TOP REAL ESTATE ARTICLES FROM GOOGLE PLUS IN APRIL 2017

Best of Google Plus April 2017 Each month you can find outstanding real estate articles on Google Plus where industry professionals have shared their knowledge and wisdom in the hope of better-educating buyers, investors, and sellers. Sometimes these experts also share to help each other or better educate our industry on specific topics too.

This month there has been a wide variety of killer content produced and shared on G+ to aid real estate consumers. With so many fantastic articles to choose from, it was tough paring down the list to those that made the list this month! No reason to delay, so let’s go ahead and take a look at some of the very best real estate articles on G+ this month.

SHOULD MILLENNIAL’S RENT OR BUY A PROPERTY

It is a question that has come up for generations and is worth delving into again to provide this generation clear guidance and market understanding. While many millennials are actively searching and purchasing homes in housing markets across the country, it may n0t always be the best option, depending on both their current and future housing needs.

This excellent article by JustClose.com provides plenty of quality millennial housing advice to help consumers determine if renting or buying a property is the right option for them. it covers several key topics, including monthly payments, student loan debt, credit scores, and even their changing lifestyle. If you are a millennial and not sure which way you should lean house-wise, this article will give you valuable insight to make the best move for your situation.

WHAT IS REAL ESTATE DUAL AGENCY

Dual agency is one of those topics that many consumers do not fully understand, sometimes to their detriment when purchasing or selling a home, and is typically the result of unclear or faulty information provided by agents. This article by Bill Gassett dispels the various dual agency myths and provides both factual guidance and a clear understanding of what it is and how dual agency works.

Both buyers and sellers need to understand the implications a dual agency situation may have on their transaction, agent representation, and the potential bottom line to their wallet. As Bill mentions, it can be a harmful arrangement that real estate consumers should seek to avoid at every opportunity. Simply stated, it presents a conflict of interest that puts agents in an awkward position that ultimately does not provide the best possible service for real estate consumers.

Bill also explains how some states refer to dual agency as what others refer to as designated agency over at Realty Times. The question of what is dual agency in real estate can vary from state to state. It is important for buyers and sellers to understand the specific laws in their state. The bottom line is that all buyers and sellers deserve representation from their own agents. Many Real Estate agents will not explain agency law exactly how it is written. They will put a spin on it such that it doesn’t sound all that bad for the consumer. Many agents do this because it is an opportunity to make a double commission.

There is never any shortage of opinions about dual agency from real estate agents, as you can see by all the comments over on the popular Active Rain Real Estate network. If you are going to be buying or selling a home, make sure you know how agency law works.

ESTATE SALE TIPS AND ADVICE

Over on RochesterRealEstateBlog.com, they do a great job of explaining estate sale basics for consumers who may find themselves in a future position where they need to sell the belongings and home of an heir. This article breaks down the basics of what an estate sale is, how the process works, and provides sound advice on what you can expect from the auctioneer who will most likely run the proceedings.

Also included are nine tips to help your estate sale go as smoothly as possible. Whether it is hiring the right agent, understanding the tax implications, seeking estate planning advice, or even visiting a couple of sales to better understand the process, this article has you covered. As mentioned, in the blog, “…it is important to plan your work carefully and do your research.” if you want the experience to be positive and the outcome successful.

WHAT LUXURY HOME BUYERS WANT

If we all knew that answer, I expect real estate agents across the U.S. would all be looking to cash in on this lucrative real estate niche. Thankfully, Paul Sian has taken the time to research this topic and has come up with a thorough list of characteristics luxury homebuyers want in a house. The items on the list may surprise you!

It is no secret if you are paying for a luxury home, the expectations are high in terms of both the amenities offered and the space allotted. Luxury buyers are looking for modern floor plans that are open and inviting as well as the full array of top quality finishing touches to show off their new home. As Paul points out, they are also looking for upgraded appliances, HVACs that are energy efficient, and the full gamut of smart home options to make their life easier and more convenient.

Homes that have these features will not only impress luxury buyers but will give the property every opportunity to get seen and sold in the local real estate market.

PROVIDING WHAT REAL ESTATE PROSPECTS WANT

Twenty-five years ago, if you had a strong work ethic, a little luck, and decent people skills, you could make a respectable living in the real estate industry. While those traits are still relevant for long-term industry success, the advent of the Internet and the savviness of real estate consumers have forced progressive agents to market online or risk becoming real estate relics.

This real estate prospects article over on YPN Lounge identifies the key reasons why real estate buyers, investors, and sellers visit real estate sites. It also covers five key information content metrics and how using each of them can help you not only produce better quality information but also keep visitors on your site longer. If you write articles that are easy to read, understand, and view, your chances of becoming your readers’ future agent improve dramatically.

TIPS TO EXPAND YOUR FACEBOOK ORGANIC REACH

As Facebook approaches 2 billion worldwide users, it is fairly obvious we should be marketing our brands and content on the site to maximize exposure and influence consumers. For those who are already killing it on Facebook, this expanding your FB organic reach article will reinforce what you are probably already doing to attract to prospects and future clients to your content and real estate Websites.

For the rest of us, Stephen Thiele has put together an excellent primer that discusses the type of information to provide, when to post your content, interactions with visitors, and other key factors we should consider. If you want a strong presence on the largest social media network on the planet, this article will get you pointed in the right direction.

15 VA MORTGAGE FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW

As a spouse of a retired military vet, I am always pleased to find top-notch information that assists our active duty, retirees, and veterans. Such is the case with this key VA mortgage facts article by Luke Skar. It provides a list of 15 VA mortgage facts and myths to help those who have served our country better understand how VA mortgages work.

Most veterans know they do not need a down payment to qualify for one of these loans, but beyond that, many are a bit fuzzy on exactly what else is involved (such as not having to pay a mortgage insurance fee). If you are fortunate to qualify for a VA mortgage, understanding upfront exactly what this type of loan can and cannot provide and what your responsibilities are is crucial. When ready to proceed, contact a lender who is versed in VA home loans for assistance.

HOW MUCH CAN YOU AFFORD TO SPEND ON A HOME

Knowing your financial limitations, debt ceiling, and overall fiscal status before looking for a home is key to not becoming house poor when you start looking for a property and eventually find your dream home. The first step is to find a reputable lender to get a pre-approval letter so you have a good idea of what you can and are willing to spend on a home. From there, it can get a bit confusing for buyers.

To the rescue came Kevin Vitali, who did a superb job in this article of explaining front and back end ratios, what they mean, and the variables that have an effect on how much home you can afford. It is important to not only understand what goes into your ability to qualify for a home loan but also what you are responsible for, as well as an understanding of your personal finances to ensure the house you find is at a price you are comfortable with.

In summary, I hope you find these articles both informative and useful. With a variety of content to assist buyers, sellers, and other real estate professionals, there are topics in this Google Plus compilation that are sure to catch your attention and pique your curiosity.

PREVIOUS GOOGLE+ REAL ESTATE ARTICLE RECAPS

This monthly best of Google Plus compilation was written by Anita Clark. She is consistently a top producing residential real estate agent in Houston County, Georgia and has been helping consumers buy and sell homes in middle GA for the past 10 years. Anita enjoys providing quality real estate information on her Bonaire real estate blog and via social media to assist local and national buyers, sellers, and other real estate professionals.