One of my buyers just go a call back this morning from a letter we sent yesterday. Previewing the home today.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure why everyone feels like this is so offensive. We did not use this tactic but we bought privately and it was so easy and saved everyone time and money. We sold through the open market and it was the biggest pain in the ass. Having to purge and stage and keep your house pristine while people come through and comment about every little thing and then deal with offensive low ball offers and then once you have an offer, haggle over the inspection while dealing with realtors. I would have gladly lowered my price by 5% if someone had just offered to buy my house from me without any of that hassle. If you are not in the market, throw the letter away.

You would have to enlighten me on how to do about buying a home through private channels. We are house hunting and haven't had any luck with the properties on the market right now. We're waiting until spring to do anymore open houses. We know where we want to be, but haven't fallen in love with any specific neighborhood. We know more about where we don't want to be. If you have suggestions for buying privately, I'm all ears.

Usually it's through word-of-mouth: friends, neighbors, neighborhood listservs. You could use agent tactics like casing neighborhoods and seeing which houses are in disrepair or seem to have some renovations going on. Or you could use a website where homeowners can find you...

Do your homework, and target specific, realistic neighborhoods/homes, and knock on doors? BESTEST OF LUCK!

Anonymous wrote:Not the OP, if I going with a fixed conventional loan, would these agencies and programs still offer help?

Not interested in FHA

AAHC, yes. But make sure you talk to one of their counselors. The outside instructors may not be as knowledgeable or willing to support.

I've met with the founder of AAHC and am really impressed by their wealth of knowledge regarding all the options available to homebuyers and homeowners, as well as their dedication to ensuring consumers get what's best for them no matter how difficult the process is.

AAHC is a non-profit open to everyone even though its long name is the Asian American Homeownership Counseling, Inc: www.aa-hc.org

These are some good reads. They don't specifically answer your question, but you'll find out why it's hard for companies like RedFin to gain market share:

http://scholarship.sha.cornell.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1077&context=crer

http://faculty.chicagobooth.edu/chang-tai.hsieh/research/jpe%20real%20estate.pdf

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why don't you sell it yourself to maximize your investment return?

How would i market it? I can't get it on MLS alone, correct?

It's very easy. You can get on the MLS cheaply. See my previous post: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/475296.page

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, PP, for thee great tips. You make it sound like we almost do not need a broker at all. But how else do we get into the MLS?

You're welcome. Thanks for reminding me to update my post about how normal people can get on the MLS: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/0/475296.page

Updates:

I found what appears to be a crazy deal from Continental Real Estate Group, Inc:

$199 gets you a 1 year listing with max MLS pics AND "Full Service" (Full Service: We will field offers, prepare paperwork, negotiate deals, interface with the buyers broker, closing agent (title co. or attorney), mortgage company, appraiser, etc. Includes after hours phone extension when offers come in evenings and weekends. -

See: http://www.mls2u.com/USA/VA/Fairfax/

USRealty isn't free anymore. Looks like they keep playing with their model to see what works. Still only $19 min, but you'll want more pics than the 6.

Note: I am not affiliated with any of these companies

Here's snippet of tips I'm writing:

Other Tips for the DIY’er

1. Offer buyer agent commission: If you don’t offer a buyer agent commission, your house will most likely be illegally and unethically boycotted by real estate agents. Unless your home is in a very hot area, you’re going to want to offer commission to the buyer agent. The norm in the DC area is 3% but 2.5% is becoming more and more common. Anything less than that and you risk a greater potential that your home will be boycott.

2. Get a lockbox: This is where you will store an extra copy of your key so that real estate agents can access your home and show It to their clients when you are not home. It can be purchased for about $20 at the hardware store.
Use the Centralized Showing Service (CSS): Control access to home showings through this service. When an agent wants to see your home, they will call the CSS for showing instructions. CSS will call/txt/email you for showing confirmation before allowing the agent to retrieve your lockbox access code and enter your home. They also keep track of which agents request a showing and allow the agents to leave feedback through the system as well.

3. Use a Google Voice number: If you’re trying to sell a home on your own, agents may try to harass you for your listing. Use Google Voice or a temporary, disposable number as an easy means to block them. Further, if you decide to take your home off the MLS at a later date, you will receive calls for weeks soliciting your home listing. Google Voice makes it easy to turn off/block/screen these calls.

4. Try to avoid using a “For Sale By Owner” sign: This is a red flag for real estate agents. Many are not aware that “For Sale By Owner” sellers may still offer commissions to buyer agents and they’ll avoid your house altogether. They’re not supposed to but they can steer clients away from your home by suggesting other homes to tour.

Anonymous wrote:
Im intrigued by your two sites but the Facebook page is not visible unless you join. Do they permit non-realtors to join? And urbanturf--I saw hardly any listings--one interesting one looked out of date "offers due June 2" . But--looked like stuff I hadn't seen elsewhere. What's the deal with this site? Thanks, Steve.

They aren't my sites, but some of the sites I have found with listings that aren't yet on the MLS yet. The FB group is just for agents and helps them increase their value proposition.

Not too long ago I was in a position where I knew where I wanted to live and what I wanted in a house, but all I could do was sit and wait for MLS listings. That's why I built a website where buyers can broadcast their wants to homeowners, and then homeowners can browse through the list of buyers in their area.

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Here's a roundup list of sites for off-market deals. Feel free to add on.

My site (which I can't advertise here but it lets buyers friend pre-market homes, and sellers find their own buyers)
www.forsalebyowner.com
www.fizber.com
http://www.militarybyowner.com
Craigslist FSBO section http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/search/doc/reo
http://dc.urbanturf.com/listings
Zillow.com FSBO, Make Me Move
MLS "Coming Soon" (agent only)
PreMLS (agent only)

Happy hunting!

A. Get on MLS (see below) (~$200)
- Use a lockbox so agents can get in
- Use CSS to tell agents your lockbox code (simplified showing schedules with agent feedback)

B. Get professional photography (~$200)

MLS FSBO options in the DC area

USRealty.com - $19for 10 pics, $99 for premium listing (30 pics)

xflatfeemls.net - As little as $89 for 1mo, or $109 for 3mo. +$30 for 30 pics. Tons of options like Centralized Showing Service, Open House announcements, lock box

100dollarmls.com aka AltRealty - I believe this is the lead generation tool for Frankly

unitedbrokers.us - $95 min, $295 30 pics

homediscovery.org - $199 min, $359 for 30 pics

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Anonymous wrote:Here you go. "Steve" asked for help before and DCUM shut him down

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/460288.page

I was able to validate assumptions and I learned one new thing: How much people want value floor plans.

Now my site it released and I'll work on folding that in some time. I received far more helpful than negative responses so I don't know how you came to your conclusion. Thanks for following me.

That's a very focused area. Have you asked your agent to reach out to homeowners directly?

Your search sounds very specific. Have you tried knocking on doors or sending letters? If you know the model you like, you can comb through tax records and target only those specific models.