JD Power survey provides insights on how to satisfy first-time homebuyers

Real estate agents who provide clear communication and walk buyers through every step of the purchase process including appraisals, inspections and home warranties are more likely to earn high marks for customer satisfaction, according to the latest J.D. Power Home Buyer/Seller Satisfaction Study.

For seven years running, the J.D. Power study has measured customer satisfaction among first-time and repeat homebuyers and sellers with brokerages affiliated with the nation’s biggest franchisors.

Five-star rating image via Shutterstock.

“Satisfying first-time buyers is critical for real estate firms to differentiate themselves,” said J.D. Power’s Christina Cooley in a statement. “It’s up to the agent to build confidence in buyers by educating them and demonstrating a commitment to working in the best interest of the customer.”

Buyers and sellers have a growing arsenal of tools to help them choose an agent based on client ratings and reviews, including profile pages on property search sites Zillow, Trulia and realtor.com.

J.D. Power measures overall satisfaction for homebuyers in four areas: agent/salesperson; real estate office; closing process; and variety of additional services. For sellers, overall satisfaction is measured in those four areas, plus satisfaction with how their home was marketed.

The agent’s relationships with their client was the the most important factor in determining customer satisfaction among buyers. For sellers, the way their home was marketed was the most important factor, “as it is a tangible way for the customer to assess how the agent is supporting the sale,” J.D. Power said in releasing the study.

Overall satisfaction was higher among repeat customers. The average score among repeat homebuyers was 840 on a 1,000-point scale, and 821 among repeat home sellers. The industry average for the first-time buyer segment is 835 and 820 among first-time sellers.

Buyers and sellers said they chose their real estate brokerage based on its reputation (30 percent of buyers and 35 percent sellers), past experience with the agent or salesperson (21 percent of buyers and 25 percent of sellers), or based on recommendations (24 percent of buyers and 21 percent of sellers).

The average number of open houses attended by buyers was three, and sellers said their homes were shown eight times on average.

The study included 5,810 evaluations from 4,868 customers who bought and/or sold a home between March 2013 and April 2014.

Among first-time homebuyers, brokerages affiliated with Century 21 had the highest overall customer satisfaction (848), followed by brokerages affiliated with Prudential Real Estate (846). Scoring below the average of 835 were brokerages affiliated with Re/Max (830), Coldwell Banker (827) and Keller Williams (824).



Among repeat homebuyers, brokerages affiliated with Century 21 had the highest overall customer satisfaction (852), followed by brokerages affiliated with Prudential Real Estate (847) and Coldwell Banker (844). Scoring below the average of 840 were brokerages affiliated with Re/Max (823) and Keller Williams (823).



Among first-time sellers, brokerages affiliated with Century 21 had the highest overall customer satisfaction (833), followed by brokerages affiliated with Re/Max (831) and Prudential Real Estate (825). Scoring below the average of 820 were brokerages affiliated with Coldwell Banker (810) and Keller Williams (802).



Among repeat sellers, brokerages affiliated with Century 21 had the highest overall customer satisfaction (836), followed by brokerages affiliated with Keller Williams (829). Scoring below the average of 821 were brokerages affiliated with Re/Max (815, Coldwell Banker (814) and Prudential Real Estate (806).




JD Power survey provides insights on how to satisfy first-time homebuyers | Inman News

Four Key Reasons Why Your Home Did Not Sell!

1. Ineffective marketing plan. When we list your home our reputations are on the line. Hard work and the power of today’s technology are proven methods of getting a property SOLD. We don’t just put a sign in the yard and wave as we drive off!
   
   
2. Poor communication. Teamwork between the seller and their agent is key and cannot be overstated. Are you a team of one? Does your agent take time to communicate as often and effectively with you as you would expect?
   
   
3. Condition of your Home. Have you made your house someone else’s dream? Do cash allowances work in a sale or is there a better way? We will advise you as to the best approach.
   
   
4. Your home was not accurately priced. We will research and conduct a Comparative Market Analysis for you. The facts in our report will pinpoint the fair market value of what your home should sell for.

If you are considering re-listing with the same agent ask yourself, “What will they do different this time?” Our past analysis indicates that the odds are pretty much against you.
So, if time has run out on your current home listing… Call us right now!

Fix It or Not? What to Ask When Prepping Your Home for Sale

Learn how to decide whether a repair is worth making before you put your house on the market.

When you make the decision to sell your home, it can be tricky to know which changes would make your home sell more quickly or boost the sale price — and which would just be a waste of your time and resources. Each home (and each homeowner) is different; that’s why we’ve come up with 8 key questions to ask yourself before making any changes to prep your home for sale.

Beth Dana Design

General Questions
These first three questions will help you take the temperature of the real estate market in your area and assess the competition. 

1. How hot or cold is the market in your area? Are homes being snapped up after the first open house, or are they languishing on the market for months? Are homes being sold at or near the asking price, or for much lower? Are open houses bustling with people, or is attendance sparse? Get a feel for the market in your area by talking with your real estate agent and checking local listings. If it’s a seller’s market, you may be able to get away with doing fewer repairs and modifications before selling, and still have good results — in a buyer’s market, expect to do more work to make a positive impression on buyers.

jodi foster design + planning

2. How fast are you looking to sell? If you need to sell your home immediately — say, because you have already committed to buying another home or need to move because of work — it is in your best interest to do everything in your power to ensure a quick sale at the highest price possible. If you have more flexibility, and you feel uncomfortable making too many pricey changes to your home before selling, it may make more sense to focus on cleaning, decluttering and making small cosmetic changes (like painting) — particularly if the market is hot and favors the seller. If you aren’t getting the offers you would like, you can always decide to spring for a few bigger changes later and relist your home.

Annette English

3. What is the condition of comparable homes on the market? It can be quite helpful to know a little about the homes that buyers in your area are looking at. Examine photos of homes for sale in your area or even attend a few open houses, and make a mental note of how the other homes compare to yours. Are the kitchens updated? Are the floors in good shape? If all of the other homes you see have a certain feature (for instance, an updated kitchen) that yours lacks, consider making that a priority. You don’t need to make your home exactly like all the other homes on the market; just make sure there isn’t a single factor that could give your home a disadvantage.

de[luxe] design studio

To Fix or Not to Fix: Deciding Which Repairs Are Worth Tackling
The next five questions will help you assess whether or not to make a specific repair or change before selling your home.
4. Does the faulty item give the impression the property has not been well cared for?Leaky faucets, cracked tiles, an overgrown lawn, broken appliances or anything else that doesn’t work as it should can immediately turn off buyers. At an open house, people often zip through quite quickly, and if they notice one or two things that send up red flags, they may not give your home another chance.

SchappacherWhite Architecture D.P.C.

5. Can you find a less expensive fix? Let’s say you scoped out the comparable homes on the market in your neighborhood, and they all have updated kitchens, but yours hasn’t been touched since the ’80s. Rather than spend big on a full kitchen remodel, why not give your kitchen a less costly refresh? For instance, you could paint the cabinets, swap out cabinet hardware, change the light fixtures and upgrade the appliances to something current and functional but not top-of-the-line. You will put some money into it but not nearly as much as with a full remodel — well worth it if it gets your home in the running in a competitive market.

Warline Painting Ltd.

6. How much will you realistically need to lower the price if you don’t fix it? If you have a lot of costly repairs to tackle to get your home ready to sell, you may be considering selling it as is. But keep in mind that buyers looking for a fixer-upper will also be looking to discount the selling price for the repairs plus the hassle. In other words, you won’t be able to simply estimate how much the repairs will cost and deduct that from the selling price;you’ll need to deduct even more to make it worth the buyer’s time and effort. Discuss this with your Realtor and look into other fixer-uppers for sale in your area to come up with an appropriate selling price.

Peterssen/Keller Architecture

7. Is it one of the first things potential buyers will see? First impressions are key, and that is never more true than in the real estate business! If you have a repair you are unsure about tackling, use this as a litmus test: Is it something the buyer will see as he or she approaches your house and walks through the front door? If so, fix it.

Evens Architects

8. Could it be a deal breaker? Some home repairs, like a new roof, are just so major that they will scare off all but the most determined buyers. If the market in your area is hot (see No. 1) and you have ample time (see No. 2), there’s no harm in trying to sell without making the big repair, as long as you are willing to price it accordingly (see No. 6). If it’s a buyer’s market but you don’t have time to make the repair before listing, you could offer to pay for it as part of the sales agreement — otherwise it’s probably best to make the change first and then put your home on the market.

Tell us: Are you selling or have you recently sold your home? What has worked or not worked for you? Share your experiences in the Comments.

Laura Gaskill

Houzz Contributor. I cover topics ranging from decorating ideas, product picks, Houzz tours, and interviews with designers and architects, to the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write tend to center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Learn more, and follow my adventures in creating a warm and cozy home athttp://www.lolalina.com/.

RASE May 2014 Housing Market Statistics

RASE May 2014 Housing Market Statistical Reporting

Sioux Falls, SD – June 5th, 2014:
For a detailed report contact us or comment.
http://3362121.com/contactus/

Some have noted a slight pause in the housing recovery this year. The American Dream of homeownership is alive and well, but it must still contend with market fluctuations. Buyers need homes for sale if they’re expected to buy said homes. They also need reliable financing, better jobs and stronger wage growth. The opportunities are out there. Now we need people to take advantage of them.

New Listings in the Sioux Falls region increased 0.2 percent to 650. Pending Sales were up 35.0 percent to 590. Inventory levels grew 6.9 percent to 1,605 units.

Prices forged onward. The Median Sales Price increased 2.9 percent to $162,000. Days on Market was down 7.5 percent to 98 days. Absorption rates slowed as Months Supply of Homes for Sale was up 13.2 percent to 5.1 months.

We’ve had a mixed bag of economic news lately. As expected, national GDP contracted slightly during Q1-2014, which most economists attribute to impermanent factors like the harsh winter. We’ve now had more than four straight years of monthly private sector job growth. It hasn’t been extraordinary growth, but it sure beats mass layoffs. Buoyed by an improving sales mix, home prices continue their ascent despite erratic demand indicators. More inventory, more high-skilled job growth, and less economic and political uncertainty are still top priorities.

- 10k Research & Marketing
 

Check Your Credit Report

What's Your Score?

300-850

Credit card companies and lenders rely on credit scores, which determine someone's chances to borrow money - and how favorable the terms will be. Scores range from 200 to above 800. Scores below 620 are considered risky; 720 and over are excellent.

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There are five categories of scoring: payment history (35%); amount owed (30%); length of credit history (15%); new credit (10%); and types of credit (10%). Lenders receive your score and "reason codes," which are the keys to improving your score.

Check your own score yearly by ordering reports from the three major credit scoring companies: Equifax (www.equifax.com), Experian (www.experian.com), and TransUnion (www.tuc.com). Or try a site like Quizzle (www.quizzle.com)

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Notify the credit bureau of inaccuracies, along with copies of documents that dispute incorrect entries. Close accounts not in use. Request that late payments older than seven years be removed. Verify and update accounts and account numbers. Verify your address and Social Security number.

 

To improve your score:

Pay your bills on time. Reduce outstanding debt. Build up your savings. Don't fall for illegal schemes that help create a new credit identity.

Borrowing From Your 401k

Have you refinanced your home into oblivion? Tapped out every available money resource with a myriad of loans and credit cards? There is one last option: borrowing from your 401(k).

If you've never heard of this option, it's because until recently, it just wasn't done that frequently. But with the market still not fully recovered, and people desiring to cut their high interest debt, more folks are discovering this alternative lending source.

Pros:

• A 401(k) loan does not appear on your credit report. They are not reported to Experian, and do not become a part of your credit history.
• The interest on these loans is some of the lowest out there.
• You're paying yourself the interest, not some bank.
• You'll get your money more quickly than if you were using another means of borrowing.
• Since it's a loan, you will not be charged the 10 percent early withdrawal penalties plus income taxes you would have to pay if you withdrew the money.
• You don't have to qualify for the loan through the usual long, painful credit approval process, because in effect, you are the lender.
• No assets or collateral are needed to secure the loan.

...Since it's a loan, you will not be charged

the 10 percent early withdrawal penalties

plus income taxes.

Cons:

• The biggest con is that you are forfeiting the accrued interest you would earn if your money stayed in the 401(k). Calculated over the long term, it can cost tens (even hundreds) of thousands of dollars in potential gain.
• Unlike a home equity loan, the interest is not tax deductible.
• Some plans do not allow contributions to the 401(k) for the period of the loan.
• If you lose or quit your job, the loan is often due in full in 30-60 days (although some plans are open to renegotiating the terms of the loan. Find out before you sign the papers.)
  
  If you default on the loan, it is considered a withdrawal and you will owe a 10 percent penalty plus a hefty tax payment. So if you had borrowed $50,000 and couldn't pay it back, you would have to pay a $5,000penalty and federal and state taxes that could take another $20,000 of the amount.

To calculate the actual cost of borrowing from either source: for a home equity loan, ignoring up-front costs, the after-tax cost is the interest rate minus your tax savings (interest rate times 1 minus your tax rate).

An Energy Efficient Home Is a Happy One

Did you know that making your home energy efficient increases its value?

According to one study, making no cost/low cost changes can boost your home's value $18,000. Why not implement some of the following suggestions to make your home more energy efficient?

1. Lower the thermostat on your water heater.

If your hot tap water is too hot to touch, lower the temperature a few degrees.

2. Check for air leaking around doors.

A lot of the air you pay to heat or cool escapes through unsealed doors. Install or replace worn weather stripping. Replace broken or missing storm doors.

3. Close the air vents in rooms not in use.

For example, close the vents and shut the door to an unused guest room.

4. Keep heat producers far from your thermostat in summer.

Floor lamps and televisions can significantly raise the temperature in the area near a thermostat, turning on your air conditioner too often.

5. Clean your furnace and air conditioner filters.

Replace existing dirty air conditioner or furnace filters. During heavy use periods, replacement is recommended every 30 days.

6. Operate large appliances during low-use periods in summer.

Use your washer and dryer and other heat-producers early in the morning or late at night. Use the air-dry method on your dishwasher to save energy.

7. Request an energy audit.

Contact your local utility company to request a free energy audit. Most electric and gas companies will check for proper insulation, find cracks in the eaves or roof that could leak energy, and make recommendations for improvements. Some electric companies offer low-cost financing for such improvements.

8. Replace existing insulation.

A proper barrier keeps heat and cold from penetrating your home's exterior and provides for even temperatures between rooms. The EPA recently reported that proper ceiling insulation may reduce electric bills 20%.

9. Replace existing appliances.

If money is no object, replace old appliances with Energy Star appliances, specifically created to optimize energy consumption. If your budget limits you to replacing one appliance, buy a new refrigerator; a new model could knock off 25% of your electric bill.

10. Buy new light bulbs.

Replace incandescent bulbs with fluorescent.

11. Contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regarding EEM Mortgages. EEMs provide benefits to borrowers purchasing a home that is energy efficient, or can be made efficient with improvements.