*Attention Real Estate Agents*
Professionalism as a Real Estate Agent is one of the most important factors of having a successful career in this industry. I wanted to share this great training with tips for being your best personally and professionally.
Do you have questions or additional tips to add to this advice? I’d love to hear them! Please give me a call at 703-652-5777 or email me at scottmacdonald@remax.net
In this motivational series, I’ll highlight how to become a Peak Performer. Today I would like to remind you about the importance of having a positive mindset. We are still facing challenging times. Are you remaining positive amongst all the noise? Check out my latest message for more insight on this important topic.
Need more motivation? Give me a call at 703-652-5777 or email at scottmacdonald@remax.net
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In this motivational series, I’ll highlight how to become a Peak Performer. We have made it to the half point mark this year. It’s time to focus on the “RE’s”:
Why? So you can still meet your 2020 goals. To learn more about the importance of doing this, check out my latest message.
Need more motivation? Give me a call at 703-652-5777 or email at scottmacdonald@remax.net
FOLLOW MY NEW FACEBOOK PAGE for more motivation, success tips and inspiration: https://www.facebook.com/SuccessSecretsforRealEstate/
In this motivational series, I’ll highlight how to become a Peak Performer. I have another important question for you – are you relevant today? Do you know what’s happening in our industry? What are the stats, what are the new rules due to the pandemic? If you aren’t staying relevant, you won’t be successful. Don’t let that happen. listen to my thoughts on this in my latest Peak Performer message.
Need more motivation? Give me a call at 703-652-5777 or email at scottmacdonald@remax.net
FOLLOW MY NEW FACEBOOK PAGE for more motivation, success tips and inspiration: https://www.facebook.com/SuccessSecretsforRealEstate/
In this motivational series, I’ll highlight how to become a Peak Performer. What do people look for when they are hiring someone? Either for a job, a project or even to list their home for sale? Learn what I think people are looking for in my latest motivation minute message.
Need more motivation? Give me a call at 703-652-5777 or email at scottmacdonald@remax.net
FOLLOW MY NEW FACEBOOK PAGE for more motivation, success tips and inspiration: https://www.facebook.com/SuccessSecretsforRealEstate/
In this motivational series, I’ll highlight how to become a Peak Performer. Today I’d like to ask you a question, are you truly applying yourself? Are you giving it 100% every day? I’m guessing you’re not, so today I challenge YOU! Find out my thoughts on the importance of this in my latest motivation minute message.
Need more motivation? Give me a call at 703-652-5777 or email at scottmacdonald@remax.net
Wow, did November fly by or what? It seems like I just sent my November newsletter and here we are in December already – crazy to me for sure. November brought a few substantial changes in our industry. First is the way we must now market our listings. The ability to pre-market homes as we know it has gone by the wayside. Previously, we could use signs, online marketing on social media sites, real estate websites, networking events and/or email campaigns to get the word out about future listings either days, weeks or months in advance. Now, we must put the home in MLS within one business day as active or in “Coming Soon” status once the property is marketed to the public in the aforementioned ways. It is more consumer-friendly as it opens up all houses to the buyers and it also gives sellers maximum exposure to all buyers by sharing the properties with all agents. Before this new rule, there were agents who would privately market homes to the detriment of the seller and potential buyers. This change will also provide accurate data in MLS for sales information, so we all know what sales prices and concessions are and inform us if the sale was an arm’s length transactions or not. This is helpful for pricing houses for both buyers and sellers as well as appraisers. To learn how this can affect you when deciding to sell your house, give me a call, I’m happy to share more details.
The second area is financing houses and loan amounts. Here is a brief history of what FHFA has done since 2016 with conventional loans: back in 2016, the FHFA increased the conforming loan limits from $417,000 to $424,100. Then, the next year, the FHFA raised the loan limits from $424,100 to $453,100 for 2018. And in 2018, the FHFA increased the loan limit from $453,100 to $484,350 for 2019. Lastly, just last week, the new loan limits will be $510,000 for 2020. Jumbo loans will now go up to $765,600 in our area. Jumbo loans typically have higher interest rates. Please call to learn more about how this can help you when buying or selling a house.
Also, VA loans no longer have a limit, but they do have liability issues which can affect the amount of your loan going forward. If you are a veteran, your eligibility will drive your maximum loan amount. In addition, the funding fee for zero-down loans will be 2.3% of the loan amount in 2020, up from 2.15% for regular military in 2019. The fee for subsequent use loans will be 3.6% of the loan amount, up from the current 3.3%. You can pay the fee upfront or roll the cost into the loan. These go into effect for any loan that closes after January 1, 2020. Again, if you have any questions at all, please call me.
I hope you have a safe, fun and festive holiday season with all of your family and friends!
In this motivational series, I’ll highlight how to become a Peak Performer. In today’s Peak Performer Series message I wanted to talk about something that will really hold you back – excuses! Are you making excuses or are you really out there doing the tasks that need to be done to grow your business? Take a few minutes to watch this quick video to understand why you should stop making excuses.
Need more motivation? Give me a call at 703-652-5777 or email at scottmacdonald@remax.net
In this motivational series, I’ll highlight how to become a Peak Performer. In today’s Peak Performer Series message I wanted to talk about your top 3 priories in all areas of your life. What can you do to propel yourself into a successful 2020? Take a few minutes to watch this quick video to understand the importance of reflecting on your life and preparing for next year.
Need more motivation? Give me a call at 703-652-5777 or email at scottmacdonald@remax.net
The change in the weather has not changed the real estate market here in Northern Virginia. We still have a limited supply of houses for sale with lots of demand. Houses are selling quickly when priced right, are in the right condition and in a desirable location. In all of Northern Virginia (Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, and Fauquier Counties plus all of the cities in between – Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, etc.) the median days on market are just 14. As you can see, properties are selling quickly! The important thing to note however is prices are not drastically increasing with this supply and demand issue and when prices do get “pushed” we are having appraisal issues. It is important to price your house properly so if you are considering selling, please call me to discuss the right pricing strategy for you as each market is different.
During this time of year, people always ask, is now a good time to sell? My answer is – yes – if you need to sell. If there is a situation in your life that dictates the need to sell, list your house now. As I mentioned, we have a strong demand for houses. There is only a 1.5 month’s supply of housing right now. Also, we know that inventory levels are very low, only 3,855 resale houses are for sale today, so we know what the competition is for you. Who knows who will be selling in the spring and how this will affect pricing? We also know that rates, although they increased slightly this week, they are still great. At this time, a buyer can get a 30-year fixed-rate at under 4% which is phenomenal.
Additionally, houses that are decorated for the holiday season often show better and, in some cases, give the buyer ideas on how they can enjoy the holidays in the house as well. A nice staging technique that can go a long way. So, again, if you are thinking about selling and want to know if you should wait or list today, please call me.
I hope you have a festive Thanksgiving with your family and friends!
Scott's Motivation and Real Estate Market Updates 