
What is the Consumer Objective When Hiring an Agent?
The consumer objective is to procure an agent who provides a compelling value proposition. One who has the requisite skill and experience to achieve the consumer's desired outcome while producing the highest qualitative and quantitative benefits. Qualitative benefit is derived from elements like protecting a client's best interests and providing superior customer service. In the case of a seller, quantitative benefit includes selling at top dollar, in the fewest days possible and negotiating low contingency risk. Essentially, the consumer objective is to procure the agent who achieves optimal...

Real Estate is a Business of Contracts
Contracts are serious, complex, legal documents and that's no different when buying or selling a home. In fact, buyers and sellers will be confronted with over 100 legal documents during the process of a typical home purchase and settlement. Exceptional agents have a thorough knowledge of the contracts and know how to write them and manage the process in a manner that protects their client's best interests, money and possible legal complications.
Caveat Emptor = Buyer Beware
Virginia is one of a few states in the U.S. still operating under the common law concept of Caveat Emptor, meaning "Let The B...


Majority of Home Sellers & Buyers Worry About a Housing Bubble & Price Crash
Naturally, home sellers and buyers are often concerned about home prices. It's an asset class they either own or are considering owning. This concern becomes even greater when the impacts of the Great Recession and 2008 housing collapse are still visible in the rearview mirror for so many people. In 2017, ValueInsured surveyed 1,079 adults and 58% agreed there would be a "housing bubble and price correction" in the next two years (sometime in 2018-19). That was up 46% from the previous survey. Meanwhile, 83% of respondents believed it was a good time to...

Zillow's Inaccuracy Frustrates Consumers & Company CEO
So much so that Zillow has been accused of misleading and irresponsible home price estimates that have hurt both home buyers and sellers. Certain complaints have risen to the level of class-action lawsuits filed against Zillow in federal court. These court briefs outline that Zillow's Zestimates are consistently inaccurate by anywhere from 6% to 50%. In fact, in 2017 Zillow's CEO, Spencer Rascoff, sold his home in Seattle's Madison Park neighborhood for $1.05 million - 40% below his own Zillow Zestimate of $1.75 million. A 40% delta is...