Tips & Tools

The Selling Power of Personalization

September 15, 2017

Homebuyer browsing design options at Richmond American's Home Gallery

Finding a resale home that checks all the boxes on your clients’ wish list? Good luck! Finding a floor plan that clients can personalize with their choice of cabinets, countertops, flooring and more? Good business. If you’re looking for ways to wow your clients and earn their repeat business and referrals, it’s time to make the Richmond American Home Gallery™ a part of your sales strategy. What’s the Home Gallery™? It’s a boutique-style design center that’s unlike others in the homebuilding industry. There, buyers who…

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Tips & Tools

How to Help a “Boomerang Buyer”

August 24, 2017

Boomerang buyers moving into their new home

It’s 2017, and that means many Americans who were hardest hit by the Great Recession have had time to reestablish their credit and may be thinking about owning a home again. These boomerang buyers—former homeowners looking to reenter the market after having been sidelined by foreclosure or bankruptcy—can be a great demographic for expanding your client base. Oftentimes credit-impacted buyers feel adrift navigating their way back to homeownership, and an agent with the right expertise can prove invaluable. To position yourself for success, check out…

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Tips & Tools

Home Tour Tip: Entertain the Kids!

August 2, 2017

If your clients ever have trouble entertaining young children during a model home tour, here’s your chance to be their hero! Bring along a few home-themed coloring sheets and crayons or colored pencils and ask them how they would decorate their dream home. The prospect of moving may seem intimidating for little ones, so this is a great way to generate excitement about it! Don’t have coloring sheets? If you have a copy of the home’s floor plan, that could interest them (especially if you point…

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How to Talk to Clients About Energy Savings

July 28, 2017

Do energy-efficient features actually sell homes? This is a question real estate agents often ask and the answer depends on the mindset of the buyer. There are green-minded clients who have energy savings at the top of the wish list, and for them, the question is an easy yes. However, even for buyers who are more concerned with lifestyle features, energy efficiency can play a part in building trust in a homebuilder. The wallet-conscious buyer Though many people want an earth-friendly home, the potential…

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Managing Client Expectations During a Home Search

July 21, 2017

Some house hunters know what they’re looking for in their next home and have a good understanding of what they will or won’t compromise on in their home search. Others may need a little guidance. Here are a few tactics to try with buyers who have wish lists too broad or too narrow to help you. Case 1: The “I know EXACTLY what I want” homebuyer. It’s great to have a buyer that knows what he or she wants and can clearly communicate those…

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Sellers Stressing You Out? Try Selling New Homes!

June 30, 2017

Selling new homes can make buyers happy.

A home is one of the largest financial and emotional investments many people will make in their lifetime. Is it any wonder that when it’s time to move on, a home seller might have difficulty viewing things objectively? Here are a couple of common situations that could be avoided by selling new homes instead! Highly subjective home pricing Maybe they’re reminiscing about all the good times they’ve enjoyed within those walls. Maybe they’re mentally adding up all the maintenance and improvement costs they’ve poured into…

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6 Real Estate Articles to Share this Summer

June 16, 2017

Looking for articles to share with your clients (and potential clients)? Don’t forget about our homebuyer blog, Homeward™! It’s full of stories for house hunters, home sellers and homeowners alike. Feel free to link them from your social media accounts, blog or emails as a way of keeping in touch with past customers, educating current clients or engaging new leads. 12 Hot Neighborhoods to Watch This Summer Clients still scoping out neighborhoods? Don’t overlook these opportunities across a dozen markets! Read article Checklist for Putting…

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10 Reasons Buyers Love New Homes

May 11, 2017

New home streetscape in Southern California for New Homes Infographic

Whether you’re new to selling new homes, or just need a refresher, here’s a handy infographic to help you communicate the value of new construction to your clients. For more in-depth information, tips and tools, be sure to download our free Selling New Homes Guide, created just for agents like you!

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Student Loan Debt and Homeownership

May 4, 2017

Having a college education is very valuable. Unfortunately, the price tag often reflects this, and navigating post-graduation financial waters can be tricky. That being said, student loan debt shouldn’t be a barrier to homeownership. There are ways to balance the responsibility of paying off student loans and still enjoy homeownership. Here are a few concerns these buyers may have about buying a home, and some ways you can address them. “I can’t save up for a down payment while making student loan payments.” Saving for…

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Prepare Your Buyers for a Seller’s Market

April 27, 2017

Homebuying in a Competitive Market Guide

Your clients (especially first-time buyers) may not be prepared for the fast-paced, competitive nature of buying a home in a seller’s market. Fortunately, we’ve got a new guide for that! Homebuying in a Competitive Market is free to download and includes tips to help buyers: Get ready to act quickly Optimize their home search Boost an offer on a resale home And more Share it with your clients today or get your own copy and use it as a refresher! You may find that it’s…