Friday, March 28, 2025

The Consumer’s Guide✨ to Hiring an ✨Amazing Real Estate Agent

 When you are Buying or Selling a Home, it is Crucial to Work with a Qualified Real Estate Agent. Not just a Professional, but an AMAZING Realtor and a Market Expert. So how do you ensure you’re hiring an amazing real estate agent?

There are currently more than Two Million Real Estate Professionals in North America.1,2 With so many  options to choose from, how does a Prospective Home Buyer or Seller choose the Right Agent or Broker? According to the National Association of Realtors®, Trust and Reputation are the top deciding factors Consumers use when hiring a Realtor.3

But how do you measure Trust and Reputation ... and what criteria can be used to help you make your decision?

In this guide, Kathy has outlined the Top Attributes that AMAZING Realtors possess, as well as the questions you can ask to make sure you are working with the right Market Expert to achieve your Real Estate goals.

FIVE ATTRIBUTES OF AN AMAZING AGENT

As we mentioned above, not all Real Estate Professionals are the same. And it is easy to be overwhelmed by the options and information about working with Real Estate Professionals to Buy or Sell your home. In fact, many Real Estate Markets are Oversaturated with Realtors.

To help you understand what makes Top Realtors and Market Experts stand apart from the Competition, following are Five Key Attributes of an AMAZING Realtor. 


  1. A Pricing Specialist

If an Agent has their Real Estate License, they know the basics of the transaction process.  They know what goes into Buying and Selling a Home. However, there is a difference between Knowing the Process and Navigating it for an Ideal Result. This ideal result often means Buying or Selling a Home for the Best Price.

For Buyers, AMAZING Realtors have a Strong Understanding of Market Trends, Competition, and how to make your Offer Attractive to Sellers.  They can help you Identify and Secure a deal to ensure you get the Home you want, within your Desired Budget.

If you’re Selling a Home, Market Experts have Experience Pricing Homes Optimally for the Market, and Creating Pricing Plans to Minimize the Time spent Selling the Home. This will Help you Sell for your Desired Price, and Avoid Costs like Additional Mortgage and Utility Payments.

  1. An Effective Time Manager

It is Common to Underestimate the Amount of Time it takes to Buy or Sell your Home. The Average Realtor may not be Utilizing the Latest Tools and Technology to make the Transaction easier and more cost effective for their Clients. Market Experts have Tools and Strategies at their disposal to Minimize the Amount of Time you spend on the process.

For Sellers, Market Experts can make sure you only deal with Qualified Buyers, not the “Window Shoppers” who can Waste your Time.  Kathy Hyatt with RE/MAX Utilizes the Latest Marketing Practices to Advertise and Price your Home Effectively, ensuring it gets SOLD Quickly.

When Looking to Buy a Home, In-Experienced Agents may Waste your Time by Showing you Homes that are not a Good Fit for you. A Market Expert knows how to Prioritize your Needs and Wants to find you the Ideal Home within your Budget. They also know how to spot “Red Flags” and can steer you away from Homes that are likely to turn up Major Issues in a Real Estate Inspection, saving you Time and Money.

In addition, Well-Networked Realtors can gain access to the Hottest Listings before many Websites do. Their Extensive Professional Networks Can Help identify “Pre-List” Homes before they’re Officially on the Market. This can be Invaluable in a Highly Competitive Real Estate Market.

  1. A Market Insider

While Most Realtors can pull Market Stats about a Neighborhood, Community or City, they may not Understand Important Trends or Developments that would Affect your Transaction. These can include the State of the School District, issues with a Homeowner Association, New Businesses in the Area, Zoning Rules or Trends in Home Prices.

Market Experts Live and Breathe Local Real Estate and Know the Trigger Points for Buying and Selling in this Market.  They also stay Current on Effective Marketing and Negotiation Practices, Resulting in Track Record of Success.

For Sellers, Kathy Understand what Features of your Home and Neighborhood Assets in the Selling Process are.  And for Buyers, Kathy shares a Deep Understanding of Market Factors, including School and Neighborhood Quality, Crime Statistics, Speed of Sales and More.

  1. A Strong Negotiator

AMAZING Realtors Truly Set Themselves Apart in their Ability to Negotiate.  Unfortunately, a large portion of Realtors do not commit their Full Time to Increasing this Key Skill.

Real Estate Negotiations can be challenging, even for Seasoned Professionals.  It takes Skill, Experience, and a Knowledge of how to fight for your Client’s Best Interests.  While any Realtor can enter Negotiations to Buy or Sell a Home, they may not know the Effective Strategies to exit those Negotiations with the Result You Want.

Experienced Realtors focus on Negotiation as a Key Skill.  They Understand What to do Before Entering Negotiations (establishing the upper hand to set up the best outcome), as well as during the Process (when to offer or accept concessions).

  1. An Effective Closer

Closing a Deal Fast is often a Good Thing. For Buyers, it means you Found the Home you Wanted Quickly. For Sellers, it often means you can Avoid the Added Expenses of Mortgage and Utility Payments and Maximize the Value of your Home Sale.

However, a Realtor Solely Focused on Speed can Make Decisions that aren’t in your Best Interests. Top Realtors know how to not only Achieve your Real Estate Goals Quickly, but in the Right Way to Avoid Potential Pitfalls.

Just like Negotiations, the Paperwork and Process of Closing a Real Estate Transaction are Complicated.  And they can be Overwhelming for the Average Realtor who hasn’t handled a lot of Transactions.  Sales Contracts, Property Disclosures, Occupancy Agreements and even Lead Paint Records need to be Executed with Precision. Your Realtor not only needs to be Familiar with these, but also Stay Current on any Changes in Requirements or Regulations.

Market Experts have a Strong Understanding of Real Estate Contracts, Timelines, Clauses and Contingencies within the Closing Process. In fact, Avoiding Pitfalls during the Closing Process is where many Sellers find an Experienced Realtor is a Huge Asset.

FIVE QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR REAL ESTATE AGENT

So how do you know if you are working with an AMAZING Realtor?

The first step would be to “Shop Around.”  Many people work with the First Realtor they come across without a firm understanding of their Level of Experience.  It’s always a Good Idea to interview a number of Realtors before selecting one. If you’ve gotten referrals from People you Trust, then you may only need to Interview 2-3 Realtors.

However, it can be Tough to Know What to Ask in the Interview Process. Here are some questions that can help you qualify the Best Realtor to help you Achieve your Real Estate Goals:

  1. Can you send me some Information about Yourself?

Look for Professionalism and Consistency. What are their Professional Accomplishments? Also, try to identify how they Approach their Work. Look for a Businessperson who has a Strategy and Solid Support System. If they are a Newer Realtor, ask about their Team’s Dynamic and Accomplishments.

  1. How long have you been in Real Estate?

The Average Realtor has 10 years of experience4. But while Longevity is Important, even more Telling are the Number of Transactions they have Closed or been Involved in. So, feel free to also ask: “How many Homes have you Sold in this Area?”

  1. What will you do to keep me informed?

Do you want Daily or Weekly Reports from your Realtor? Will the Realtor be able to meet these Expectations? Determine how much Communication you want, and then find a Realtor who will give you the Attention and Time you Want and Deserve.

  1. Can you provide me with Further Resources I may need?

From Market Reports and Pricing Trends to School Performance and Crime Statistics, Top Realtors have Resources at their Disposal. In addition, Market Experts have Built Strong Relationships with their Extended Team of Professionals and can often get Expedient Service or be able to “Cash in a Favor” for you should a need arise.

  1. Seller only: Can you share with me your Plan to Market my Property? Many Realtors  will simply put your Home in the MLS and wait for it to Sell. An AMAZING Realtor should have a Detailed Plan of how to get your Home Exposure on Social Media, to their Local Networks, and More.

GET STARTED

Now that you are armed with the 5 Attributes of Amazing Agents and the Top Questions to ensure you Work with the Best Possible Realtor, you are Ready to Start Interviewing Agents.

Kathy Hyatt and her Team would Love an Opportunity to Win your Business. Schedule a Free Consultation to find out how True Market Experts can Help you Achieve your Real Estate Goals!

Sources:

1.  National Association of REALTORS – https://www.nar.realtor/field-guides/field-guide-to-quick-real-estate-statistics

2.  Financial Post – http://business.financialpost.com/personal-finance/mortgages-real-estate/canada-housing-bubble-agents/wcm/b49d4e3a-bd8d-4d1c-9566-bd3d80c8e23a

3.  National Association of REALTORS –  https://www.nar.realtor/reports/highlights-from-the-profile-of-home-buyers-and-sellers

4.  National Association of REALTORS – https://www.nar.realtor/field-guides/field-guide-to-quick-real-estate-statistics 

Kathy Hyatt Realtor , Kathy Hyatt Plantation , RE/MAX, RE/MAX Realtor , South Florida Homes , South Florida Real Estate , Fort Lauderdale Florida Homes , Fort Lauderdale Real Estate , Plantation Florida Homes ,

Sunrise Florida Homes , Cooper City Florida Homes , Golf Course Homes , Country Club Homes , Equestrian Homes , Florida Vacation Homes , Horse Community Neighborhoods , Villas and Townhomes , Vacation Homes , Florida Vacation Homes,

Hyatt Christmas , Katherine Hyatt , Kathy Hyatt , Plantation Realtor , South Florida Realtor , Hyatt Realtors , RE/MAX Kat ,  Real Estate Kat , Rock Star Kat , Luxury Homes, Million Dollar Homes , Moving To  South Florida 

Real Home🏠 Value 🖥Calculator: Assessed 💰Value vs Market 💲Value

 

Understanding a home’s true market value is about more than pictures, software assessments and price-per-square-foot.  Whether you’re a current homeowner thinking of selling or are house-hunting, it’s crucial you understand what factors affect home valuation.  By partnering with a local market expert, sellers will avoid pricing their house out of the market (the kiss of death in real estate) and buyers will ensure they get a good deal on their next home.

So, how do you accurately calculate a home’s value? After all, the value a home is assigned by its town or county and the one it is given when it is listed are often dramatically different from one another. Which one is accurate and what does it all mean? Read on to learn more.

Assessed Value vs Market Value: What is the difference?

When it comes to home value, you will often hear two terms, assessed value and market value.

A home’s assessed value is often the lower number of the two, and is the value given by your municipality or county. Investopedia defines assessed value as “the dollar value assigned to a property to measure applicable taxes.” 1  Although property tax laws vary, assessors commonly arrive at this number by taking into account the following:

  •     What comparable/similar homes are selling for in your area.
  •     The value of recent improvements.
  •     Income from renting out a room or space on the property.
  •     How much it would cost to rebuild on the property.

A home’s market value, or Fair Market Value, is the price a buyer is willing to pay or a seller is willing to accept for a property. A skilled real estate professional will arrive at the value using a variety of metrics, including:

  •     External characteristics, such as lot size, home style, the condition of the home and curb appeal.
  •      Internal characteristics, such as the number of rooms and their size, the type and condition of the heating or HVAC system, the quality and condition of construction, the flow of the home, etc.
  •      The sales price of comparable homes that have sold in your area.
  •      Supply and demand; that is, how many buyers and sellers are in the area.
  •      Location: that is, the quality and desirability of your neighborhood and other community amenities.

Why are these values often so different? An assessor usually estimates your property’s market value during a reassessment or if you make a physical change or improvement to it.2 As a result, a property may not be reassessed for many years. While your home’s market value may fluctuate with the market, your home’s assessed value is more likely to remain steady.3

What Determines a Home’s Value?

You have likely heard the motto of real estate: “Location, location, location.” This means a home’s value relies on its location. While the home and structures on the property will likely depreciate over time, the land beneath it tends to appreciate. Why? Land is in limited supply and a growing population puts increased demand on the housing supply. As a result, values increase.4

Other factors that affect your home’s value include the function and appearance of the property, how well the home and other structures are maintained and whether the home is a lifestyle property, such as a ranch style with mountain views or beach bungalow.

Ultimately, the best indication of a home’s value is the overall supply and demand of the market. This is why we recommend you partner with a real estate professional who takes all of these factorsthe assessed value, local market conditions, home features and has physically walked through and experienced your home into consideration to determine the most accurate market value.

How to determine if a property is comparable to yours.

Both assessed value and market value are partially determined by the sales price of similar, or comparable, homes in the area. To determine if a home is comparable to yours, look for the following characteristics:

  •      Lot size
  •      Square footage
  •      Home style or similar architecture
  •      Age
  •      Location

While you may not find a home with the same exact characteristics as yours, you will likely find a few that are close. To account for any disparity, adjust the sales prices of the comparable properties. Look at the differences between your property and the one in question and determine if the differences increased or decreased the sales price and by how much. For example, if your home has two bathrooms and a similar home only has three, estimate how much that extra bathroom increased the sale price of the similar home. The adjusted sale price is the estimation of what the property would sell for if the properties were exactly the same.2

Where can you find comparable sales?

Fortunately, you can find comparable home sales in a variety of places.2

  •      Your local assessor’s office can provide a list of recent sales you can browse and compare or a sales history of a particular house, home style or neighborhood.
  •      Your municipality. Many cities keep local sales information in their offices or post it online.
  •      Online databases, such as a real estate database
  •      Your local newspapers may offer some real estate information in the form of quarterly sales  reports in the business or real estate sections of the newspaper.
  •      Our office. We regularly do Comparable Market Analysis of homes in our local area.

How to calculate your home’s value.

By answering a few questions about your home, property, and the local market, you can begin to estimate your property’s value. We have also included a worksheet for you below...

Home Value Questions:

When was your home last assessed?

What was its CMA assessment value?

What is your area’s average sales price?

What is your area’s average price/square foot?

Structure:

  •        Is the architecture and exterior structure of the home consistent, superior, or inferior to other homes in the area?
  •        Does the era or genre (Modern, Victorian, Ranch, Cottage, etc.) add a premium based on current design trends?
  •       How does the floor plan and room size proportions of the home compare to other homes on the market?

Interior Structure:

  • How does the kitchen compare to others on the market?
    •        Updated or outdated
    •        Floor plan
    •        Appliance packages
  • How does the Master Suite compare to others on the market?
    •         Size
    •         First/second floor
    •         Updated or outdated
    •         Access to Master Bath
  • How does the Master Bath compare to others on the market?
    •        Updated or outdated
    •        Shower and bath
    •        Flooring

Outside Areas:

  • Are there views, outdoor living areas or recreational areas?
    •        Pools
    •        Ponds
    •        Patios
  •        How does the landscaping and hard-scaping compare to the market? (e.g., built elements such as walkways, patios, decks, etc.)

Overall Condition of Home

  •        What is the level of repair needed to compete with other homes?
  •        Does the home need to be staged? How does it show?
  •        What curb appeal projects are necessary to be consistent with others on the market?


If you want to accurately assess a Home’s Value, it is crucial to know about the market activity of our local area. Kathy Hyatt with RE/MAX  can help! Give Kathy a call to get the scoop on the Local Market.

Kathy Hyatt is a Full Time Realtor working for RE/MAX specializing in Western Broward County, more particularly in the cities of Plantation, Davie, Sunrise, Cooper City and Southwest Ranches.  Give Kathy a call 954-347-0244 and visit: www.HyattRealtors.com

Sources:

  1. Investopedia http://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/assessedvalue.asp
  2. New York State Department of Taxation and Finance https://www.tax.ny.gov/pubs_and_bulls/orpts/mv_estimates.htm
  3. Realtor.com http://www.realtor.com/advice/sell/assessed-value-vs-market-value-difference/
  4. Investopedia, http://www.investopedia.com/articles/mortgages-real-estate/08/housing-appreciation.asp?lgl=myfinance-layout 

Kathy Hyatt Realtor , KathyHyatt Plantation , RE/MAX, RE/MAX Realtor , South Florida Homes , South FloridaReal Estate , Fort Lauderdale Florida Homes , Fort Lauderdale Real Estate , Plantation Florida Homes ,

Sunrise Florida Homes , CooperCity Florida Homes , Golf Course Homes , Country Club Homes , Equestrian Homes , Florida Vacation Homes , Horse Community Neighborhoods , Villas and Townhomes , Vacation Homes , Florida Vacation Homes,

Hyatt Christmas , Katherine Hyatt , Kathy Hyatt , Plantation Realtor , South Florida Realtor , Hyatt Realtors , RE/MAX Kat ,  Real Estate Kat , Rock Star Kat , Luxury Homes, Million Dollar Homes , Moving To  South Florida

The Compound 🏬Effect: Building💪 Your Household’s 💰Wealth

 

Wealth is within reach for many people; however, according to a recent study, 63 percent of Americans said it’s not likely they’ll become rich.1  While younger people are more likely to say they’ll achieve wealth one day, only 34 percent of people aged 30 to 49 and 21 percent of people aged 50 or older say the same. There is no secret to becoming rich: it takes time, sacrifice, and good financial sense. Here are a few ways to build your household’s wealth.

Let Compound Interest Work for You

Compound interest is your interest earning interest. While the concept may work against you when you take out a loan to buy a car or use your credit card, it works in your favor when you are saving money. For example, if your savings is growing at a rate of four percent, your investment will double in eight years and quadruple in 16 years. Your money will grow exponentially the longer you save: the more money you’ve saved, the more your money will grow.

Tap into Your Home Appreciation

Experts expect home prices to appreciate 3.24 percent and grow by 21.4 percent cumulatively.2  If a homeowner purchases a home this year for $250,000, they could earn more than $40,000 in equity over the next five years. Although the home value of the average American family’s home is $165,000, home values vary by market.3 If you’re curious about the value of your home, give us a call!

Build Equity in Your Home

One of the most compelling reasons to own a home is it allows you to build wealth over time. According to one study, the average homeowner has a net worth of $200,000, which is 31 to 46 times the net worth of the average renter.4 Saving for a down payment, especially if you plan to put down more than 20 percent, helps you adopt good financial habits. The more you put down when you buy, the higher your share of equity when you close. Although for the first five to seven years, most of your payment will go toward interest, over time more money will be applied to the principal. There are many tools online that calculate your current and future equity in your home, including this one here.

Build equity sooner by choosing a shorter amortization term. While your payment may be higher, you’ll likely qualify for a lower interest rate and will pay less interest over the life of the loan.

Pay Down Your Mortgage…or Not

Many homeowners grapple with whether to pay down their mortgage. On one hand, if you pay it down, or pay it off early, you will save money on interest, which you can use to make other investments. On the other hand, if your goal is to be debt free, it is better to pay off your higher-interest debt, such as credit card debt, first before paying down your mortgage debt. Additionally, if you are saving for retirement, putting extra cash toward your retirement accounts will help you build a nice nest egg to enjoy later on.

If you decide to pay off your mortgage sooner, here are a few ways to do so:

 Pay more money at the beginning of your amortization period and apply it to your principal.

  1. Pay more money at the beginning of your amortization period and apply it to your principal.
  2. If you receive a tax refund or other windfall, apply it toward your principal.
  3. Make one extra payment each year. You will save money on interest and pay your loan off sooner.
  4. Add an extra $50, or another amount you can afford, to the principal of your payment each month.
  5. If you locked into a 30-year fixed loan, refinance to a shorter, 15-year fixed loan. Your payment may be higher, but you will pay it off sooner.

Your financial advisor can help you decide if paying off or paying down your mortgage is right for your goals.

Purchase Investment Property

Investment properties provide passive income to your growing financial portfolio. More than 25 percent of Americans say real estate is the best way to invest money you may not need for the next 10 years.5 While many people flip houses to make money—that is, they buy a home at a low price, fix it up and sell it quickly—others purchase multifamily properties to create monthly cash flow to save or to reinvest in other properties.

The longer you own a property, the better investment it becomes as you will continue to build equity. While rental costs rise with inflation, your mortgage will remain the same. The best part? Once you pay off the mortgage, your cash flow will increase. Remember to create a budget for maintenance each month, between 10 to 20 percent of the rent you receive, or more if the home is older. This will help you save more money in the long run and allow you to prepare for unexpected repairs.

There are tax benefits to owning investment property as well. You may be able to claim deductions for depreciation, if it fits within the guidelines, repairs, travel expenses, interest and more. If you are thinking of purchasing investment property, talk to your tax professional to get the details.

Achieve More Wealth by Creating Financial Goals

Setting a goal will help you achieve your desired level of wealth. Once you achieve one goal, reassess, and set the bar higher.

  1. What is your idea of wealth? Your idea of wealth will change as you earn more money. That is why it is vital to set goals along the way. What do you want your net worth to be in 5 years, in 10 years and in 20 years. 
  1. Write down your short-term and long-term goals. Once you have determined your goals, write them down. This is the first step towards getting your desires out of your mind and into motion and it will be easier to refer to them later.

  1. Develop a budget to help you reach these goals. A budget not only helps you understand where your money goes each month, it may also prevent you from overspending. That way you can have more money to save and invest.         

To increase the amount you can invest, adjust your daily spending and monthly bills, if possible. Look for opportunities to save money and transfer that savings into your accounts.

It is never too late to begin building your family’s wealth. Whether you are interested in buying a first home, upgrading to a larger home, or are thinking of renovating, Kathy Hyatt with RE/MAX has you covered. Give Kathy a call and she will answer all your real estate questions and offer suggestions to help you increase the value of your home.

Kathy Hyatt is a Full Time Realtor working for RE/MAX specializing in Western Broward County, more particularly in the cities of Plantation, Davie, Sunrise, Cooper City and Southwest Ranches.  Give Kathy a call 954-347-0244 and visit: www.HyattRealtors.com

Sources:

  1. BankRate.com
  2. Pulsenomics, Home Price Expectation Survey Q4 2016
  3. Statistic Brain, August 1, 2016
  4. National Association of REALTORS, Economists’ Outlook, September 8, 2014
  5. The Motley Fool, July 30, 2016

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