Palos Verdes Lifestyle - Norma Toering's PV Real Estate Blog

Are you blogging on purpose?  Does your blog have a central focus?  Are you presenting your highest self through your writing?  Or do you write about whatever is on your mind at the moment?

Recently I decided to categorize my blogs.  I was surprised to notice I was addressing more posts to agents (members only) than I realized.  Buyers also received a lot of attention and white space.  Surprisingly, I was neglecting writing articles targeting sellers.  Yes, it's true when we think "Internet Marketing" we think of buyers, but I've noticed more and more sellers refer to "prelisting research" they have done on the Internet. 

Sellers, I will write more articles with you in mind.  After all, I prefer to keep my clientele evenly balanced between sellers and buyers, so it makes sense to divide my blogging attention too.  Oh, and don't be afraid to contact me direct if you have specific question or request.

More Active Rain related blogs from Norma.

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Norma Toering | REMAX Palos Verdes Realty | 310-493-8333 1110 W 10th Street #201, San Pedro, CA You must see this stylish one level condo with gorgeous wood floors and Plantation shutters throughout! 2BR/2BA Condo offered at $399,000 Year Built 1980 Sq Footage 1,192 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 1 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size Unspecified HOA/Maint $270 per month DESCRIPTION You must see this stylish one level condo with gorgeous wood floors and Plantation shutters throughout! The open floor plan, smooth ceilings and crown molding add to its appeal. The end unit is light and bright. The balcony is large enough to accommodate outdoor dining. Ample storage, laundry in unit and a spacious kitchen will make this a place you're anxious to come home to. Two tandem parking spaces are included in the subterranean garage. see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES Hardwood floor COMMUNITY FEATURES Garage parking Elevator   ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Seller contact info: Norma Toering REMAX Palos Verdes Realty 310-493-8333 For sale by agent/broker Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: Aug 28, 2008, 9:03am PDT

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800

South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.

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You're ready to sell your home, but the market is heading south with no signs of an imminent turnaround.  What's a Seller to do?


1.  Prepare your property and yourself.  If it's been several years or decades since you moved, one of the most profitable things you can do is revisit your property with the eyes of a buyer.  Better still, invite a real estate agent to walk through the property with you and make suggestions for maximizing the value of your property.  Take notes, this is important and can put thousands of dollars in your pocket. 

Once the decision to move is made, emotionally move yourself from owner to seller.  It will be much easier to take those faded baby pictures and high school graduations photos off the living room wall.  Open the drapes and let the sunshine in.  After all you no longer need to be concerned with fading the carpet, but you do want to showcase the view or spacious backyard.  If you've got it, flaunt it.  This is no time to be modest.  You know your properties' best assets; now is the time to show them off!

2.  Remove the negotiation opportunities.  Cure as many of the deferred maintenance items as possible.  They may cost you more at the negotiation table than it will cost to repair them on your own terms.

3.  Know the market and do not chase it down.  Instead, offer a superior product at market price and buyers will recognize the value.  Your home will not languish on the market, and with some savvy marketing you may even lead the comps upward.

More Seller Tips from Norma!

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800

South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate, houses and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.

Find Norma on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn - Email Norma

Palos Verdes Real Estate Blog - Palos Verdes Real Estate Website
Palos Verdes Home Search - More information on Palos Verdes

Subscribe via ActiveRain - Subscribe via Email - Start your own blog on activerain!

Palos Verdes Horse Homes Blog - Palos Verdes View Property Blog

Palos Verdes Estates Homes for Sale Market Reports

Norma's REMAX Palos Verdes Realty Office Phone Number

Palos Verdes Houses Neighborhood and MLS Area Map

Where is Palos Verdes?

If you have a vacant property on the market for several months and have not received an acceptable offer, perhaps it's time to consider other options:

1.  Improve the CONDITION is usually my first suggestion.

2.  Reduce the PRICE. I know as a Seller this is not what you want to hear, but facts are facts and comps are comps.

3.  LEASE it.

If the curb appeal is at its maximum and the interior pleases the eyes, then price may be the last variable to play with.  However, as a Seller, if your financial plans do not include "giving it away" you may want to consider leasing the property.

Many buyers are unable to secure loans in these uncertain financial times, and leasing a home in their neighborhood of choice is often an attractive option. 

The rising inventory of homes brings the supply and demand rule into play.  An oversupply of homes puts downward pressure on prices of all homes in the area.  This may not be the right time to sell your property.  It may be a very good time to lease it.

More Seller Tips from Norma!

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800

South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate, houses and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.

Find Norma on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn - Email Norma

Palos Verdes Real Estate Blog - Palos Verdes Real Estate Website
Palos Verdes Home Search - More information on Palos Verdes

Subscribe via ActiveRain - Subscribe via Email - Start your own blog on activerain!

Palos Verdes Horse Homes Blog - Palos Verdes View Property Blog

Palos Verdes Estates Homes for Sale Market Reports

Norma's REMAX Palos Verdes Realty Office Phone Number

Palos Verdes Houses Neighborhood and MLS Area Map

Where is Palos Verdes?

My time slot for the localism land rush was duly noted (12:30), but I nearly missed it due to receiving an offer and a call related to it at exactly 12:28.  I wanted some choice Palos Verdes communities, but my first duty is always to my client.  I took the call.

I missed out on one of my top seven communities, but hey, I secured six, and that's not too bad.  I was on the fence about the whole sponsorship thing until last night.  I reviewed my marketing plan for the second half of 2008, and looked at the results for the first six months of this year.

The cold hard facts made the decision for me: 

I'm working with six buyers as a result of my blog and localism posts.

I'm sending sellers in my pipeline to my blog for updates on local sales and listings.

My SOI is being converted to blog readers instead of a monthly letter update since my outside blog is up and running.

Ten people attended my weekend open house; two commented on my Active Rain blog.

My blog has allowed me to discontinue my snail mail newsletter saving me over $10,000 per year.  My six communities cover most of the areas I mailed to, so $648 per year is a very small price to pay.

If the AR guys continue to direct google juice to localism, and I continue to provide good content for consumers, sellers and buyers will find my posts scattered throughout the Palos Verdes Peninsula communities.  Some I will sponsor, others I will be a contributor to, overall localism may put my information in front of more consumers than my AR blog does, especially if some of the AR google juice is diverted to localism. 

 I've done my part to make the guys at AR a little money, let's see what they can put in my pocket. I'll be tracking this one closely.

I just re-read this blog and I think I'll sign off and hurry over to localism and see if there are any leftover communities I can still pick up.  After all, I've been sending a glossy magazine to many of my top clients and that contract expires in September.  That frees up another $200 a month in my marketing budget.  If there is still time, I may grab a couple more; I never could resist a great bargain.

More blogs about a real estate agent's life from Norma.

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Palos Verdes Lifestyle Blog

Palos Verdes Horse Homes Blog - Palos Verdes View Property Blog

Palos Verdes Estates Homes for Sale Market Reports

Norma's REMAX Palos Verdes Realty Office Phone Number

Palos Verdes Houses Neighborhood and MLS Area Map

Where is Palos Verdes?

A few weeks ago I showed property to some very classy buyers.  We saw several upscale homes and all were staged to "the nines."  It was full-on model home and then some.  I think my buyer's response will surprise you; it did me.  Here it is:

 "I'd prefer to see the home vacant, without all the frou-frous.  Why doesn't the seller spend the money on something that would actually benefit the buyer?"

Yikes, does he have a point?  After a deep breath or two I asked what he would prefer instead?  Sit down, if you're not already doing so.

 "For starters, I'd like to see the floors, not area rugs that do not stay.  How about if the seller pays down my loan rate, or picks up some closing costs?  Better yet, reduce the price."

I'm not trying to ruffle any feathers.  I have used stagers several times in the last few years.  With the slower market conditions homes are staying on the market longer, and staging does make them prettier and showcases space and decorating ideas.  But my buyer is right; all that gorgeous "stuff" does not stay.

Buyers are looking for added value.  Price and condition are still their hot buttons.  At least in one buyer's opinion, staging is throwing money away.  Money he would like to see invested in improving the property he purchases, or in his pocket via a price reduction.

 Are we asking sellers to pay for a service buyers do not want?

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Palos Verdes Lifestyle Blog

Palos Verdes Horse Homes Blog - Palos Verdes View Property Blog

Palos Verdes Estates Homes for Sale Market Reports

Norma's REMAX Palos Verdes Realty Office Phone Number

Palos Verdes Houses Neighborhood and MLS Area Map

Where is Palos Verdes?