First Impressions!

A Few Suggestions on How to Impress Your Buyers

Here’s the thing…almost everything anyone would want to know about real estate is available for free.

So, what can you do to provide “value” when the buyers that you are working with are searching for properties online? Learning how many times it has sold and for how much? Researching public records? Using Google maps?

The one advantage that YOU have is knowledge of the local market. Guidance that will save your clients money. Helping them understand the positives and negatives when showing them homes. While they may be able to find information pretty much everywhere, the other advantage you have is your ability to “interpret” what it really means in terms they can understand.

Here’s are some suggestions on how to impress your buyers:

• Preview the homes you plan to show them – Contact the listing agent for additional property information that you can provide to them when showing them the home.
• Ask them about their “Home Wish List” – Pay attention to make sure that the homes they want to view meet some of the items on their wish list. Share information about the homes you previewed that don’t meet some of their requirements.
• Pay attention to their “hot buttons” – During the showings, read their body language, pay attention to how they react to certain features of the home. You may discover that some of the items that were on their wish list are not as important as they thought they were.
• Provide detailed information – This includes local MLS stats, average days on the market, price range of sold homes, property taxes of other homes in the neighborhood, etc. This would be like a mini-CMA to help buyers evaluate each home you show them.
• Google is your friend – Search what’s going on in the neighborhood. Check with local government to see if there are any proposed projects or new developments planned. Map out all the homes you plan to show them so they have a good idea of their location to each other.
• Personalize your information – Take the time to put together a packet of information. Include their name and maybe the “wish list” they shared with you.

By providing MORE information than buyers can find on their own, you are showcasing your expertise and setting yourself apart from other agents who just put buyers in their car (or meet them at a home) to view the homes THEY request to see.

 

The Easterbrook Team 916.850.6050 easterbrookteam@spmc.com

Dreams of Champions

Get More Out of Coffee

Mike Ditka is quoted as saying that “coffee is the lifeblood that drives the dreams of champions”.  It is the favored drink in our industry.  Here’s how to get them most out of coffee – (CLICK HERE).

Here’s another reason to hang out at your local Starbucks (or post your homebuyer seminar on the wall there) – coffee shop patrons are 65% likely to have an income over $100K.  Want the study?  Here you go – (CLICK HERE).

To make your dreams come true, Call The Easterbrook Team for your refinance and purchase needs.

916.850.6050 easterbrookteam@spmc.com 

John Easterbrook NMLS#226555

Patty Aguon NMLS#994635 

Thank You Notes Go a Long Way!

Thank you Notes

All You Need to Know About the Ancient Art of Gratitude

 

It has been said that one of the reasons people don't write thank you notes more often is that they don't feel they can find the "right words" to express their appreciation.

Some of the most successful real estate agent that I know make it a point to send out five thank you cards, each and every day. They simply make an "appointment" with themselves, and the entry in the calendar says "write thank you notes." The more you tell people how much you appreciate what they have done for you, the more they will do for you.

 

Here’s the formula for writing a great thank you note, what "supplies" you need to have on hand, sample thank you notes and suggestions on who you can send them to.

I believe that you CAN find five people who have helped you each and every day. (If not, start with just one person and work your way up to five people.)

 

Suggestions on who to write thank you notes to:

Loan Officers J, Home inspectors, Other real estate agents, Builders, Title reps, Escrow officers, Anyone who referred you a prospect, CPA's, Financial planners, Past clients, Friends

 

Six-point formula to write a great thank you note

1. Greet the person by name (or nickname). Dale Carnegie said that people love to hear their own names ― even when written. Each note needs to be handwritten ― even if your handwriting is poor. Hint – your handwriting improves with each note that you write.  Don’t try to be perfect – just do it!
2. Express your gratitude. Don't worry that it sounds "too simple." The point of writing the note is to create a simple expression of heartfelt sentiment.
3. A short discussion on why you were grateful is the follow up to the simple thank you. Say something nice and let them know exactly what they did to help you out. If you can't say something nice (especially to a difficult client you just closed a loan for), try to find at least ONE thing about them that is nice ― it may be their children ― or even acknowledge the difficulties you have had in closing the loan.
4. Mention the past ― allude to the future. Let the person know what they did and how it helped you. In alluding to the future, mention how you can work together in the future; maybe see each other at an associating meeting, maybe go out to lunch.
5. Say it again. "Thanks again for your help (business, kindness, etc.)."
6. Give your regards and sign your name.

Supplies Needed

1. Note paper (3" x 5" or 4" x 6")
2. Envelopes or post cards
3. Ink pen (blue-black ink is recommended by the experts)
4. Supply of first-class stamps

 

Mail It!

Timing is important here. Write and mail the thank you note within 24 hours of the favor. For closed transactions, mail within 30 days. Use first-class stamps and not the postage meter. One of the reasons we resist sending thank you notes is that we don't want to run to the post office for a supply of stamps. Buy a roll of 100 stamps to keep on hand!

 

Here are the numbers:

• 5 notes per day. 25 per week – 1,300 per year.
• That's 1,300 simple expressions of your gratitude!

Reduced Interest Rates & Processing Fee's

Sierra Pacific Mortgage is celebrating 30 years in the industry.  With this in mind, we decided to give back to the community for 30 years of support by reducing our interest rates and processing fee's.  With rates at an all time low already, we are going above that by offering the best rates in town.  You will not find a local brick and mortar with rates like ours.  We strive to continue to provide the best service for our consumer's.  Contact The Easterbrook Team today for your refinance and home buying needs!


John Easterbrook NMLS#226555 - 916.224.7653
Patty Aguon NMLS#994635- 916.833.5063
EasterbrookTeam@spmc.com

Folsom to Honor Johnny Cash

1967 performance inside Folsom County Prison marked an important time in the country legend’s career. Decades later, the prison is paying tribute to Cash’s history-making concert and recordings with the installment of a new statue in his likeness.

Nicknamed “Man In Black”, the 40-foot-tall statue depicts Cash, covered with cutouts in the shape of flames. During sunset, the sky makes the statue appear as though his likeness is lit up with fiery glow.  Artist Gary Tillery of The Fine Art Studio of Rotblatt-Amrany is currently working on bringing the statue to life. The Johnny Cash Trail is a 2.5-mile path that travels along the edge of the Folsom prison property. The trail will eventually feature eight art pieces, including Tillery’s, that will pay tribute to the Man in Black and his lasting legacy.  When it’s completed, Tillery hopes to unveil the statue sometime in 2018, depending on the amount of funding the project receives. We’ll keep you updated where you can donate your “cash” to the project. 

Looking to move and settle in Folsom?

Check out OUR rates, we’ve got some of the best in town!

Based in Folsom, California, Sierra Pacific Mortgage has 112 offices nationwide. The Easterbrook Team at Sierra Pacific is associated with the #1 office in the nation for SPMC for 2015.  We want to thank you so much for the support.  Come by and visit our office at 806 Bidwell Street in Folsom.  Keep the loans coming and we’ll keep closing them at lightning speed with a positive, smooth, and transparent experience.  Call us at (916) 850-6050.    

10 Reasons You Should Smile More

Hint – want to attract more people? (CLICK HERE).

Check out OUR rates, we’ve got some of the best in town!

Based in Folsom, California, Sierra Pacific Mortgage has 112 offices nationwide. The Easterbrook Team at Sierra Pacific is associated with the #1 office in the nation for SPMC for 2015.  We want to thank you so much for the support.  Come by and visit our office at 806 Bidwell Street in Folsom.  Keep the loans coming and we’ll keep closing them at lightning speed with a positive, smooth, and transparent experience.  Call us at (916) 850-6050.    

Winners and Losers

It’s an election year and the Fed would love to deliver on their promise to raise interest rates even higher.  A lot of folks would stand to gain with a rising dollar (banks, corporate investors, and life insurance companies), but some folks are going to get hit hard by the Fed’s move to raise rates (the Euro, gold, and oil).  This is a good article that explains the delicate balance the Fed has to strike to grow our economy (CLICK HERE).

 

Some are very critical of the Fed, saying that they are retreating from their monetary policies – that they are freaking out right now because the markets aren’t reacting the way they want – unemployment has not improved, oil prices are very low, and European and Asian markets are weak (CLICK HERE).  In fact Japan shocked the world when they lowered their cost of funds rate to a negative number - .1%.  That means that they’re lending money to banks at a loss to stimulate their economy – OUCH!  (CLICK HERE).

 

But HERE in the good ol’ USA, things aren’t that bad on the housing front.  We have more demand than supply and rates should stay low through Spring and some predict longer (CLICK HERE) – YOU’RE A WINNER!!! (if you are connected to real estate in any way).

Check out OUR rates, we’ve got some of the best in town!

Based in Folsom, California, Sierra Pacific Mortgage has 112 offices nationwide. The Easterbrook Team at Sierra Pacific is associated with the #1 office in the nation for SPMC for 2015.  We want to thank you so much for the support.  Come by and visit our office at 806 Bidwell Street in Folsom.  Keep the loans coming and we’ll keep closing them at lightning speed with a positive, smooth, and transparent experience.  Call us at (916) 850-6050.    

Do You Sell Real Estate?

Then this article will be of particular interest to you.  We reported this Monday in Realty Market Insider on a nationwide level, but locally, the Sacramento Business Journal reports that Sacramento has one of the highest apartment rent increases in the nation – 10% in 2015 and is expected to rise an additional 8.8% in 2016.  The national average was also higher than average at 6.4%.  If you sell real estate, with the low rates that we are enjoying, then you may want to solicit the presently fed-up apartment dwellers if they are able to buy (for detail,CLICK HERE).

Based in Folsom, California, Sierra Pacific Mortgage has 112 offices nationwide. The Easterbrook Team at Sierra Pacific is associated with the #1 office in the nation for SPMC for 2015.  We want to thank you so much for the support.  Come by and visit our office at 806 Bidwell Street in Folsom.  Keep the loans coming and we’ll keep closing them at lightning speed with a positive, smooth, and transparent experience.  Call us at (916) 850-6050.    

Yikes! 6 Reasons Home Deals Can Go Straight to Hell

You fell deeply in love with an updated Victorian, knocked a few grand off the asking price, and maybe even bought a spiffy camelback sofa for your new living room. Sweet! Still, until you close and the keys are in hand, there’s a sliver of dread in your mind: What if your dream of homeownership falls apart at the last minute?
This possibility does exist: A survey by the National Association of Realtors® found that 1 in 16 home deals falls through. Here, Realtors® explain why it happens—so you, dear home buyer, can learn how to keep these curveballs from crashing into your dreams.

Reason No. 1: A change in credit score

Credit scores can fluctuate between loan approval and closing. Just one missed bill payment could lower your FICO score and increase your mortgage payment, or even make you ineligible for the mortgage.




To Continue Reading this Article Click Here!




To discuss your home buying needs please contact The Easterbrook Team Today!
John Easterbrook-916.224.7653
Patty Aguon-916.833.5063
EasterbrookTeam@spmc.com