I’ve had a number of buyers comment about how our current selection of properties for sale are spread out over the entire Brisbane area and even stretching as far as the Gold Coast.

Over the past five years, we’ve actually sold properties in 68 different suburbs across South-East Queensland.

When selling your home prior to the age of the internet, it used to be of utmost importance to deal with a local agency who would carefully place a window card of your home in their front window display.

Once upon a time, buyers would wander up to their local agency, declare that they have a certain amount of money to spend and agents would put them in their VN Commodore and drive them around to inspect any homes that may have suited them.

Oh how times have changed.

In 2002, I was working at the largest independent real estate agency in Brisbane (at that time) and I clearly remember the Principal telling us at all at a sales meeting that times were changing very quickly and his figures showed that less than 2% of buyers who purchased a home from us over the previous 90 days, had actually walked in from the street.

In 2003, we grew the largest real estate agency specializing in inner city apartments in Brisbane and we didn’t even have a street frontage or shop window.

Moving forwards in time to 2008, I managed 3 local real estate offices of a particular franchise and I kept very detailed statistics of where our buyers first viewed their purchases.

I can tell you that this number hasn’t changed since 2002.

Up until last year, I was with a large franchise in the heart of Albany Creek that had a great shop window but I can honestly tell you that in the 5 years I was with this agency, I did not sell one single property from someone that first viewed it in the window display.

The internet was starting to revolutionize the buying patterns of all consumers (not just property buyers) and here in 2017, I don’t need to tell you that buyers use the internet as a primary way of searching for homes.

Yes they still use the local newspapers and Courier Mail and yes they still drive around an area they like and search ‘For Sale’ signs as these mediums still do have a place in securing a successful sale in some instances but there’s no question that the internet is the most powerful marketing tool we have. I’m quite sure that nobody would argue with this.

Our extensive research tells us that buyers couldn’t care if the agent’s office was next door to the property or over 100km away – they normally want their questions answered and want to arrange an inspection at a suitable time to view the property.

Further research tells us that the most important things sellers are looking for in an agent is complete honesty, reliability and an agent who maintains open lines of communication whilst actually offering them honest advice. They want to know that the agent is doing everything they can to work towards obtaining the absolute highest possible price and is prepared to work nights, weekends or any time at all in making this happen.

Believe it or not, there are still many agents that don’t work after 5:00 PM, don’t work Sundays and finish at lunch time in Saturdays. They are poor communicators, generally poor marketers of property and don’t necessarily have their sellers’ best interests at heart when negotiating a deal.

So in recent times, sophisticated sellers understand that they don’t just want a local agent – they want someone they can trust and will engage that agent no matter where they are located.

Many times, my clients will call me up to ask me for advice on properties they may be looking at purchasing or advice on the updated market value of their home and they know that I’ll give them honest feedback.

I have just had some recent dentistry work done and I have used the same dentist for around 25 years.

He’s moved around a bit and now is based in East Brisbane but I know he’ll be honest with me, he’s very good at what he does, he’ll charge me a fair price and I fully trust that he has my best interests at heart (even though it’s still not much fun at all as I’m horribly allergic to pain).

My naturopath at Lawnton has had me as a client for 25 years and is the same – brutally honest and outstanding at what he does in restoring my health when I’m run down and should he decide to practice solely from his home in Coolum, I’d still travel up to see him.

My chiropractor is based in Albany Creek but he’s exactly the same – someone I have used extensively, has improved my health enormously and I would follow him if he moved elsewhere. He tells me that he has patients that regularly travel long distances to see him.

If you don’t have a real estate agent who you have the same sort of relationship with, then may I suggest that you develop one quickly – they don’t need to be local but can be a wonderful assistance in helping you avoid critical mistakes that could cost you large amounts of money.

Despite the fact that the average home owner only sells a home every 7-10 years, it pays to utilize an agent that you know, trust and can give you the right advice about selling and also the right advice when purchasing your next home.

Until next week…Happy Listing & Happy Selling.

My ‘Feature Property Of The Week’ is 15 Karenia Street, Bray Park

3 Bed / 1 Bath / 1 Car

Offers Above $389,000

Open Home – Sat, 23 Sep 9:00AM to 9:30AM

A gorgeous low-set brick residence that’s very neat and tidy, situated in a fabulous quiet and leafy street, but best of all, is well-positioned within the generous 612m2 block that offers an expansive backyard and what’s even more impressive – a very wide side access that would easily accommodate a large shed. This home was sold quite quickly when it first came to market but the purchasers are unable to obtain their finance approval so it’s back on the market today – make sure you’re quick to avoid disappointment!

Did You Know?

• This coming Thursday morning, Michael has been asked to appear on a popular webinar designed for real estate agents that are located all over the country. He has been asked to share his successes on how to market properties in the digital age…primarily using unique strategies that go far beyond advertising properties on the main real estate portals.

• Michael once attended a listing presentation where the property owner hid behind a screen as he spoke with Michael in order to protect his identity. Read more about this in next week’s newsletter…

Fun Fact….

A hummingbird weighs less than a penny.

Quote Of The Week….