Dec. 3, 2018

This paid piece is sponsored by The Tony Ratchford Group.

By Tony Ratchford

Real estate ownership in the Sioux Empire continues to be a great investment! 2018 sales and prices are higher this year over last. A huge contributing factor is a solid and growing local economy.

Like most industries, the world of real estate, in which I live, is constantly moving and changing. Some people are trying to do real estate the same as they do with retail buying on the internet. I would suggest real estate sales is a service and not so much a commodity. It’s about exploring and clarifying one’s thoughts and desires, and discovering what’s most important and how finances work with a sale or purchase. It’s about making a comprehensive plan for a better outcome.

The real estate agent today must understand it’s a requirement to go beyond clerking and operate in a consulting fashion. We need to do more for our clients than they can do for themselves; this means to be keenly aware and vigilant in learning new ways to provide value.

There are many new tools available that can assist people in maximizing their opportunities, save them valuable time and give them peace of mind knowing they are on the right track. Using these applications continues to help people search for properties and save them money.

One such new opportunity is a program offered through Keller Mortgage. It is the Zero Plus loan, which allows any KW client to purchase any home without lender fees, saving them thousands of dollars in most cases. It favors sellers as well. The program is offered to any buyer purchasing a house listed through Keller Williams Realty, potentially saving them thousands by not paying buyer closing-cost fees, which can be as high as 3 percent of the purchase price.

Another great tool is the Keller Williams Realty mobile app. It is GPS driven and has access to all properties in the local MLS region, as well as any KW listing in the world through KWMLS. Stand in front of any listing and get instant information once the app button is touched. It’s a free application and available from any KW agent or simply by getting online.

As the world continues to change, it’s important for all of us to adjust as we go. Embracing tools that make our life easier and save money is generally a good thing.

The local market over the past few months has slowed, and there are many reasons for it, but those reasons will disappear or diminish over the next month. January is always a strong month for activity, and this coming year won’t be any different. We expect to push through the end of the year with solid sales and prepare for an even bigger year in 2019 with surging sales and possible price increases.

We invite you to call or text anytime at 605-359-4100. We also wish you a great holiday season!