Gail Vinnal's (gevinnal) Blog

When we read about todays real estate market lately all we are hearing is that it's a buyer's market.  Not really, but it is also not a seller's market.  Buyers are under the impression that a "buyer's market" puts them in control of the deal and they call all the shots.  That is true to a point ...

They go really wrong!  I had a listing that went under contract within the first week on the market.  The contract price was less then the seller's wanted (when isn't it) but we negoitated an as is clause meaning NO repairs at inspection and everything seemed to move forward smoothly.  The buyer'...

Personal Marketing is key to keeping your name in front of potential clients especially during a slow market.  You need to get your name in front of as many people as possible as often as possible.  Will a potential buyer see your name in a high school sports program and think I'm going to call t...

Agents are becoming very frustrated by movement of listings in this area.  Listings are shown over and over, feedback is all positive but no offers.  The problem may be related to the number of short sales on the market.  When a home is listed as a short sale it is listed below market value and a...

In this market it's hard to know if our pricing and descriptions are doing their job, agents can help each other and themselves by filling out the feedback forms often sent by listing agents.  We may have overlooked somthing that your clients point out or you may have shown a comparable home at a...

The first time homebuyer should be out there buying right now.  Mortgage rates are still low and prices are at the lowest in 3 years.  The biggest problem I'm seeing with first timers is that there is so much to look at it's difficult to make a decision.  Buyer's agent's working with these buyers...

I know quit a few agents feel that Flat Fee MLS Listings are not worth the trouble, but I've found that for sale by owners frequently don't want anything to do with a traditional listing but are willing to pay  a commission to a buyer's agent.  By participating in a flat fee the listing agent is ...

I'm finding the real estate market in North Jersey, specifically Bergen and Passaic Counties very slow.  I think all of our listings are being affected by the unexpected number of short sale homes that are suddenly flooding the market.  I currently have a listing in Saddle Brook, NJ, priced as th...