presentation is contrary to the seller’s instructions.

Wis. Admin. Code § REEB 24.13(2)(b) states: Licensees shall present promptly all written proposals received to the licensee’s client or customer. Licensees shall not withhold any written proposals from presentation pending the party’s action on a written proposal previously presented.

Further Wis. Admin. Code § REEB 24.13(4) states: Notification of action on written proposal. Licensees shall promptly inform their clients and customers whether the other party has accepted, rejected, or countered their written proposal. A licensee shall immediately provide a written statement to the other party’s firm that includes the date and time when the written proposal was presented when such a statement is requested by the other party or the other party’s firm. A licensee shall immediately provide a written statement to the other party’s firm that includes the date and time when the written proposal was rejected or had expired without acceptance when such a statement is requested by the other party or the other party’s firm.

What if the seller does not reject the offer in writing?

While licensees are obligated to follow Wisconsin license law for presentation, keep in mind the listing agent CAN NEVER REQUIRE the seller to sign a document acknowledging the seller’s rejection. Therefore, an agent working with a buyer can request a statement that indicates when the offer was presented. The easiest way for the listing agent to provide such a statement is to provide a copy of the offer to purchase that includes a presentation date and time on the last few lines of the form.

If the seller refuses to initial the offer as rejected, the listing agent is REQUIRED to provide the buyer with a written statement documenting the date and time when the offer was rejected or that it expired without acceptance. If the listing agent is not responsive to the buyer’s or the cooperating agent’s request for such a statement, the agent may remind the listing agent, or the broker of the listing firm, about the requirements of Wis. Admin. Code § REEB 24.13(4).

In addition, the cooperating agent may contact the broker or manager of the listing agent to make the request. If there is still no response, the buyer may consider filing a complaint with the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. Information for filing complaints is available at https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/SelfService/FileAComplaint.aspx.

Does the REALTOR® Code of Ethics address not presenting an offer?

The REALTOR® Code of Ethics also addresses the services provided by a REALTOR® in a transaction.

For a full review of the article, written by Tracy Rucka, the WRA Director of Professional Standards, visit https://www.wra.org/WREM/Feb18/Hotline/

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