Last week I started my discussion of First Weber’s new multi-media internet marketing package called Front Runner. Before I delve into the specific benefits that you’ll receive with Front Runner, I first want to talk about where buyers start their home search.
Our website: FirstWeber.com
Lets begin our journey…
FirstWeber.com contains properties from 5 MLS systems. This means buyers can view more properties in Wisconsin. Plus with a statewide reach buyers who are relocating to the Wisconsin Rapids area will use our website in their home search because they’re already familiar with FirstWeber.com.
Next, thousands of people are signed up for My First Weber accounts. This means they receive emails of new listings as they hit the market. Why that matters to you: it’s another indication that buyers trust our website to give them the most current listings that meet their criteria.
Plus, all weekly open houses are listed with directions. Another reason why buyers choose FirstWeber.com.
And a full-time customer service team handles Internet inquiries. This works like this: a buyer sees a home they would like to view. They click ‘request more information’ or ‘schedule a showing.’ The customer service department instantly receives this information and they begin to call the agents that serve that area. After an agent is reached, the customer service representative gets the agent up to speed about what the buyer is interested in. Then the agent makes contact with the buyer to confirm the appointment or to answer any questions.
All this happens in the course of a few minutes. Why is this convenient for buyers? This means we’re working with buyers when they are shopping for homes and not during supper time or when they’re at work etc. Think about this: How do you feel when a telemarketer calls? Hey now, it’s a family show! 
But, how would you feel if you’re sitting down with your husband looking for a new home, you find one, want to look at it, and five minutes later you’ve talked with an agent and have an appointment for the next day already set up?
Continuing on…
MapIt Search Technology allows buyers to view homes that are for sale in an area where they’d like to live. No more having to know all the street names when searching for homes. You know, when you search by price and you have a list of 60 properties to look through… Now instead, if you want to live within a mile of Renaissance Learning you can easily zoom in and view every single property within walking distance… More time saved…
Also, FirstWeber.com requires no registration to search for homes. It’s been debated to death in real estate forums across the nation: should agencies require a buyer to register to view homes or not. Name, email address this sort of thing… Obviously when you see someone request your email address you know what’s up… The pro-registration group says this: if a person is serious about buying they’ll have no problem entering their email address because they’re ready to be contacted by an agent. I personally don’t agree…
Back to the original point–a buyer can view homes with no fear of being contacted by a hyperactive agent looking for a quick commission. I believe I’ve read that on average a buyer starts their home search up to a year before they really get serious about purchasing a new home… That’s a long time to have your name on an agents mailing list…
Lastly…
The website stats: Last year FirstWeber.com had 46,820,033 page views. Say it with me: Forty-six million, eight hundred twenty thousand thirty three. That averages out to over 128,000 page views per day. On average 86,300 different people visit the website per month. It’s not just Joe the Plumber who goes on the site everyday clicking around for an hour…
There it is. Our website, broken down into its simplest form.
Did you miss the original post? Click here to catch up. I promise that this series will be informative and worth your time. If not, I’ll refund every penny of the purchase price! Click here to have subsequent posts delivered to your email inbox.
Ready to have the full weight of the most successful real estate office in Wisconsin Rapids on your side? Get in touch today.
Happy tax day! Hopefully today has found you in a happy mood because you have a little cash coming back to you… Today I have a little light reading for you to enjoy.
Following are two articles that are worth your time:
My take:
The byline for the first article hits the nail on the head: “The longer your house sits on the market, the less cash it commands.” That’s it. If you have a number in your head of an offer you’d accept, you need to sell it quickly. No, it doesn’t have to be in a week. But 120 days is definitely too long. The longer it sits, the more concessions you’ll have to make.
You need to have your home ready to be lived in by someone else… to be sold right out of the selling gate. My suggestion: wait to have your home listed until you have it in the best shape possible. Remember: patience is a virtue.
Should a dark room be repainted? The carpet cleaned? By waiting a few days you may gain thousands of dollars because it shows well instantly.
Next, determine if there are other homes in your neighborhood for sale. This is key in determining the listing price for your home.
Do you want to price it lower than other homes in your neighborhood? That way if it comes down to just price for a buyer, you win.
Or do you price it according to the amenities in your home? Do you have upgraded counters? Cabinets? Finished basement?
That way if a buyer compares multiple homes they can plainly see why your home is priced higher. You’ll come out ahead in this situation if the buyer’s comparing more than just the price of each home.
But, the problem with this strategy is often times, because of our current economy, price is playing a larger role for buyers than in years past.
In the end, both you and I need to be comfortable with the listing price. Pricing is not rocket science and many times small things will go far. Be patient, take an honest look and proceed full-bore. Or something like that.
Well, it’s supposed to be a beautiful day Saturday, just in time to take your children on your annual easter egg hunts.
This sure beats the snow and cold we’ve had for past events…
The following easter egg hunts will be held Saturday:
- Copps Food Center parking lot 7:30 am
- Mead Field 10 am
- Witter Field 10 am
- Lake Arrowhead (ages 12 and under) 10 am
- Grand Rapids Lions Club 10 am
- Alexander Park Community Shelter-Nekoosa 10 am
- Nekoosa Swimming Pool parking lot 11 am
- St. Joachim-Pittsville 1:30 pm
No easter egg hunts for us this year, but we will be decorating eggs at my parents in the afternoon. Along with a little egg decorating I will also be enjoying the weather by taking batting practice at Mead Field in the afternoon as well. Our softball team has a tournament in Eau Claire in the beginning of May that we’re starting to prepare for.
Enjoy your Easter weekend. Be safe, have fun, enjoy your family and I’ll see you back here bright and early next week. — Adam
For fun. All work and no play makes for a very slow day…
Setting the stage: What you see above is the drivers side door of my car. The white and brown “stuff” you see? Those are remnants of birds who have perched on the side of my car. You know… I don’t want to type it…not yet at least.
Take a second and see if you can answer the question you have to be asking yourself… It’s the same one I’ve been attempting to answer for the past week. Why on earth would a bird perch and then poop on my car door?
Are you back? Here’s my lighthearted attempt at answering this very puzzling question. It’ probably more Deep Thoughts with Jack Handy… But I’m game if you are.
What you don’t see in the picture are two crab apple trees directly to that side of my driveway. Said birds have been eating these crab apples… But, because the crab apples are way beyond ripe, I say they’ve fermented.
And because the birds are small, they become a little buzzed. Which we all know leads to bad things…
So, it’s Spring… Birds are feeling a little frisky, they’ll be settling down to nest soon…
Well, they make it to my car door, maybe to just rest because they know they shouldn’t be flying. But, what do their eyes see? But a reflection of them self. So they begin to puff their chest out a little bit, maybe strut, see if they’ve lost their winter weight… You know, all the stuff to make sure their lookin’ nice for the ladies…
And with all this funny business going on, they also happen to relieve themselves there as well. Ta-da, that’s how my door is a complete mess.
Well, does it make sense? Or am I completely off my rocker?
I do want to point out that I did zero research about anything I may or may not have said or thought throughout this post.
Have a great day. Feel free to buy a house from me today as well. I promise I’ll have my door cleaned off… Unless you’d like to see it…
Well, it’s been a busy week here on the blog. Between getting my new listing up and running and starting the new series on Front Runner my time has been stretched pretty thin. But have no fear, your market report is now here… Sorry about that poor attempt at a little rhyming.
But, what’s good for Wisconsin Rapids real estate is that the market has perked up quite a bit during March. Twenty-six homes sold during the month, which is by far the highest amount since I’ve started keeping track.
Plus, if you’re starting your home search we’ve had 42 homes enter the market. That only means good things for prospective buyers. If you’re ready to start formally searching for homes, you know, moving from just online to getting in touch with an agent… Let me know and we can get you started.
Happy house hunting!
First time here? This is a monthly post designed to shed light on our real estate market. I publish this report because now is an excellent time to learn about the Wisconsin Rapids real estate market. By arming yourself with a little real estate education you’re setting yourself up for success when you decide to buy or sell your next home. Want to stay up to date? Click here and articles will be delivered directly to your inbox. As always, it’s free. Plus you can always unsubscribe at any time.
The data was gathered through the MLS, so the data is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Click here to read the market report for January and here for February.
Single Family Wisconsin Rapids Homes:
- Active Homes for Sale: 273 (including 42 new listings in March)
- Average List Price: $125,591
- Homes Sold in March 2009: 26
- Average Sale Price: $128,354
- Median Sale Price: $115,000
- Average Days on the Market: Active: 204 Sold: 172
- Average Sale Price/List Price: 94%
- Expired Listings: 3
Single Family Nekoosa Homes:
- Active Homes for Sale: 116 (including 18 new listings in March)
- Average List Price: $187,556
- Homes Sold in March 2009: 7
- Average Sale Price: $73,557
- Median Sale Price: $75,900
- Average Days on the Market: Active: 213 Sold: 179
- Average Sale Price/List Price: 94%
- Expired Listings: 7
Single Family Port Edwards Homes:
- Active Homes for Sale: 22 (including 2 new listing in March)
- Average List Price: $88,138
- Homes Sold in March 2009: 1
- Average Sale Price: $80,000
- Median Sale Price: $80,000
- Average Days on the Market: Active: Active: 208 Sold: 309
- Average Sale Price/List Price: 90%
- Expired Listings: 0
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PHONE: (608) 542-0178
My name is Adam Holberg and I’m a Realtor with First Weber of Wisconsin Rapids. This website is designed to inform and help bring conversation to a topic I love, real estate.