Some things never change, but in the business of real estate much has evolved in the last decade. Even though the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) is still the primary directory for listings, this used to be a published book whereas today it is all online. There are many changes to note between the old way vs. new way of doing business in real estate. In this blog post we’ll explore some of the main categories in the business that have seen major changes.

Earning Business

Real estate agents are known for going door-to-door and knocking on doors to connect with homeowners in an effort to earn new business. Other ways of boosting business include cold calling and sending out postcards with current listings, recently closed properties and market insights. Although these are still popular practices in certain cities, the method of earning business has significantly progressed and there are more options available to agents looking for new clients. Many agents are reaching out to clients electronically with email campaigns that can be tracked and provide insights like open rates, click through rates and valuable information that could result in a hot lead. Thanks to many advancements in technology prospecting can now be done in many different ways and real estate agents have more time to dedicate to their clients and closing deals. 

Social Media

Social media has been an absolute game changer for real estate professionals. Back in the day an agent may have taken out an advertisement in a local paper or purchased a spot on a billboard or a bus bench. Even though some agents still swear by this type of marketing, social media provides an opportunity for real estate professionals to not only promote themselves and their business, but also to engage and interact with a community and their clients. Social media allows agents to be as public as they want to be by sharing personal information, videos and photos and giving clients an inside look at their lives. It also gives agents the power to offer market insight, expert knowledge and tips as well as to educate their followers on real estate information and trends. This is a great tool to establish market dominance and engage with buyers and sellers alike. The only challenge that has come up from social media is that it requires a significant time commitment to create content, manage social media pages and interact with an audience. Many real estate professionals have chosen to outsource this work to professional marketers and social media managers who assist with branding, strategy development, content creation and management. 

Reputation Management

As little as a few years ago, word of mouth was the primary source of receiving referrals for new business and clients. If a neighbor had an outstanding experience with a real estate agent, they would pass the information along to the rest of the community and to other friends and family members. These days, real estate agents have to ensure that their online reputation is spotless and measures up to high standards. A single bad review online could severely affect any future business opportunities. This is why it is more important than ever to ensure that clients are always satisfied with their agent. One way that agents are building their business and manage their reputation is by uploading testimonials from happy clients on social media pages, blogs and websites. 

Advertising & Promotions

Real estate professionals are in the business of sales, which inevitably means that they need to be really good at promoting the product that they are trying to sell. The most successful real estate agents become marketing geniuses – they need to earn business, grow their client base and promote their closings. These professionals understand that simply listing a property on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) is not enough, they know how to properly price a listing and position it for maximum exposure. Agents will spend their own money on advertising a property online, mailing postcards, placing ads in newspapers, creating email campaigns, printing flyers and using social media to even further boost the exposure of their listings. Agents also spend money on professional staging and photography in order to present the property in the best way possible so that they can attract the largest number of buyers. Years ago, buyers would look through the local paper and circle homes for sale that they were interested in – if that were the only form of advertising used today, it’s safe to say the exposure of the listing would be extremely limited. In fact, some agents are so innovative in their marketing that it is not uncommon to find advertisements of a newly listed property in unexpected places like shopping malls, parking lots and even at airports. These new methods of advertising and promotion definitely beat the conventional ways of marketing properties through cold calls and door knocking, which are considered to be effective, but intrusive methods of building a business and winning over new clients. 

Communication with Buyers & Sellers

In the past, communication between clients and real estate agents may have been limited to phone calls. Today there are various methods of communication that can be utilized – including social media, text message, email campaigns and virtual video communication. There are many real estate agents who develop strong friendships with their clients, and the relationship between a client and an agent can become more informal and friendly. This means that communication with buyers and sellers has also changed. Many real estate professionals will use drip email campaigns to stay in touch with prospects and clients. This is a very efficient way of communicating and keeping clients informed with important real estate news and market trends. Additionally, real estate agents will also directly communicate with clients via text message in order to provide timely responses. Social media has also altered communication between agents and their clients – buyers and sellers can directly message an agent about something they have seen on the page, engage with photos on various platforms and digest all types of videos and other digital content 24/7. 

Transaction Management

You may be noticing a trend in this article – a lot of the ways that the business of real estate has changed is because of innovation in the industry and with advancements in technology and communication. This also means that the way a transaction is handled has also become more efficient and streamlined. For decades, a phone call has been the primary tool of the trade used in real estate, but now as more millennials and younger generations are buying homes, they prefer communication over text or email. Real estate professionals have had to figure out tools to use that will allow them to provide quick responses to their clients. This is also important in a hot market when many homes on the market receive multiple offers. There are certain applications like DocuSign that make it so much easier to streamline transaction management because it allows all legal documents to be signed on mobile devices, tablets or computers without having to travel with paperwork for physical signatures. 

Customer Service

Real estate is the business of assisting clients with buying and selling property, but there is so much more involved in every transaction than simply processing offers and paperwork. Buying or selling a home is an emotional experience, and it can be extremely stressful, which is why it has always been important for an agent to provide support, knowledge and the finest customer service to their clients as they guide them through every transaction. With the rise in social media and review websites, agents are putting even more emphasis on customer service in an effort to exceed client expectations and provide a smooth, stress-free experience. Clients will expect their agents to be a partner during the real estate process and to be available to answer questions and provide guidance at all times. The competition in the real estate industry is fierce and it is crucial for agents to be more than just market experts in order to build and sustain their business. 

As you can see, while some things stay the same or see slight evolution, other things have completely changed in the industry. Living through the COVID-19 pandemic has also forced the industry to further evolve – these days we’re seeing more virtual tours, meetings via Zoom or FaceTime and almost all paperwork is completed through DocuSign. Just like any other business, real estate has had to evolve with technology and the world and professional realtors are making the adjustments seamlessly without affecting their clients. If you would like to learn more about how our team at Brazos County Realty has adjusted our business, or about our featured properties please don’t hesitate to contact us. We look forward to speaking with you, working with you and making all of your real estate goals a reality!

Buying a home is hands down the biggest financial investment that you will ever make – it may even be the biggest financial risk that you take. It’s important for first time homebuyers as well as seasoned investors to be diligent throughout the entire process of buying a new property to make sure that they are paying a fair price, or that they are knowingly overpaying and ok with it. When a buyer is emotionally invested in a property, they are more likely to pay more than the home is worth because they are willing to do whatever it takes to secure the home as their own. Any buyer is capable of making a mistake during the home buying process, but this mistake can end up costing a lot of money. In this blog post we’re going to go over some of the more common ways that end up causing buyers to pay too much for a home as well as how to buy your home in College Station, TX without overpaying. 

Common Buyer Mistakes

When you choose to buy a home, whether it’s for personal use or an investment, it’s important to negotiate a good and fair price. This will help you escape buyer’s remorse and also set you up for success if you choose to sell the property in a few years’ time. Here are some of the more common mistakes that buyers make:

• Attending Too Many Open Houses

There is something about the frenzy of going to an open house that brings out a competitive nature in all of us, which makes it easy to end up overpaying and getting emotionally invested in a house. Instead of going to multiple open houses we encourage you to explore available properties online and schedule private showings for the ones that you are really interested in. 

• Emotional Shopping

One of the more expensive mistakes a buyer can make is letting a seller know how much you love their home. Once you have expressed how you feel it can make it difficult to negotiate the price down because the seller knows how motivated you are. No matter how wonderful a home is and how you excited you are about it, keep it to yourself. 

• Skipping Inspections

Even brand-new homes will sometimes have issues that need to be fixed, which is why it’s so important to schedule proper inspections. Unless you are buying a home “as-is” there is no reason to skip an inspection. You may think you’re getting a great deal on a perfect home only to find out later that it needs expensive and extensive work. 

• Taking Their Time to Make a Decision

Good properties sell fast, so once you’ve made up your mind about a specific property let your realtor know ASAP and be prepared to move quickly. If you find the perfect home today but don’t submit an offer until tomorrow, you may already be too late. 

• Feeling Pressured to Make a Decision

On the other hand, even though it’s important to move quickly, if you have decided that this home is the one, if something does not feel right don’t feel pressured to make a quick deal. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and to negotiate – the goal is to get the best property for a fair price. The best way to get a good deal is to be prepared for some serious negotiations and to trust your agent to do it for you. 

• Bidding Wars

Bidding wars are common in seller’s markets when there is more demand than there is inventory. Sometimes, a seller’s real estate agent will try to scare hesitant buyers into a deal by threatening to pass off the home to another potential buyer. In bidding wars no one wins, because whoever ends up buying the home also ends up overpaying. 

• Forgetting About Hidden Costs

Remember that there is more to your new home than the initial price tag – there are closing costs, mortgage insurance, appraisal fees, inspection fees, taxes, title insurance and so much more. All of these additional fees add up to the total amount that will be coming out of your pocket, so be diligent to escape expensive surprises. 

How to Buy a Home Without Overpaying in College Station, TX

If you have found your dream home and you can afford it, you may not care if it’s overpriced. On the other hand – no one likes the feeling of buyer’s remorse, especially in big transactions like buying a home. The best way to avoid buyer’s remorse is to avoid overpaying – below we have listed a few tips to help you avoid overpaying on a home in College Station, TX.

• Work with an Agent

Working with an experienced real estate professional offers numerous benefits – one of which is that they will guide you through the sales process and help you avoid overpaying for a property. A real estate agent can help you find a property, negotiate with the seller’s agent on your behalf, draft up documents and run the transaction from start to finish so that you don’t have to worry about missing a signature or a deadline. When it comes to big decisions like buying a home, sometimes it’s best to leave it to the professionals who have your best interest at heart. 

• Dig Deep into the Comps

Comps are very important in real estate – this is a report put together by your real estate agent showing other homes in the area that have sold recently. Comps are comprised of properties that are similar in size and floor plan, bedroom and bathroom combination, lot size and upgrades. A comp report is a powerful tool that will give you an idea of what a fair price looks like for a house in the neighborhood you are interested in. 

• Demand an Appraisal

Most transactions will always include an appraisal contingency – this is an important part of the sales process that is usually required by lenders and completed by a qualified appraiser to ensure that the property is worth the price you are agreeing to pay for it. If the appraisal shows a number below the sale price, then you may reconsider your purchase because it will make it harder to get loan approval and you will have to come up with a bigger down payment. 

• Interview Different Lenders

You interview different real estate professionals before you choose who to work with and you should do the same with mortgage lenders. This is also a place where you can cut down the amount you pay for the house over the life of a loan, so it’s important to compare rates and closing costs between at least two different lenders. 

• Be Realistic

Overpaying does not mean that you should expect to always strike an amazing deal on a home. There are definitely incredible opportunities in real estate where you can purchase a property below market value, but that does not mean that a home sold at a fair price is a bad deal. A fair price is what you are comfortable paying for a home that you love that is also properly valued in comparison to other homes in the area. If a home is priced right it will sell quickly, and if you can get it for the sales price without entering into a bidding war then you are paying a fair price. 

• Shop Off Season

Spring tends to be the hottest seasons in real estate. If you are looking to avoid bidding wars and overpriced homes, we suggest waiting until the spring buying season dies down or holding off until the winter months when you are more likely to run into highly motivated sellers who price their homes to sell quickly.

Today’s world and real estate market is fast paced and ruthless, which means that you can’t afford to learn your lessons through trial and error. We hope that the information we have shared in this blog post has been educational and helpful and that it will help you be a savvy buyer. Our team at Brazos County Realty has helped countless buyers find their dream homes while saving them money at the same time. We have also worked with numerous sellers and guided them through the sometimes-daunting process of selling their property for a fair price.

Buying a house is the biggest financial transaction most of us will ever make, and no matter what the price is, paying too much for a home is never a good deal. Being armed with information and working with an experienced realtor whose main goal is to look out for you is the best way to protect yourself from overpaying for a home. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about real estate in Bryan College Station or if we can be of any assistance for your real estate needs. We look forward to speaking with you and working with you soon. 

To rent or to buy, that is the question. We all need to have a roof over our heads and a safe space to call home, but home can mean many different things – it can be a townhome, a condominium, an apartment or a single-family residence. All of these different types of properties can be rented or owned and there are various pros and cons to consider for both options. There’s no clear answer to whether renting or owning a property is a better option, and that’s because the best choice is the one that fits your current needs and lifestyle best. For example, a young college student with a busy schedule of schoolwork, extracurricular activities and a part-time job doesn’t have the time or mindshare to worry about being a homeowner, which means that renting an apartment alone or a house with roommates is a better option. On the other hand, a family of four with solid and reliable income might choose to buy and own a home instead of renting. While there are various pros and cons of renting and owning it ultimately comes down to your personal needs, your goals and your financial situation. 

In this post we’re going to explore and take a deep dive into the pros and cons of renting – our goal is to provide current and relevant information and education so that you can make an informed decision for your unique situation. If you need additional guidance and support or you have questions about renting or buying a home in College Station, we strongly encourage you to contact us so we can discuss your needs and help you. 

The Pros of Renting

The “American Dream” dictates that homeownership is the ultimate goal – and while being a homeowner is something that most people strive for, it may not be the best option for everyone. If you are someone who enjoys traveling a lot, moves around for work or you simply can’t stay in one place for too long then owning a property is not right for you. In general, renting is ideal for people who are in need of a short-term home. If you are planning on staying in one place for less than five years, then renting is the way to go. Check out some of the top benefits and pros of renting versus owning a home.

• Flexibility & Freedom

When you are renting a home, apartment or condo then you can easily pick up and move whenever you want to. Even though you will have a lease in place, if you want to break it early there are ways to lessen the penalties and work your way out of it if you wanted to. Breaking a lease early is significantly easier than going through the process of selling your home. Most lease agreements are put in place for 12 months and after that you could negotiate to sign a six-month lease, or even go month-to-month – this is something you will have to work out with your landlord or the property management company the landlord works with.

• Low Maintenance & Little Responsibility

When you rent a property, you are responsible for keeping it clean and damage-free, which would be the same as owning your own home. The difference is that if something major breaks and needs to be fixed – like the roof, HVAC system, plumbing issues, etc. – these are the responsibility of the landlord or property management company. As a renter all you have to do if you are experiencing issues with your property, no matter what the problem is, is to contact your landlord and ask them to fix it. 

• The Ability to Save Money 

One of the major pros of renting versus buying is that you know exactly how much you will need to pay every month. You are not responsible for maintenance costs like a gardener or pool cleaning service, no additional taxes or fees, certain utilities may be included in your rent and there are no surprise costs. Additionally, rent is significantly lower than a mortgage and you are not responsible for homeowner’s insurance or property taxes. All of this means that you can budget and save your money so that when you are ready to buy a home you will be mentally and financially prepared. 

The Cons of Renting

As you can see, renting provides a lot of freedom – freedom to move and the opportunity to save your money. While this set up might be ideal for many people, it’s also not the best option for everyone. Let’s take a look at what some of the downsides to renting are.

• You Don’t Build Equity

When you buy a property you immediately begin building equity and your money is being invested in a way that will hopefully bring you a decent return in the future if you choose to sell it. And if you don’t ever sell then you will have the benefit of owning a home and not carry any debt, or if you find yourself in need of a loan you can borrow from your home. The monthly payments you make towards your home are not an expense, but rather you are paying down the debt you owe on your loan. 

• No Customization & Personalization

Most landlords will not give you the option to paint the walls, change the flooring or otherwise alter the rental property in any way apart from hanging pictures and art on the walls. The only way you might be able to personalize a rental is if you ask for permission from the landlord and agree to restore it back to what it looked like before you made any changes before you move out. When you own a property, you have the freedom to design it as you wish and also alter the design, color and lay out as often as you want to. Although renovations can get expensive, if you do it right then you will be adding value to and investing in your home.

• No Tax Benefits

As a homeowner you get to take advantage of certain tax deductions that can give you a decent break and even a return. As a renter you don’t have the opportunity to claim these deductions. 

• Bad Landlords

The good thing about renting a property is that you can turn over any major issues and complaints to the landlord and they will have to fix it or deal with it one way or another. On the other hand, the world is full of bad landlords and your health, safety and happiness as a tenant can be very dependent on this individual. Some landlords may not respond to your concerns or take too long to fix issues or manage repairs. If you feel that your landlord is taking advantage or not meeting expectations make sure to look into what your rights are as a renter and tenant. 

• Various Restrictions

When you live in a rental – whether it’s a house or an apartment – you have the follow the rules of the landlord or those set forth by building management. These may include noise restrictions, a limit on guests, no pets or other rules that you have to agree to. 

• Payments Never End

We mentioned that as a renter you don’t build any equity, but the other thing you have to remember is that your rent payments will never stop. Even though 30 years is a very long time to pay off a mortgage, if you stay consistent you will eventually pay off your home and no longer have to make those payments. As a renter you won’t get relief from monthly payments – even when you retire you will have to keep paying your landlord for as long as you occupy the space. Additionally, your rent can and most likely will rise year after year. 

There are various pros and cons to being a homeowner as well, but whether you choose to rent or buy a property simply depends on your unique financial situation and your lifestyle. We encourage you to take a look at the current available rental properties on our website or if you can’t find something that catches your eye then please contact us so we can help you find the perfect rental to fit your needs. Our team has more than 25 years of experience in the real estate industry and we’ve assisted clients ranging from first time home buyers, veteran sellers as well as experienced investors. If owning a home is not something that is right for you, but you’re interested in learning how to invest in real estate we can help you out and get you set up for success as an investor. We look forward to hearing from you, answering your questions and earning your business. 

Searching for a rental property should be a fun experience – even if it is a little stressful, there’s still joy in the experience of looking at different condos, homes and apartments while picturing your life and how your furniture will fit within the new space. Unfortunately, rental scams can very quickly transform a positive experience into a real nightmare. Although most rental listings are legitimate, it is very important for renters to learn how to avoid rental scams and protect themselves from fraud. The best way to do this is to learn how to spot listings that are fraudulent and stay far, far away from them. Younger renters who are not experienced in looking into properties are more susceptible to falling victim to rental scams and fraud – they are also more likely to lose money in these situations. 

Rental scams are looking to accomplish one thing – to steal your money. They will try to encourage you to send a check for a security deposit or move-in fee without ever giving you the opportunity to view and tour the property, and they will keep your money without ever intending to rent out to you. Rental fraud occurs when a person claims to be a landlord, or a property manager and they try to rent out a unit or property that doesn’t actually exist or is not one that they have access to. When renters are on the hunt for properties to rent, they usually share various sensitive information for background and credit checks. Access to this type of information and bank accounts can easily put vulnerable renters in fraudulent situations. Understanding the most common types of rental scams is the best way to avoid them – here are some of the most typical situations to keep an eye out for so you can stay away from them:

• Already leased property: A real or fake landlord will attempt to collect application fees or a security deposit for a rental that has already been leased out. 
• Bait-and-Switch: The scammer will advertise one property but the one that is actually available is completely different. The scammer will attempt to collect a deposit or get a lease signed before allowing you to tour the property.
• The Rental Doesn’t Exist: A scam artist will make up an advertisement or listing for a place that does not exist and will try to attract renters by advertising low prices significantly below market value.
• Property Not as Advertised: The listing will feature an actual rental unit but will embellish information about features and amenities that are offered in order to collect a higher rent. The leasing agent will attempt to get a renter to sign the lease agreement and submit a deposit before they notice that the advertised amenities are actually missing. 
• Hijacked Listing: A fake landlord will post a listing or advertisement for a real rental property but will change the contact information. Homes that are actually listed for sale will be listed as rentals in this common rental scam. 

Make note that in these common rental scams, the scammers will use real listings and change them around to fit their needs – this is why it’s hard to spot a fake from a real listing. The best way to determine whether it’s a scam is to take the time to visit a property in person. Here are some tips to help you figure out if a rental listing is a scam or real:

• If the landlord is not willing to meet you in person then it’s not a good sign. Some common excuses include telling you that they are out of town, they are in the military or they don’t live in the area. A good landlord will always take the time to meet you, because they will want to get to know you just as much if they decide to rent out their property to you. 
• If a landlord is insisting that you move in immediately, without ever seeing the unit then it is probably a scam. It’s very easy for someone to fake an online listing, so it’s important that you visit the property to make sure that it is really available. If the landlord tries to get you to inspect the property by walking around the outside at your convenience, then it is most likely a scam. 
• An obvious sign of a rental scam is if they are asking you to pay rent or a security deposit before you sign the lease. As a potential renter you should never be asked to hand over a large sum of money before seeing a property and signing a lease agreement. You may be asked to pay for application fees that are usually collected to cover the cost of background checks, but first month’s rent or a deposit is not required as part of the application process. Don’t ever mail or wire money to a person, especially if you have not signed a lease. There have been instances where the scammer lives overseas and will ask you to forward money in return for the keys – this is something that you should be very suspicious over. Another dangerous situation is being asked to wire money to someone who you have only spoken to online, in which case you should immediately cease communication and report the listing as fraudulent. 
• If you come across a listing with a price that seems to good to be true, it probably is. A property that is priced significantly below market value should immediately be treated as a major red flag – many times an owner could use this type of listing to lure in potential renters, encourage them to act fast and sign a lease before it’s gone, then switch the option to a more costly unit. The best way to determine if a property is listed at a fair rent is to research other comparable units or properties and speak with a real estate specialist who can guide you through the process and offer professional expertise and advice. 
• Be aware of rental listings that are full of typos, poor grammar, excessive punctuation and many other errors. Landlords that are serious about renting out their property to a qualified candidate will take the time to put together a professional listing, complete with high resolution pictures, details about amenities and features and various other helpful information. A poor listing is likely to have been put together by a scammer. 
• As a tenant, you will want to rent from a landlord that is responsive, available and professional. If a landlord does not require a rental application and credit check, or any other typical screening items then you should feel suspicious. 
• A landlord or property manager that asks you to sign a lease that is not complete does not have your best interest in mind. If you sign an incomplete lease agreement it allows the landlord to change it whenever and any way they want without letting you know, which leaves you very vulnerable. Be diligent when going through your lease and make sure there are no blank spaces, vague writing or incomplete sentences. If you are unsure whether a lease agreement is legitimate or not don’t hesitate to get in touch with a lawyer or real estate professional to help you read through it. 

If you do happen to fall victim to a fraudulent rental listing, here are some steps to follow:

• Contact the local authorities – if the person is located, they will be prosecuted, and you may be able to recover any money that was lost. 
• Contact the listing website where you found the rental and make sure it is taken down.
• Report this to the Federal Trade Commission – they are responsible for protecting consumers. 
• File a complaint with the IC3 (Internet Crime Complaint Center) – this is a government agency that makes it easy for people to report crime that takes place on the internet. They work with the FBI and other local authorities to manage and solve crime like rental listing scams. 

The best way to avoid a rental scam is to make sure that you insist on seeing the unit in person and meet with the landlord before you move forward with submitting an application or surrendering any type of payment. Similar to a job interview, you are evaluating the property and the landlord to make sure that it will be a good fit for you. While it’s important for you to love the place you will call home it’s also important that you get along with your landlord. 

If you are looking for rental properties in Bryan College Station, make sure to check out our rental listings and see if something catches your eye. If you have any questions about rental information, renting in the area, listing a property for rent, more tips on how to avoid rental scams or need general real estate guidance please don’t hesitate to contact us.