1 When you search for real estate in a specific geographic area, you want to be sure that the Realtor that you are contacting knows the area, knows the specific properties, the amenities etc. You don’t want to be passed from office to office in order to get the requested information. You want the information quickly and may want to jump on the chance to see a desired property before it is gone! Contacting an independent local Realtor just makes sense, in essence you are cutting out the middle man. The Realty Guild is an organization that supports and promotes the independent brokerages. The Realty Guild was established in 1987 by a small group of independent broker/owners as a forum through which to share ideas. Today the Realty Guild has more than 50 offices with 700 agents covering more than 200 communities in Massachusetts. Through the Realty Guild, members are able to keep their independence yet tap into the power that a larger entity can offer. The members of the Realty Guild must be Realtors (members of the National Association of Realtors), and must be approved by the membership as a whole. There is only one member per town, other than in large cities such as Boston.2 [video poster="https://capecodproperties.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Foran-RE-m4v-image.jpg" width="1280" height="720" m4v="https://capecodproperties.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Foran-RE.m4v"][/video] Foran Realty is a proud member of the Realty Guild. Foran Realty Inc. was established in July of 2005 fulfilling the need to bring the “local personal touch” of real estate agencies of the past back to Cape Cod. Foran Realty, Inc. was established with a primary focus on providing outstanding customer service and a pleasant buying and/or selling experience for our all of our valued clients. They realize that a satisfied customer is what it takes to consummate a sale. Foran Realty Inc. truly offers the highest level of customer service ever to be experienced on a local level. Their objective is to redefine the real estate buying and selling experience on Cape Cod. 3 Whether you are looking to buy a home or sell your home, contact Foran Realty Inc. today. They look forward to hearing from you and working to make your real estate dreams come true! 1 https://www.thebalance.com/independent-brokerages-franchises-technology-2867371 2 http://www.realtyguild.com/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3279 3 https://capecodproperties.com/why-foran-realty/]]>
Time to Sell Your Home
aware that technology has changed how a buyer shops for a new home. According the National Association of Realtors and their most recent “Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers” for the past 3 years, 92% of all buyers have used the internet to search for a home. The report also revealed that 95% of those buyers shopping online for a home actually purchased their home through a real estate agent/broker or from a builder of builder’s agent. A minimal 2% actually purchased the home directly from a seller, without knowing them ahead of time. The buyers are searching online for their new homes, but still rely on the agent to find that specific home that fits their needs, negotiate the terms of the sale, negotiate the price and to help guide them through the process. There is so much information now available for a buyer to check out, research and read online, that the buyers are finding that they need to reach out to a real estate professional in order to sort through it all and connect the relevant dots! This is obvious as the percentage of overall buyers who used an agent to buy their home has steadily increased from 69% in 2001 to 95% in 2015. The bottom line is clear. If you are thinking of selling your home, don’t underestimate the role a real estate agent/broker can play in the process. They will be there to help you price the home, show the home, market the home and finally guide the seller through the offer, the purchase and sale and finally the closing. Having an agent/broker by your side has become crucial to the speed and efficiency in which your home can sell. Call Foran Realty today to see how they can help you sell your home. ]]>
Foran Realty Purchases the Matterport Virtual Tour 3D Showcase Tour Program
FORAN REALTY ANNOUNCES TECHNOLOGY ADVANCE
Dennis, MA – Patrick J. Foran, President of Foran Realty, Inc., has announced the Firm has recently purchased the Matterport Virtual Tour 3D Showcase Tour Program.
Foran noted “the acquisition of the Matterport System will allow our Clients to remain on the leading edge in today’s technology driven new real estate environment”. Foran continued, “This new program will allow Prospective Residential and Commercial Buyers as well as Rental Guests to review properties from the comfort of their home and view the property at any time displaying an entire property in great detail. This new program makes today’s virtual tours utilized by our competition virtually obsolete”. Foran has also indicated this new program will be utilized on all new sales listings both in the residential and commercial sectors, as well as to present the Firm’s growing base of seasonal rentals. Foran added, “we believe our investment in the Matterport System demonstrates our commitment to excellence to both our Clients and prospective Buyers and Renters. While other firms will likely follow our lead, we are proud to be among the first on Cape Cod to introduce and own this new system allowing us flexibility and control of how and when it is utilized to best support our marketing initiatives. With more than 90% of all residential sales beginning in the comfort of one’s home via the internet, this new tool is critical in today’s emerging internet based real estate arena.” About Matterport Headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA, Matterport is an immersive media technology company that delivers an end-to-end system for creating, modifying, distributing and navigating immersive 3D and virtual reality (VR) versions of real-world spaces on Web, mobile devices and VR headsets. The Matterport Pro Camera and Cloud Services make it quick and easy to turn real-world places into immersive virtual experiences. Matterport has stated, “Matterport’s 3D and VR photography solutions bring listings to life. A Matterport 3D virtual tour adds amazing value. With one shoot, you get all the benefits of incredible photos and the power to immerse home buyers in the experience of a property so they can create both an emotional and intellectual connection with the property. As camera technology continues to advance – in terms of both SDLR cameras and those on your smartphone – high resolution real estate photography will continue to be a critical part of any real estate marketing campaign. But technological innovation never stops. Today, amazing real estate photos are only part of a successful equation for the buyer and seller. The future is in 3D virtual tours.” About Foran Realty Founded in 2005 by Patrick Foran, Foran Realty, Inc. is a full service real estate boutique that combines yesterday’s old fashioned personal customer service with the utilization of the most up to date technology to fulfill all of the individual and unique real estate needs of our valued clients. We are a client Centric Organization ensuring our Clients best interests are our top priority. Foran Realty offers Residential sales as well as Vacation Rental Management and Property Management Services. In 2015, Foran Realty acquired Peter McDowell Associates, a Dennis MA based real estate firm with a stellar reputation – earned after more than fifty years of experience. Peter McDowell remains with the firm as a Broker Associate. In 2016, Foran Realty expanded once again by welcoming Dubin Associates to our expanding Family. Recognized as the premiere entity in East Denis for more than forty years, the acquisition of Dubin Real Estate was a logical step in our progression to better serve the Mid-Cape market. Judy Dubin remains with the firm as a Broker Associate. Also in 2016, Foran Realty established a commercial realty division specializing in the sale and acquisition of commercial properties in the Mid-Cape area. Foran Realty is Cape Cod’s Premiere locally owner and operated Real Estate Firm. As an independent firm we pride ourselves on the exceptional level of details provided to our clients. Our foundation continues to be providing Extraordinary Personalized Customer Service to our Valued Clients. Patrick Foran is personally involved with every transaction that that the firm is involved with. At Foran Realty, our Motto is ‘we love the Cape and Show it!” Talent, Experience and Vision For more information on how Foran Realty and our Matterport System can benefit you, please contact our office at 508-385-1355, or e-mail Patrick Foran at pforan@foranrealty.com.]]>Are You Ready To Rent Your Home?
Getting your Home Ready to Rent
- Keep careful records.Rental income is taxable, but many of the expenses you will incur as you prepare your rental are tax deductible. Keep detailed records of the money and time you spend getting your home ready to rent so that you can maximize your deductions at tax time.
- Apply for a rental permit.Permits are not necessary in all areas, especially for short-term rentals, but many cities are responding to the growth of new rental trends by creating new forms of regulation. If a permit is required in your area, give yourself plenty of time to get through the application process before your first guests arrive. Remember that permitting and inspection fees, like all other expenses you incur while preparing your rental property, are tax deductible so be sure to keep careful records.
- Acquire landlord insurance.Call your local insurance agent and ask if your current homeowner’s policy will cover the kind of rental situation you will be offering. Many policies will cover the occasional short-term rental, but for more long-term arrangements, you may need special coverage.
- Prepare your home to rent, inside and out.Make sure that all appliances work, that furniture is comfortable and in good repair, and that everything is clean and neat. Ensure that safety equipment like smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers are in good working order and are clearly accessible. Remove all precious personal belongings to a secure location, such as a storage unit or primary home. Do the same with all toiletries and anything else you wouldn’t want a stranger snooping through. Put clean linens on all of the beds (if you are planning on supplying linens), and make sure that bathrooms are stocked with clean towels, soap dispensers are full, etc. The requirements for safety equipment in rental properties vary widely by region. Smoke detectors are the bare minimum in most places. You will be informed of further requirements through the permitting process. Unless you are going for a very high-end rental, do not furnish your rental with extremely expensive furniture, linens, towels, etc. These items are likely to get damaged or disappear. Look for items of decent quality that are not too expensive but are still comfortable.
- Hire a reputable cleaning service.Some property owners are able to minimize costs by performing rental clean-outs on their own, but this can be a very time-consuming and difficult process, so it might be better worth your time to hire a professional service. If you do, be sure to do some research first and hire a reputable company that is licensed and insured. Get personal recommendations from your rental agent, other property owners, or look for a service with excellent online recommendations.
- Hire a landscaping service.As with cleaning, some property owners take on landscaping chores themselves, but you may be better off hiring a landscaping service to take care of routine lawn maintenance and care. Landscaping services, like cleaning services and other maintenance costs are all tax deductible, and a well-maintained yard is more likely to get good reviews and repeat renters.
- Create a system for providing a key or entry instructions to your guests. This is something that can be handled by your rental agent should you choose to use one. The check in and checkout instructions will be detailed with the lease and any inquiries etc. can be directed to the rental agent and their office, freeing you up to enjoy your time!
- Create a welcome book or informational packet to give to renters when they arrive.Include information about the home and the local area. Providing information on local attractions and dining options, as well as emergency contact information is an option that guests love. Leaving a welcome gift like a fruit basket or bottle of wine is another great way to welcome guests and keep them coming back year after year.
Cranberry Knoll Condominiums Unit 19-2
Cranberry Knoll Condominiums are just minutes from Dennis Village and some of the most beautiful beaches on Cape Cod. Cranberry Knoll is one of the largest condominium communities in Dennis, MA. and features such great amenities as a large heated pool, clubhouse, tennis courts and lovely park like grounds that create a warm, relaxed atmosphere. Cranberry Knoll is located in Dennis near the Yarmouth town line just off Route 6A. This condo community is very well established and offers the perfect Cape Cod lifestyle for those who live here year round or migrate with the weather. Cranberry Knoll condos have a wide range of Condo layouts offering 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom and 3 bedroom floor plans. You will also find single story ranch style condos and 2 story townhouse style units in the community. Cranberry Knoll Condos feature spacious closets, private patios, assigned parking and condos range is size from 700+ square feet up to 1300+ square feet. This week we are featuring an incredible renovation that has just been completed on this 2 bedroom 2 full bath townhouse in Cranberry Knoll, Unit 19-2.The list of improvements is extensive including new hardwood floors throughout, new kitchen with granite counters and stainless appliances; 2 new bathrooms, heating and A/C, hot water tank, sliders, windows and a brand new bonus room in the basement. The list continues. Located in one of the most private buildings in Cranberry Knoll. Strong association financials with no assessments in over 17 years! If you are interested in learning more about this Cape Cod Condo in Cranberry Knoll, call Patrick Foran at 877-385-1455! He is your Cranberry Knoll Condominium Specialist! ]]>
The Importance of Customer Satisfaction
People immediately define customer satisfaction as solving customer problems, answering their questions in a timely manner, and customizing the responses based on each customer’s needs. Now we know that it doesn’t sound too complicated, however you would be surprised! It’s not as easy as it seems. Here are my top five tips on how to provide excellent customer service:
- Hire the right people for your real estate agency
- Show empathy
- Offer speedy response
- Provide easy accessibility
- Ask your customers and then listen to them
Summer Rentals!
This home on Horsefoot Path in Dennis is a very short walk to Mayflower beach and has a waterview. Enjoy the family room on lower level. This great family home is on Old Hills Rd in Dennis. It is in a quiet charming area with a peaceful walk to the village. It is a short distance to Mayflower beach, close to Dennis Village, golf & restaurants. There is also a great home right on Main Street in Dennis. It is a spacious 4 bedroom home. The walk to the beach is only 3/10 of a mile to private beach on bay (Dr Lords Beach). Princess Beach at Scargo Lake is a close distance. Only a short drive to Dennis Village, restaurants, & golf courses! No matter how big or small your group is, whether you want to be close to Main Street or on the beach. Foran Realty has rental homes for you from Truro to Yarmouth. Call us today at 508-385-9114 and tell us what your need for your family this summer. We have the rental home that is perfect for you! ]]>
Selling Your Home During The Holidays
The holiday season from November through January is often considered the worst time to put a home on the market however the season does have its advantages: holiday buyers tend to be more serious and competition is less fierce with fewer homes being actively marketed. Make selling your home during the holidays a little bit easier by following these great tips:
- Deck the halls, but don’t go overboard. Homes often look their best during the holidays, but sellers should be careful not to overdo it on the decor. Adornments that are too many can crowd your home and distract buyers. Also, avoid offending buyers and opt for general winter decorations rather than items with religious themes.
- Hire a reliable real estate agent. That means someone who will work hard for you and won’t disappear during Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year’s. This will ease your stress and give you more time to enjoy the season.
- Seek out motivated buyers. Anyone house hunting during the holidays must have a good reason for doing so. Work with your agent to target buyers, including people relocating for jobs in your area, investors on tax deadlines and college students and staff.
- Price it to sell. No matter what time of year, a home that’s priced low for the market will make buyers feel merry. Rather than gradually making small price reductions, many real estate agents advise sellers to slash their prices beforeputting a home on the market.
- Make curb appeal a top priority. When autumn rolls around and the trees start to lose their leaves, maintaining the exterior of your home becomes even more important. Touch up the exterior paint, clean the gutters and spruce up the yard.
- Take top-notch real estate photos. When the weather outside is frightful, homebuyers are likely to start their house hunt from the comfort of their homes by browsing listings on the Internet. Make a good first impression by offering lots of flattering, high-quality photos of your home.
- Create a video tour for the Web. You’ll get less foot traffic during the holidays thanks to inclement weather and vacation plans. But shooting a video tour and posting it on the Web may attract house hunters who would rather not drive in a snowstorm.
- Give house hunters a place to escape from the cold. Make your home feel cozy and inviting during showings by cranking up the heat, playing soft classical music and offering homemade holiday treats. When you encourage buyers to spend more time in your home, you also give them more time to admire its best features.
- Offer holiday cheer in the form of financing. Bah, humbug! Lenders are scrooges these days, but if you’ve got the means, then why not offer a referral for a local reputable mortgage broker or bank loan officer.
- Relax! The holidays are stressful enough with gifts to buy, dinners to prepare and relatives to entertain. Remember that if you don’t sell now, there’s always next year, which is only a few days away!!
Tips on Taking Real Estate Photos
There is truth in the popular saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words”. A picture reveals details in a way that words cannot describe. In the real estate business, we rely on photography to showcase the best features of the homes we are seeking to sell. Without quality pictures, it will be difficult for potential clients to imagine the home as words alone would be insufficient. In a recent survey, 80% of buyers searched for homes on the internet with approximately 25% purchasing the property they found. This confirms the important role pictures play in attracting a buyer. Here are a few tips on taking and selecting the best pictures to advertise your home. The best time to take pictures of the exterior of the home is in the afternoon when the sky is clear blue and the sun is shining. For interior shots, turn on the lights or use a camera with a flash. This adds the correct color balance, making the room look brighter. Take as many shots as possible of each side of the exterior of your house as prospective buyers want to see more than just the front view. Your interior photos should include each room of the house, even the bathrooms, laundry room, and basement. Be sure to highlight added features such as a swimming pool, patio, fire place, or gym . Taking several pictures of each room, at different angles, will help ensure you capture the shot that best compliments each area of your home. Getting a clear, quality shot is very important. Stage each room in a way that compliments its size, and character. Remove extra furniture, and clutter that might obscure the beauty of the area. Always pay close attention to the details, critique each picture from the view point of the potential buyer. After the photo shoot, select the best pictures and crop as needed. Your professional real estate agent will then take the time to review the pictures with you and advise on which ones to display on the listing sheet. Your agent will know which shots best compliment your home and will help it sell. Always keep in mind it is the pictures of your home that will attract a buyer and inspire them to seek more details.]]>
Video Marketing in Real Estate
Video marketing is the wave of the future. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. If that is true how much is a video worth? According to Dr. James McQuivery of Forrester Research a one minute video is worth 1.8 million words. Imagine being able to convey a 1.8 million word message to a consumer in just 60 seconds. Social media sites like You Tube are allowing real estate professionals the opportunity to create messages and have them go viral all over the internet. One statistic that You Tube likes to tout is that in the very near future 90% of web traffic will be video. This may or may not be true but what we do know is that buyers and sellers search the internet and are drawn to videos. But what better way to advertise a home for sale than to have the homeowner tell its story. Here are some video marketing ideas that you can do to help your agent sell your home: Give the buyer a personal showing Grab your camera or smartphone and take prospective buyers on a walking tour of your home and go ahead this is your chance to brag. Go on a neighborhood tour Drive or walk through your community pointing out areas of interest like schools, businesses and parks. Get a few video testimonials Bring your camera to the best advertising there is for the area; the neighbors! Capture video testimonials from friendly neighbors touting why it is such a great place to live. ]]>