I Love Technology!

Technology

Using technology is essential to successful selling. Iam a very progressive agent with the most advanced and up-to-date tools available.
My mission is simple: constantly work on ways I can help my clients stay ahead of the curve. I understand that technology changes quickly and what was used yesterday is today a history lesson.

I also understand that using technology is one of the most important features of a highly successful sales associate. That is I believe that keeping up-to-date with technology is so important.

From search engine optimization, to listing syndication, mobile solutions, cutting edge website tools, on-line agent services, social media, and personal web site, I am always looking for ways to use technology to assist my clients. I do all of this while never charging any additional media or technology fees!

Search Engine Optimization

A website is only as good as the content you offer, and the traffic you can drive to it. TracieWeaver.com is the area's best real estate website offering all of the options that consumers want. I am always updating your information, advertising the website in many different places, and using various techniques to keep your listing towards the top. The better job I can do at driving customers to your listing, the more showings this will mean for your home. This is something you should expect from your broker.

Listing Syndication

This is what my customers want, and my clients expect. With over 85% of consumers shopping for homes online, it is important to optimize exposure for all of our listings. This is why I syndicate my listings to the top local and national real estate websites. In addition to local real estate websites,

all of my listings are on popular sites such as Yahoo, Trulia, Google, Zillow, hotpads, frontdoor, Realtor.com, Omaha.com and more. I provide your listing feed to the most quality real estate websites, and I am adding more all the time.

Online Agent Services

My Realtor Resource section provides our associates a virtual office where I can access all of your forms and contracts, vendor information, flyer templates, message boards, and much more. Of course all of this information is available at my office locations, but for the agent on-the-go it is incredibly convenient to have everything in one place.

Mobile Solution 

Tracie provides the area's best mobile solution for information on the go. By accessing listings, users can get instant information on any MLS listing. Users can view pictures, detailed information about the home, and search by various items including address, MLS number, agent name, or open houses.

Office Technology
I have access to computer labs, multi-function copy/fax/scan machines, and wireless network. A conference room equipped with computers to make it easier to serve clients. I can scan and e-mail contracts, make both black and white and color copies, access the internet from my laptop, and print from any computer (including laptops) to our multi-function machines. This technology is essential in doing business efficiently in today's real estate industry.
I am constantly working on new technologies, and improving on existing ones. I even have training classes on effectively using technology to increase business.

Spruce it Up! Sell it Fast!

If you have made the decision to sell your home and will be listing it soon, especially as we continue to experience this challenged market lately, you want your home to sell as quickly as possible and at a price closest to your asking price.  By following these tips, you are sure to be successful in your home-selling endeavor, and most likely with an edge over other sellers who may not have taken the time to prepare their property for sale. 

Get Your Home Ready So It Shows Its Very Best

Curb appeal is a very important aspect of attracting serious buyers.  Beginning with what they see as they drive up, to what their experience is walking up to the front door – as a seller, your greatest opportunity to grab their interest lies in those very first moments.  Make sure there are no dirty corners, cobwebs, mildew, stains or other unattractive visible signs of neglect that will catch prospective buyers’ eyes. 

Tip: Pressure-wash the area, clean up weeds, add shine to pavement blocks with some sealant, make sure the storm door is in good shape and that the door bell operates.

Clean, Mark-Free Walls and Windows Are Essential

Regardless of whether you are still living in the space or the house is vacant, it’s important to have the house cleaned and devoid of all marks and blemishes.  Windows and glass should be clean and smudge-free.  Walls should be without any scuffmarks, moving dents or other signs of wear and tear.  

Tip:  Hire a cleaner to clean the house, the bathrooms, fixtures, kitchen, appliances, floors, walls and windows -- patch up dents in the wall and apply a fresh coat of paint throughout the home.

Address Aged Aspects of the Home

If you have some areas with older appliances, tiles with loose grout or any other things that need some updating, try to do so before putting up the house for sale.  Without taking on too large an expense, do make an effort to make the home presentable. 

Tip:  Clean grout on older tiles, have loose tiles re-grouted, and freshen up shower stalls and bathtubs with new caulking.

Don’t Ignore Hard-To-Reach Areas

Pool cages are often ignored within a home because homeowners cannot easily access the insides where mold and mildew can accumulate.  Cleaning the pool cage will make all the difference when a buyer walks through the home and imagines their family using the space.

Tip:  Pressure-wash the inside of pool cages for a quick, bright spruce up.

The Home Should Be Warm and Inviting

Depending on where you are located, keep the temperate of the home at a comfortable level.  If it is too hot or cold, buyers will leave too quickly without getting ample time to walk through, see all the features and visualize themselves in the home.  If the home is still occupied, cook a pot of apples and cinnamon on the stove a few hours before the showing, so there is an inviting aroma throughout the house.

Tip:  In the summers, keep the air conditioning on at a comfortable 68 to 70 degrees.  In winters, leave the heating on at about 73 or 74 degrees.

Exterior Aesthetics Are Also Important

Pay attention to overgrown shrubs, trees, flowerbeds and hedges.  When the outside of a home looks unkempt it can give off a false impression of the rest of the home too.  You want your prospective buyers to see the home and fall in love at first sight – and that begins from the exterior. 

Tip:  Make sure grass is watered, fresh and green. Clean up your lawn and driveway area.  Trim overgrown trees and vegetation, add some mulch or decorative rocks and flower pots for some color.  Decks should be stained.


Get a Second Opinion

Since you are used to the environment in the house, you may have turned a blind eye to some aspects of the home without even realizing it.  If you can ask someone to walk through the home and make a note of any issues that may be visible then before the showing you can get an additional perspective on how the house presents.  Heed that person’s advice as much as possible and repair or address the issues that are brought up.

Tip:  Request a close friend, family member or your listing agent to walk through the home once you have prepared it for showing and provide a list of any issues or concerns that need addressing.

Happy 2012 from Tracie!

Now that everything’s back on track after a busy holiday season, I finally have a moment to step back and admire what a fantastic year 2011 happened to be. Wow – was it incredible! Despite reports of supposed “doom and gloom” and even though the economy was not doing very well, I had my best year ever and I have you, our valued clients and supporters, to thank for all that. With so many homes sold last year, I'm ready to begin 2012 with a bang.

What Makes a Good Market “Great”?


The main thing that I can attribute my selling success from 2011 to is having motivated sellers and serious buyers. It’s as simple as that. So, what exactly makes a good market “great”? I find that the perfect combination of the right price, excellent condition and accessibility, makes any home a strong contender in the crazy competitive property-selling world today. In fact, that’s exactly what I expect to see more of in 2012.


Low Interest Rates Continue, Inventory Moves and Prices Begin to Climb


The prediction for 2012 is that as buyers continue to reap the benefits of our current market and unbelievable interest rates right now, inventory will begin to level off and we will start to see more stabilization in the market. Not only that – the seemingly “bottomless pit” that has been our declining home prices, seems to have come to an end.

Fewer, But More Serious Buyers Dominate the Season


Now that we are officially in our spring season (though it sure doesn’t feel that way from the looks of it outside) real estate is going to move at a really nice pace. And though there may be fewer buyers now than we might see a couple months from now, the ones that are out there are downright serious about purchasing a home. This is great news for sellers right now since there is less selling competition to have to worry about and at the same time a potential for more serious offers.
~
As I move into what seems to be the hopeful next phase of my real estate journey beginning the past several years, it is with great confidence that I forecast an amazing year ahead. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like a custom consultation to learn how I can assist you with your real estate endeavors today or even if you just have some questions you would like answered about any of this. I look forward to hearing from you!

Yes, I Provide Services for FREE!

With the housing slump not looking to end soon, I continue to look for ways to remain competitive in a slow market. These extra efforts often include offering services beyond simply helping someone buy or sell a home.
People don't know how to ask for these services.  I offer these for FREE so I can be helpful.


Home staging
Since first impressions can be key in swiftly selling a home.  I actually have a staging team.  These representatives do more than just provide a few suggestions for making your home more attractive to potential buyers. In many instances, they will come and overhaul your home before they start showing it to potential buyers.  I will also put together, for no extra charge, a virtual tour of the house that can be viewed online. This service has becoming increasingly popular as more and more homebuyers start their home search by looking at Internet listings.

Property-value analysis
I will conduct an in-depth analysis of a property's value for a homeowner, using the data the MLS has on record for recent sales in the area to determine its worth.
Property values are like stocks; they go up and down.  They're also heavily influenced not just by state but by neighborhood, so direct access to the most recent data can be much more helpful than just relying on online estimates.

Tax breaks

Some homeowners are trying to fight their current tax assessment due to the values dropping significantly.  I do this generally for anyone who asks. It provides value now, maintains the relationship and ultimately they become a client.
I'll do this for anybody who calls me and asks me what their property is worth.


Neighborhood analysis
I also provide my clients with an in-depth analysis of the neighborhoods they are looking to move into. While laws prohibit agents from directly disclosing demographic information, they can direct buyers to where they can find pertinent information, and they can speak directly about schools in the area.
People always find information about schools very useful.


Discounts on local services
I engage in "affiliate marketing" by arranging partnerships with other businesses in the area. I provide contact information to reputable movers, utility providers and cable companies so they can help people settle into their new home.
Many times I will also be able to provide discounts that can be used at nearby hardware stores, such as Home Depot or Lowe's, or even with contractors in the area.
However, as with an in-depth property value analysis, I offer these referrals to people who aren't looking to buy or sell a house.
People call regularly years after they have bought a home.  I have provided recommendations for services such as roofing and relocation to nonclients who have called me.


When looking for real estate services in the near future please dont' hesitate to contact me.  I would love to help!

Stage Your Home Before You Lose the Sale!

If you’ve shopped for a home, chances are you’ve come across one that you really wish you hadn’t visited in the first place. True, houses for sale ought to have a certain “lived in” quality to them, because they are to be lived in after all, but the art of tactfully balancing just the right amount of homeliness with neutrality is not so simple. You need to know what you’re doing when you prepare to set up your house and show it to potential buyers. We’ve put together some great tips for home-sellers so you can get the same results you’d get by hiring a professional staging company.


Fix Up the Place


One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make before putting their house up for sale is to neglect areas in the house that need attention. Folks, don’t leave that faulty step unrepaired, only for a potential buyer to step on, slide off of or worse, get injured on – FIX IT! You might think potential buyers won’t notice but they are walking around on your premises like hawks, noticing each little detail. The good news is that they are noticing the first-rate stuff too, so as long as you have the home’s amenities in order and other major areas in tip-top condition, you should be in good shape. Here’s how:


Get Rid of the Clutter


If you want to successfully sell your house, you need to get those potential buyers to imagine they already live there. Too much clutter, hobby-oriented items or personal possessions that most people may not be able to identify with, can easily get in the way of that vision. Organize things in stylish storage bins or better yet, have a garage sale before the open house and get rid of unwanted stuff. You have to move soon anyway, why not kill two birds with one stone? A clean and organized home will seem like a clean slate to buyers, who can then see themselves moving in without much hassle and settle in effortlessly.


Stay Neutral


Skip the tie and dye sofa cushions, shaggy 70s rug and don’t light incense on the day of your open house. While you’re at it, don’t fill the space with gender-specific things either. Buyers should walk into a neutral ground – literally. Light to medium colors, preferably in beige tones, are the simplest way to pull buyers’ attention away from other personal aspects of your home that they may not be able to identify with. Beige goes with almost anything so if someone considering purchasing your home can imagine their things in the space, then you’ve just crossed one of the most major hurdles in home-selling – making a buyer identify with the home.


Make It a Modern, Inviting Environment




If you don’t already have them, invest in a few modern decorative accessories to improve the look of your space while lending an air of style and taste and making it more enticing. It doesn’t have to take much but depending on how you set it up, you can enhance a given space with a few simple additions and deletions. Take your over-crowded study and rearrange the bookshelf to display only a few strategic but essential books, like a leather-bound set of encyclopedia or some literature classics. In the same way, leave a few children’s toys in a child’s room but be sure to display them tastefully.


Put a Few Finishing Touches in Place


The idea is that you want your house to be sold – and you probably want it sold fast. If you are careful to respect the people who are visiting your space to decide whether it’s the right one for them, then you are doing something that a lot of homeowners neglect to consider. Taking down a piece of controversial artwork that may make a potential purchaser uncomfortable could be the one bargaining chip that could make or break the sale. Arranging for all those who currently live in the home to be away during the open house and while showing the house being dressed in a way to present a good impression are also great ways to tip the scales in the right direction.


It’s very simple. You need to make the potential buyer feel right at home from the get-go. If from the moment they walk in and smell cinnamon cookies baking makes them wish this was already home – then you’re already two steps ahead and can call the open house a success! Of course, a signature on the dotted line is where the real success lies and as long as the buyer feels at home, chances are that if everything else lines up – the sale is a winner!

12 Reasons to List During the Holidays!!!

12 Reasons to List During the Holidays

1. People who look for a home during the Holidays are more serious buyers!

2. Serious buyers have fewer houses to choose from during the Holidays and less competition means more money for you!

3. Since the supply of listings will dramatically increase in January, there will be more demand for your particular home! Less demand means less money for you!

4. Houses show better when decorated for the Holidays!

5. Buyers are more emotional during the Holidays, so they are more likely to pay your price!

6. Buyers have more time to look for a home during the Holidays than they do during a working week!

7. Some people must buy before the end of the year for tax reasons!


8. January is traditionally the month for employees to begin new jobs. Since transferees cannot wait until Spring to buy, you must be on the market now to capture that market!

9. You can still be on the market, but you have the option to restrict showings during the six or seven days during the Holidays!

10. You can sell now for more money and we will provide for a delayed closing or extended occupancy until early next year!

11. By selling now, you may have an opportunity to be a non-contingent buyer during the Spring, when many more houses are on the market for less money! This will allow you to sell high and buy low!

12. You get to work with Tracie Weaver! Need I say more? 

Real Estate...Leave it to Weaver!

Winter Door Insulation Tips

The most common complaint in the cold winter months about older doors is they are drafty, or don’t insulate well anymore.  In fact, a door is usually one of the first places you tend to notice energy issues. The reason is because it is opened and closed and used so often. Add to this the fact that they are heavy and held up by only a few screws and hinges around a frame, and the potential for problems increases with age.

What can go wrong?

Even newer doors can have energy gaffes. One of the more common problems occurs when a door is not a standard size and must be trimmed, or cut, to fit properly. There is very likely an energy gap on at least a couple sides of the door.
If the doorway is sloped, angled, or even just 1 degree crooked, the door will not rest evenly in the frame. There is an energy gap.
If the door has glass in it, the sealing around the glass or the panes itself may be transferring more heat than you are aware of.  Even if your door is a standard size, the weatherstripping around the door often gets worn out quickly and should be inspected.
The hole in the frame where the latch fastens often is not insulated well, if at all.

How bad is the problem?

It depends on your circumstance and your door. You’ll notice the most draft around the edges of the door, especially on windy days. Older doors that have been abused, battered, or just plain cheap do not insulate well. You could be losing as much as $20 a month (or even more, depending on how cold it is outside and how warm it is inside) in energy loss.

Tips to fix winter door insulation

• Plastic is usually not an option, though you may consider further insulating the storm door, if you have one. Cutting down drafts through the storm door reduces the strain on the inner, heavier door.
• You can, however, user plastic to insulate glass on the door if needed.
• If you are home, you can also try placing dry, thick towels at the bottom of the door in place of a door sweep.
• Inspect and replace the door sweep with rubber or something similar

• Place felt around the edges of the door, where it comes in contact with the frame, to seal better.
• Try foam tape or a similar vinyl gasket (it usually comes in a thin strip) where the door comes in contact with the frame (but make sure it is not parallel to the door. Most door frames have a “stop” or little lip on the front of them that the door rests on. It does not “rub against” the door, it only comes in contact with the door when it is closed. Therefore, it is not as susceptible  to damage as other methods.
• Stay away from styrofoam, as it is brittle, but a true foam that can be adhered to a surface and cut to fit is an excellent choice. It can be compacted as necessary, meaning it will provide a decent seal.