Fredericksburg Texas

Gross inefficiencies within inherently efficient systems.  Sounds like an intriguing title to a PhD dissertation rather than a blog about Fredericksburg Texas real estate, but the “inherently efficient system” I’m referring to is what is commonly known as the real estate marketplace. The push and pull between buyers and sellers results in the balance of supply and demand (equilibrium).  When factors conspire to shift that balance one way or the other (e.g. interest rates, macroeconomics, natural disasters, etc.) the marketplace corrects itself with higher or lower prices, changes in days-on-market and increases or decreases in inventory.  It’s the perfect capitalist system.

Leave it to “local business practices” to take a smooth running, time-tested model and throw a monkey wrench into it.  The inefficiency to which I refer is the system to which we all must adhere to show properties listed in our local MLS.  Every property with improvements has locks that must be opened to allow access for showing. To show a variety of properties listed by a variety of offices, each agent must call those offices for appointments to show and then go by those offices to pick up keys (they also have to return them when finished).  This is hugely unnecessary waste of time and effort.

The vast majority of real estate markets have figured out how to cure this inefficiency, we know how to fix it but we stupidly refuse to act.  I’m sure most of you reading this blog have heard the term “lockbox”.  It’s what most market use to allow access and track showings. It is a simple way both to save time and to accurately track who is showing what property (and when).  In this day and age, the tools are there, they are affordable and they are simple to use.  Why don’t we use them?  I don’t know, ask the MLS board.  This has been on the radar screen for years yet nothing every gets done.

Rather than looking for reasons to say “no” or “that won’t work here” we should be looking for ways to improve the efficiency of our services to our clients.  Working smarter is the way to the future.  This community is being dragged into the future kicking and screaming.  Wouldn’t it make more sense to accept that the future is now and embrace the inevitability of progress?         http://www.fredericksburg-texas-property-for-sale.com

How far should an agent (representing a buyer or seller) go in negotiating and then closing a real estate transaction?  No, this is not going to be a discussion of realtor ethics or a “tell all” of ethical lapses that have occurred in Fredericksburg Texas real estate sales.  My goal in this post is to contain my comments to ways in which agents can (using logic, common sense, creativity and experience) best represent the interests of their clients.

To take a tiny step backwards, let me first state that a successful negotiation is one that produces a “win-win”.  In buying land, ranches, homes, etc. that “win-win” is evidenced when both parties execute a legally binding contract.  If either party is feeling slighted in the negotiations, there will be no contract and, therefore, no “win-win”.

If I represent the seller in a deal, the “win” I am trying to negotiate is based solely upon their goals, wants, needs, etc.  If I represent the buyer, my goals are (obviously) somewhat different.  Without the “win-win” the seller doesn’t sell, the buyer doesn’t buy and I don’t eat!

There are many schools of thought as to how to best serve these competing goals.  When negotiations come to loggerheads, it is often left to the agents involved to step up and create solutions.  Examples include the all-too-common commission-ectomy, agents paying for surveys, home warranties, inspections, etc., etc.  I could spend a lot of time and effort debating the pros and cons of these approaches and whether or not it is “fair” for principals to expect their agents to sacrifice where they are not willing to, but I won’t.

As with all negotiations, the bottom line rules.  As an agent, would I rather pay for a home warranty out of my pocket or not have a deal?  Duh!  You do what you gotta do.

It’s not about an agent winning or losing, it’s about the person you represent getting the best deal possible (within the confines of a “win-win”).  Agents who “take it personally” lose sight of who really matters in the deal and fail in their fiduciary responsibility to their client.  As an agent, it is never about me, it’s about the client and representing/protecting them to the best of my ability.  Much more often than not, this produces the desired “win-win”.

Choosing a builder is the single most important thing anyone building their home will do.  You can have the best location and the coolest design and none of it will matter if your builder messes things up.

All the moving parts that make up a residential construction project should only be entrusted to a builder that has a proven track record of success and has a long history of successful sub-contractor relationships.  Most importantly, your builder should be bonded and should be licensed with the Texas Residential Construction Commission .