CENTURY 21 360 Photography Tutorial

December 8, 2017 By Casey Danton

With the majority of potential homebuyers using the internet as part of their search, photography is crucial. Flattering angles, good lighting, color editing―it all matters. But sometimes, a regular photo just doesn’t cut it. That’s where 360-degree photos come in. If you want to bring a new listing to life, develop a stunning panorama to show it off. Follow these tips to highlight every angle of your new listing.

Step 1: Download a 360 Photo App

First, you’ll need a program on your phone that’s capable of taking 360-degree photos. There are a number of reliable options available for Android and iPhone. If you use an Android phone, take advantage of the “photo sphere” mode in the stock camera to take immersive 360-degree panoramas. If you’re looking for an easy-to-use app, download Street View to capture the best features inside or outside a home.

Step 2: Capture the Perfect Photo

Once you’ve successfully downloaded your software of choice, it’s time to take the actual photo. First, decide on a location. Choose a room with a good amount of natural light and stand in the center so objects aren’t too close. Now that you know where to take the photo, it’s time to learn how. If you’re using Street View, tap “Camera.” The photo-taking process is pretty straightforward, and the app will guide you through it―just stand in one place and keep the camera centered on all of the orange circles. When you reach each position, an image will automatically be taken, so there’s no need to press the shutter button.

Step 3: Review the Final Product

Once you’ve recorded all of your images, you’ve come full circle. Tap the check mark, and the app will turn all of those little photos into one 360-degree panorama. Take a look at the result. If you aren’t satisfied, retake the photo as many times as you need to capture the image you’re looking for. Even if you are satisfied, it never hurts to take a few more so you have options.

Step 4: Share on Social Media

Once you’ve captured the perfect picture, you’ll most certainly want to share it. Tap “Share” and upload your picture to Facebook. Facebook automatically recognizes the 360-degree photo and uploads it. Once the upload is complete, fill in any pertinent details in your post copy. After that, your work is done. Sit back, relax, and let your potential buyers take a virtual trip around their future home.

Use this strategy with your future listings and take note of its outcomes. If they’re positive, you can even consider a 360-degree video. It’s only up from here.

Watch the CENTURY 21 360 Photography Tutorial below to see these tips in action.

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#C21News: October 2017

November 28, 2017 By Casey Danton

October brought a number of noteworthy achievements for Century 21 Real Estate and its agents. Read more below to learn about the significant franchise growth and impressive achievements that occurred last month.

New Franchise Spotlight

Pelican Real Estate has joined the CENTURY 21® Franchise System in a merge with CENTURY 21 Blue Marlin, forming CENTURY 21 Blue Marlin Pelican. Established in 1996 by Bill Smith in Seagrove Beach, Florida, Pelican Real Estate was one of the largest in its region, with 11 offices from Panama City Beach to Pensacola. “I could not be happier about this merger with CENTURY 21 Blue Marlin,” said Smith. “I never thought I would ever consider working with a franchise, but CENTURY 21 Blue Marlin is not your run-of-the-mill franchise. The tools and technology they have mastered and utilize is far superior to any I’ve seen.” Read more here.

CENTURY 21 Arizona West opened a new office in Anthem. The new location is a full-service office with a wide range of real estate and business experience among the staff. The team currently includes eight agents and plans for four more to start soon. Branch manager Judy Bluhm said, “We will help people with all aspects of real estate. If someone wants to sell, we offer the most global reach of any company. We work with buyers, both first-time and experienced investors to give them the highest quality service.” Read more here.

John Arquette Properties, an independent real estate firm based in Fayetteville, NY, has joined the CENTURY 21® Franchise System and will now do business as CENTURY 21 Arquette Properties. The agency will now benefit from the world-class marketing and technology and productivity tools provided through its affiliation with the iconic CENTURY 21 brand. John Arquette said, “We are thrilled to have the support of the brand behind us and continue to best serve the needs of home buyers, sellers and agents in Central New York and beyond.” Read more here.

In the News

Charles Tarbey of CENTURY 21 Australia Real Estate earned the prestigious Woodrow Weight Award from the Real Estate Institute of New South Wales. The Institute’s president, John Cunningham, said, “Charles has dedicated his life to the real estate industry and has been a great supporter of REINSW throughout his career.” The award is named for Woodrow Weight, the first Australian to be elected World President of the International Real Estate Federation.

Scott Kesner of CENTURY 21 The Edge from El Paso, TX was appointed Vice President of Region 10 of the National Association of Realtors for the 2018 calendar year. As a regional vice president, Kesner will oversee the work of the National Association, which consists of Texas and Louisiana.

CENTURY 21 realtor Kay Wilson-Bolton of Santa Paula, CA was honored with the 2017 Good Neighbor Award for outstanding charity work in her community. Wilson-Bolton instituted Many Meals, a weekly program that provides food to as many as 600 people every Wednesday. Read more here and here.

New Initiatives and Partnerships

Century 21 Real Estate is proud to announce the launch of the “Empowering Latinas” program, an educational and business opportunity that will help Latina entrepreneurs in South Florida earn a real estate license. In partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, Century 21 Real Estate will not only provide 70 scholarships, but Century 21 affiliated brokers in the greater South Florida region will also mentor the scholarship awardees and offer them the opportunity to hone their craft with a local franchise affiliate. Read more here.

Check back next month for the latest Century 21 Real Estate News briefing.

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Agent Spotlight: Q&A with Justin Udy of CENTURY 21 Everest Realty Group

June 14, 2017 By Casey Danton

This month, we sat down with Justin Udy of CENTURY 21 Everest Realty Group in Cottonwood Heights, UT. Despite a challenging start to his real estate career, Justin joined forces with Century 21 Real Estate to grow his business and ultimately, lead one of the top producing teams in the CENTURY 21 Brand. Read more of Justin’s story and the advice he has for millennial agents who are finding their way in the real estate industry.

CENTURY 21: What led you to join the CENTURY 21 Brand in particular?

Justin: Their focus on self-development and desire to provide an amazing environment. I was at a brokerage on the verge of bankruptcy. Century 21 Real Estate helped facilitate the merger of the struggling brokerage of 26 agents into a productive Century 21 Real Estate brokerage. This allowed the struggling brokerage to get their books straight and debts paid, and get the agents into a new, productive environment. Most of them are still here today.

CENTURY 21: What is your favorite thing about your job?

Justin: I genuinely enjoy people and the sticks and bricks of real estate. I love being able to help people and the face-to-face relationships I build. In addition, it is rewarding to introduce people to a career in real estate, create long-term wealth for clients, and advise and improve their lives through the process.

CENTURY 21: What is the biggest misconception about millennial real estate agents?

Justin: The biggest misconception is that they have no drive and are lazy. In reality, I have met many millennials who are ambitious and driven. They want to succeed and are willing to pay the price for success.

CENTURY 21: What would you say to millennials who consider this an “easy” profession to get into?

Justin: No profession is “easy” if you’re looking to perform at the highest level. If you want to be the best, you have to pay the price. That can only be done with hard work, focus, and an obsession to be the best.

CENTURY 21: What’s your best advice for millennials looking to find success in the real estate industry?

Justin: To live a big life you need to do big things. Give up a season of your life so you can have a life like no one.

Check out Justin in this Shaun McBride video for CENTURY 21’s Adulting series.

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Agent Spotlight: Q&A with Lara Marquess of CENTURY 21® Union Realty

June 9, 2017 By Casey Danton

This month, we sat down with Lara Marquess of CENTURY 21® Union Realty in Los Angeles. In the interview, Lara shared how she got her start in real estate and what it was like working with Robeson Design’s Director of Marketing, Sharrah Robeson, for CENTURY 21’s Adulting series.

CENTURY 21: How did you get your start in real estate?

Lara: My initial plan was to teach. However, I realized I’d be doing students a disservice because my heart was just not in it. One day my neighbor walked over, pointed her finger at me, and told me I should be in real estate. She’s been in real estate since the 80s and she said that I’d be the perfect fit. I decided to get an internship with a successful real estate team and after my first week I knew this was the career for me.

In this job, every day is different. You’ve got to have energy and drive and I just knew that I could thrive in this type of environment. After a few months of interning, I got my license and stayed with the team for a little while longer. I decided to go off on my own in January of 2017.

CENTURY 21: What led you to the CENTURY 21 Brand in particular?

Lara: They understand that real estate is a tough business. It’s not hard getting into real estate but it takes time and effort to become a good real estate agent. Century 21 Real Estate has systems in place to help their agents grow and succeed.

CENTURY 21: How has Century 21 Real Estate supported you during these early years of your career?

Lara: The first thing that comes to mind is the training. We have trainings where we tour homes and identify parts of a house. We also have bi-weekly meetings where we talk about 1031 exchanges, mortgage programs, and much more. We’re all independent contractors who are all going after the same deals, but we have each other’s back. If I ever need help or advice, an agent in my office is willing to take a break from what she’s doing and lend me a hand. We have such a great support system.

CENTURY 21: What would you say to millennials who consider this an “easy” profession to get into?

Lara: I’d say they’re right. Real estate is super easy to get into. You don’t have to go to college. All you have to do is pass some tests and then hang up your license somewhere. What’s difficult is generating business and becoming a good agent who provides great customer service—and to succeed at these you have to commit to doing these things every day… not just when you feel like it.

CENTURY 21: What is your favorite thing about your job?’’

Lara: The idea of what I can turn my business into. The possibilities are endless.

CENTURY 21: What was it like working with Sharrah Robeson?

Lara: It was fun. Sharrah is super sweet and very friendly. We got to talking right away and she’s a true professional. I would love to have her design my house!

Check out Lara Marquess in Sharrah Robeson’s video and stay tuned for another agent spotlight next month!

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Agent Spotlight: Q&A with Christa Lowry of CENTURY 21 Hometown Realty

January 27, 2017 By Casey Danton

When it comes to quality and knowledge, Century 21^® affiliated agents can’t be topped. In our new spotlight series, get to know Century 21 agents as they share their experiences with the CENTURY 21 System and some of their best advice for reaching the top of the real estate market.

This month, we sat down with Christa Lowry of CENTURY 21 Hometown Realty to learn more about what it’s like to be one of the top agents on California’s Central Coast. Read on for Christa’s story and the great advice she had to share.

Why CENTURY 21?

CENTURY 21: What made you want to be a real estate agent?

Christa: I always wanted to sell real estate because I am a natural sales person. I love business and the home buying and selling process always intrigued me as a buyer. I love to help people and what better way to help people than to assist them in making their real estate dreams come true?! I already had a career, but knew that someday I would transition into real estate.

CENTURY 21: Did you always want to be a real estate agent? If not, what were you doing before?

Christa: I went to college as a business student with a minor in interior design, but I also had an eye for fashion and a desire to own a salon, so after college I received my cosmetology license and had a salon for 23 years. I got my real estate license in 2009 and did both for a while until 2012 when I decided to retire from the beauty business and sell my salon, allowing me to do real estate full time.

CENTURY 21: What attracted you to Century 21 Real Estate?

Christa: I bought a house in 2003 with a Century 21 Agent as my buyer’s agent and a problem arose with a pest company. My agent’s broker, Amy Gallagher, came to my agent’s rescue and faced the problem head on. She impressed me so much that I remember that day telling myself that if I ever did become an agent I would possibly want to work with her because of how she went to bat for her agent. When I got my license, I interviewed every good real estate company on the central coast and decided on a CENTURY 21 Company, not only because I loved Amy, but also because I felt that a CENTURY 21 Company was going to give me the training and support I needed as a new agent. I knew the market was going to get better and I only had a short period of time to get educated before the market picked up and I wanted to be ready. The CENTURY 21 Company was the company to help me do that and it did!!

Client Relationships

CENTURY 21: What was it like to sell your first home?

Christa: I’ll never forget the feeling of selling my first home. I sold it to a family my son went to school with and they never thought they could afford to buy a home. I encouraged them to talk to a lender I knew and it worked out!! We found the perfect home for them in the first week and they couldn’t believe how easy it was. What a great feeling to see their dream of owning a home become a reality.

CENTURY 21: Can you describe what it felt like when you handed over your first set of keys to your client(s) on your first sale?

Christa: The morning we closed on the house I made a large basket full of things that I knew they would love (in colors I had noticed they would be decorating in) and also their favorite wine, of course. We met at the property and as I handed them the key they both started crying and their kids were all hugging them. It was an incredible moment and one I will never forget. It was at that moment that I was hooked.

CENTURY 21: Do you still feel this way when you close a sale?

Christa: All my closings have been so different. My clients are all so unique. I still do great closing gifts that are personalized, but not everybody is as emotional about receiving keys to their new home. I would say it is half and half but I still get very excited the morning I wake up and realize that it is the day I get to close another property. I still make a 100% effort to make it as special as possible for my clients.

CENTURY 21: Are you close with any of the families you’ve sold homes to?

Christa: It’s funny, but I would say that my clients are now all of my friends! A lot of the time they are the ones I talk to the most, socialize with, work out with, and meet with for wine or lunch. I get invited to their events and every year I do a client appreciation party at a winery or fun venue. Once someone closes a deal with me or refers me, they are part of the Christa Lowry Real Estate family and get an invite every year so a lot of them have gotten to know each other and look forward to seeing each other every year, which is fun. I am trying to create a community of people that all know each other and remember me when they see each other.

CENTURY 21: Have you had any clients return to you or recommend you?

Christa: I am seeing a huge change in my business in the last year with referrals. I am also starting to work with clients for the second or even third time as the years go by. It’s very exciting when they come back to me. I reward referrals. They get put into a drawing at the end of the year and I give away gifts to those who have referred me, including a weekend getaway at a 5-star resort in our area. Clients eat that up and I think I have gotten some referrals because of that and also the great service I give them and the friendships I retain along the way. Staying in contact is the best way!

Central California Real Estate

CENTURY 21: What is the market like in Central California?

Christa: The market is hot in California. If your home is priced right it will sell within a few days to 2 weeks. I have several homes I have sold in 1-2 days for over asking price this last year.

CENTURY 21: Can you describe the different types of clients you encounter in Central California?

Christa: Clients in California—if you are working in the higher end market such as myself—can be pretty demanding and high maintenance. I treat all of my clients the same whether they are buying a mobile home or a million dollar home. They all get top notch service but I have to say that the higher end can be very needy. I am lucky because I worked with a lot of clients like that in the salon business so I know how to work with those types and meet their needs. I also work with normal middle class families just trying to work hard and make a decent life for their families. I find these to be the most rewarding to be honest although I can’t deny I appreciate the commissions of the higher end market.

CENTURY 21: What’s important to your clients and what are they looking for in Central California?

Christa: Clients here in Central California are looking for a relaxed way of life. They are all trying to get away from the rat race and most people who live here love views and want to be close to outdoor activities such a hiking trails, beaches and natural beauty. They want a good value in a home, but they also know that people who live here get a lot less home for a lot more money and are willing to pay it because of our way of life here and our community and small town feel.

CENTURY 21: What are the challenges you and your clients face in your area?

Christa: One challenge we face here would be the lending process. It can be difficult. I am very blessed that through trial and error I have a team of lenders I work very well with that can make it happen for my clients. We also deal with high prices for smaller homes so sometimes it is hard for middle class families with kids to make it here. Most of the time both parents have to work and that can be hard with small children but most find it worth it because of the low crime and it’s a great place to raise a family.

CENTURY 21 Support

CENTURY 21: What are the benefits of working with Century 21 Real Estate vs. other real estate agencies?

Christa: Systems, support, awards, great brokers, local, national, and global recognition, integrity and awesome conventions with top agent retreats make this company the best!!!

CENTURY 21: How has Century 21 Real Estate helped you establish yourself?

Christa: The brand name has helped because it is a name people trust. Also, on the central coast, the CENTURY 21 Company does twice as much business as the next leading competitor so the brand is very well known and is also known for having the best trained agents in the business and agents who have integrity which is very important to me. They have included me in local commercials and they’ve had great training sessions and seminars to set me up in all aspects of my business and brand.

CENTURY 21: What are the biggest challenges you face as an agent and how has Century 21 Real Estate helped you overcome them?

Christa: I think my biggest challenge right now is a low inventory. It is so frustrating but it has encouraged me to door knock and to be creative by looking at expired listings and thinking outside the box to find the right home for my clients and also to get more listings. Brett Noel, our trainer, is always teaching us ways to work with expired listings, door knocking and really encouraging us to go out and get the business.

CENTURY 21: What is your favorite tool to use as an agent that’s provided by Century 21 Real Estate?

Christa: My favorite tool is probably Toolkit CMA™. I use it all the time. Between the property tour presentations and the marketing and Toolkit CMA presentations that look so professional, I think that is my favorite. THE GOLDEN RULER^®is great too and I love CENTURY 21 Business Builder^®because it is so easy to send new listings to my whole sphere of influence and also monthly newsletters to keep in touch.

CENTURY 21: You’ve received some impressive awards! How does it feel to be recognized in your field and by Century 21 Real Estate?

Christa: I am so honored and excited to have been able to reach my goals with Century 21 Real Estate and having received these awards and all this recognition has helped not only my confidence, but I use it in my business to help brand myself. I am striving to continue to reach even higher levels every year and have exceeded my financial goals every year since I went full time which is so exciting. I think that working for a company that recognizes your hard work pushes you to work harder and achieve even higher awards. I am sold out for Century 21 Real Estate. I have companies calling me almost weekly asking me to work for them who promise me that I would make so much more money and pay way less of my commission to keep for myself, but Century 21 is my family and you can’t put a price on that. I feel that Century 21 Real Estate has the systems in place to help me achieve my goals and that means the world to me. Working for a company that celebrates your achievements with you and gives you the tools and support to succeed is hard to find and Century 21 Real Estate has it ALL!

CENTURY 21: What would you say to an agent who is considering making the move to Century 21 Real Estate?

Christa: I would say to agents who work for another company to really ask themselves if the company they are working for is making them a better person and agent or if they are just taking from them and using them for the bottom dollar. Century 21 Real Estate is a family and we are all here to help each other and support each other backed up by great leaders and that there is no better place to thrive as a person and as an agent. The tools and support you get as an agent with Century 21 Real Estate are impossible to find anywhere else.

Tips & Advice

CENTURY 21: How do you stay on top of new trends and new technology in your field?

Christa: I work closely with social networks to make sure that I am staying on top of what is new and current in social media. I comb through successful agents’ profiles to see what they are doing and I also watch daily or weekly Tom Ferry posts. I love the updates that Rick Davidson does and I read all the real estate magazines that come in the mail and Google agents from San Francisco and LA to see what they are doing. I was a part of Rising Professionals Network and I can say that single handedly helped me take my business to the next level and I increased my sales that year 3x. Awesome program.

CENTURY 21: What apps do you use to help your business?

Christa: I use the CENTURY 21 app, the Open House App, Ripple app for social marketing graphics, Kings Mortgage app, SkySlope app—all social media apps like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

CENTURY 21: What are the qualities that make a successful agent in your opinion?

Christa: The qualities a great agent has to possess are integrity and honesty. Looking out for your client is #1. Treating people with dignity and looking out for their best interests no matter what is key. I also think you need to be outgoing, love people, want to help others, be able to think outside the box, be self-motivated, be able to push through when things get difficult, be a great negotiator, and you have to LISTEN TO YOUR CLIENTS!!! I believe that a great agent has to learn from every mistake and be able to understand that nobody is perfect and that making mistakes is part of learning and growing. I also believe that if you want to be a great agent you have to be balanced so you don’t burn out. Being balanced with your health, your mind, and your spirit is something you need to nurture every day. Making goals, time blocking, and making family a top priority are all must haves if you want to be successful long-term.

Stay tuned for another agent spotlight coming next month!

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How to Be an Eco-Friendly Agent

August 9, 2016 By Casey Danton

Many people and industries today are taking a step back and considering how their actions impact the environment around them, and we believe that real estate and real estate agents should do the same. Join the trending conversation by practicing eco-friendly real estate marketing habits that may have a positive effect with your clients. Adjust your marketing efforts slightly with these tips and you may see larger results.

Enhance Email Marketing

Flyers can be effective when marketing open houses, but they’re just not enough in today’s technological world. Instead of relying on larger quantities of physical handouts, turn your focus towards email marketing. This waste-free option allows an instant connection with your clients, and opens up communication channels since someone can always reply back to you. Not sure where to get started? We’ve got some tips.

Utilize Social Media

Along the same vein of emails, social media is an online marketing tool that eases your impact on the environment. While we certainly don’t recommend tossing out your business cards, consider alternative avenues for networking such as participating in online communities and forums. Online interactions allow you to deliver information electronically, which not only reduces waste of notes or flyers, but allows your clients to retain information more easily. When you communicate on social media, there’s no fear of accidentally losing a slip of paper.

Encourage Public Transportation

When advertising the location of your open house, don’t just list driving directions — include public transportation options as well when possible. While many clients may still choose to drive, giving other options subtly shows that you’re conscious about eco-friendly alternatives. If some clients do choose to take the public transportation route, their bus ride, train stop, or walk will be a great introduction to the area. It can even serve as a conversation piece about the neighborhood of their potential home.

Market Green Homes

Associate yourself with green homes whenever you can so that clients may see a connection between you and the environmentally-friendly. For example, if one of your listings has a feature or product that consumes less, don’t be afraid to point it out. Clients may appreciate knowing how solar panels, LED lights, or energy-efficient appliances can save both the environment and their wallets. Put features such as these first and they may stand out as more memorable.

Use your next open house to start aligning yourself with these eco-friendly practices. You may reduce your impact on the environment while increasing the efficacy of your real estate marketing efforts.

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Apps for Home Buyers and Sellers

February 22, 2015 By CENTURY 21

When you are in the process of buying or selling a home, there are a lot of tasks that need to be handled. It can seem overwhelming, but with the right tools, you can stay organized and on top of everything that needs to be done. Luckily, there’s an app for that. Use these apps to help stay productive and organized during the home buying and selling process.

1. Evernote: Evernote is a note taking tool with lots of useful features that will help you stay organized on the go. Create separate notebooks for each step of the home buying process, for example: you could make notebooks for “Wants and Needs,” “Open House Reflections” “Financial Information,” “Closing Notes,” and more. You can even create bulleted lists, and attach photos and PDFs. Evernote syncs with all of your devices so you always have access to what you need.

2. Dropbox: Dropbox is essential for storing and organizing documents and paperwork. You have easy access to everything you need with the click of a button! Share documents or entire folders with your home buying team instantly so you’re always on the same page. Just like Evernote, Dropbox is able to sync with all electronics, giving you complete access to what you need!

3. CENTURY 21^® Real Estate: Our app allows you to quickly find listings, sales associates, and nearby open houses. The app is GPS enabled so you can search listings specifically targeted for your location. You can also search based on price range, features, estimated taxes, square footage, and much more.

4. AroundMe: Learn about your potential new neighborhood. AroundMe[MH1] uses GPS to determine your location and in an instant, you’re able to see how close everything, from gas stations to movie theaters, is to the potential home.

These apps will help you stay organized and productive during your home buying or selling process.

Recommended Reading:

-On the Road Again: The Ultimate Moving Checklist

-Open House oops: Don’t Make These Mistakes

-Benefits of Working With a Real Estate Agent

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How to Sell Your Home in the Winter

February 2, 2015 By CENTURY 21

Winter, spring, summer or fall, all you have to do is call (an agent affiliated with CENTURY 21^® Real Estate) and we’ll be there. Here are a few tips for to help ensure an efficient home sale during the winter months.

1. Shovel and salt: Blizzard or no blizzard, a few flurries can freeze quickly and create an ice patch [1] in front of your home. Shovel and put out salt the moment the snow starts. Additionally, always keep a clear path from the sidewalk to the door to make it safer to walk into the home. There is nothing worse than having a buyer or agent almost slip on ice!

2. Keep it warm: Keeping your home the right temperature is an important aspect of creating a successful open house, regardless of the season. In the winter, it’s especially important because you don’t want buyers to be shivering as they walk through your home. Find a happy medium between hot and cold.

3. Let there be light: A well-lit home is welcoming. Since the days are shorter and the nights are darker, it’s crucial to make sure there is enough light during your open house. Turn on all the lights throughout the home, including the closets, to show everything off.

You can add even more lighting to rooms that don’t have as many windows by placing spotlights on the floors behind furniture to accentuate parts of the home. Make sure that walkways and outdoor areas are well-lit so that people can navigate them safely.

4. Make it cozy: People want to feel cozy in the winter, especially when they’ve traveled through the cold to get to your open house. Your home should be as decluttered and depersonalized as possible during an open house, but feel free to add a few cozy elements like throw pillows and an extra blanket.

5. Curb Appeal: You may not have beautiful blooms in the winter, but that doesn’t mean you can’t upgrade your curb appeal. Paint your door with a fresh coat of paint, assemble planters with plants that do well in winter, and trim shrubs and trees so that people can walk safely.

You never get a second chance at a first impression. These tips will help you have a safe and successful open house in the winter.

Recommended Reading:

-Snow Safety for the Home

-Open House Oops: Don’t Make These Mistakes

-5 Biggest Seller Mistakes

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How to Build a Winning Home Buying Team

January 28, 2015 By CENTURY 21

Buying a home is a huge milestone – especially if you are buying for your first time. Although buying a home is exciting, there is a lot to keep track of and manage. It’s imperative to have a solid team behind you. Aside from having an excellent real estate agent to guide you through showings and the closing process, there are other essential people that you should have on deck.

Meet your home buying team:

1. Real estate agent: Your agent will help you research the homes that cater to your needs, negotiate with the seller, and help you find the rest of your home buying team. (Learn more about how your agent can help you.)

2. Lender: If you’re purchasing a home, you will most likely need a loan. Your lender can come from your bank, mortgage company, credit union, etc. Once you apply for a loan the lender will then decide if you qualify.

3. Home Inspector: An inspector will make sure that the home you hope to purchase is in good shape. Even if the seller has already had the home inspected, it’s a good idea to have someone else double-check and triple-check.

4. Appraiser: An appraiser will determine a “fair price” for the home by evaluating the home and comparing it to similar homes on the market. It is best to have an appraiser come before you negotiate with the seller.

5. Attorney: Your attorney will write contracts, settle any disputes, and review all documents before the closing.

6. Escrow officer: An escrow officer takes care of everything happening during escrow—the amount of time between when the purchase contract is signed and the date of the closing. The officer works for both the buyer and seller. Their main job is to hold onto all the documents and money during escrow, making sure that everything is taken care of.

With a team of professionals to take you step by step through the process, you’ll have a very positive home buying experience so that you can enjoy what matters most – your new home.

Recommended Reading:

-Open House Advice for Buyers

-On the Road Again: The Ultimate Moving Checklist

-We Asked, You Answered: Advice for First-Time Homeowners

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Benefits of Working With a Real Estate Agent

August 30, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Choosing a house to call a home is one of the most important decisions people make. Working with a real estate agent can make the home buying or selling process easier and more efficient. We spoke with agents affiliated with the CENTURY 21^® brand to find out why you should work with an agent.

What is one reason why a buyer should work with a CENTURY 21 Agent?

-Helen Hunt, CENTURY 21 Homes and Investments: “I can have your home marketed internationally. We are the best real estate brand in the country.”

-Sarah Gravelle, CENTURY 21 Real Estate Center broker in Puget Sound: “Access to resources at our ready – CENTURY 21 Real Estate can assist a client locally or around the world. Free phone apps allows the client to see what is on the market as it changes, drive neighborhoods, search and share listings and questions with their broker.”

-Jerry Tuscano, CENTURY 21 Elite, New Jersey: “Forbuyers we have an easy to use, full featured mobile app that we can share with a buyer in less than a minute and can start being used right away! Complete with a mortgage calculator and area stats and pictures of area where house is located.”

What is one reason why a seller should work with a CENTURY 21 Agent?

-Helen Hunt, CENTURY 21 Homes and Investments: “Professional, trained, serious about your future.”

-Sarah Gravelle, CENTURY 21 Real Estate Center broker in Puget Sound: “All the unmatched tools and forms of communication to expose the seller’s property to the largest market provide great value.”

-Jerry Tuscano: CENTURY 21 Elite, New Jersey “For sellers we have the best Marketing platform at our fingertips that can be also be used on a mobile device. Marketing their property in an instant.”

Make informed decisions faster so that you can start enjoying your new home sooner. CENTURY 21 Agents have the marketing expertise, tools, resources, and research to help you make a house a home.

Recommended Reading:

-Buying a Home: 5 Questions to Ask Your Real Estate Agent

-Myth vs. Fact: Home Buying

-5 Tips for First Time Homebuyers

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