Real Estate Agent Safety: Marketing and Personal Information

Don't set yourself up to be victimized because of excess personal information in your marketing.

Flashy personal marketing can be a great tool, but beware of the information you include in these materials. Some predators target real estate agents, especially females, they find through the agent’s marketing.

THE RISK: Marketing materials that contain photos of yourself may attract the attention of criminals. Police have found criminals circling real estate professionals’ photos in newspapers and marketing materials (Read one agent’s account of this.)

SAFETY TIPS

• Avoid provocative photos in your marketing. Low-cut blouses, full-body photos, and looking over your shoulder in a sexy pose can send the wrong message to criminals. “Why do you have to have photos anyway? What are you selling?” asks one Realtor, who advises against ever using a photo for business reasons; she uses a caricature.

“You make a living meeting complete strangers in empty houses. They see your photo and if you’re exactly what they’re looking for — whether that be an older or younger agent, blonde hair, blue eyes, whatever — they know all it takes is one phone call to meet you in a house. A picture can be dangerous.”

• Watch what you wear. Only wear shoes that you can run in. Avoid short skirts, low-cut tops, and expensive jewelry. “Predators don’t have the same boundaries as you do. They look at you like that and say ‘She’s asking for it,’” according to a personal safety expert.

• Protect your personal information. Use your cell phone number and office address in your marketing so it can’t be tracked back to your home address. Never use your home address or home phone number. Also, don’t reveal to your client personal information about your children, where you live, and who you live with — you can still build a relationship with clients without revealing all of your personal information, recommends the Washington Real Estate Safety Council.

Getting a Second Opinion on Your Home Financing

Your home purchase is one of the most important financial decisions of your lifetime. Taking a few minutes to verify your existing lender’s offer in regards to loan structure, rates, and cost is time well spent.
The #1 reason that real estate transactions don’t close is due to financing issues, and transactions can fall apart very quickly.

Getting a second opinion is a win-win scenario. If Mortgage California can provide a better loan value, you win. If we can’t, we can verify the validity of the other offer for you, and you win.

Contact Mortgage California or your loan officer about it. We want you to realize the difference a second opinion can make for your home financing.

Ways to Reduce Stress When You’re Moving

Buying and selling a home and moving is one of the most stressful processes on the human psyche. It is important that while going through the real estate process, you find time to take care of yourself.
Just like on an airplane, you have to put an oxygen mask on yourself before helping anyone else. This means that in order to be able to take care of things and other people, it is important that you make sure you take care of yourself first.

Savor time taking care of yourself to reduce the stress of moving.

Try setting aside relaxation time just for yourself each day, and do something you enjoy, despite the hectic and stressful nature of moving.

Reading a good book, spending time outside, taking a long bath, getting a massage – things like this will help you reduce your stress level immensely. With less real estate stress, handling the details will be easier.

Four Ways to Avoid Getting Outbid

Competition can be stiff when multiple offers are placed on a house or condo.
There are ways to get ahead in the bidding war that will help your offer be selected.

1. Be first
If you are not working with a buyer’s agent, you should be. Make sure that the agent knows that you want to jump on any appropriate properties as soon as it becomes available. Also, put a tight deadline on your offer so the listing agent can’t use it to solicit other offers from interested buyers.

2. Be pre-approved
Although you likely can’t pay all cash, if you have an approval from a lender saying you’ll qualify for the necessary loan, you’ll be in a stronger position. Because lending standards have toughened, be prepared to make at least a 20% down payment. To prove you’re serious about buying, offer the seller a substantial earnest-money deposit as well – up to 3% of the purchase price.

3. Be highest
Obviously, sellers want to the the highest price possible for their property, so a generous offer will trump an all-cash one. But ask your agent to do a comparative market analysis first so you don’t pay more than the market price. If you do, your deal could fall through – or you’ll be asked to put up more cash – once the lender has the property appraised.

4. Be Easygoing
A recent survey done by the California Association of Realtors found that three-quarters of all sellers are putting their property on the market because of financial difficulties. While it isn’t suggesting that you waive an inspection contingency, don’t demand any monetary concessions, like a decorator’s allowance, or help with closing costs.
Similarly, ask your agent to find out if some accommodations on time would suit the seller’s needs – perhaps a quick closing date for a seller who is having trouble paying the mortgage, or conversely, a long rent-back after closing for sellers who need time to find another place to stay.

Quick Fixes for a Great Looking Kitchen

A modern look is very popular right now.

Cabinetry
Damaged or dirty cabinet doors are a big turn-off for buyers. But that’s easy to fix. Most cabinetry can be re-painted after cleaning it and applying a coat of primer. Just check that the materials can take paint or whether you need to give any special preparation to the doors first. Alternatively, you can just replace the doors. There are companies that provide doors to fit existing kitchen cabinets.

Hardware
Another way to fix up cabinets is to replace the hardware, perhaps changing out-of-date fixtures for sleek, modern ones. This is a very cheap and easy way to update your kitchen.

Sinks and faucets
Try trading your faucets for more modern designs and replacing a damaged or very dirty sink.

Appliances
People love modern stainless steel appliances. It could be a good investment to upgrade your appliances to the most modern designs to give your kitchen the ‘wow’ factor.

Backsplash
An easy way to update your kitchen is to replace the backsplash. Subway ormosaic tiles or a sheet of stainless steel are very popular right now, and this quick change can really lift the feel of the room.

Make sure the flooring matches the rest of the kitchen.

Flooring
Dirty, tired linoleum floors will turn off buyers. Try updating with tough laminate flooring or some tiles that tie into the rest of the kitchen.

Paint
Change the decor easily by repainting in fresh, modern, neutral colors. A coat of paint can be a very cheap way to refresh the look of your kitchen.

Clutter
Just by simply removing the clutter that accumulates on your countertops, you can freshen up your kitchen. Throw out things you don’t need; put away others you only use occasionally.

Top California Housing Finance Agency Questions Answered

The California Housing Finance Agency, or CalHFA, is a great resource for first-time home buyers in the state. Owning your first home is a dream that this program can help you achieve.

Who qualifies for CalHFA?
All first-time home buyers in the state qualify to receive this loan.

Is it true that you can receive a 3.75% Fixed Rate 30 year loan?
Yes, if you combine your CalHFA with a second loan from CHDAP - California Homebuyer’s Downpayment Assistance Program.

What is the minimum down payment with the 2nd loan from CHDAP?
The down payment can be as low as 1%.

Are seller contributions allowed?
Yes, they are allowed up to 3% of the purchase price of the home.

Mortgage California is an accredited lender of CalHFA, and we are here to help with any questions about this loan program.