CENTURY 21Ⓡ Open House: Keeping Data Safe

November 28, 2017 By Casey Danton

In a world rampant with identity theft and data breaches, it can be scary to give information to anyone. However, when buying a house, disclosing classified information is a must. Rett Harmon of CENTURY 21 Novus Realty shares the careful steps realtors can take to keep sensitive info safe and secure.

Digital Records

“We keep our data secure by storing all of it in the cloud. Thankfully, we have never suffered a security breach as we try to use the most trusted cloud-based sources,” explains Harmon.

Most tech insiders agree1 that cloud-based storage systems are secure. In these systems, data is kept in off-site servers that can be anywhere in the world. While this might sound riskier than keeping your information where you can see it, the fact is that hacking attempts mainly target traditional computer servers. Cloud storage systems offer more protection from hackers and cyber attacks.

“All of our data is backed up in the cloud. We make sure that we do business with cloud-based service providers that have locations in multiple areas and often backup their servers. We don’t rely on an IT department, and you will find zero servers in my office,” says Harmon.

Wire Transfers

An unfortunate drawback to life in the age of the internet is wire fraud. This can make placing a down payment on a home nerve-wracking for clients.

It’s important to have conversations about staying vigilant. Even though a wire transfer can be initiated from home using a mobile banking app, it’s a good idea to discuss the transfer with a bank or credit union. Certain banks have security measures in place, and it’s important to know what they are. If someone receives an e-mail telling them that the wiring instructions have changed, they should double check e-mail correspondences to be sure they are in fact communicating with right party.2

Security

The same type of precaution is necessary when signing electronic documents. Using secure services like DocuSign as opposed to e-mailing a signed PDF provides more protection. FIles sent through DocuSign display information that the document has been protected, or conversely can show when a document has been tampered with and can’t be trusted.3

Files sent without this type of protection, for example PDF files attached to an e-mail, are at risk of having a signature stolen by a hacker.

Printed Records

“Printed records should be a thing of the past, but my office staff still likes to keep a paper backup. It does drive me crazy, but I have to pick my battles,” Harmon says. “We do have many security measures for printed materials. We keep a securely locked container for any items with client or personal information. The box is picked up routinely by a company that properly destroys then recycles it to continue to keep the information confidential, even once we no longer need it.”

It’s no surprise that digital files are more convenient to all types of businesses. We no longer have to search file cabinets for a record, just simply type what we need into a search bar. However, digital records mean new methods of data security must be implemented.

“Confidentiality is of the utmost importance to us,” Harmon says. “We want our clients to know that their conversations are between us. Building Trust is the key to success and longevity in this business.”

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How to Use Social Media Groups

June 3, 2016 By Casey Danton

Think you’re a master at social media when it comes to real estate marketing? Think again. Even after you’ve created a profile, established a following, and learned how to hashtag, there’s still more to learn. Social media groups, or communities built around a common interest, are yet another invaluable facet on social media platforms. To ensure that all CENTURY 21® Agents are smarter, bolder, faster, here’s some insight as to what these groups are and how to use them effectively.

What are Social Media Groups?

As mentioned previously, these online communities are formed around those who share a common interest. For you, these interests may be real estate, professional organizations, or those living in a certain geographic location.

Where Can I Find Them?

These networks live on Facebook and LinkedIn. To search for them, simply type in key words in the search bar at the top of your page and suggested groups will appear. Note that privacy settings may differ per group. An open group means that anyone may join, while closed groups require either an invitation or permission in order to be a part of them. However, it may not be the best idea to join any group at random. Start by asking friends or colleagues for recommendations or referrals.

Why Should I Use Them?

Social media groups play a different role in your marketing plan. While a Facebook or LinkedIn profile may be the best place to promote you and your business, these groups function better as a place to network, build your reputation, and develop skills. Depending on which group you join, you may be introduced to agents or homeowners you may not have met before. You can also engage in conversation to offer and seek advice.

What are Best Practices?

Think of these groups as an ongoing relationship — you have to put in what you take out. Genuinely participate in conversation, don’t just fill up the page with your own thoughts, requests, or promotions. You may post about an open house or two if you think others in the group would be interested, but make sure that you actively share other users’ content as well. If you’re seeking advice, such as whether homeowners in your area prefer one thing over another, take criticism in stride. If you’re offering advice, make sure your comments are constructive and not belittling.

Join a couple social media groups today to get started. Observe how the particular community functions, and don’t be afraid to introduce yourself!

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3 Things Real Estate Agents Should Know About the Market

February 11, 2016 By Casey Danton

As an agent, you’ll most likely have clients who are dealing with the housing market for the first time. It’s your job to provide information and expertise to make them feel more secure about the home buying process. So what knowledge should you have on hand? Here are three important topics.

Average Pricing
One of the best ways to determine a neighborhood’s market is to find out the average price range. Review and study as many listings as you can, so you can explain why homes are listed at certain prices and easily pinpoint overpriced ones. Don’t just stick to the parts of town your clients want to look in — be prepared with knowledge of neighboring areas in case they change their minds or want to explore more options. Your well-rounded knowledge can help you guide your clients towards a house that fits their needs and their price ranges.

School System
The quality of the area’s school system is important whether or not your clients have children. Clients starting a family may be more willing to pay extra for a home within a higher rated district. However, clients who do not have children may not feel the same way, so you can lead them toward more cost effective areas. Wherever your clients’ education preferences may lie, check with the board of education in each neighborhood you’re looking in to find out their schools’ rankings.

Taxes
Typically, clients prefer lower tax areas, though there are always exceptions to this rule. For example, if a neighborhood is up and coming, it may increase taxes in order to fund the construction of new schools and roads. Depending on your clients’ preferences and lifestyle, this type of neighborhood might be a good investment. Call the tax assessor in the area to get more information on taxes, and make sure to have this research ready when you’re discussing options with your client.

Of course, this list isn’t exhaustive. These three topics are just the starting point of the information you can provide to your clients. Have an open conversation with them to see what else they value in a home, and do your research for them!

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Home Seller Secrets: 5 Innovative Ways to Market Your Home

October 22, 2015 By Casey Danton

Don’t let the dream of selling your home quickly and efficiently be deflated with a pile of worries. Remember a few tips that will may make the process easier.

Say cheese:

Professionally photographed homes may garner more attention from buyers as they decide which properties to visit in person. Hire a photographer to make your home look clean and bright. If hiring someone isn’t in your budget, use a high-quality DSLR camera, and take pictures when it’s sunny and mid-day, maximizing the light exposure.

Fix up, look sharp:

One should never judge a book by its cover—except in the case of buying a house. Take advantage of this time selling your home by sprucing it up.

Move furniture closer to the walls (about an inch). This displays the maximum amount of space your rooms have to offer.
Power-wash the exterior of your home—including the backyard space—to give the outer layers new life.
Declutter closets, laundry rooms, and other storage spaces. Again, it’s important to show off the amount of storage you have.

If you build it, they will come:

Hosting a website with builders like Squarespace and Wix.com is relatively cheap, plus the process of building it is rather straightforward. Since you’re in full control of what you what to exhibit, you can highlight the aspects of your home that would draw in your dream buyer. Stone-paved driveway? A spacious oak terrace in the backyard? Marble counters in the kitchen and bathroom? Show it off!

Believe in signs:

In addition to using digital tools, a traditional sign on the front lawn may catch the attention of buyers who are already be browsing the neighborhood.

Make the open house count:

Your open house may be your most important deciding factor for buyers. Therefore, be sure to follow this open house checklist and to avoid these staging mistakes.

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Seller Checklist: Staging Your Open House

September 8, 2015 By Casey Danton

An open house may be the best way to show potential buyers your listing. A house might look nice in a few photos but not so nice in person, or vice-versa. So how do you put on the kind of open house that is likely to leave you with an offer? Our Open House Checklist can show you what to do (and what not to do) to increase your chance of putting on the best and most successful open house.

What to do before the open house:

You need to take your place from lived-in to open-house-ready. At a loss for where to start? Follow these suggestions!

Clean, clean, clean.
Work on your landscaping.
Get rid of any personal items (especially family photos).
Declutter the house—no knickknacks, please!
Plan the open house for off-hours, like weekends.
Create an info packet about the house.
Put up signs advertising the event.
Clear out the driveway so there is room for guests to park.
Manage the temperature so the home is not too warm or too cold.
Set out some fresh-cut flowers or other plants.
Turn on all of the lights and open the curtains.

What not to do for the open house:

Everyone has different preferences, but the following things may have an adverse effect on potential buyers. Avoid these mistakes when you’re planning your open house.

Don’t wait until the last minute to fix broken objects.
Don’t hover.
Don’t put on music.
Don’t run out of copies of the info packet you made.
Don’t have an overwhelming smell—whether that be cleaning products or cookies.
Don’t let your pets stay around during an open house.
Don’t leave any room or area in the house off limits.

The main objective of your open house should be to make prospective buyers envision your home sweet home as their own. If you follow these tips (and avoid the mistakes) you may be able to create an open house that does just that.

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How to Sell Your Home in the Spring

May 11, 2015 By Casey Danton

Spring is an excellent time to sell. When you sell in the warmer seasons, you are given more leeway in how you can present your home.

Here are some tips to help enhance your home and increase the likelihood of selling in the springtime!

Open Windows: The bitter cold isn’t ideal for open windows. Having the windows open during a showing allows a nice breeze and a lot of natural light to flow into your home, showing off its best features. There is something so satisfying about seeing the sunlight reflect onto the floor, and the curtains blowing in the breeze. It gives a comforting and homey feeling, appealing to buyers’ interests.

Curb Appeal: One of the many benefits of selling in the spring is being able to show off your landscaping. It’s hard to see how beautiful a yard is when it’s covered with mountains of snow, so now that your lawn is visible, it’s important to get it into good shape. Make sure the outside of your home looks great.

Spring Cleaning: Your home should be tidy for the showing. Clear out cluttered closets and pantries, deep clean the carpet, polish the floors, and show off all the potential your home has!

Pre-Inspection: Winter may have prevented you from doing a full pre-inspection on your home, but the warmer weather welcomes it. Take a sunny afternoon to go outside your home and look at everything from the roof to the concrete. Make sure you take care of little repairs around the home and pay special attention to any foundation damage left over from winter.

Bright Colors: Gone are days of heavy throw blankets and comforters. Now it’s time to lighten up your home with bright colors and lightweight materials. Bring out the linens, colorful solids, and bright throw pillows to accent your home. All of these light layers and colors complement the natural light and breeze that comes from the open windows.

Spring is a great time to put your home on the market. Buyers will love attending showings and open houses on a warm, sunny, Saturday afternoon. Follow these best practices for selling in the springtime.

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5 Gifts To Leave For Your Old Home’s New Owners

April 13, 2015 By CENTURY 21

Selling a home is an emotional event. You are leaving behind a house filled with memories and venturing off to someplace new. The people buying your home are excited to create their own memories in a home that you loved for so many years. Welcome them with a thoughtful gift that will leave a lasting impression.

Here are some ideas for gifts to leave for your home’s new owners.

1. Personalized Key Rings: Mark this milestone in the new owners’ lives by giving them a special key ring. Engrave it with their initials, the date of the move, or even a special message from you. Not only is this thoughtful, but it’s a practical gift as well.

2. Mailing labels and stationery: Personalized gifts go a long way. Create mailing labels with the owners’ names and new addresses; if you want to go the extra mile, create personalized stationery for them as well. Leave these paper gifts on the kitchen counter with a nice note to surprise the owners.

3. Monogrammed Doormat: Doormats are something that may not be at the top of a new homeowner “to-buy” list. Give them a monogrammed one or one that fits well with the decor of the home. They will surely appreciate this gesture.

4. Practical Items: If you’re skeptical about buying personalized gifts, stick to practical home items. Things like smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, unpacking supplies, or even a utensil organizer are useful to new homeowners. They’ll be so busy when they first move in, and these are essentials that they should have immediately.

5. A Neighborhood Guide: Write a detailed list of your favorite places in the neighborhood. Mention your favorite restaurants, boutiques, gyms and more. They’ll love having your recommendations on hand when they start to explore!

All of these gestures are incredibly kind and memorable. It’s a nice way to welcome new people into the home and neighborhood you have loved for so long.

5 Gifts To Leave For Your Old Home’s New Owners

April 1, 2015 By CENTURY 21

Here are some ideas for gifts to leave for your home’s new owners.

Personalized Key Rings: Mark this milestone in the new owners’ lives by giving them a special key ring. Engrave it with their initials, the date of the move, or even a special message from you. Not only is this thoughtful, but it’s a practical gift as well.

Mailing labels and stationery: Personalized gifts go a long way. Create mailing labels with the owners’ names and new addresses; if you want to go the extra mile, create personalized stationery for them as well. Leave these paper gifts on the kitchen counter with a nice note to surprise the owners.

Monogrammed Doormat: Doormats are something that may not be at the top of a new homeowner “to-buy” list. Give them a monogrammed one or one that fits well with the decor of the home. They will surely appreciate this gesture.

Practical Items: If you’re skeptical about buying personalized gifts, stick to practical home items. Things like smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, unpacking supplies, or even a utensil organizer are useful to new homeowners. They’ll be so busy when they first move in, and these are essentials that they should have immediately.

A Neighborhood Guide: Write a detailed list of your favorite places in the neighborhood. Mention your favorite restaurants, boutiques, gyms and more. They’ll love having your recommendations on hand when they start to explore!

All of these gestures are incredibly kind and memorable. It’s a nice way to welcome new people into the home and neighborhood you have loved for so long.

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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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Open House Advice for Buyers

November 19, 2014 By CENTURY 21

You may fall in love with a home based upon it’s online listing but don’t forget to visit it in person before you make the commitment. Visiting an open house is a great way to get a feel for the property and see if it will work for you and your family.

Keep these things in mind during the open house to ensure that you get the most out of your visit.

1. Keep a poker face: Don’t be overly enthusiastic. It is best to remain calm, cool, and collected. Dull your emotions, whether good or bad, so you don’t compromise your position as a buyer. (Boston.com)

2. Pay close attention: Pay attention to everything. Keep a look out for cracks in walls and ceilings, damages to the floors, and the windows. Watch the other attendee’s reactions to certain things. If you see people abruptly leaving, there may be something wrong with the home. If people are mingling and taking their time it may be a sign that it will be a home with a lot of offers. (AOL)

3. Ask before taking photos: While looking at homes, it’s helpful to take photos to help you remember specific features of the home. During an open house, or any showing, it’s best to ask the homeowner before you start snapping pictures. (Frontdoor)

4. Look but don’t snoop: Storage can be a deal breaker when it comes to buying a home. If there isn’t enough room in closets and cabinets, it may sway your opinion. Look through storage spaces but don’t go rummaging through people’s belongings. Respect their home and their space. (Frontdoor)

5. Don’t bad mouth the home: If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it at the open house. You may walk into a house and dislike it, but try to keep harsh opinions to yourself. Wait until you leave the open house to voice your opinion. You never know who may be listening and how it could work against you in the future. (Frontdoor)

6. Ask questions: Ask the owner, your real estate agent, and the listing real estate agent any question you might have.

Use these tips at every open house to help increase the efficiency and effectiveness of your home buying experience.

Recommended Reading:

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

-Open House Oops: Don’t Make These Mistakes

-Benefits of Working With a Real Estate Agent

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