Merry Christmas from Tucson Power Group!

Merry Christmas from our Tucson Power Group family to yours. We will be available over the Holidays, so please reach out if you need us.

 

 

 

Do you want “Success”?

Do you want to be successful, and aren’t sure where to start? We hope this will help.

Let’s start with the Webster’s Dictionary definition: Success: favorable or desired outcome; also: the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence.

For the purposes of this blog, I will be referencing the first definition. Your desired outcome is up to you. Whether it’s spiritual, financial, work, or fun, it’s not about our version or the world’s version of success. It’s about yours. So, how do you achieve success?

• Failure. How we choose to look at failing makes a huge impact on our ability to succeed. Anyone who is successful has learned to embrace failure. They learn from it, they see it as an opportunity to grow. They apply what they have learned and they move forward.
• Set goals. What do you want? What does successful look like? It needs to be specific, and you need a plan to get there. Break down the steps to attaining your goal into small enough pieces that you can work on it every day. Measure your progress. Make adjustments when needed, with the end result in mind at all times. When we see a big goal, many times it seems a monumental task. If we break the journey into small pieces, the pieces add up. Don’t focus on everything that needs to be done, or you will go crazy. Think about the end result for motivation, do today’s piece, then plan tomorrow’s piece.
•  Make a commitment. Don’t back down. Your success depends on your determination to do the right things every day. If you don’t do the daily tasks, they won’t add up to the big goal. Be selfish with your time in attaining the goal. You MUST do the work every day. Don’t let anyone or anything get in the way.
• Persevere. Each time we fail, we must keep going. If what you are passionate about is worthy of your energy to start with, why would you quit?
• ACT NOW. Don’t wait for the right time to start. You will never finish unless you start. No more getting ready to get ready. Just starting something gives you powerful motivation to continue. Thinking about doing something will never make something happen. Even if you aren’t sure it will work, do something.
• Continual Improvement. Anyone who is successful is always looking for ways to improve. Read, learn, and grow. Maximize your efficiency.
• Modeling. No, I’m not talking about Victoria’s Secret. Model those who have already done what you are working on. Why reinvent the wheel? Learn from the mistakes and successes of others. They have already provided the template. Do the things successful people have done to succeed.
• Be a better communicator. No matter how good you are at communicating with others, you can be better. In our opinion, the ability to communicate effectively with others is the single most important skill you can have. Study it. Practice it. Watch others who do it well, and copy them. Read the timeless book “How to win friends and influence people” by Dale Carnegie.
• Make connections. This one is closely tied to the last one. The better you can communicate and relate to people, the more connections you will have. Connections are power, plain and simple. There is strength in numbers, and when you have multiple people working toward the same goal, you will get there much more quickly. Additionally, you can’t be good at everything. Enlist those who are passionate about their talents to help you supplement yours.
• Be flexible. Things change and we can’t avoid that….ever. Don’t even try. Roll with the changes, and adapt to the situation. If you don’t, you will only end up frustrated.
• Be humble. Humility is a huge key to happiness, and in being a good friend to others. People love to help those who are humble. Don’t blame others for your failures, it doesn’t serve you. Be accountable to yourself.
• Be optimistic. Others like to be around those who are optimistic. It encourages them. This ties into connections and communication, and enhances them both. Optimism is contagious. Optimism is fuel for self motivation. Why dwell on the negative? It does not serve you. Learn from the negative and move on to positive thoughts.

Do these things, and you will have a strong foundation for success in anything you do.

What other things do you think make a person successful?

How can we help you to be successful in real estate? Contact us to find out!

What NOT to do when selling your home

Want to sell your home quickly and for the most money? Make sure you don’t do these things!

Don’t price it too high: You know what you paid for your home (and so do we, it’s public record) but that does not mean it is worth that much today. The home may have appreciated – or depreciated since you bought it. It is only worth what the market will pay for it today. It doesn’t matter how much you owe on the property, or what you have in it. Your Realtor knows what the values of homes like yours are selling for today. Pricing the home appropriately is the single most important decision you will make when selling your home. Many buyers will not even look at your home if it is priced to high. The market will determine whether the upgrades your home has will enable you net a higher price.  Tip: Take a very good and objective look at the comparative market analysis that your agent produces for you. Remember that just like any other product a customer chooses, they are looking for value compared to the others options available. Finally, online valuations like Zillow are a great tool but are often inaccurate. Your agent knows best.

Don’t be offended when they offer much less than the asking price: If you were a buyer, you would do the same. The goal is to get the best deal possible. They won’t know what you are willing to accept unless they ask. It’s not personal, it’s business. Tip: Take the time to make a counter offer. If they love the home, they will counter back with something closer to what they are willing to pay.  If they are trying to steal the home, they will walk away.

Don’t cut corners on marketing: A couple of photos and a sign in the yard won’t do it. Make sure your agent is taking at least 25 good photos of the home, inside and out. Public open houses and flyers to the neighborhood are also good idea. Extensive internet presence and your agent networking to find buyers is mandatory. 90% of buyers start their search on the internet. Ask your agent what they are doing to promote your home online. You want as many people as possible to know that the home is for sale! Tip: If you know you are going to sell the home, don’t wait till the last minute to tell your Realtor. They can help you with advice in preparing the home for photos, and they can do a better analysis of what your home is worth in today’s market. If you have any good photos of the home from a different time of year, provide those to your agent. You will also want to give them time to schedule good weather days that are conducive to quality photos.

Don’t sell it yourself: Unless you absolutely know what you are doing. If you have done it before, and done it RECENTLY you might have what it takes to go it alone. If not, let the professionals handle it. Realtors earn their money. They are not only trained in proper marketing tools, they are trained in disclosure and fair housing laws. In Arizona, Realtors are licensed to provide legal counsel regarding real estate contract documents. There is just too much liability to assume by doing it all yourself, unless you have a friend that is an attorney and is willing to help. The other big reason is that buyers who approach you as a for sale by owner will expect a discount because you aren’t paying a Realtor. Your agent knows what homes like yours sell for in your area, and is qualified to negotiate the best price for you. Tip: Ask friends and family for the name of a good full time Realtor. Check their references and online presence. Interview them. It will become obvious which agents know what they are doing.

Don’t put off making repairs: Anything that appears to be in disrepair suggests to potential buyers that you have not kept up with home maintenance. Leaky faucets, un-patched holes in the wall, weeds growing in the gutters, all of these leave a bad impression. Take the time to repair anything that would leave the buyer with an unfavorable impression. Tip: Walk through the home as if you were seeing it for the first time and write down everything that you have been meaning to fix, then take the time to do it.

Don’t get emotional about the home: We know this one is hard. Yes, you have lots of great memories in the home and you love it. That’s why you bought it. That said, the home is still a commodity and there are many others for potential buyers to choose from. Buyers are looking for a neutral pallet to start with so that they can make it their own. The goal is to appeal to the greatest cross section of buyers. Not everyone likes a pink bathroom. Tip: Let your Realtor walk through the home. Listen to suggestions she gives to appeal to buyers. Neutral is the key. Work with him to make the necessary changes.

Don’t leave the home a mess: The goal is to make the buyer feel like they could move into the home with their things right away. Get some boxes and put away your knick knacks and the dozens of photos on the walls or on the end tables. Eliminate clutter and unnecessary furniture. You might say “this isn’t a model home”; we would say, that’s correct, but it should look like one. Tip: Get out of the home when it is being shown. The clients don’t need to hear about everything you have done to the home, they can see that for themselves. They want to be able to speak freely when looking around and not feel like they are offending you.  

Don’t lose the sale over something minor, or a very small amount of money: Believe it or not, we have seen standoffs over $900 dollars on a $400k home. Don’t do it.  There are ways around whatever the issue is. Again, it’s not personal. It’s business. Tip: Be willing to listen to reason and be flexible when your Realtor suggests it. Do your best to meet in the middle and compromise with the other side.

If you follow these simple guidelines, you will most likely be very successful in the sale of your home, and you will greatly reduce your stress level through the process.

 

Tucson Power Group can help you with a residential sale or purchase anywhere in Southern Arizona. If you are in another area or state, we have a network of quality agents. Call us today, and we can help you find a competent agent in your town.

Want to know what homes have been selling for in your neighborhood anywhere in the U.S.? Click here

The Tucson Real Estate Market Is Turning

In Tucson Arizona, the housing market is showing definite signs of a turnaround. Consider that median and average prices have been trending upward since September of 2011. Since this time last year; Home closings are up 9%, homes under contract are up 27%, months of inventory is down from 5.5 last year to 4.2 this year. The median price is up 2% over last year. Every agent I speak with indicates that things have picked up. The phones are ringing, and people are on the move. If you have been thinking about making a move in real estate, perhaps for investment, or an upgrade or downsize move, now is an ideal time especially with continuing record low interest rates. See what others are saying about Tucson. Investors are very aware of the real estate cycle. The following graph will illustrate why investors are buying up properties quickly.

 

What investors understand is to buy low and hold, or buy low and sell high. We are at a time in the cycle where most are forecasting rising rents and values. Whatever your real estate situation, we can help you with information, counsel, and premium service. Contact us today!