Another Alexandria La Home SOLD- 5114 Mallard DriveSearching for an updated home in Alexandria Louisiana? Being in the market to purchase, it is good to see what similar homes are selling for. Let's take a closer look at 5114 Mallard Drive... 4 Bedroom Home For Sale in Alexandria La OverviewMapsPhotos $289,000 Single Family Home Main Features 4 Bedrooms2 Full Bathrooms1 Half Bathroom1 UnitInterior: 2,280 sqftLot: 0.32 acre(s)Year Built: 1996MLS #: 2449158 Location 5114 Mallard DriveAlexandria, LA 71303USA Doug Rogers RE/MAX Coastal Properties(318) 613-1994dougsoldit@gmail.comhttp://www.FloridaCondoHunter.com   Listed by: Bayou Properties  Realty Our recent listings 3 Bedroom Home For Sale In Destin Florida | $399,900 | Destin, FLCondominium | $449,000 | Destin, FL3 Bedroom Condo In Dest... 10/11/2024

Real  Estate Sales Advice-Fair Housing Words To AvoidAs a regulated industry under increased scrutiny, it's important from time to time to review the rules of the road. Let's review some words or phrases we should steer clear of when advertising. 1) Home is located in a quiet, safe neighborhood-- This one is tough, after all what buyer doesn't seek a peaceful place to live? Seems like this would be marketing gold? We cannot define what "safe" means. About the best you can do is refer to local law enforcement for updated statistics (beware of info posted online, go straight to the source!)2) Perfect home for State University Students--Again, proximity to a local college/university can be a major selling point. But what if as a potential buyer I was rejected by State U? In my opinion (not... 10/11/2024

Beware, Those Hot Real Estate Brownies Will Burn You!This weekend my daughter made a batch of brownies. The smell overpowered the kitchen and drifted into the football watching space ( living room). She warned me to wait, I could feel the heat even. Yet like a juvenile bear I took a bite anyway. The burn was enough to make me consider my place in the universe. As I recovered, I considered the real estate hot brownies we encounter. Take a look, just don't bite! 1) The "act like a contractor" brownie-- "Hey Doug, should we worry about them brick cracks"? The temptation is to answer based on our years of experience. The only right answer is to remind the client we are not contractors and to defer to a professional. But oh the urge to answer...2) The Legal Advice Brownie-- "But Doug, can't ... 10/07/2024

Real Estate Sales Practice--Closing Should Be The BeginningFinding new lines of business is one of the toughest pieces to the real estate sales puzzle. Some agents phone prospect, others spend hours on social media. a few drop eye-watering amounts of money paying for leads. But what if there was a way to turn old business into new? Let's examine how closing can be a consistent source of NEW business. Ways to make more than a commission check at closing1) Get a seller review--The BEST time to get a seller review is when they are signing the powerful offer you brought them. This is especially true for former "expired" listings. The next best time is when all escrow conditions are cleared. Remember this for your next listing. For our purposes, just make sure to get one prior to closing. AF... 10/01/2024

Real Estate Sales-Don't Neglect The Fourth QuarterMost Americans invested time Sunday watching the NFL. Imagine if going into the fourth quarter the players only jogged down the field. Then with 2 minutes left the star quarterback went to the showers. Sounds silly, but that's how some agents approach the fourth quarter. Let's look at some potential fourth quarter pitfalls. 1) The feeling that there is plenty of time-- Take out a calendar and start counting days. Thanksgiving, Maybe a week at Christmas? Will you work Christmas Eve? How about the day before. Keep this up and that "90 days" morphs into 60 or less... 2) The holiday party trap-- After Thanksgiving title companies, vendors, and clients will have Christmas parties. Should you attend some? Sure. Everyone of them from bell to be... 09/30/2024

Alexandria La  Real Estate- 5114 Mallard Is Now PendingSearching for an updated four bedroom home around Alexandria Louisiana? Unfortunately 5114 Mallard has found a buyer! Thanks to our aggressive marketing and some wise choices on the seller's part we are about two short weeks from closing. Let's take a look at what this home has to offer.  4 Bedroom Home For Sale in Alexandria La OverviewMapsPhotos $289,000 Single Family Home Main Features 4 Bedrooms2 Full Bathrooms1 Half Bathroom1 UnitInterior: 2,280 sqftLot: 0.32 acre(s)Year Built: 1996MLS #: 2449158 Location 5114 Mallard DriveAlexandria, LA 71303USA Doug Rogers RE/MAX Coastal Properties(318) 613-1994dougsoldit@gmail.comhttp://www.FloridaCondoHunter.com   Listed by: Bayou Properties  Realty Our recent listings 3 Bedroom Home For Sa... 09/25/2024

Real Estate Advice- Seller Checklist For The Week Of ClosingGetting ready to sign the docs and hand over  keys to your Alexandria Louisiana area home? With all the chaos and confusion that comes with that final push, let's take a minute to review those last week chores.Seller last week of escrow checklist1) Collect receipts/invoices for any inspection response repairs-- The easiest thing to do is have a folder on the kitchen counter. When the buyer does their final review, here it is! As a bonus this folder can be a great place to list the contact information  for favored vendors. Who better for the buyers to call than someone who has worked on the home in the past? 2) Move out prior to closing-- Don't try to move right at the closing time. There is nothing worse than getting to closing... 09/25/2024

Deal Killers 2024 Edition And How To Prevent (sometimes)During my sixteen years I have seen it all. Of course no sooner than I type this there will be a newly flavored "real estate lesson." That said, deal killers in the real estate industry seem to follow common (and repeated) themes. For the purpose of our post, let's assume the buyer and sellers have agreed to terms and are cruising toward the closing table. What could possible go sideways???1) Home inspection issues--Fan of the horror movie genre? Everyone is happy and relaxing by the campfire, then suddenly Jason appears in the distance...First time sellers often assume that a signed contract means their house is SOLD. Nope, Let's see what the professional home inspector (and the buyer's father in law) has to say.Cheat CodeSellers ... 09/16/2024

How To Manage Stress From Real Estate SalesIn my 16 years in the sales business I have worked up markets, down markets, and a few flat ones. The one common thread? There is ALWAYS stress in the day to day practice. Here are some ways I learned to manage stress...1) Separate yourself from the transaction--This is a tough one due to the fact that agents typically get paid at closing. The deal dies the night before? No money for you! What this arrangement breeds is the agent sharing the same emotions as the buyer or seller. Our power comes not being connected to the deal. People in a sinking boat have a tough time teaching others how to swim. 2) Have ample savings-- Try to keep at least 90 days worth of bill money in the bank. This will help keep you for stressing out over every deal. 3) E... 09/13/2024

The Perfect Home Is A MythOne of the first steps I take when working with Alexandria Louisiana area home buyers is the buyer consultation. At some point in this meeting the prospective buyer will reference their "perfect home". Here are some talking points I use to help the would be buyers flesh out the perfect home myth.1) Regardless of price point, no home is "perfect"-- I sold a Condo this year for north of 1.5 million bucks. The laundry room was so small even a juvenile snake would have a struggle stretching out.. 2) Compare the home to others in the same price range, not HGTV--Do other homes at your price point boast one bathroom? If so, that 1.5 bathroom is actually a bonus not a demerit. Life is all about perspective! 3) Focus on 1-2 core "musts" not 12--Perhaps your growing fami... 09/12/2024

Real Estate Sales-What Can We Do To Help NewbiesI remember when I started waaaay back in the day (remember fax machines and cable tv ads). My broker trained me from start to finish, up, down, and sideways how to work with both buyers and sellers. My goodness there were checklists...And if I had a question she or the full time secretary were steps away. At a time when the average sales price was just north of 100k, I kept 50% of my commission. Did I get rich? Nope, but those basics have allowed me to survive and even thrive in a challenging business. Based on my conversations with newbie agents, things have certainly changed since 2009. Here are some things I suggest to help the newbies thrive...1) Encourage the newbie to ask questions--We were all new at some point. In my early days I d... 09/11/2024

Real Estate Advice-The Perils Of Shopping Near The Top Of Your RangeIs 2024 the year you put down deeper roots and purchase a home near Alexandria Louisiana? One of the first steps in the process is getting loan approval. Let's examine some of the potential risks shopping near the top of that range.Potential risks shopping at the top of your housing budget1) You could get the home-- Being house poor sucks (this is from personal experience). Are you prepared to make lifestyle adjustments for some extra heated square feet? Is your income about to increase or other bills about to disappear? Then you should be fine. Otherwise skip that coffee house on the way to work! 2) Bidding wars will be a challenge-- As rates go down, housing demand will likely rise. If the tip top of your budget is th... 09/10/2024

Homes For Sale In Alexandria La -275k-325kResidents (or folks moving to the area) are able to get a nice home for a modest price compared to the national average. Let's take a closer look at the local Alexandria Louisiana housing market in the 275,000-325,000 price range. Homes Active For Sale In Alexandria La from 275,000-325,000In our target range there are currently 21 homes for sale. Within this point we have homes in neighborhoods (like 5114 Mallard Drive above), properties in unrestricted areas, and even condo/townhomes. A little something for everyone! Need some space? These properties average over 2,400 heated square feet! Home That have Recently SOLD in Alexandria La from 275,000-325,000In the last six months, the Alexandria Louisiana housing market has remained stable. Even in... 09/09/2024

Selling a Home During Divorce Although not a pleasant undertaking, selling a home during a divorce situation can be done as long as both parties share the same goal. Let's review some tips for selling your Alexandria, Louisiana area home under such an environment. Advice for selling your home when the marriage ends  Make sure each of you share the same goal--As a real estate broker trained in helping such individuals this one is key. Usually one party is more interested in separation Than the other. This can torpedo the transaction on multiple levels. Have a frank (or series) of open and honest conversation regarding expectations.  Seek legal advice concerning the timing--Normally liquidating the home upfront  is the path of least resistance, especially if there is a joint mortgage invo... 09/06/2024

Alexandria La Real Estate Market Report Late Summer 2024With the first taste of cold weather in the forecast (okay upper 80's but that beats the swamp heat of late), let's check the temperature of the Alexandria Louisiana housing market. Considering purchasing or selling anytime soon? Knowing the market is key!Homes Active For Sale In Alexandria Louisiana As we enter the heart of September, there are currently 140 homes for sale in Alexandria La in the 85,000-600,000 dollar price range. With an average asking price of 254,451 homes in this area remain affordable for a wide segment of the population. Homes That Have Sold In Alexandria Louisiana In the last six months, 197 homes have successfully closed escrow. How long should it take your Alexandria La home to find a buyer? Every propert... 09/05/2024

How  Do You Deal With Rejection?Work in this business long enough (read more than three seconds) and you will come face to face with rejection. Even in the face of your best "pitch" a consumer (don't call them clients without a signature) will opt in a different direction. Let's look at some practical ways to confront real estate rejection...Dealing with rejection 1) Understand that "no" will be a major part of your business--As my coach Mike Ferry says, "logic makes people think, emotion makes them act". Your presentation could be spot on. The next agent that interviews may show up wearing the same sweater as the seller. Yes, sometimes you lose for silly reasons. 2) "No" could mean "not yet"-- Think back to the last time you went to a department store. What was your response to the sal... 09/04/2024

Real Estate Practice- One Deal Away from BrokeIs 2024 the year you invest in yourself and get that real estate license? Worried about living the commission only lifestyle? In most cases agents are only paid at closing. Literally all the work on a file is complete before the agent gets a penny. So how does this work in a "troubled" economic time? Let's look at some ways to keep the cash flowing! 1) Talk to people you know everyday- The BEST source of business is folks that already know/trust/like you. Call them on a consistent basis. Yes, call. In 2024...Don't assume they saw and remembered some random social media post. 2) Talk to people you don't know everyday-These calls can be tougher. Examples can be for sale by owners, expired/cancelled listings, and neighborhood dials. There are f... 09/04/2024

Real Estate Talk-Why Should The Seller Pay The Buyer's Closing Cost?Getting ready to list your home in Alexandria La? A common seller objection centers around the buyer's closing cost. As a seller, why should I consider paying part of the buyer's tab? Let's take a look! Reasons Sellers Should Consider Helping With Buyer Closing Cost1) Buyers may need the help--Like everything else in this world, closing costs have increased. I remember back in the last recession seller paid closing would land between 3,500-4,500 dollars. An offer we received last week had TWELVE Thousand in closing costs! Couple this with the mandatory down payment and this figure could be more than most buyers have! 2) We can use the potential concession in advertising-- Nothing attracts eyeballs like free money! When ... 09/03/2024

Is Now A Good Time To Buy A Home Around Alexandria La?Has making that September rent payment giving you the blues? Perhaps 2024 is the year you take the next step and purchase your piece of the bayou state. With all the economic and political stuff on the media let's see if home ownership is a good option...The economy in generalIt's like 2024 looked at 2023 and said, "Hold my beer". Conflict in Europe and the Middle East, a host of bad economic news (priced groceries lately), and a political scene like none in memory. During such "interesting times" why buy real estate? Well, rates are down for one! When will they dip down back in the 2-3% range? Who knows? Bidding wars (which tend to push prices north) have become more rare than snow in Natchitoches... More about YOUThe thousand dolla... 09/03/2024

4 Bedroom Home For Sale in Alexandria La Searching for a four bedroom home in Alexandria Louisiana? Need space and a great location? If so, 5114 Mallard Drive should be on your must tour list. Let's see what this updated home has to offer!  4 Bedroom Home For Sale in Alexandria La OverviewMapsPhotos $289,000 Single Family Home Main Features 4 Bedrooms2 Full Bathrooms1 Half Bathroom1 UnitInterior: 2,280 sqftLot: 0.32 acre(s)Year Built: 1996MLS #: 2449158 Location 5114 Mallard DriveAlexandria, LA 71303USA Doug Rogers RE/MAX Coastal Properties(318) 613-1994dougsoldit@gmail.comhttp://www.FloridaCondoHunter.com   Listed by: Bayou Properties  Realty Our recent listings 4 Bedroom Home For Sale in Alexandria La | $289,000 | Alexandria, LA4 Bedroom Home For Sale Near Hurlburt Field | $685,000 | ... 08/27/2024