By Warren McNeil

Here is a new video I did regarding the “Top 5 Things to Expect  From a Tech-Savvy Realtor”

Enjoy

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 Here is the transcript of the video:

Hi There! I am Warren McNeil from Team McNeil and Re/Max Twin City Realty in Kitchener

The Internet has changed the way we all communicate in this world. As a realtor, we need to constantly stay current with technology and utilize these new methods with our marketing. Technology, if used right, can make a huge difference when marketing a home for sale. Gone are the days of the big MLS book. According to the National Association Realtors, 84% of people start their home search onlne. So hiring a tech-savvy realtor is more important then ever to give you that edge you need to sell or buy your next home. Here are the top 5 reasons to hire a tech-savvy realtor.

Number 5 – Website
It is important that a realtor has their own website. In my opinion, websites are not optional they are mandatory. They serve many purposes. A realtor’s website should be able to display listings with lots of photos, detailed desctriptions of the property and an area for virtual tours as well as provide an easy way for prospective buyers to contact the realtor.

Number 4 – Print advertising
A realtor who utilizes both print advertising and the internet is better able to take advantage of both mediums strengths. Marketing a house for sale in the newpaper and leading the buyer to the website for more information is crucical for maximizing the marketing of a property. You still need both! A tech-savvy realtor understands that many consumers still rely on traditional advertising methods. So don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Number 3 – Mobility
Realtors must be able to access email or text messages while in the field. Prospective buyers want information rightaway so it is very imortant for realtors to have a PDA such as a Blackberry or an Iphone.

Number 2 – SEO or Search Engine Optimization
Realtors who have good search engine ranking ensures that your listings get found on the Internet. Realtor.ca is a great website but it is not the only website to rely on when it comes to marketing your home online. Buyers also use search engines such as Google, Yahoo or Bing to look for houses. Realtors who have their websites optimized will have a better chance at getting their house listings found.

Number 1 – Web 2.0 – Social media
The internet has become more interactive over the past 5 years. Having a website is not good enough. Realtors also need to blog, do videos, Twitter and use Facebook. These are all methods that are important for us to connect with clients, prospective buyers and prospective sellers. Having a realtor that utilizes some or all of this technology ensures that you hired the right person to do the job.

The good news is, technology will continue to evolve. As new technologies come out we must harness their effectiveness so we can all do our jobs more efficiently!

Thanks for watching and see you next time!

Thanks for reading!

Warren & Melanie McNeil | Sales Representatives, Team McNeil RE/MAX Twin City Realty, Brokerage ( 519.579.4110 | 519-498-8118
Connect with us on the following social networks Facebook: www.facebook.com/TeamMcNeilRemax
websites: www.TeamMcNeil.com, www.ClickThatHouse.com, www.KitchenerLofts.com, www.ElmiraRealEstate.ca

By Warren McNeil

According to the Kitchener Waterloo Real Estate board the numbers are in for January 2010 and we are up 64% in unit sales over 2009. This is great news and the main reason for this is increase is because of the low interest rates and a high level of consumer confidence. 

“This year we are off to quite a different start compared to last year, which is really encouraging,” said Ted Scharf (pronounced Skarf), the President of the WREB, “January is traditionally a slower month for residential sales. These results show that there is definitely demand in the market and the traditional mindset of waiting until spring just doesn’t seem to be as strong. ” 

Another interesthing point that I read is that the average house price in Kitchener-Waterloo increased by 12.3% because of an increase in sales of homes over $400,000.

My experience with the market is that stuff is selling really quickly. I find it difficult to get into see properties fast enough. The good deals seem to go really quick!!!

To see the full article, go to:

http://news.therecord.com/article/666766

and the KWREB press release
http://www.kwreb.on.ca/Stats/January%202010%20Media%20Release.pdf

Thanks for reading!

We are a full-time real estate team in Kitchener Waterloo area. We enjoy assisting buyers and sellers with the purchase or sale of real estate in the Kitchener-Waterloo or Cambridge areas. If you would like us to help you with your home search, please check out our brand-new free search website or if you are thinking of selling, get a free market evaluation.

Warren & Melanie McNeil | Sales Representatives, Team McNeil
Re/Max Twin City Realty, Brokerage (                  519.579.4110         ~               519-498-8118        
8 www.TeamMcneil.com, www.ClickThatHouse.com, www.LoftStyle.ca
P.S. Looking for a condo or loft, check out our brand new website at www.LoftStyle.ca!

By Warren,

Here I blog again! November 2009 set another record for unit sales in Kitchener-Waterloo. In November, the Kitchener-Waterloo Real Estate board reported there were 556 unit sales. This is an increase of 87.8% over last years numbers. See my previous post Kitchener Waterloo Real Estate Board Statistics for November 2009 for more information.

Year to date, there has been 6108 sales which means numbers will be up over last year once the final total comes in.

Buyers are continuing to take advantage of the low interest rates, government tax credits see 5 reasons to buy a house if you are a first-time home buyer.

For more information about this report, see http://www.kwreb.on.ca/Stats/November%202009%20Media%20Release.pdf

Thanks for reading!

Warren & Melanie McNeil | Sales Representatives, Team McNeil
Re/Max Twin City Realty, Brokerage ( 519.579.4110 
8 www.TeamMcneil.com, www.LoftStyle.ca, www.ClickThatHouse.com  

By Warren McNeil

The fall market has really come in with a bang. Houses are selling like crazy. As a matter of fact, it is hard to get into see new listings because they are selling quickly. This is good news for sellers since they are potentially getting more money for their houses.

The best thing we are doing for our buyer clients is to stay on top of all the news listings and when a new house hits the real estate board, we go in right away to preview it.  If we think it fits what our client is looking for,  we need to show it to them at the earliest possible opportunity. If the buyer likes the house, we make an offer before anybody else does. If the buyer does this quick enough, they can avoid a multiple offer situation (also know as a bidding war).

The frustrating part for buyers is when they come up against a multiple offer situation. This is great for the seller but not so great for the buyer. Buyers end up paying more money for a home when multiple offers occur.

From a seller’s point of view, creating a bidding war will yield a higher return for their home. In order for a bidding war to occur, two willing buyers have to want the  house at the same time and be willing to outbid one another. We are seeing quite a bit of this as of late.

Buyers need to move quickly if they want to avoid a bidding war. If a seller has a desirable house in a desirable area, it will be very difficult to avoid. Both Kitchener and Waterloo seem to be experiencing high demand right now. I think it has to do with the low interest rates and the government tax credits for first-time home buyers. There should be a lot of happy sellers right now.

Our market seems to be quite strong here in Kitchener-Waterloo at the present time. It will be interesting to see what the stats are for October. If you are thinking of selling, now is a good time. There is definitely no shortage of buyers.

Thanks for reading!

Warren & Melanie McNeil | Sales Representatives, Team McNeil | Re/Max Twin City Realty, Brokerage
( 519.579.4110 | * Click Here to Email | 8 www.TeamMcneil.com, www.ClickThatBlog.com