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Welcome to our Spokane Real Estate Blog. If you want information that is up to date and hits right at the core of what you need to know, visit our Washington Real Estate Blog for everything you never knew about Spokane Real Estate. News, Tips, Straight talk about Spokane Washington Real Estate. We have it here. If a Real Estate Agent doesn't know what's going on how can they position your home or your purchase to make sure you get the most. Real Estate Blogs are a great way to learn how much expertise a realtor might have and also get to know them before you decide to hire them.


Spokane Real Estate Blogs



Spokane Real Estate Blog
How do you know when you've hired the wrong Realtor?5/16/2008 8:31 PM

I love listsHello Everyone,

Ok I couldn't help myself, but here is the list, I have seen these and even though they sound funny there are people and their properties who have hired these type of agents. As a general rule my advice is two fold. Make your agent write a exit clause if you're not satisfied with their services. We have done this for years and the public should really ask for it. If they won't that should be an indicator of their service. Many people get into a contract and don't realize the broker owns the contract and if your agent isn't doing their job you can contact their broker and ask them to fix it or release the listing.

So here is the list of how to know you have hired the wrong agent.

1. You have called them to list the property and they won't call you back

2. They show up in sweats

3. There is dust on the paperwork and their briefcase

4. They take pictures with their cell phone

5. The pictures they took look like they took them at night while driving by with their cell phone

7. You do recognize the pictures of your dirty dishes, and underwear on the floor

8. After listing the home, they go on vacation

9. The sign has been dangling on one hook for 3 weeks

10. There are cobwebs in the empty flyerbox

11. The black and white brochure looks like it was printed on the safeway copy machine.

12. Their card doesn't have their picture on it.

13. They are too busy for you

14. They pass you off to someone else

15. 30 days go by and you haven't heard from them

16. They are willing to list your home at a big discount

17. The picture on their card looks like a prom photo and they are over 50

18. They don't know what a magapixel is

19. Their website is the company website

20. They are rude or talk down to you

21. When you ask how things are going they say great when you haven't had a looker in over 30 days

22. When they ask you to write an offer on a home you don't really like

23. They don't listen to you.

The list can go longer, but if you have some of these signs consult with a professional at once. You may have a case of badrealtorosis and you should check into it. Avoid these and many mistakes like this by reading our Tips on Hiring a Realtor blogs, and hire responsibly.....remember in ths competitive market who you hire makes all the difference.

Ross Quintana
Your Spokane Real Estate Expert!
Team Quintana Real Estate
Spokane, WA
Work: 800-756-5251 Ext 1
Mobile: 509-362-1966
We Love Helping People and It Shows!
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!
Client Loyalty... aka I put an offer on a house yesterday5/16/2008 6:42 PM

Hello Everyone,

Don't buy a Home without me I just wanted to post on a topic that all Realtors come across in their career in Real Estate. This is also a key lesson for home shoppers and home sellers to learn from. In the Real Estate business we put all of oueffort and work into helping people buy and sell homes. Unlike the jobs that many of our clients work at to provide for their families, Relators are 100% commission and we only make money after the home closes.

This means when we drive a client around for days, or list a property and put it in expensive magazine ads we have to pay for everything and spend the time, hoping the client will find a home and we get paid at the very end aget they get the keys.

Oh,,, I thought we were working together What this means is sometimes, many agents have experienced this, you are working with a client helping them and guiding them, sending them lists and giving them tools, and then one day you call and they tell you they found a home they liked. But instead of them asking to see it,they say they put an offer on it. What? Yes, they wrote an offer without you and that is the only way you get paid.

So they were excited and wrote an offer with the listing agent and all your time and money went down the drain because even though you were helping them, you won't get paid. The tough thing about this is if you're good you have more people wanting to work with you than you have time to help. So if I help someone, I'm not helping someone else.

So loyalty is key and the public needs to step up to the plate on this one. If someone is helping you make sure you are loyal to them. They have a family they are trying to support and they don't get a paycheck every Friday, they live and die by helping people and closings. I am a very loyal person and I will go out of my way to help clients, but I expect them to be the same way back. Please be loyal to your agent who is working hard for you. Thanks and my wife thanks you too... (I have to tell her that so and so bought a home without me)

To read more blogs like this one go to our Home Buying Tips Section

Ross Quintana
Your Spokane Real Estate Expert!
Team Quintana Real Estate
Spokane, WA
Work: 800-756-5251 Ext 1
Mobile: 509-362-1966
We Love Helping People and It Shows!
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!
Problems are like leaky faucets, they need to be checked twice5/15/2008 6:16 AM

Hello Everyone,

Spokane Washington Real Estate Expert There is an important topic that needs to be understood by everyone. Many times people in need of help get some initial help from people who see the original problem but the problem is that that help is usually not enough. Then the people who were willing to help  don't check back to to see if the problem is still there.

Check back with people you've helpedFixing problems is like fixing a leak. Once you do the initial fix, you have to come back and see if it's still leaking. Even with good intentions some people pass by and throw a few dollars at the problem but to really help you need to follow up with the people you have helped and see if they still are in need.

Many months may go by and you could help a little more. You already know the need and helping again is the best thing you can do. Follow up with people, this kind of thoughtfulness shows you really do want to help them and it's easier to help again and again over time than all at once.

The Bible says you shall surely open your hand wide and give to your neighbor in need according to their need. If only the world practised this they would realize it doesn't need to be continued if people were diligent in helping people as problems arose.

South Hill Real Estate5/13/2008 5:41 PM

Hello Everyone,

Spokane Washington Real Estate Expert I just wanted to let everyone know about our new South Hill Real Estate Website. Where you can watch Virtual Tours of South Hill Homes for Sale and See Virtual Tours of South Hill Public Schools. The Spokane South Hill has always been one of the prime places to live in Spokane Washington.

Manito Park South Hill  With an abundance of Parks like Manito Park where people love to relax and walk or play with their children, read a book, or feed the ducks at the duck pond. The parks are beautiful and the shopping is great. There are many small shops and stores to enjoy. Coffee shops, and restaraunts.

I think what people love is the tree lined streets and sense of neighborhood you get on the South Hill. South Hill homes have history and distinction that is unlike most other areas in Spokane. The landscape is lush and homes are unique.

I have been a South Hill Expert since I got into Real Estate. I live on the South Hill and understand the ins and outs of selling homes for top dollar on the South Hill. When it comes time to Buy or Sell a home on the South Hill call us. We will come do a free South Hill Home Value Report for you if your selling and let you know what is happening in your neighborhood.

If you are planning on buying a home on the South Hill, we can help you by giving you tools that will not only let you see all the homes for sale on the South Hill, but you can also track your favorites and be notified of new South Spokane Homes for Sale as they come on. Visit our Spokane South Hill Page and call us.

Ross Quintana
Your Spokane Real Estate Expert!
Team Quintana Real Estate
Spokane, WA
Work: 800-756-5251 Ext 1
Mobile: 509-362-1966
We Love Helping People and It Shows!
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!
How to get Top Dollar for Spokane Homes5/5/2008 11:15 AM

Hello Everyone,

This guy is the right Realtor Everyone would like to get top dollar for their Spokane Homes, but how excactly do you do that? The market right now has more homes than it has in a while, and with the leftover Realtors from the big group of people who joined real estate in the hot market, you have a very competitive market. This is why some are calling it a buyer's market, not because the decrease in home prices like is happening around the nations, but because a competitive selling market is good for buyers.

So how do you compete if you are a seller? Well you aren't actually competing your home is, and people see your home through the marketing your real estate agent creates for it. When there used to be very little inventory you could either just put the home on the market and let the home sell itself due to scarcity, or you could reduce the price a little bit and it would quickly move to the top of the list of best buys with little price changes.

Select the Right Realtor Now that there are more homes in your category the price reductions don't make as big a difference. Getting to the top of the list by price reduction means losing a lot of money. So what can you do? Now more than ever you need to select the agents with the best marketing plans. And that requires two things.

Their marketing should stand out. The quality of marketing is a bigger factor now. Better pictures, Better materials, smarter marketing, and better virtual tours. We have a short video that shows what we do differently than other Realtors in our marketing. When hiring an agent one of the most important questions to ask is, "what do you differently than your competition?" This is a question I love to hear because we design our marketing plan to be the best, which means it is always changing and when we see agents doing something locally or nationally we make sure we are both doing it and doing it better for our clients. Visit our Spokane Real Estate website and watch our short video on our marketing plan, and when it comes time to sell your house in Spokane Call us for your Free Spokane Home Values and so that we can show you why hiring us may be your best choice.

Ross Quintana
Your Spokane Real Estate Expert!
Team Quintana Real Estate
Spokane, WA
Work: 800-756-5251 Ext 1
Mobile: 509-362-1966
ross@teamquintana.com
We Love Helping People and It Shows!
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!
Spokane Real Estate Stories - What's Your Story5/4/2008 10:12 AM

Hello Everyone,

Spokane Real Estate Experts I have been selling Spokane Real Estate for some time now and it's always amazing to meet people and hear their stories. Every buyer, every seller, and every house has a story.

Recently I met a young Christian couple who had saw my ads on TV about 2 years ago and it was finally time to sell and they called me up. It always amazes me that people remember our TV ads. I would say more than anything else people always remember the ads we do on TV. So they had me out and I showed them what we do and how it's different than other agents are doing.

They were interviewing other top Spokane real estate agents and also wanted to pray on it. Well we have to thank God that we got the nod and we went to work with them. One of th things they found important was that even though we work on a team, I was going to be the one working with them. Many teams have the guy or gal on TV and people call up and they interview them but when they hire them someone else works with them. People don't like to be passed off. We don't do business like that.

Sold in 2 weeks for $15,000 above market value Anyway we showed them real numbers from our free Home Value Analysis and they understood accurately what their home is worth. We also explained how we could sell it for up to $10,000 more with our marketing and based on the marketing strategy we were going to use. We listed the home 10 to 15,000 above market value and $20,000 above what other agents had told them and we sold it in 2 weeks. We do this all the time. They are moved out now and moving on with their lives and I'm very happy for them.

We help people like this all the time and would love to come out and help you with all of your real estate needs. If you need a free Spokane Home Values Analysis fill out the simple form on our website or call us. If you uying we have some great tools for you also to make sure you see all the homes and see them first. Call us or visit our website and tell us what your story is and how we can help you achieve your goals.

Ross Quintana
Your Spokane Real Estate Expert!
Team Quintana Real Estate
Spokane, WA
Work: 800-756-5251 Ext 1
Mobile: 509-362-1966
ross@teamquintana.com
We Love Helping People and It Shows!
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!
Top Two Reasons Your Spokane Home is Not Selling5/4/2008 9:54 AM

Hello Everyone,

Spokane Realtors Have you put your home on the market and had it not sold in the past. Mayble you put it on last year and it didn't sell and now your thinking of putting it up for sale again. Here are the top two reasons it might have not sold in the past.

1. You chose the wrong Realtor. This may not seem like a key factor but it is. In Spokane the market has gotten very competitive. We have had a low inventory for about 4 years and now the properties becuase of the slowdown are starting to build up again to levels like about 5 years ago. With more inventory and the increase in Realtors who joined Real Estate in the hot market, you have a lot of people selling homes and more competition for the buyers.

This means you can do like you did 3 years ago where you could hire anyone and just put a sign up and it would sell. Now if you don't hire the right agent it might not sell at all. The right agent has to be doing things better than the other agents or they won't give your home the competitive edge. Check out our marketing plan video where we show what we do differently then our competition to get houses sold in Spokane. If your interviewing and agent they should be able to show you exactly what they do differently than their competition if they can't move on.

 

Competition is up  2. Price. This has always been a factor in selling homes. The Spokane Real Estate market is not as bad as many markets around the country, but you still have to price it right. With more competition the pricing has to be right on. When buyers have more choices you can't get away with pricing it out of th price brackets that other similar homes are for sale for. A good agent should be able to show you exactly what your competition is priced at and how their homes compare to yours. Never accept just a price when asking what your home is worth. They may tell you a number you want to hear to get the listing. Ask to see how they came up with it and scrutinize their numbers. You want real information not pie in the sky numbers. For  Spokane Home Values click this link and tell us a little about your home and we will give you an idea what you Spokane home value might be.

Good job getting educated that is the key, don't keep doing something if it isn't working for you. Rethink and regroup. Get expert help and you can make your way through this market while others are wondering why it isn't selling. 

yeah

Stop Shoving your Brochure in my Face!4/30/2008 10:31 PM

Hello Everyone,

Spokane Real Estate Experts that Care! This blog is for agents as well as home buyers and sellers. Things are changing for the good in the real estate world and the marketing world in general. The old days of screeming in the ear of strangers telling them your the best and interupting them to say how great your product or service is are coming to a close.

Thanks to people who are sharing their products and services in a way that people want to be treated. Seth Godin speaks about permission marketing and I agree. People use Tivo to fast forward commercials because they are sick of being interupted and told how great you say you are. Real estate agents that are still doing this will not succeed for long.

Thanks to things like Blogging the consumer can search for information when they want it and get to know people by reading their blog and engaging them on their terms. By the time they contact you they already know they want to hire you. We have always taken the uncommon not in your face approach. It has worked well. People like to be treated like just that, people. Not mindless commission checks. They are also getting more educated thanks to the web and will see right through your brochure to see if you really are the best.

The days of the pushy salesman are numbered. We build relationships and educate and communicate with our clients and even helping them deal with the stress of a tough transaction. You have to be so much more these days and we are happy to do what others won't. Contact us any time you need help or advice on anything real estate related. We truly look forward to helping you.

Yeah That's What I Said?4/30/2008 10:13 PM

Hello Everyone,

Let it be done! There are so many things that are key to your success in real estate and yet there are a few simple ones that if you do them you will be amazed at the effect on your business. I have found that the common things are not common and because so many real estate agents aren't doing the simple things, when you do them you seem like a superstar.

I challenge you to pay attention in your business and personal life and see how many times you say you are going to do something and don't do exactly what you said when you said and how you said you were going to do it. We may say I'll be there at 4:00 and we show up at 4:03, no biggie they were in no hurry. We say to our wife we need a few more minutes to finish and that is 30 minutes later.

Notice this week how you speak and start speaking specifically and deliver exactly what you said. If you do this with your clients you will find it builds the key word you need to get referrals........Trust

Yeah that's what I said, hold yourself accountable to building trust with your kids, wife, clients and friends. So that your word and deed are true. It worked pretty good for God who people follow because they know his word is true and they are counting on it. If many of us wrote a Bible based on our word and people trusting it, I think we would not have many followers.

What Spokane First Time Home Sellers Need to Know 4/30/2008 12:29 AM

Hello Everyone,

Hey Who's that? Many people have heard of first Time Home Buyers as a matter of fact you were probably one of them if you're reading this blog. But what about the first time home sellers. Many people turned to a Realtor for help when buying but then realize they are just as lost selling a home and it is a much more complex situation that buying a home.

3 Key things to remember when you are a first time home seller in Spokane.

1. Get a professional realtor. Having someone who is nice to help you buy is much different than selling a home. You need a Realtor with a great marketing plan, market knowledge, and good negotiating skills. It's very competitive in the Spokane Real Estate market right now. Picking the wrong Realtor can mean thousands of dollars of potential equity lost.

2. Don't believe the hype of FSBO (For Sale By Owner) many people have heard the story of someone who sold their home themselves and saved so much money. What they don't hear is the real numbers and the fact that only 1-2 out of 10 homes that go FSBO actually sell and out of the few that do many sell below market average. Not to mention the liability it can create when you try and wing it. I have heard many more horror stories than happy endings with the word FSBO.

3. Shop around, Everyone will tell you they are great, check out their website, virtual tours, photos, testimonials, blogs, and marketing they are doing. Don't just let them tell you how great they are, you should be able to see the diference in what they are doing. Ask them what they do differently than everyone else. If they don't have a great answer and if they can't show you in every aspect of their business don't hire them.

Remember the agent you choose when you sell is th most important aspect of how it will turn out and how much money you will make. Choose wisely. Yes you may call us and ask us tough questions we love helping first time home sellers get educated and get the most out of their first home sale.

Have you seen Google Street View4/14/2008 12:05 PM

Hello Everyone,

Spokane Real Estate ExpertThis I have to say is one of the most fun new gadgets I have played with in a while. It's the new street view in google maps. I heard about it a bit back but it wasn't working in my city yet. I got on and it's addictive. It shows 360 zoomable views of your city streets from eye level.

You just click on street view and it show the screen. You can click the arrows to virtually drive down the streets and thn drag your mouse left or right 360 degrees. This picture quality is pretty good until you zoom in and then it get's blurry. C'mon google lets drive around with the high def camera next time.  This is going to catch on fast. You can show someone right where you're meeting them, or a cool place to eat, or anything else. Remember it's always sunny on google. Don't forget to call us when it comes time to select a real estate expert to help you buy or sell homes in Spokane.

Here is a screen shot

drive around your city, locate your house, show people what you're talking about

Ross Quintana
Your Spokane Real Estate Expert!
Team Quintana Real Estate
Spokane, WA
Work: 800-756-5251 Ext 1
Mobile: 509-362-1966
ross@teamquintana.com
We Love Helping People and It Shows!
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!
Spokane Real Estate Market - Like it Never Happened4/11/2008 12:57 AM

Hello Everyone,

Top Spokane Realtors The Spokane Real Estate Market has reacted fairly well in this housing crisis. Though the news talks of doom and gloom, The Spokane Housing Market has held up quite well.

It reminds me of those Servepro commercials where the tagline is "Like it Never Happened". That is where are market is in comparison to the rest of the nation. Spokane is one of the few cities that hasn't been hit like many other cities around the nation.

Everything is Just FinePart of the reason is that Spokane was undervalued before the huge increase of the last 3 years. We slowed down for different reasons than the rest of the US. We had a low inventory and easy to get loans kept people in Spokane buying homes even though the job market didn't support the increase.

In big cities there is much more income to be made so the prices kept going up in their already high markets. This led to huge imbalances of prices. Here we were more contained but hit a wall when the first time home buyers could no longer afford such high payments based on how much money they are making. When the housing crash started happening and the lenders tightened up on the loans that is what actually slowed our market because it moved the payments even higher for those entry level homes.

This helped get our inventory back up, and with 3 interest rate decreases lowering the payments again, we are back to business as usual. The home values also came down about $5-10,000 also bringing homebuyers back out to buy homes. This will take a little bit to get moving and mostly that is because people are still reading the national news about foreclosure and bad real estate markets, but in Spokane it just isn't so.

I just proved this in a listing we took that we marketed higher than other agents were quoting and we sold it for top dollar in a matter of weeks instead of the market average of 3 months. When it comes time to buy or sell in this market call us and let us show you what is really happening and help you get the most. 509-362-1966

To read more blogs like this one go to our Spokane Market Conditions Section

Ross Quintana
Your Spokane Real Estate Expert!
Team Quintana Real Estate
Spokane, WA
Work: 800-756-5251 Ext 1
Mobile: 509-362-1966
ross@teamquintana.com
We Love Helping People and It Shows!
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!
There is No Real Value in Realtors so Just Pick the Cheapest One!4/7/2008 2:44 PM

Hello Everyone,

Top Spokane Realtor There is a swell of marketing messages that have been flowing around for quite a few years in the media. The message is that there is no real value in Realtors so just pick the cheapest one. I mean this is the chant of the FSBO websites (most owned by Realtors who know it's a lie and that you will end up upgrading to their optional listing/MLS package once you realize FSBO isn't working) This is the chant of the media who should be protecting the public , but instead is encouraging them to make bad choices.

Why doesn't the media say: do your own dentistry work it's cheaper, or you can take apart your own TV and fix it, why pay an electrician you can rewire your house yourself (just don't forget to turn off the power"ouch... And don't waste money at the pharmacy, order and mix your own prescriptions online and save money. It's rediculous but when it comes to our industry that is what they teach and the public listens.

This reminds me of what the Bible says when it says speak to us smooth things not right things. People want to hear they will save all this money and where the lie is, is that they will get the same result for less.

I can't believe it, for the same price!If I was buying a car, say a 2008 Mercedes, and I could buy the same exact car for $5000 less somewhere else I would do it. But where the media lies is they assume all mercedes are the same. These discount websites take your money and give you the Mercedes but it may not be what you had imagined. If all the Realtors were the same why do only a small group win the awards and have raving fans while other agents get no repeat business, lawsuits, and ethics violations against them?

I got an email from a online company that created a website where they want you to pay them a referral and Now I see why it was so cheap!then they will cut a check to the client and you can compete with other agents to see how much you will discount your services and how many perks you will give people to use you (How low can you go!). The lie was that they say to the public that they are the local experts, or best rated agents will compete for your business. Here was my reply to the offer:

"Hello, I just wanted to drop you a line. I think you have an interesting business model based on some surface trends in real estate. That being said. I think the biggest problem with it is you promise the local experts to your clients, but the real experts in the area are not trying to give away their services at a discount they know how valuable their services are in a tough market, so the fact is that the local experts would probably not use your program. The experts know what their services are worth. When was the last time you saw a coupon for a Mercedes (half off...yeah right) or did the top marketing guy or CEO offer to work for less if someone would hire them. The best surgeoun having a special this month to drum up business? This model only offers discounted services from average or below average agents in my opinion. The people who can actually help people get the most and protect them in the process and provide great advice and tools are not going to discount, and the more competitive the market like our tougher market now, the more value the agents who can get you the most have. I just think it's backwards thinking based on a low estimation of what the value of a Realtor is. But we will see in this tough market who will win, the discounters trying to scrape enough business or the realtors who stand out as experts, who by supply and demand,will be worth more not less."

Remember people, you get what you pay for!

To read more blogs like this one go to our Tips For Hiring a Realtor Section

Ross Quintana
Your Spokane Real Estate Expert!
Team Quintana Real Estate
Spokane, WA
Work: 800-756-5251 Ext 1
Mobile: 509-362-1966
ross@teamquintana.com
We Love Helping People and It Shows!
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!
1127 W. York Spokane Wa 99205 - Sparkling Clinkerbrick!4/1/2008 8:38 PM

1127 W. York Spokane Wa 99205 - Sparkling Clinkerbrick!

Spokane Real Estate Agents This is an exceptional home! Sometimes you get a listing that when you walk in you can tell it's well cared for and have almost nothing that needs to be done to market it. This is that house. Classic Design for the period you'll love the Coved Ceilings and Original Fixtures. With a full finished basement that is tastefully decorated this home seems to surprise you. Check out the video below for a tease or visit the Virtual Tour at our Spokane Real Estate Website.

And call us when you think you might be buying or selling. We do cutting edge marketing to get you top dollar for your Spokane home.

Click for Teaser Video

Ross Quintana
Your Spokane Real Estate Expert!
Team Quintana Real Estate
Spokane, WA
Work: 800-756-5251 Ext 1
Mobile: 509-362-1966
ross@teamquintana.com
We Love Helping People and It Shows!
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!
Best Camera under $300 for Real Estate3/31/2008 11:57 PM

Hello Everyone,

I did my research and after reading the post by Jeff Turner and some others about the Kodak v705 and looking at the reviews. I was not comfortable buying a camera that was prone to problems and discontinued. Other than AR it didn't get good reviews at all. I looked at other options but most went into much larger cameras and prices.

Then I found the Panasonic DMC-FX35. Dpreview.com rates it #12 of all the cameras right now. It's the only point and shoot at that rank, the other 11 are SLR. Basically it's high points are that it has a 25mm wide angle lens, 10 MP it shoots video at 1280x720 and the wide angle lens lets much more light in. It has a lot of other neat features but the other main thng is that in the IA mode it will adjust to take quality similar to a professional who adjusts shutter speed and exposure and everything and you don't have to think about it.

Buy this Camera!

I think this is the camera to have for under $300. This camera just feels quality and it's very small. Here is a link to the reviews. This camera has gotten great reviews and the quality is much better in my opinion then a Kodak Product. Amazon is the best price and very fast shipping. I have owned this camera and am very pleased with it. The4 lens is 25mm instead of the standard 28mm you usually get in wide angle. I like the little wider angle. I will post more pics as I go. Here is a macro I took of a napkin next to me that looks like a print and it was just next to me from my nachos.

beautiful

These were taken with my sony 6MP and the Panisonic in the exact same spot. The wide angle lense and IA setting brought out way more light and let more of the room in. I didn't set anything just pressed the button on both cameras. Wife and friend making Challah bread.

comparison shots

 

To read more blogs like this one join our group Real Estate Strategies for Business Builders and share your best ideas

Or read more blogs in our Advice for Realtors Section

PS. Remember if you want almost daily new things I've found then follow me on twitter to see links to things I find on the web for real estate. and visit our website to see many of the things I have found in action on our Spokane Real Estate Website. Or if you would like to share links Visit my Real Estate Link Share Page

Ross Quintana
Your Spokane Real Estate Expert!
Team Quintana Real Estate
Spokane, WA
Work: 800-756-5251 Ext 1
Mobile: 509-362-1966
ross@teamquintana.com
We Love Helping People and It Shows!
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!
Hiring a Spokane Realtor for More Than Just Their Services3/27/2008 12:11 PM

Hello Everyone,

Ross Quintana - Sell Spokane Homes When it comes to buying and selling Spokane Real Estate sometimes you have to look at the whole package an that includes things like do they work in the community, do they donate to any causes, and do they support the community through education. Really it comes down to getting the most for your money. When hiring an agent you can really make a bigger impact by selecting an agent that is active in your community.

Giving Money to Charities Most agents can provide basic services, then look for an exceptional agent, then find an exceptional agent who uses their money and time to do good in the community your living in. These are things we build our business on and whether you hire us or another agent look for these things so that you hire responsibly. Realtors work on 100% commission and they count on your business and so do thier families. Your choices make a difference so keep that in mind when your thinking of buying and selling a home in Spokane Washington.

Visit our website to learn about us and how to help in our community

Ross Quintana - Team Quintana Real Estate

Team Quintana Real Estate - Spokane, Wa

509-362-1966

Spokane, Wa Real Estate Experts

Committed to building a better community!

To read more blogs like this one go to our Tips For Hiring a Realtor Section

Ross Quintana
Your Spokane Real Estate Expert!
Team Quintana Real Estate
Spokane, WA
Work: 800-756-5251 Ext 1
Mobile: 509-362-1966
We Love Helping People and It Shows!
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The Best Way to Shop for Homes in Spokane3/27/2008 11:16 AM

Hello Everyone,

Ross Quintana - Spokane Real Estate Expert If your searching for homes in Spokane Washington there are good and bad ways to do it. Most people pick up magazines to start looking but this is probably one of the worst ways to search for homes in Spokane . Because most magazines don't come out until about 2 to 3 weeks from the time the ad gets submitted. Then by the time it gets in the stores it can be up to a month old, and it sits there for about a month. So when you go to grab your magazine it can be as much as almost 1 to 2 months old. They usually also don't have all the information. They are generally not timely enough as far as home sales goes. They can't touch the speed and accuracy of the internet. They are mostly a lead generation tool for Realtors.

Next we talk about the internet. Once you get on to the internet remember that the internet is much better but only if the information is updated and inclusive. Many sites are not updated or updated only monthly. Some sites only have the company listings, you want a site that works on a database like the IDX so you can access homes from all the companies in the area who use the public MLS database. Once you find one that has homes from most of the companies it's all about interface. Some interfaces only let you see the basic information. The one we have give you private access with a password so your not bugged by registering where they take your info and give it to agents to call you. Plus you can map the properties, Save your favorites, and the site will watch the homes for you and notify you when they have any changes such as price reductions and offers, which many other sites won't do.

Spokane Home Search - Virtual Tours

Our site is updated daily and it is also a communication tool because if you have questions you can simply write them on the page with the home you like. I can answer any questions and don't care if your just looking or need a home now. So we can give you the best tools for home shopping and give you the level of service you want when you want it without a pushy salesman bugging you. Click this link below to see a small video about our tools and services Spokane Home Search Tool

Ross Quintana - Team Quintana Real Estate

Spokane Real Estate Experts

Team Quintnana - Real Estate Agents in Spokane

To read more blogs like this one go to our Home Buying Tips Section

Ross Quintana
Your Spokane Real Estate Expert!
Team Quintana Real Estate
Spokane, WA
Work: 800-756-5251 Ext 1
Mobile: 509-362-1966
We Love Helping People and It Shows!
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!
The Truth about ' We Buy Houses Cash '3/24/2008 10:23 AM

Hello Everyone,

Spokane Washington Real EstateOK, we have all seen the signs stapled to the side of the light poles, "We Buy Houses Cash" No Equity, Blah, blah, blah. I have had some of my clients call these numbers and now just today, I got a postcard in the mail from a guy who says 'he is not a realtor' and he does not require a commission.

We can help you out of your problem The problem is people fall for things because they want to believe it's this great deal that just fell in their lap. Guess what, The cheap orange sign that is written with the sharpie is not the answer to your woes. Most of these wannabe investors and late night infomercial watchers just want to offer you less than the home is worth and prey on the desperate to pick up great deals they can make money on by turning around and selling just like you were.

But what about the 7 day closing? Well if they are going to get a great deal, yes they can close it fast. They prey on people under duress and promise to solve the problem fast (see picture above for fast solution illustration), when really they just want to pick up steals so they can sell it for what it's worth. The whole I don't charge a commission is funny. Of course they don't they are a investor. They won't charge a commission, but they will cost you a lot more than that commission when you accept their low ball offer. They have nothing to lose. They just want people to call them so they can find out who is desperate to sell and then offer you a bad offer and play that numbers that some people will bite at it and they will make a lot of money. There ads are to attract desperate people so they can talk to you.

Stick with the professional Realtor who is trying to actually help you and doesn't get paid unless they can get it sold for you. Not the hungry investor looking at you and your problems like a turkey dinner. If they were just looking to buy a house fast they have 6000 in the MLS to choose from, they are investors and will of couse not want you to have a realtor involved who would be telling you run the other way. If you want to give your house away for less than it's worth, those realtors can get it sold very fast too. Don't give it away, hire a professional who can get it done fast and get you top dollar.

We have helped people facing foreclosure and helped many people beat the clock. Call us for real advice and help from people who care or visit our Spokane Real Estate Website for more info. Call a Realtor and do it soon, don't wait until the vultures start sending you offers to be their lunch.

To read more blogs like this one go to our Home Selling Tips Section

Ross Quintana
Your Spokane Real Estate Expert!
Team Quintana Real Estate
Spokane, WA
Work: 800-756-5251 Ext 1
Mobile: 509-362-1966
ross@teamquintana.com
We Love Helping People and It Shows!
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!
This isn't last year3/17/2008 11:16 AM

Hello Everyone,

Spokane Homes for Sale As we are getting ready to look for Spokane Homes for Sale and get homes ready to sell in Spokane Wa, we have to break one bad habit. That is the habit of thinking things are the same as last year. In a market where you buy and sell, and where supply and demand are at play. Yesterday is gone and if you want to be successful in this market you have to know in what environment you are playing.

Yesterday is Gone! Look at the stock market. People monitor it everyday to see how the market environment is and that effects their choices. Yet in real estate people work off of vague memories and shadows of national news stories that many times are not accurate for your local conditions.

We will see a trend as the market gets more competitive, that Realtors will need to know their local conditions more and more to be successful. We already see this in more homes coming on the market and not selling. Your agent needs to know both where we are and where is the trend going to really be able to help you sell your home. Gone are the days of just listing a property and throwing it in the MLS.

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