Keeping It Real Estate with Colleen Benson

Bad News: Real Estate in the Headlines

Have you heard the news? We talk about some of the national headlines making the rounds about real estate and find out from Colleen if it rings true locally. According to recent studies, 8 out of 10 Americans think it’s a bad time to buy a home. Is that really true? While the mortgage rates are high, Colleen thinks it’s actually a great time to buy. Buyers have plenty of time to do inspections or voice concerns in a way they haven’t in the past few years.
 
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
Is it a bad time to buy a home?
Will prices of homes drop anytime soon?
Homebuilder confidence is declining
Last minute cancellations are a major fear among sellers
 
Get in touch with Benson Broker Group: https://bensonbrokergroup.com/
Find out how much your home is worth: https://bensonbrokergroup.com/home_value 

Top Fears for Homebuyers and Sellers

It’s spooky season! Colleen and Walter kick off the episode by sharing some of their feelings about Halloween scares and haunted houses before they share the top fears that many homebuyers and sellers face. Before you cover your eyes or run away in fear, don't worry! Listen in as Colleen advises on how to overcome these fears and navigate your home buying or selling process with ease. 
 
Here are some of the top fears we discuss today:
Hidden issues and needed repairs after the purchase scare potential buyers.
The fear of missing out can cause some people to overspend.
The unknown may be scariest of all!
No seller wants to accidentally underprice their home.
The idea of getting no offers at all can cause anxiety.
Unqualified buyers can make for a scary situation when it’s time to close.
 
Get in touch with Benson Broker Group: https://bensonbrokergroup.com/
Find out how much your home is worth: https://bensonbrokergroup.com/home_value 

Your Fall Home Buying Guide

Football is back, the air is getting crisp, and the holidays are on the horizon. But what about real estate? Is fall a good time to buy a home? 
In this episode, we talk about what you need to know if you’re looking for a home this fall and how the seasons may (or may not) change your home buying strategy. Listen in as Colleen shares her expert insights and valuable tips on how to make the most out of your home buying journey in the fall of 2023. We'll uncover some hidden benefits to purchasing a home this time of year and much more!
 
Here are the tips we discuss today:
Don’t stress over trying to time the market.
Check your credit score for accuracy.
You have time to consider the home after touring.
Pre-approvals are important to do first.
Don’t ignore new construction as an option.
Use an experienced real estate agent.
Let the rain highlight potential issues.
 
Get in touch with Benson Broker Group: https://bensonbrokergroup.com/
Find out how much your home is worth: https://bensonbrokergroup.com/home_value 
 

Real Estate Reality Shows: Fact or Fiction?

Have you ever wondered how house shows like Love it or List It or House Hunters compare to reality? Whether you watch them for entertainment or find it educational, they can be fun to watch from time to time. On today’s show, we peel back the layers a bit to find out what’s fact and what’s fiction on these popular TV shows. We also cover five takeaways you can learn from house shows like these. As you go on your own home search, make sure to remember reality is a little more complicated than it looks on TV!
 
Here’s what we cover on today’s podcast:
Why are real estate TV shows so popular?
Do these shows provide educational value?
The budget is part of the process.
Compromise always happens.
Understand what the real value of renovation is.
Location, location, location!
Teamwork is vital.
Thankfully, there isn’t that much office drama as on the show!
 
Get in touch with Benson Broker Group: https://bensonbrokergroup.com/
Find out how much your home is worth: https://bensonbrokergroup.com/home_value 

The Coded Words in Real Estate Listings

Ever wondered what "cozy" truly implies in a real estate listing, or why "rustic" can be a tricky term? If you've ever skimmed through a real estate listing, chances are you've come across some puzzling terminology.
 
On this week's episode, we pull back the curtain on the coded language of real estate listings. We unpack the meaning behind terms like "fixer upper", "handyman special", and "motivated seller", and discuss how these phrases impact your perception as a buyer.
With technology shaking up the traditional real estate market, we also explore how AI is reshaping the language of listings and what new words we might expect in the future.
 
Here are some of the things we’ll tackle on today’s show:
What should you expect when a home is listed as a ‘fixer-upper’?
Does motivated seller mean you can get a better deal?Cozy might be a nicer way of describing a home on the smaller size.
What ‘as is’ means and why it’s not as bad of a thing as it used to be.
What questions get raised when you see a ‘cash only’ home?
 
Get in touch with Benson Broker Group: https://bensonbrokergroup.com/
Find out how much your home is worth: https://bensonbrokergroup.com/home_value 

Do These Real Estate Strategies Still Work?

If you're in the real estate market, it's crucial to keep up with the ever-changing trends and tactics. In today's digital age, old-school strategies are rapidly losing their effectiveness, and the need to adapt to more modern methods is becoming increasingly clear.
 
Here are some of the things we’ll tackle on today’s show:
Why you don’t want to list at a higher price to give yourself room to negotiate.
Are open houses still used as a primary selling tool?
Is it still a good idea to buy the worst house in the best neighborhood?
Why you don’t have to save 20% for a down payment before buying a home.
 
Get in touch with Benson Broker Group: https://bensonbrokergroup.com/
Find out how much your home is worth: https://bensonbrokergroup.com/home_value 

Real Estate Wisdom from Johnny Carson

We’re getting creative today and applying some of Johnny Carson’s quotes to real estate to see what we can learn. Colleen takes each quote and talks through how she sees it play out in the day-to-day amongst clients as well as real estate agents.
 
Find out how these quotes relate to real estate:
“I never analyze, I just go out and do it.”
“People will pay more to be entertained than be educated.”
“If life was fair, Elvis would be alive and all the impersonators would be dead.”
“For three days after death, hair and fingernails continue to grow but phone calls taper off.”
“I know a man who…gave up all the fun stuff in life and it was for nothing at the end.”  
 
Get in touch with Benson Broker Group: https://bensonbrokergroup.com/
Find out how much your home is worth: https://bensonbrokergroup.com/home_value 
               

Google Predicts Common Real Estate Questions

Get ready to demystify the process of buying and selling a home with the help of technology. We’re going to play a little game today by having Google fill in the blank to help us unravel the most common real estate queries, ensuring you're informed and empowered on your property journey.
 
Here are some of the questions we’ll tackle on today’s show:
Who pays the realtor? (2:47)
When buying a home, who pays for the inspection? (2:56)
When is the down payment due? (5:50)
What does contingent mean? (7:39)
What does an inspector look for? (10:10)
When selling a home, what happens to your mortgage? (13:31)  
 
Get in touch with Benson Broker Group: https://bensonbrokergroup.com/
Find out how much your home is worth: https://bensonbrokergroup.com/home_value