Keeping It Real Estate with Colleen Benson

Ep 98: Mailbag – Repairs, Acreage, and Colleen‘s Team

Are you thinking of remodeling before selling your home? If they are cosmetic changes you might want to think again, every buyer is different. But depending on your budget and planned updates it might be the right move for you. 
You’ve probably heard a lot about Opendoor and iBuyers recently, but what do you miss out on when you don’t have the person-to-person relationship you’d have with a realtor? 
On today’s episode, we will be answering these questions as well as going over some areas to look for acreage and a bit about Colleen’s team. 
 
See our listings: https://bit.ly/3z49gcL
 
What we discuss on this episode: 
0:41 – Is it worth doing repairs before listing?
3:01 – Open door or the traditional route?
4:39 – Where should we look with a $500,000 budget with an acre?
5:53 – How many people will I interact with in the process of selling?
 
Learn more: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/blog

Ep 97: Mailbag - Buying land, Selling Houses, and More

How fast can Colleen and her team sell your home? Well, the market is a seller’s market right now but you want to make that good first impression no matter what. Should buyers give up right now and wait until the market has calmed down? We don’t recommend it! You never know what home is going to be around the corner. It is exhausting looking for a new house, but with the right approach, we can find your next home.
Looking for land in the area? Depending on what you want to use it for Colleen has some specialists she can connect you with. On today’s episode, we will be answering these questions and whether Colleen specializes more in selling, buying, or both.
 
See our listings: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/ 
 
What we discuss on this episode: 
0:36 – How fast can you sell my home?
2:45 – Should we give up on searching for a house?
5:06 – Where can I find land?
6:37 – Do you specialize in buying or selling?
 
Learn more: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/blog

Ep 96: Mailbag – Investment Properties, Offerpad, and More

We are going to be answering some listener questions today about a wide variety of real estate topics. Is now a good time to invest in rental properties? What matters most is your return on investment. Is it wise to accept an offer from Offerpad? These types of apps are driven by data and may not get you as great of an offer as a real estate agent could. We will also be discussing whether Colleen has part-time agents on her team and whether selling is as stressful as buying.  
 
See our listings: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/ 
 
What we discuss on this episode: 
0:36 – Do you think now is a good time to invest in rental properties?
3:18 – Is selling as stressful as buying?
5:18 – Do you have part-time agents or only full-time?
7:20 – Should I accept an offer from Offerpad?
 
Learn more: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/blog

Ep 95: Headlines - Never Buying, Remote Work, and Best Time to Buy

There have been a lot of new real estate headlines going around. So, on today's episode, we are going to be discussing these topics. A lot of renters are fearing they'll never be able to buy. Especially with current down payments being so high. Colleen talks through some ways her lenders can help you if you are in this situation.
We will also be discussing remote work's transformation on the housing market. Are these changes here to stay? Could this next month could be the best month of the year to buy? Learn more about these headlines and what Colleen thinks about them on today's show!
 
See our listings: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/ 
 
What we discuss on this episode: 
0:57 – Renters fear they’ll never own
2:24 – Resources for renters wanting to buy
5:02 – Remote workers transforming the market
7:11 – Will this be a permanent change?
8:27 – Best buying period of the year
 
Learn More: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/blog

Ep 94: Mailbag - Mixed Use Developments, Market Timing and More

We are opening up the mailbag today to answer some of your questions! Colleen will discuss mixed-use developments, market timing, rentals, and fence additions.
Mixed-use developments have been becoming more and more popular especially in the Oregon area. So where should you look to find one? Does a fence really add that much value to your home or is it more than it’s worth? Whether you have a question about selling your current property or finding your next home, Colleen is here to share her advice.
 
Read more and get additional resources here: https://keepingitrealestatepodcast.com/mailbag/mailbag-mixed-use-developments-market-timing-and-more/750/
 
See our listings here: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/ 
 
What we discuss on this episode: 
0:32 – Mixed-use development in Salem
2:09 – Timing of selling our home
5:14 – Do real estate agents help with rentals?
7:49 – Is it beneficial to add a fence?

Ep 93: Real Estate Issues and Trends in 2021 and 2022

A year and a half into the pandemic, housing market issues and trends look a little different than they did a few years ago. Today, we are discussing some of the top issues facing home buyers and sellers. We will also go over popular home features that a potential buyer may be looking for. Remote work, technology, and general housing supply will be just some of the things we touch on in this episode.
 
Read more and get additional resources here: https://keepingitrealestatepodcast.com/headlines/ep-93-real-estate-issues-and-trends-in-2021-and-2022/745/
 
See our listings here: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/ 
 
What we discuss on this episode: 
0:33 – List of top trends & issues
1:05 – Remote work and mobility
2:00 – Acceleration in tech and innovation
3:14 – ESG at a tipping point
4:30 – Housing supply
5:37 – Political polarization
6:35 – Top home features
7:21 – Updated kitchen
8:10 – Garage & yard space
10:29 – Home office & Internet
11:50 – Other popular trends
 

Ep 92: Mailbag - Personal Letters, Pending Sales, and More

Buying or selling a home is an exciting time. But it is also a time when we have a lot of questions about what things mean and what the best approach may be to certain situations. Colleen is here to help us navigate these questions from a realtor’s point of view with another mailbag episode. 
 
Read more and get additional resources here: https://keepingitrealestatepodcast.com/mailbag/729/729/
 
See our listings here: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/ 
 
What we discuss on this episode: 
0:49 – Should buyers be able to write letters to sellers?
3:22 – What does sale pending mean?
4:55 – Where to look for homes next to the water?
7:33 – Should we wait to remodel if we are moving?
 

Ep 91: Top 7 Homebuying Mistakes of 2021

Mistakes can be very costly when buying and selling a home, which is why we work with clients to make them aware of potential pitfalls during the process. If you’re in the market for a home now, you’ll want to keep an eye out for these seven mistakes that have been plaguing people in 2021.
 
Read more here: https://keepingitrealestatepodcast.com/buying/ep-91-top-7-homebuyer-mistakes-of-2021/716/ 
 
See our listings: https://www.bensonbrokergroup.com/ 
 
What we discuss on this episode: 
0:58 – 1st mistake on rates 
2:39 – 2nd mistake with credit
4:00 – 3rd mistake on down payment
5:37 – 4th mistake on budgeting
6:42 – 5th mistake on multiple offers
8:33 – 6th mistake on getting emotional
9:41 – 7th mistake on realtors