Searching for a New Home – Eau Claire Real Estate Advice

Searching for a New Home – Eau Claire Real Estate Advice

In my last post I discussed the first step in buying a home in Eau Claire Wisconsin or the surrounding area, for first time home buyers. But really the advice is true for anyone looking to buy a home. But once you know a good price range to start looking, how do you start?

Well almost any site offers a search but how can you know for sure that it has all the available properties? Well certain sites are directly linked to our MLS system but many are not. That’s why I always recommend that you use the search on my website. I am sure that many area websites offer this basic feature. But the problem is always how agents enter the information. Because of the way our MLS is set up we are only allowed to enter in one location. Our MLS has different locations for instance Eau Claire is divided into areas 1-3 which are south side, west and north. Then area 5 which is Eau Claire schools but more on the outskirts of town. Then area 7 for Eau Claire county but not in Eau Claire schools. Confused? The problem is how do you decide where a house is exactly? If its on the south side of town but near Lowes Creek is that out or in town?

Even more confusing can be the Fall Creek area. Homes can be in Eau Claire or Chippewa County, Altoona, Fall Creek or anywhere in between. You can’t just look for Fall Creek because some might be near Fall Creek but be in any of these school districts.

This is why its important to have an expert on your side who knows how to search for homes accurately. It takes a lot of experience and a lot of computer training. It is very easy for an agent to overlook certain homes if you are not very careful with how you manipulate the data. Being off by one dollar can be the difference between whether or not you even see a home in your searching.

So why not use me as your guide? I am resourceful and consider myself an expert when it comes to computers.

Here is what I can do for you:

• Take time to thoroughly explain the entire buying process
• Answer any questions you might have about buying a home
• Make a comprehensive list of every single home that fits the criteria you set
• Set you up for an automated search based on your criteria
• Receive emails the instant matching homes come on the market
• Be in the know when homes are listed in our MLS

So now that we have a list of homes that might work for you what’s next?

Let’s take a look inside of them!

If you have something to say please leave a comment. I will try to comment on your blog as well.

If you really like this story flag it for a feature!

If you would like to work with an agent who is leading the way call 715-894-1001 today or send me an email.

Buy or Sell, I’ll Treat You Well!

Search Eau Claire Wisconsin Real Estate!

Buy Eau Claire Wisconsin Real Estate

Sell and List Your Eau Claire Wisconsin Home

Work with Eau Claire Wisconsin Real Estate Agent & Realtor® Shane O’Gorman

Eau Claire Real Estate Advice – First Time Home Buyers

Eau Claire Real Estate Advice – First Time Home Buyers

When I get approached by potential clients about buying a home in the Eau Claire area the first question is almost always, “How do we get started” As many times as this question is varied my answer never does. I know the overwhelming feeling is you want to get out and start looking at houses. I always feel bad when my answer is so much more boring.

The first step is going to a lender.

But why?

Well they can help with a variety of things that we need to know before we can start looking. First they can tell you if you can get a loan or not. As much as I would love to get you a house, if you can’t afford it financially then I don’t want to see you in trouble this way. They can also tell you what price range will work for you as well. They can show you a good range of what you can afford. You don’t want to buy into a house that could put you on the edge. We don’t want you to miss any payments, buying a house is a wise financial decision if you do it right. You can build up your credit rating at the same time you build up equity in your home. It can be the best financial investment you make in your entire lifetime and thats why I always stress that we do it right.

So yes I am going to ask you to take a couple of hours out of your time and go see a professional lender but it is so important. I promise as soon as this step is ready we can sit down and begin the next step, searching for a home.

If you have something to say please leave a comment. I will try to comment on your blog as well.

If you really like this story flag it for a feature!

If you would like to work with an agent who is leading the way call 715-894-1001 today or send me an email.

Search Eau Claire Wisconsin Real Estate!

Buy Eau Claire Wisconsin Real Estate

Sell and List Your Eau Claire Wisconsin Home

Work with Eau Claire Wisconsin Real Estate Agent & Realtor® Shane O’Gorman

Apple + KISS + Real Estate for 2009

You won’t find me saying too many nice things about Apple and I don’t really feel like saying anything negative at the moment either. But one thing they are doing that is undeniable is all out kicking butt when it comes to marketing.

But why is this?

This recent article is saying its simple, in fact its KISS, rather K.I.S.S. (Keep it simple stupid) The article is a good read and I think they have a good point. As much as everyone loves choices, sometimes you don’t need a hundred basic variations of the same thing. I think an old business model was putting slight changes in a product line and hoping the confusion would lead people to purchasing a more expensive version that doesn’t necessarily have any specific reason why it should cost more. For years computer companies have done this, throw out a bunch of confusing numbers that even a computer “expert” like myself can barely decipher. You walk away thinking you got the best buy and have to wonder if you did.

That’s why web 2.0 and the Internet are changing things. Information is available at a high rate of speed, its mobile, and there is lots of it. These factors are having an effect on real estate and it shows. Consumers are dependent on us, the real estate experts to help them with these important decisions. Well, you see, that statement used to be true but when you think about it, how true is it today? Our roles are changing. Sure we are always there and we are able to be reached even easier than before but information is free and its everywhere. There are so many great resources out there that we could quickly become outsourced so to speak.

But that doesn’t mean we aren’t resourceful either, we change and adapt. But just because we have MLS access doesn’t make us a resource. Its our experience that becomes the resource. We help buy and sell more houses in any given month than the average person deals with in their lifetime. Its these experiences that equate to value. So go out and provide the most valuable experience you can with the most valuable resource available, your experience.

If you have something to say please leave a comment. I will try to comment on your blog as well.

If you would like to work with an agent who is leading the way call 715-894-1001 today or send me an email.

Buy or Sell, I’ll Treat You Well!

Search Eau Claire Wisconsin Real Estate!

Buy Eau Claire Wisconsin Real Estate

Sell and List Your Eau Claire Wisconsin Home

Work with Eau Claire Wisconsin Real Estate Agent & Realtor® Shane O’Gorman

Obama Reveals Part of Stimulus Plan: Cutting Your Energy Bills

I just came across this article and regardless of your political affiliation this sounds like a good idea to me. It actually feels a lot like thinking outside the box so to speak because of the hundreds and thousands of articles I have seen and read I have never seen this suggested. But why not? Everyone has to pay the energy bill regardless of whether they are a home owner or renter. This would really hit home for almost every American faced with bills that can just be plain overwhelming. Maybe there is more to this but to me it seems spot on. Good job is all I can say.

If you have something to say please leave a comment. I will try to comment on your blog as well.

If you would like to work with an agent who is leading the way call 715-894-1001 today or send me an email.

Buy or Sell, I’ll Treat You Well!

Search Eau Claire Wisconsin Real Estate!

Buy Eau Claire Wisconsin Real Estate

Sell and List Your Eau Claire Wisconsin Home

Work with Eau Claire Wisconsin Real Estate Agent & Realtor® Shane O’Gorman