How Accurate is Zillow.com?

by: Maria Hass

By now most people have heard of Zillow.com – a website where home buyers or home sellers can go to find out the worth of a property. But is it really accurate? My answer is a resounding NO! In fact, there is usually a huge difference between the home value calculated on Zillow.com versus the true market value of the home.

Why is Zillow.com not accurate?

1. Zillow.com determines a home’s value based on tax records, which are hardly accurate nor updated. I tried experimenting on my old home to see what the site has to say. Zillow.com estimated my home at $223,000. I was able to sell it for $250,000. Zillow’s estimate showed that my home was only a three-bedroom without a pool when in reality it was a three-bedroom plus a den with a Pebble-tec pool and built-in barbecue. Home buyers visiting my home without the help of a Realtor would argue that the home is only worth what Zillow says it is. Well, in the real estate industry, Realtors don’t give Zillow’s estimates any respect.

2. Zillow.com provides a comparative market analysis of your home based on what sold in the last year. Real estate agents typically pull up homes that sold within the last three months because the market is constantly changing. We also look at what is pending and active to get an idea of what the future sales look like. Zillow does not do that.

3. Zillow.com does not have specific search criteria. The website does not take into consideration the condition of the home, any upgrades to the home, the number of levels of the home (single-level, two-story, with or without a basement), the direct and indirect competition of the property for sale and any additions to the home. Zillow does not distinguish whether the home that sold backs out to a main street or to a lake. This property description alone can add $20,000 more value to a home on a lake and a lot less to a home that backs to a busy street. It does not know if the home that sold has an extremely big lot or extremely small lot. Again, this can add a greater value to a home with a huge lot. Zillow does not identify whether a home that just closed is bank-owned or a regular sale. The type of sale matters to real estate agents because distressed sales normally sell for a lot less than regular sales. So, your four-bedroom home will be compared to all the four-bedroom homes close by, regardless of valuable property features, condition, upgrades, etc.

4. Zillow’s estimate is computer-generated. There is no human intervention to identify the changing market conditions. It does not have the eye to see the condition and competition of the home for sale. Zillow.com is one big misleading home search website. It is a quick and easy way to find a home’s value, but is far from being 100 percent accurate. If you are serious about finding the value of a home, take time to call a trusted and knowledgeable real estate agent. Realtors have the tools and expertise at their disposal to find out what your home’s value really is. If you need help with determining the value of your home, feel free to contact me for assistance.

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Lennar Homes at Layton Lakes Review

by: Maria Hass – I had the opportunity to place three clients with Lennar Homes at Layton Lakes in Gilbert, AZ, and I’m delighted to say that all three experiences my
clients and I had with Lennar Homes were extremely positive. Here are some reasons why:

1. Communication: The Builder’s representatives Kristi Rae and Jessica work well together. Their communication
with the field supervisor, clients, myself, mortgage and title companies were streamlined from start
to finish. And everyone involved in the correspondence was copied so that everyone was on the same page and
aware of what was taking place every step of the way. They kept me involved in the whole process from contract signing, inspection, walkthrough and closing. This is different from my experience as a Realtor with other builders. Many Builders only keep me involved in contract signing but cease to update me moving forward. I would like to act as counsel to my clients and guide them every step of the way. It is difficult to do this, when the Builder’s employees don’t include you in their correspondence with your client.

2. Efficient: The builder’s representatives were on top of things. They sent notices and reminders ahead of schedule
and prepared my clients to know when to expect important events to happen.

3. Construction Supervisor: Kyle Wolf went out of his way to accommodate my client’s request to move the fence in front of their living room window instead of behind the window for privacy. In order to do this, the outside faucet had to be replumbed and the wall had to be retextured. Lennar Homes redesigned their plan to ensure my client was happy. Most builders would not make any changes to their original plan because it requires more work, time and communication. Instead, Lennar Homes listened and accommodated my client’s request without hesitation
and for that my client is grateful.

4. Title company and Mortgage Company: Nicolette of Universal American Mortgage Company and Michelle Musgrove of North American Title were efficient and closed escrow on time in all of my transactions.

Lastly, the turnover of staff seemed low. I’ve been working with the same people for more than two years. If a company is able to keep great workers, they are doing something right. So the next time you search for a new home, consider checking out Lennar Homes at Layton Lakes in Gilbert. Not only do they have excellent
customer service but they also have a big inventory of move-in ready homes than any other builder in the East Valley at any price range for any size family. Select from over 18 floor plans in four different communities – Horizon, Signature, Destiny and Vision. If a family oriented community with lots of greenbelt, walking paths, basketball court, splash pads, tennis court and a community elementary school interest you, stop by the Lennar Homes Model Center by Lindsay and Queen Creek.
Plus, they give the Buyer 4% towards payment of their closing cost on spec homes.
And remember to bring a qualified buyer’s agent like myself to ensure your best interests are represented.

http://www.lennar.com/new-homes/arizona/phoenix/gilbert/layton-lakes

Real Estate Story No. 3 – Document Everything

by: Maria Hass –

A couple of years ago, a buyer who is also an experienced builder was interested in buying a one-acre lot backing out to State land. He asked his Realtor if anything would be built behind the lot that he was interested in.

According to the buyer, his Realtor responded, “Nothing will be built because it is State land.” But the buyer’s Realtor indicated that he told his client, “I don’t know; you will have to check with the city and other resources to find out.”

The buyer bought the acre lot. Two years later, the family’s dream home was built and the family moved into their new mansion worth $2 million. A few months after moving in, construction trucks rolled in behind the buyer’s custom home. The trucks were preparing to construct a sewage treatment facility.

The buyer was horrified. The value of their home was suddenly $1 million lower. The buyer filed a $1 million dollar lawsuit against the seller and the seller’s Realtor for non-disclosure. The buyer also sued his own Realtor for not complying with his fiduciary duties of care and honesty.

The court ruled against the buyer after more facts surfaced during the trial. The buyer bought the land in 2005 when the market was at a peak — and as soon as the house was constructed, the market tanked. The buyer owed more than what the house was worth. The buyer had to short-sell the house. His lender forgave his debt due to the debt forgiveness act and he owed nothing towards the house. The jury found the buyer’s intention to claim $1 million as a way to profit from his loss and his intention was quickly declined by the jury.

Realtor Tips:

Always document your conversations regarding important subjects via email or in writing. In the case above, for example, it would have helped if the buyer’s Realtor had documented his conversation with the buyer about the possibility of future construction in the area.

For land purchases, be certain to have the buyer sign documents acknowledging receipt of a copy of the public report.

Real Estate Story 3 – Why Didn’t You Tell Me the House was Haunted?

By: Maria Hass-

I tuned my car radio to 104.7 FM one recent morning when the “Machaca” segment of the Johnjay and Rich radio show came on. This is the portion of the show where the show hosts help a caller solve a puzzling question by tricking another person to confess his or her darkest secrets on the show.

A caller wanted to find out if there was a homicide that happened in the house she currently rents. The caller said she had seen ghostly images appear in the bathroom and felt a presence lying in bed next to her. She hadn’t slept for three months because she was wondering about the story behind this house.

Johnjay and Rich called the woman’s landlord pretending to be from a movie production crew and scouting for a haunted house to film a scary movie for $10,000.

During the course of the conversation, the landlord, owner and Realtor admitted that there was a double homicide and suicide that occurred when the mistress of the husband came to the wife’s bedroom and shot the wife while asleep. The husband came up to the room and saw the wife dead and shot the mistress and later shot himself.

The caller wanted to know if she could break the lease and if the landlord was wrong in not disclosing to her as the tenant that the house was “haunted,” or a site of homicide.

Is Landlord obligated to disclose that house is haunted or a site of a homicide?

The answer is found in lines 25 to 29 of the Arizona Real Estate Agency form provided by the Arizona Association of Realtors.

Pursuant to A.R.S. §32-2156, Sellers, Lessors and Brokers are not obligated to disclose that a property is or has been: (1) the site of a natural death, suicide, homicide, or any crime classified as a felony; (2) owned or occupied by a person exposed to HIV, or diagnosed as having AIDS or any other disease not known to be transmitted through common occupancy of real estate; or (3) located in the vicinity of a sex offender. Sellers or Sellers’ representatives may not treat the existence, terms, or conditions of offers as confidential unless there is a confidentiality agreement between the parties.

Although the action of the landlord may be construed by the tenant as morally wrong, it was legally fine. The tenant can break the lease anytime with penalty, or as described in the lease agreement. If tenant wishes to break the lease without penalty, she could hire a lawyer to stand in her behalf. There are volunteer lawyers that advocate for tenants’ rights, or check with the Arizona Department of Real Estate for resources pertaining to this complaints.

*Maria Hass is a full time Realtor with HomeSmart, the no. 1 Real Estate company in Arizona. She has 5 star reviews from past clients and operates majority of his business by referral only. Contact her at (480) 650-0075.

Real Estate Story 2 – A Lesson Learned

by Maria Hass

“That’s My Chandelier!”

I attended a Purchase Contract Writing class earlier this year. The instructor – let’s refer to him as “Realtor X” — told a story that happened during one of his transactions years ago. This story was meant to let Realtors know how writing contracts is very important in closing deals.

The buyer represented by Realtor X went under contract with the seller of a luxurious home. During the walk through, the buyer noticed that the luxurious chandelier in the foyer of the home was missing. He called Realtor X to get the chandelier back, because this chandelier was key to him making the decision to purchase the house.

Realtor X got in touch with the listing agent to recover the chandelier. The listing agent said that the seller wanted to keep it and that the MLS information mentioned that the chandelier would NOT convey with the purchase of the home, and therefore stay with the seller.

The buyer was not happy. He demanded that the seller return the chandelier or credit him the value of the chandelier in order to close escrow. The one-of-a-kind chandelier was appraised and was worth thousands of dollars.

In order to close the deal, Realtor X and the listing agent gave all of their commission towards the chandelier value, and ended up working the sale for FREE.

Lesson learned: The sales contract should have stipulated that the buyer would take possession of the chandelier at close of escrow OR that the chandelier would not convey with the purchase of the home. Both Realtors failed to write it in the contract.

Although the MLS mentioned that the chandelier was not to convey with the home, the MLS it is NOT a binding document – the purchase contract is. One missed item in the purchase contract caused both Realtors all of their commission. It is a lesson not to be forgotten.

Realtor Story 1 – Lessons To Be Learned

by Maria Hass –

Real Estate is a very interesting career and many colorful stories come out from it. Here is one of my memorable real estate stories:

A lady – let’s call her “Lady X,”  had been following my real estate career through the years and from time to time called me asking for real estate advice. I did show her a rental property once but she ended up renting a friend’s house  on her own.

I counseled her regarding landlord issues, prequalifying for a loan and more. One day she called me asking for money from me to help her buy a property two houses down from her house. She also said she was pre-approved for a loan. Why would she asks for money if she was pre-approved? That certainly did not add up. So, I asked her to send me the pre-qualification letter from her lender Chase Bank. She never sent me the pre-qual letter.

A few days later she called and said “I purchased a property!” “Where?” I asked. “Down the street,” she replied. She had signed a contract with the listing agent holding an Open House, but then called me to say she was worried about who was representing her.

My first question was, “Why didn’t you call me?” Her reply was that she was just dying to get THAT house and couldn’t wait to sign a contract. Also, she said I didn’t believe her when she said she was pre-approved and that I needed to see the pre-qualification letter. On the other hand, the listing agent didn’t require that. But now she called asking that I represent her if the seller was willing to accommodate a buyer’s Realtor, despite the fact the contract was already signed.

Well, in this case – where a buyer signs a contract with the seller’s Realtor – there is obviously one agent taking care of both the buyer and the seller. The agent becomes a “dual agent,” and will take care of seeing the transaction come to a close. But as a stranger walking in to buy the house, you have limited representation when the listing agent is also representing the seller.

In reality, you, the stranger, will have to watch out for your own best interests and know your rights and resources at this point. This listing agent also gets both sides of the commission. This can be a good or bad thing. Good because a listing agent is heavily motivated to close the transaction. Bad because legal battles often arise from dual representation situations.

A week later after this woman called me, I called her back to find out why the house she signed a contract on was back on the market. She replied, “I canceled it and did a contract on the house that is next door to me for a lower price.” When I asked regarding who represented her on this new purchase, she replied that she was represented by her daughter’s friend, who is a part-time Realtor.

My jaw dropped in awe. Lady X, who I’d counseled multiple times over the years, ran away with my ideas and found someone one else to represent her in the deal within a few days from having the “representation” conversation.

What’s my take on this? It comes to three major factors:

Choices and morals

Counseling a customer doesn’t mean they have an obligation to hire you.  Customers can consult one or more Realtors and use this information against one another. In some cases, a Realtor charges a consultation fee for advice – however, I did not do that with Lady X, or with any of my clients.

Treating People Right

If you treat people right, they will typically treat you well in return. It’s called the Golden Rule. When a person calls a Realtor and says she wants that Realtor to represent her, then turns around a few days later and makes a deal with another Realtor, it’s a classic case of deception and bad faith. In my book, these are people you stay away from because they are either suffering from extreme memory loss or just plainly care only about themselves. People who show respect to the Realtor who takes care of them will be rewarded in kind. Realtors like me will walk an extra mile to reward loyalty.

 

Every Realtor and Client is Different – Find One That is Fit for You

Realtors vary in many aspects of the business – personality, methods of communicating, knowledge, professionalism, experience, etc. Find a Realtor that best fits your needs and personality. Every client is also different. There are those who value service and those that emphasize cost over service. As a Realtor, I qualify my clients the same way as customers qualify their Realtors. It’s a two-way street. I agree to work with clients who understand and value great customer service and my expertise, knowledge and experience. I am repelled by potential customers who want a piece of the commission in order to hire you. Discount Realtors provide discount rates – and usually cut-rate service. Part-time or below-average Realtors may take on this type of client, but Realtors who want to share their service and knowledge and the integrity of the profession do not succumb to – nor do they need – this type of arrangement. That’s why such Realtors become GREAT at what they do.

I Have Multiple Offers on My House – What Should I do?

by: Maria Hass

 

I recently received multiple offers on a couple of properties I listed. One of the homes received multiple offers after only one day of showing.

It is flattering to receive multiple offers back-to-back. It is similar to receiving more than one proposal for your heart at one time.

The problem is — who will you pick?

It requires a knowledgeable and experienced Realtor with strong negotiation skills to achieve the best results for the seller. In a multiple offer scenario, the seller has several options:

1. Counter one offer at a time.
2. Counter all the offers at the same time.
3. Accept one of the offers.

Finding the best option will depend on the type of buyers you have. By answering the following questions, the listing agent will have a better understanding about which buyer has most to gain or lose in purchasing the property:

 

1. Why are the buyers buying the house (determine motivation)?
2. Which buyer is most qualified?
3. Who needs the house sooner?
4. Which buyer’s Realtor is easier to work with?
5. Which buyer has the lender that is reliable and can close on time?

 

Finding more information about the loan officer and lender is a critical choice. In many cases, a lender can make or break the deal. The listing agent should know if the lender can close on time; the lender’s requirements; the structure of the loan officer’s business; the ability of the loan officer and his or her team to communicate with you; level of experience; track record, and so on.

 

Big banks like Wells Fargo, Chase Bank and Bank of America, based on my experience, do not provide good training and supervision for their newer loan officers. This can result in many failed transactions. Big banks have a multiple layers of bureaucracy and restrictions that can prevent the Realtors and all parties involved from knowing what is really going on with the buyer’s loan application.

I had a file handled by a Wells Fargo loan officer which did not close because the loan officer could not get the buyer’s salary disclosed in the loan documentation to match up with the buyer’s salary as reported by their employer’s a few days before closing. The buyer did not get the house and I earned zero commission on a transaction that was near its conclusion.

The listing Realtor’s art of disclosing or not disclosing information on other bids is dependent on seller instruction and is crucial in influencing the final price for the house.

 

On the other hand, it is possible for some buyers to lose interest in a property if placed in a multiple-offer situation. These type of buyers are not interested in competing and raising their price; they would rather go look for other properties than watch the prices go up. It is important for the listing agent to keep the buyers updated about the process and to keep the buyer’s Realtors engaged in these exchanges. Otherwise, you can lose ALL your buyers.

If you are fortunate enough to get multiple offers when selling your house, if you aren’t working with me, be hopeful your Realtor follows the rules I do: Think smart, know your buyers, and engage with them to compete with each other’s bids.

Good luck!