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Agents, Brokers, Property Management, Real Estate Investment

For Sale By Owner vs. Using an Agent

By | Agents, Brokers, Property Management, Real Estate Investment

Selling your home is a significant decision, and one of the first choices you’ll face is whether to sell it yourself (For Sale By Owner, or FSBO) or hire a real estate agent. While FSBO might seem appealing to save on commission fees, using an agent often proves to be the better option. Here’s why:

Expertise and Experience

Real estate agents bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. They understand the local market, know how to price your home competitively, and have the skills to negotiate effectively. This expertise can help you avoid common pitfalls and ensure a smoother transaction.

Marketing Power

Agents have access to multiple listing services (MLS) and extensive networks, which means your home gets broader exposure. They can also create professional marketing materials and host open houses, attracting more potential buyers. 

Time and Convenience

Selling a home involves a lot of work, from staging and showing the property to handling paperwork and negotiations. An agent takes on these responsibilities, saving you time and reducing stress. This allows you to focus on your daily life while they manage the sale.

Higher Sale Price

Statistics show that homes sold by agents typically fetch higher prices than those sold by owners. The agent’s ability to market your home effectively and negotiate better deals often offsets the commission cost, resulting in a higher net profit for you. 

Legal Protection

Real estate transactions involve complex legal documents and regulations. An agent ensures that all paperwork is correctly completed and that you comply with all legal requirements, protecting you from potential legal issues down the road.

Negotiation Skills

Agents are skilled negotiators who can handle offers and counteroffers professionally. They work to get you the best possible deal, leveraging their experience to navigate tricky negotiations and avoid common mistakes.

Conclusion

While selling your home FSBO might save you on commission fees, the benefits of using a real estate agent often outweigh the costs. From their expertise and marketing power to their negotiation skills and legal knowledge, agents provide invaluable support that can lead to a quicker, smoother, and more profitable sale.



If you’re considering selling your home, think carefully about the advantages of hiring Lofty. We can make all the difference in achieving your real estate goals!

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(844) 355-6389

Home Selling Strategies

By | Agents, Brokers, Property Management, Real Estate Investment

Selling your home can be both very exciting but also challenging! To ensure a smooth and profitable sale, it’s essential to have a well-thought-out strategy. Here are some key strategies for you to consider:

1. Identify Your Motivation for Selling

Understanding why you want to sell your home can help guide your decisions throughout the process. Whether you’re looking to upgrade, downsize, or relocate, having a clear motivation will keep you focused and help you set realistic goals. 

2. Research the Best Time to Sell

The real estate market fluctuates, and timing can significantly impact your sale. Research the best time to sell in your area. Typically, spring and summer are popular times, but local market conditions can vary. Here at Lofty we are able to direct you and list your home during the best possible time! 

3. Hire a Real Estate Agent

A knowledgeable real estate agent can provide invaluable assistance. They understand the local market, can help price your home competitively, and will handle the marketing and negotiations on your behalf.

4. Complete Home Improvements

Investing in necessary repairs and upgrades can increase your home’s value and appeal. Focus on high-impact areas like the kitchen, bathrooms, and curb appeal. Even small improvements, like a fresh coat of paint or new fixtures, can make a big difference.

5. Price Your Home Competitively

Setting the right price is crucial. Overpricing can deter potential buyers, while underpricing might leave money on the table. Your real estate agent can help you determine a competitive price based on comparable homes in your area. 

6. Stage Your Home to Sell

Staging involves arranging furniture and decor to highlight your home’s best features. A well-staged home can help buyers visualize themselves living there. Consider hiring a professional stager or using virtual staging tools.

7. Market Your Listing Effectively

Effective marketing is key to attracting buyers. High-quality photos, virtual tours, and detailed descriptions can make your listing stand out. Utilize online platforms, social media, and traditional methods like open houses to reach a broad audience.

8. Prepare for Closing Hurdles

Be ready for potential obstacles during the closing process. This might include negotiations after a home inspection or delays in financing. Staying flexible and responsive can help you navigate these challenges smoothly.

By following these strategies above, you can significantly increase your chances of a successful home sale. Remember, preparation and a proactive approach are your best allies in the home selling journey and Lofty real estate is here and very happy to help! 

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property management, real estate

How to Stand Out in Property Management

By | Agents, Brokers, Property Management, Real Estate Investment

When landlords decide it’s time to work with a property management company, there is a lot more involved than just relationship building. Below are a few highlights related to how a management company can be appointed.

property management, real estate

Groundwork

To be chosen to manage rental units, you first need to make sure you’ve laid the groundwork as a successful company. It is imperative that you are properly licensed, create an LLC  or S Corp, and follow a business plan if created. Having a framework will allow your clients to feel confident in your skills and capabilities.

Setting up a company and displaying a healthy rental portfolio will show potential landlords that you know what you’re doing. To be successful and appointed, you need to have the foundation in place.

Building Relationships

In any client facing role, building relationships is the key to growth. Valuing employee relationships can build a solid business, but so can relationships with property owners in your community. Set expectations and keep the lines of communication open for new prospects and current owners.

Feel confident providing your own proactive feedback to owners and identify opportunities for additional revenue streams. Property owners are looking for firms to explain exactly what can be provided for them.

real estate, property management

A Healthy Portfolio

Property owners are looking for management companies with healthy pipelines and positive reviews. It is important to model high levels of customer service and management skills. If there is high tenant turnover or flags with occupancy or vacancy rates, this can impact your reputation as a company and deter new prospects. Keep up with shifts and remain accommodating.

Your Next Move

When it comes time to being chosen, be prepared for questions. Most owners want to know how the property will be managed, the fees involved, and how to cancel if needed. Whether the management company has failed to deliver on promises, or you simply want to manage the home yourself, you should let the company know your reason for leaving.

You want a company that is not only knowledgeable about their own processes and systems, but also about the changing real estate market and local laws that affect your property.

Wondering if a switch might be right for you? Give us a shout and learn more.

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(844) 355-6389

Chicago Real Estate Hit in a New Way

By | Agents, Brokers, Property Management, Real Estate Investment

After recent reports of scammers infiltrating the real estate market, Chicago has been hit in a completely new way. Fraudsters have been reported to break into empty apartments or homes, replace the locks, advertise the property for rent — even though they don’t own it.

Housing experts  say the scams picked up speed after the pandemic shutdowns. Vacant properties weren’t being closely watched and left vulnerable to intruders.

In these circumstances, fraudsters break into empty apartments or homes, replace the locks and advertise the property online. Prospective tenants sign a lease, pay a security deposit, and pay monthly rent to the supposed landlord. When that happens, the scammer flees, and the tenant faces eviction from the real owners.

With these new circumstances, it is now more than ever, important to Safely secure your property.  Another great way to keep a property secure is to hire a property management group to keep a watchful eye.

If you’ve never worked with a property management company, you may be surprised at how much they can help with tenancy turnovers, as well as other aspects of being a landlord.

Property managers are able to contract out the necessary work, market the property for new tenants, oversee and manage the property itself and any work occurring at the property, and communicate with departing tenants to get everything is taken care of.

Wondering if a switch might be right for you? Give us a shout and learn more.

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or call

(844) 355-6389

5 Factors That Make A Great Rental Property

By | Agents, Brokers, Property Management, Real Estate Investment

Follow the Market

In most cases, the first factor to consider when investing in a good rental property is location. This may be true, but it’s a better idea to check in with where the market stands. From the perspective of a Chicagoan looking to buy during 2020, 2021, and post Covid-19, the market has been dramatically shifting. It is important to consider housing market trends, as well as stay up to date on news relating to economic impacts that tend to shift the market.

Location

What separates a good rental property from a great one is location. It’s important to consider location when seeking out a rental property because of profitability. Put yourself in your tenants’ shoes, you should want to live where you’re investing too. This helps when considering factors such as building amenities, green space, scenic views, closeness to farmers markets, transportation, tax-exempt areas, etc. These all play a role in commercial property evaluations as well.

How do you choose a good location? Consider the mid-to-long term approach. Seek out growing neighborhoods or plots that have this potential. It is important to thoroughly review the intended usage and ownership of the areas where you plan to invest as well.

Property Condition & Value

Once a neighborhood or location is chosen, now it’s time to evaluate the estate and its condition. The condition of the building can affect the listing price, financing, investment analysis, as well as taxes and insurance cost. Lofty agents assist with this process by providing a competitive market analysis.

how to be a better real estate agent

Cash Flow & Growth Potential

There are a few ways to determine if property is returning a good investment or positive cash flow. If you are familiar with finance, you may have heard of the 2% rule. This rule states that if the monthly rent for a property is at least 2% of the purchase price, it will likely produce a positive cash flow. The equation is as follows: monthly rent / purchase price = X. If X is less than 0.02 then the property is not going to be as profitable of an investment. Typically, a good ROI for a rental property is usually above 10%, but 5-10% is also an acceptable range.

It is always important to crunch the numbers when considering investing in property.

Consider Property Management

It can be said that perhaps even more important than the property itself is its management. If you’ve never worked with a property management company, you may be surprised at how much they can help with tenancy turnovers, as well as other aspects of being a landlord.

Property managers are able to contract out the necessary work, market the property for new tenants, oversee and manage any work occurring at the property, and communicate with departing tenants to get everything squared away for you. You can hand off all those pesky jobs to someone else and reap the benefits of owning investment properties through true passive income.

Rental property investments can be intimidating for the beginning investor but knowing which factors make a great property investment and where to look for them can help you start your journey to passive rental income.

Chicago Property Manager

Here at Lofty, we believe that owning investment properties shouldn’t be a headache. We take care of everything our owners need, from screening tenants to doing the physical work between occupancies. Stop wasting time checking whether lights are working and sweeping baseboards and start enjoying being a landlord and property owner!

Wondering if a switch might be right for you? Give us a shout and learn more.

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or call

(844) 355-6389

Lofty Real Estate

Chicago’s Real Estate Market in 2020

By | Agents, Agents, Brokers, Property Management, Real Estate Investment, brokers, home buyer, home buying, real estate

Lofty Real Estate

If you’re planning to sell a home in the area, you might need to pack your patience. Recent data shows that Chicago is one of the “slowest” housing markets among the major metros when based on median “days on market.”

Despite losing residents at a high rate, Chicago is still America’s third largest city and the economic driver of the Midwest. Although there is not a negative impact of buying a house in 2019 versus 2020, it is strongly advised by experts to purchase a house next year. In 2020, the largest group of Millennials will turn 30, which will be good news for an industry that may need it.

Lofty Real Estate

The National Association of Realtors’ annual home-buyer profile has recorded an average home-buying age of 30 that has stood for decades.

While young people have flocked Downtown, bringing with them corporations seeking skilled workers, Millennials will likely turn back to the suburbs when it comes time to buy. But because so many jobs have moved from the suburbs to Downtown, Millennials will likely look for housing in inner-collar suburbs that have urban amenities like public transportation and walkability.

 

The year 2020: where inflation and financing qualification could hurt prospective buyers. According to Zillow, rising mortgage rates are encouraging homeowners to stay put and discouraging would-be buyers.

Higher interest rates should eventually slow the intense pace of home value appreciation that we have seen over the past few years, a welcome relief for hopeful buyers. Overall, home prices aren’t expected to grow much, and market crashes are highly unlikely. That should make it a safer purchase for buyers and more difficult for sellers to get the best price possible.

 

 

 

 

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