Networking Can Help

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Buying a home, homes for sale in Jacksonville FL, Jacksonville FL Real Estate, Networking, real estate, real estate consultant, real estate information, real estate market activity, Real Estate Referrals, referrals

Usually when agents start talking about referrals, people assume they’re hunting for new listings or more buyers to represent. This isn’t one of those posts!

In fact, we wish more people would come to me looking for referrals in the community. A good real estate agent knows people in the community you can trust, and we’re always happy to provide the connection.

If you think about it, agents pretty much interact with all of the people dedicated to protecting, improving, or maintaining your biggest asset: Your home. Whether it’s a local insurance agent, an honest contractor, or a crack crew of yard and maintenance people, agents are great sources of “who you should know.” (We’re also reliable sources of locals-only community info!)

It’s too bad that agents are often involved only in the sale or purchase of a house. We prefer to think of ourselves as a lifetime consultant to our clients, and providing the names of people we would stake my reputation on is simply a part of our ethical obligation to serve.

So, by all means, if you’re looking for someone in the greater Jacksonville area, do drop us a line. We’d be more than happy to help: Kevin and Jennifer Hanley, REALTORS Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Partners Southside 904-422-7626 http://www.HanleyHomeTeam.com

Be Careful of Traffic!

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Knowing the local market, real estate information, real estate market activity

“Advice to children crossing the street: damn the lights. Watch the cars. The lights ain’t never killed nobody.”

Jackie “Moms” Mabley (born Loretta Mary Aiken), American standup comedian

“But I had the light,” is probably one of the most common phrases spoken after a car accident. Green means go for me, red means stop for them. Before you know it, you’re on the phone with your insurance company.

Who doesn’t remember an adult reminding them to “look both ways before you cross the street”? It seems like common sense so basic we wouldn’t even need to teach it. But it’s funny how that lesson, which seems so obvious, is often lost in other areas of our lives.

Take, for instance, the raft of real estate market data you hear every month. What’s new construction looking like? How did pre-existing sales do last month? What’s it look like in the greater metro area for condo prices? To a certain extent, these are just the traffic lights of real estate. Agents help you look both ways before you act on those “trusted” signals.

Knowing the local market doesn’t necessarily mean knowing the big numbers. It means knowing the specifics. It means knowing how to interpret market activity tailored to the needs of my clients. Metaphorically, it’s our job to be a good scout and protect client interests as they “cross the market” (and that includes not getting hit by a bus-sized bad move).

Reporting always lags behind reality, though the delay may be small or large. Local agents are the best real-time readers of neighborhoods and inventory. Don’t get too nervous about what you hear in the news. Talk to someone who’s out there making it!

Keep your eyes open our there, and best of luck this week! Get in touch if you’re thinking about making a move soon:

Kevin and Jennifer Hanley, REALTORS – http://www.HanleyHomeTeam.com – 904-422-7626 Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Partners