As of March of 2021, the short answer is, “no”. In March of 2020, the real estate market looked to be headed into a steep decline due to widespread stay-at-home orders. Since then, homebuyers, supported by low-interest rates, have kept the US housing market going at a frenzied pace. 2020 was a record-breaking year for […]
Author: Michael Lee.
As a former university professor my goal is to make sure that my clients are the best-educated home buyers and sellers on the planet. I have been blessed to be a real estate professional for over forty years helping thousands of clients to reach their goals whether it is buying their first home or selling investment property.
If I’m buying a house who should I contact to check the overall quality of the home?
“Quality” is an extremely ambiguous term if you want to make sure that the building is sound and without major defects start with your real estate agent. Your agent can be very helpful is providing you with references to appropriate inspectors. I would definitely start with a contractor’s home inspection who can tell you the […]
What are some tricks that real estate photographers use to sell houses?
The goal of real estate photography is to attract as many potential buyers to a property as possible since most people start their search on the internet. Attractive photos are the key to grabbing and keeping the attention of web surfers. Real estate photographers often use wide angle lenses so that rooms appear to be […]
How can I find a great investment-minded real estate agent?
Look for an agent who is successful in investing in the same kinds of properties that you are interested in – condos, single family homes, apartment buildings, commercial buildings, industrial buildings, land, etc.
Why does a real estate company decide to hire a salesperson based on a personality test?
Some companies believe that a certain type of personality is more likely to be successful in real estate sales than other. The most common trait companies look for is an outgoing personality. However this wrongly assumes that all clients want someone like this but what about the introverts of the world? This is the last […]
If I’m buying a home, is it bad to only do a 3.5% down payment?
The main drawback with a low down payment is higher mortgage payments. There will also likely be monthly “Private Mortgage Insurance” (PMI) required on any loan where there is less than 20% down payment. This can obviously increase your monthly payment by $100–300 a month depending on your credit rating and other factors. The advantages […]
Can a new HVAC unit increase the overall value of your home when you sell?
New items like appliances, heaters and air conditioners generally don’t increase the value of a property when you are selling it because other homes also have these items as well. New amenities can help a house to sell faster because buyers know they won’t need to be replaced in the near future. Many home sellers […]
Is being a Realtor fun?
There are certainly times of great joy when you help a first time buyer to own a home they never thought they could afford or assist an owner to sell a house for more than they ever thought they could get. Mostly though, it’s just really hard work 24/7 solving the many problems that will […]
Can you make your own schedule as a real estate agent?
Actually no. You are always at the beck and call of your clients. If a qualified buyer wants to see the perfect house that just came on the market in an hour you’re going to drop everything to show it. If an owner calls you about selling their home you will knock over your own […]
Can a real estate agent make $100,000 in one year?
A few real estate agents earn more than $100,000 a year. However, you must recognize that because we are self-employed we have to pay for our own Social Security and Medicare taxes on our commissions which increases our taxes by 7.65% so in order to earn the same $100,000 as someone who has an employer […]