The Property Aces

Tucson Association of REALTORS delays new MLS launch!

As reported earlier in this Blog, the Tucson Association of REALTORS had scheduled the switch to the new Flex MLS system for April 1st 2010.  This transition has been delayed and is now set for May 3rd, 2010.  You can start to use the new MLS now on our website as we have made the change early to make sure we are ahead of the curve!

Our website search has been set up with no obligations, and is 100% free, signing up (which is also free) allows you to save searches, and fully use the features of the new program. 

We are available to answer any questions you may have!

Signs of Life!

The following link to this mornings USA Today article has some positive notes as well as a few contrasting points of view. During the height of the boom no one could imagine ever getting excited about a story that began "Home prices post the smallest decline in 3 years" but excited some of us are!

I think we still have some rough times ahead-- plenty of short sales and foreclosures still on the market and on the way. However--- barring incident that we are not privy to knowing, it seems that the true bottom has been reached. And the only way to go from the very bottom is UP.  Article

Test Drive the NEW Tucson MLS Today!

There is no doubt that most people are starting their home search online.  Between Zillow, Trulia, and the MLS you can search thousand of listings right from your living room.  Most Tucson home owners are familiar with the public search that has been provided by the Tucson Association of REALTORS® at www.TARMLS.com. 

At the end of the month the entire Multiple Listing Service for Tucson will be changing.  The new program allows for a more user friendly search, improved sorting capability and extensive mapping options.  These have all been designed to save us all time, and allow for a more enjoyable experience.  The new FLEX MLS functions in all browsers, as well as on MAC’s, something the prior MLS program had issues with. 

REALTORS® have been given a one month preview of the system, and I have to say it is WONDERFUL!  The technology committee for the Tucson Association has done a fabulous job in choosing a product that will allow us to serve our customers better.   The new system does take some getting used to, but overall it is very user friendly.  Once you get the hang of it I am sure you will be happy the change was made. 

One of the more useful features that have been added is called a “Portal”.  This allows your REALTOR® to set up searches based on the criteria you have provided, and place them in an MLS environment specific to your needs.  There is no more need for searching back through your emails for listings that have been sent.  This Portal will store all of the listings, and allow you to sort them into carts with the click of a mouse.  This will allow you to cycle through more listings, and easily return to, and keep track of the ones that you liked. 

The downside is, at this point there is no public search option which you have grown accustomed to.  It is still yet to be determined as to whether this function will be added with the full release April 1^st 2010.

With no public search available, we have made this an available option on our website.  There is no obligation or sign up require, and the best part is you can start taking advantage of the new system TODAY!  We are always available to help you if you have any questions about how to use the new system, and we are hoping you will provide us some feedback on what you like, dislike, or think should be improved upon!   

Is Zillow working for you?

I have to admit; before I learned the ins and outs of Zillow, it was quite frustrating.  Still to this day I see angry home owners upset at the Zestimates that are given on their particular property.  They are either way too high, way too low, non reflective of the actual attributes of the property, and in the end downright wrong.  The funny part is, Zillow actually agrees with you! 

Zillow does not claim to be an appraisal website; they provide a database of public knowledge.  Sure they have a complex algorithm program to actually put a ROUGH estimate (or a Zestimate as they refer to it) on a property, strictly based on the public records for the property.  These public records unfortunately are often incorrect to start with.  And we all know basing an estimate without entering a home is never going to reflect the true value of the home.

What Zillow does provide the public with a vast knowledge base that explains all of these shortcomings.  They may not always be the easiest to find, but they are out there!  I have actually added a page to my website to provide these direct links right up front, as a way to ease my clients concerns with Zillow.  Zillow actually has an incredible amount of information in their database, and it is a medium that is familiar with the public.  I feel it is my job as an agent to provide my clients with the information that will give them the greatest benefit in using Zillow as a resource.   

I would like to hear your thoughts- from a buyers perspective, from a sellers perspective, as well as other agents out there!  Does Zillow frustrate you?  Have you learned how to make it work for you.

Here is a video to get you started by claiming your home on zillow!

Helping you make the right decision!

If you are anything like me, you weigh the pros and cons of any situation, with the intensity of the Tucson sun in July!  I consider myself an over thinker, which I know leads to success, but the internal struggle can sometimes be exhausting.

Having the proper tools at your disposal, can alleviate the internal struggle you may have, and make your choices as clear as day.  Even if you aren’t the type to take things to that level, a tool to help you organize your thoughts can be invaluable!

Purchasing a home is one of the most important decisions in your life, and certainly one of the biggest financial choices you will make.    Experts say that emotion should stay out of a real estate deal.  We all know that this is next to impossible- but we can TRY!

We felt it was important to provide our clients with a tool that would help them organize their thoughts, remove some of the emotion, and make the best possible decision for their future.  This is a list; yes just a list, nothing extraordinary UNLESS you use it properly. 

We have had great feedback on how freeing and helpful this list can be.  We hope you will give it a serious try; we will be there to help you with it along the way.  We can ensure it will help sort out some of the confusion, and make your home hunt what it should be – FUN!  

I would love to hear what has worked for you in the past.  Do you have specific systems that make your dealings in real estate work?  Any suggestions for things that could help you in the future?

Open House Sunday February 14th 12-4pm

Please join us at a great new listing in Oro Valley.  The price has just been reduced on this immaculate 4 bedroom 3 bath home! 

This home situated in the Villages of La Canada in Oro Valley- a lovely gated community, close to all of the amenities that Oro Valley has to offer! 

The home has totally been repainted inside and out, brand new stainless steel appliances, refurbished alder cabinets, and has an amazing lagoon blue pool waiting for you out back-It is truly is move in ready!!!

Come take a look this Sunday, it will not last long!  695 W. Annandale Way Oro Valley, AZ 85737.

Open House Saturday February 13th 12-4pm

We will be holding open a wonderful 4 Bedroom, 2 Bath home in desirable Monterra Hills this Saturday!  We invite you all to join us and take a peek at a beautiful home. 

This well maintained gem boasts new granite counter tops, upgraded appliances, new carpet, over sized tile and plantation shutters.  The split floor plan makes the master bedroom it's own private getaway!!!

Looking forward to seeing you Saturday- 11259  N Sawtooth Rd,  Oro Valley, AZ  85737.

The Fine Line- Social Networking and your REALTOR®

In today’s internet age social networking has become paramount in everyday relationships as well as business relationships.   There is no denying that a potential client will, should, and does know a lot more about me before I even know they are looking!  The question then becomes, how much do you want to know about your REALTOR®? 

There is a very fine line between getting a gauge on someone’s personality, and seeing if they will work well with and for you- and getting way too much information, that of which should never be brought into the conversation!  The trend definitely seems to be leaning towards a more personal take on the business relationship, which is great- but do some take it too far? 

Does the medium depend on how personal one should get?  Do you tend to lean towards Facebook, blogs and twitter- and can these mediums get away with a more personal approach?  Do more industry specific pages such as Zillow and Trulia provide you a better medium to get to know a potential REALTOR®?  I will admit I have leaned towards the business side of things in my social networking, but I am working on getting some more personality in there!! 

What are the important qualities do you look for when pre-screening your REALTOR®.  Do you want to see pictures of their families, hobbies, everyday life situations?  Would you feel that is better left for the conversations in person, in the course of conducting business?  Would you rather hear their strengths, plans, and details on how they can work for you, or does too much of this business approach just bore you?

As a local Tucson REALTOR®, part of a very successful brokerage Tierra Antigua Realty, and a member of a professional team, I do my best to provide local information that my clients, and potential clients will find useful.  That being said, I try to interject some of my personality into everything that you will see.  We all can all agree that too much of the same old statistics and topics make for a boring read!  It is a very fine line between business and personal nowadays so I would love to hear some feedback from a client’s point of view- should we all loosen up a little bit?  Or stay within a completely professional persona? 

Do open houses help sell homes?

This subject has long been debated, with conflicting statistics across the board.  Consumers selling their homes want to see their agent working for them, but is a block of time out of their busy weekends really doing the seller any good? Is the internet helping their effectiveness, or hurting?  Here is an interesting article that raises some interesting points.

I myself am a fan of open houses; I believe that any exposure is GOOD exposure.  This works both for the home I am selling, as well as the services I am offering to potential new clients that walk through the door.  Holding a home open allows the neighbors to view the home without the hassle of setting up an appointment, they can satisfy their curiosity, which providing great word of mouth advertising for the home. 

As an agent do you like doing open houses?  Do you feel they sell homes?  Do you feel they benefit your business in any other ways? 

As a seller, do you feel they add to the marketing plan of a home?  Would you like to see you listing agent holding open houses? 

As a buyer, does this allow you to feel less hassled when searching for a home?  Do you use this as a way to interview potential agents to help you in your search?  Where are you finding open houses to visit?

We would like everyone to join us in welcoming in the addition of our new blog to www.AbsoluteAces.com . We will continue to give every effort to keep our clients informed of any pertinent real estate information they may find useful in their future transactions. This is why we employ several mediums that allow each client to find a means of communication that works for them- our website, Facebook, Twitter, and now our Blog. In addition to the new blog we have also started a monthly E-Newsletter, we can now provide vast, and up to date information to you on a monthly basis straight to your email! The E-Newsletter will offer great giveaways, coupons, and more! You can sign up for the E-Newletter at www.AbsoluteAces.com/Newsletter . The first Drawing will be held Febuary 15th 2010, we wish you all the best of luck!