Albany NY Real Estate Podcast

Behind the Scenes With a Real Estate Agent

Kevin@ClancyRealEstate.com (Kevin Clancy) — Mon, 4 Jun 2018 08:42:00 -0700

Today I want to share a unique experience I had recently that will give you a little insight about what goes on behind the scenes in the life of an agent.

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The real estate market continues to be very, very active.

Inventory is very tight in the under-$300,000 range, placing us firmly in a seller’s market. Above that range, we’ve noticed that there’s been a shift toward a buyers market. Rates are going up, and whether you’re a buyer or a seller, I think you’ll regret not locking in a low mortgage rate this year. For sellers, you’ll have a larger pool of buyers to access when rates are low, since homes are more affordable with lower rates.

However, instead of focusing on market trends, today I want to talk about what goes on behind the scenes in real estate.

Real estate is a very unique business. We have competitors in the field, but we also have to collaborate to sell homes with those very same competitors. This week, I had a competitor say some very rude things to me; he hung up on me twice. In my 25 years in the business, this is very unusual.

One of my listings was under contract; we were waiting for the revised contract to come in from this gentleman. In the meantime, I was able to produce a better, stronger offer for my client. This competing agent, who had said that the offer that was taking too long to get to us, unfortunately got bumped. I have a fiduciary responsibility to produce the highest and best offer I can for my clients, so we went with the second offer.

The agent of the first offer disagreed, and he had many not-so-nice things to say, dropping the F-bomb repeatedly before hanging up on me—twice.

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I always have the duty to my sellers to produce the highest and best offer that I can, and our team will always honor that.

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There were a couple takeaways from this experience:

The agent utterly lacked professionalism. In the real estate business, the barrier to entry is very low, and I’ll admit that the encounter got my ego up. I was upset; I had done the right thing for my client, but this agent didn’t seem to think so. Rather than judging him and getting angry at him, I should have stepped into a mode of curiosity—I have no idea what’s going on in his life.
Anger is not the best response to a situation. Anger didn’t produce the results that he wanted, even if the transaction I have going now were to fall apart. Going back into business with him won’t likely be in the best interests of my client.

I always have the duty to my sellers to produce the highest and best offer that I can, and our team will always honor that, regardless of the agent on the other side.

If you have any questions about real estate, please feel free to reach out to me. I’ll help in any way I can to ensure your continued success in real estate and life.

Why Haven’t Commission Rates Changed?

Kevin@ClancyRealEstate.com (Kevin Clancy) — Thu, 17 May 2018 10:04:00 -0700

Real estate commissions have stayed flat over the years, even though the legwork for agents has dramatically increased. Here’s the reason why.

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It’s spring, the market is robust, and we’re seeing a ton of activity in the market. However, today I want to talk about something a little different: commission rates.

Now, I cannot directly discuss my commission rates, but I do have some general thoughts on them. The base commission rate that most agents in the capital district hasn’t changed in the 25 years I’ve been in the business. This is absolutely ridiculous.

25 years ago, agents had to do a lot more legwork. I had a book to pull up printed information, write contracts by hand, and send someone out with a fancy camera to take pictures. Today? Everything has changed with digital technology. I can electronically send documents to sign, use digital photographs, and do things much more efficiently.

So, what’s the real reason commissions rates haven’t changed if things are so much easier for agents? It’s because of referral companies like that who take their fees on every single referral they give. Agents have to make up the difference, and that’s why the rates have remained flat instead of dropping. I get a tremendous amount of referrals from companies which then charge me 25% to 37% of the full commission. Since they do not add value, I am paying them for their national advertising.

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These referral companies ask for 25% to 37% of our commissions.

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Want to save money on your next transaction? Give us a call and skip the middleman. We’ll provide great value for a great price and I’d be happy to discuss the specifics with you. If you have any other questions about the real estate market in the meantime, don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

What You Need to Know About the Dirtiest Words in Real Estate

Kevin@ClancyRealEstate.com (Kevin Clancy) — Fri, 4 May 2018 09:56:00 -0700

The dirtiest word—or words—in real estate is “real estate appraiser.” Here’s why.

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What makes “real estate appraiser” the three dirtiest words in real estate? To understand, let’s take a look at what’s happening in our current market.

Inventory is tight right now, especially in the lower price points, and our market wants to start trending upward in terms of home values. Whenever this happens, it makes an appraiser’s job more difficult. I know because I’ve been there before.

Remember, appraisers represent the banks, and it’s their job to look at historical data to evaluate home values. Home values want to start increasing because of our supply and demand imbalance, but appraisers are still looking back six or 12 months to evaluate properties.

As an example, I recently sold a home in Albany for $180,000, but its appraisal first came in at $175,000. This gave my seller a tough decision to make—whether to sell at $175,000 or put the home back on the market and hope they eventually get a higher appraisal from someone else. This home had several offers above the price we sold it for, but the appraiser was saying it was only worth $175,000.

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Appraisers aren’t doing their homework as far as where supply and demand is and what buyers are willing to pay.

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If my client decided they wanted to sell at $175,000 even though the home was worth $180,000, a new appraiser would’ve come along after that and used that as a comparable sale to set values for other homes.

This is just one of many examples I could’ve used that have occurred over the past several months—I list a home at a certain price and then the appraiser comes along and values the home for significantly less than what a buyer is willing to pay for it on the open market.

This effect is keeping the market down when it should be easing up into positive, healthy price gains. Appraisers aren’t doing their homework as far as where supply and demand is and what buyers are willing to pay. As I said, I’ve been there before and I know how hard it can be, but unless they start easing up on their guidelines and using paired sales to measure appreciation and make time adjustments, this kind of thing will keep happening.

As always, if you have any specific questions about your home’s value on the open market or you have any other real estate needs I can help you with, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I’d be happy to help you.

Why It’s Important to Work With a Relationship-Based Agent

Kevin@ClancyRealEstate.com (Kevin Clancy) — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 07:47:00 -0700

Most of the agents in our industry are transactional instead of relationship-based. Here’s why you should work with one who’s relationship-based.

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What’s the difference between being transactional and being relationship-based in the real estate industry? The answer lies in how our team does business.

I read an alarming article the other day that described Realtors along the same lines as personal injury attorneys and insurance salesman. In other words, it held our profession in a really low regard. This was disheartening to me because I know how hard my team works and how much we love our clients. Overall, it was hard to read this article and think that the public thinks so little of Realtors.

I think the reason for this is most Realtors are transactional instead of relationship-based. My firm is relationship-based.

Let me tell you a quick story of how a transactional mindset works. I met with a couple last week who listed their home last year with a Realtor who was a friend of theirs. After six months, their home hadn’t sold and they were ready to take it off the market. When they told their Realtor this, their Realtor threatened to sue them for $8,000.

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I value the long-term relationship our team has with each of our clients.

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That’s not how you build a business, build a career, or build trust with the public. I’ve never, ever told someone that I was going to sue them if they took their home off the market. In fact, we’re one of the few firms that offer an easy-exit listing agreement. If you’re one of our sellers and you want to take your home off the market, just call us up and we’d be happy to do that for you. I value the long-term relationship our team has with each of our clients—not the short-term, transactional gain of $8,000.

Long story short, we plan on selling this couple’s home. If their previous Realtor would have agreed to take their home off the market last fall, they might have retained the client this spring.

We want to earn your business, and we want to do business with you for life.

If you ever have any real estate questions or you’re thinking of buying or selling a home, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d be glad to help you.

What All Sellers Need to Know About Basement Egress Windows

Kevin@ClancyRealEstate.com (Kevin Clancy) — Fri, 6 Apr 2018 10:36:00 -0700

Is having a second basement egress actually as important as recent buzz would have you believe? Today, I’ll address this hot topic.

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Spring is here and we’re seeing great buyer activity out there in our market. Many homes are selling above list price, but there certainly are some that are remaining stagnant on the market. The distinction comes down to things like price point, school systems, and location.

For example, homes I’ve got listed that are priced at or above $900,000 are seeing very little activity, while homes I’ve got listed at or under $350,000 are receiving tremendous activity.

But, this isn’t the main point I want to make today. The message I want to share with you is about basement egress windows. To elaborate, an egress window is just a separate way to get out of the basement.

Real estate goes through cycles. In the past, there’s been buzz about asbestos, radon, mold, and more. These days, there’s a lot of talk about homes without a basement egress. Homes without a basement egress have been causing a lot of grief for agents lately.

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Not having a second egress won’t make or break your ability to sell a home.

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If you’re a seller, think about this: You’ve got a finished basement. Most likely, you didn’t pull permits from the town. Still, in most municipalities, you’ve got to have a second egress out of the basement beside the stairs. Nevertheless, 90% of people probably don’t have this.

I have sold dozens upon dozens of homes that don’t have a second basement egress. I think it all comes down to an agent’s ability to negotiate. An agent who says you can’t sell a home without a second egress is an agent who can’t negotiate.

Let me tell you a story to illustrate what I mean. Two or three years ago, I spoke with a couple who had just met with another agent. They told me, “Don’t worry, we’ve already put a deposit down on a second egress.” I told them to cancel the contract and that I would sell the house without them putting a window in. They followed my advice, got their home sold, and saved $5,000 in doing so.

This is what Realtors do: We work through problems. If you’re a seller and you have a finished basement, adding a second egress is something to think about. It is certainly beneficial to have one from a safety perspective, and the presence of this feature is something I will always argue for my buyers. However, having one won’t make or break your ability to sell a home.

If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

The Dirty Little Secret in Real Estate

Kevin@ClancyRealEstate.com (Kevin Clancy) — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 11:10:00 -0700

What’s the dirty little secret no one else will tell you about the real estate industry? I’ll share it with you today.

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As we head into spring, the weather is starting to warm up a bit. We are seeing great buyer activity, and inventory remains low. Interest rates are starting to move up, so if you’re a buyer, you may want to make your move now before they get even higher.

Now that you’ve been briefed on our current market conditions, I want to talk about the dirty little secret in real estate that no one likes to talk about.

In my opinion, the real estate industry is broken. There are 3,100 brokers in the Capitol region, and 99% of them are set up as independent contractors within a real estate firm. On average, these agents sell seven or eight homes a year. What tends to happen is that these agents do some crazy things in an unethical environment.

As a result, consumers lose tens of millions of dollars a year because of unscrupulous activities by Realtors.

This week alone, I had three Realtors ask me or say things that were an ethical violation. Whenever a Realtor says to me, “Hey Kevin, between you, me, and the lamppost . . .” I know the next words out of their mouth are going to be some sort of ethical violation.

It’s really disheartening, but when you think about the way our industry is set up, it’s not surprising. You have these very large commissions and agents that are only doing six or seven transactions a year, which means there is a huge motivation to work unethically.

I really want to stress that our firm is different. We have the saying “clients first” posted everywhere in our office. We have a fiduciary responsibility to treat your transaction like our own and put your needs before ours. That’s what we always do at our firm.

If I ever get wind that anyone at my office is doing anything unethical, I will take action. They are not going to work with our firm any longer.

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I believe that the industry will change.

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Just to give you an idea of what I mean, I had an agent call me from another firm and we went out for coffee. They told me that they had called up a listing agent and said, “Hey, I have an offer coming in. What’s it going to take to put this transaction together?” That listing agent responded, “Bring me an offer of $340,000.”

The thing is, the buyer was going to offer $360,000, so the listing agent just cost their seller $20,000. The seller doesn’t even know that this conversation happened. They got sold out by their listing agent for $20,000, but they are probably happy because their home sold in two weeks.

That’s just one of the many atrocities that go on in our business and it drives me nuts. Going forward, I think something needs to change. I believe the industry will change. It’s likely that going forward, Realtors will become employees with most teams. That’s why we work as a team; we do things differently at my firm.

If you have any other questions about how my team operates or if you need help buying or selling a home, just give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!

Don't Miss Your Chance to Join a Great Team and Give Back

Kevin@ClancyRealEstate.com (Kevin Clancy) — Fri, 2 Mar 2018 07:44:00 -0800

Are you interested in serving your community? If so, there are two opportunities I’d like to go over with you today.

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From the very beginning of my business, I knew it was important to establish and maintain a mission. A business is like an ecosystem that is sustained by a community. In turn, the business also needs to support its community.

This is why my mission for my life and my business is to help others, and today, I’d like to share two ways you can help me do that. My company is always doing everything we can to give back to the community that gives us so much.

First, my team is currently seeking two great agents to join us. We want agents who are interested in a real estate career and are eager to serve others. And when you or someone you refer to us join our team, we will give you a $1,000 bonus after you close your first transaction.

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My company is always doing everything we can to give back to the community that gives us so much.

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But, there’s another opportunity I’d like to present to you, as well. If you or the person you refer to us choose to forgo the $1,000 bonus, I will happily donate $2,000 in your name to St. Baldrick’s.

St. Baldrick’s is an organization that helps battle childhood cancer and that has always been close to my heart. My team and I have been supporting this organization for years and would love for you to join us in doing so.

Coming up on March 11 at the Westmere Fire Department, St. Baldrick’s is hosting an event to raise money for their cause. This is an event my team and I have been involved in for many years. You can see a video message from St. Baldricks at the 3:54 mark in the video above.

In the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any questions you may have. I look forward to seeing you on March 11!

3 Factors That Can Kill a Sale

Kevin@ClancyRealEstate.com (Kevin Clancy) — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 14:12:00 -0800

Why hasn’t your home sold? There are usually three reasons why good homes don’t sell on the market.

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“Why didn’t that home sell?”

I’ve heard this question and others like it many times in my 25 years in the business. I’ve sold thousands of homes in that time, so my experience and education in marketing have given me three reasons why I think a home won’t sell.

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You’ve got to be flexible as a seller.

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Pricing. As hard as it is for a seller to understand, I can sell a home with mold, radon, bad wells with coliform in the water, and more. When it comes to pricing, it has to reflect those issues. Often agents simply don’t do their homework on pricing correctly.
Marketing. I hate to see homes that are advertised with pictures taken on a cell phone. We always use professional photographers when we market for sellers. But it’s more than just that; you also need to position the home to reach the target market and promote the price. A lot of Realtors don’t understand the market that they’re trying to reach. 86% of people start their home search on the internet, so if an agent doesn’t understand how to use social media or isn’t spending enough on online marketing, it simply won’t sell.
Sellers. Sellers can often be their own worst enemies. They might mean really well, but sometimes they hire us and don’t take our advice or they don’t let buyers in. I recently took on a home that had been on the market for over a year with another agent—over the first week, we had five showings and my seller had five showing requests denied! Buyers that are denied showings probably won’t come back. Don’t assume that a buyer isn’t serious enough. You’ve got to be flexible as a seller.

If you have any questions about real estate, feel free to email at kevin@clancyrealestate.com or call me directly at any time. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Answering a Couple of Common Real Estate Questions

Kevin@ClancyRealEstate.com (Kevin Clancy) — Mon, 5 Feb 2018 09:43:00 -0800

Today, I want to answer two common questions I hear from buyers and sellers, respectively.

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Today, I want to talk about two questions people ask me all the time.

The first question is one I often hear from buyers, which is: “Is buying a home the right thing for me?” And the second question, which is something sellers tend to ask me, is: “If I can’t sell my house, is renting a good option?” Let’s start with the first question.

Contrary to what you might expect me to say as a Realtor, buying a house isn’t right for everyone. There are many situations where people are simply better off renting. The first factor you should consider if you aren’t sure whether buying is right for you is your time frame.

If you’re planning to be in a home in the Capital region for less than four years, you’re better off renting. Closing costs in New York state are the highest in the country, which means it’s very difficult to make them back in a short time frame.

Another indicator that you’re better off renting is if you are risk-averse. If you aren’t sure about your employment stability or don’t have cash reserves saved up, you may want to rethink buying a home.

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Buying a home is a great option for people who have the time and money to make such a commitment.

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Things happen. Your boiler could blow up a week after you move into the home. If you aren’t prepared for these possibilities, renting might be the way to go. The same can be said if you are someone who travels a lot.

On the other hand, buying a home is a great option for people who have the time and money to make such a commitment.

Now, let’s move on to the second question. Should you rent a home if you’re having issues selling it?

In my experience, more people are moving out of the Capital region than are moving in. Wanting to pay down your mortgage and let the house potentially appreciate is not a good enough reason to rent out your property. This is particularly true if you’re moving out of the area.

I have seen first-hand the devastation tenants can do to a home when their landlord is long-distance. Chaos can befall you when you leave your property in the hands of another person. Renting is just prolonging the pain of the sale. Generally, you are better off just selling your home and moving on.

If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Trust in Our Agents’ Experience to Help You Get Your Dream Home

Kevin@ClancyRealEstate.com (Kevin Clancy) — Fri, 19 Jan 2018 14:40:00 -0800

After thinking about perspective lately, I wanted to share with you the ways that our agents’ experience and perspective can help you navigate real estate.

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Today, I want to talk about perspective and address some questions buyers and sellers frequently ask me.

I didn’t know that we could volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House. My team was down there this week, and we thought that we were going to be helping the people staying there by cooking them breakfast, among other things. But the reality is they ended up helping us more than we help them. It really puts things into perspective when you worry about making a mortgage or car payment, but there are people out in the world fighting some really big battles.

That’s why you hire us when you have questions about real estate—you hire us for our experience and our perspective. I have an amazing team of people with ample experience. Four of our team members have graduate degrees, which is absolutely unheard of in the real estate industry. Between all of us, we probably have hundreds of years of experience.

Drawing on that experience, I want to answer a few questions I’m regularly asked by our buyers and sellers.

From buyers, I hear, “How many homes do I need to look at? What price should I offer?”

And from sellers, I get, “How do I know when I should take the offer?”

Let’s begin with the buyer’s side. The average buyer looks at seven to eight homes, though many look at more or fewer. Our goal is to narrow down your search to homes that fit your criteria to save you time and money. We don’t want to waste your time by showing you 30 homes that don’t match what you’re looking for.

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We’re here to maximize your return and lessen the inconvenience for you, whether you’re buying or selling.

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In terms of what price you should offer, the answer is that it depends. On average, homes in the Capital Region area sell at 95% to 100% of the list price. But not all homes are priced correctly; there are many homes that are overpriced in the MLS, as well as homes that are underpriced and those that are spot on. We can tell you what the home is worth and what kind of offer you should make.

As an example, if you make an offer in January on a house that has been on the market for six months, we won’t let you offer 95%—that’s probably a motivated seller, so there’s an opportunity for us to get you a good deal.

For sellers, on the other hand, if your home has been on the market for two days and someone makes a full-price offer, you’ll probably ask if you could get more. That’s where our expertise in valuing homes comes into play. In my experience, the first offer is the best offer 99% of the time.

We recently had a high-profile investor receive a full-price offer on a property he was selling. This was his first offer, but his natural inclination was to wait for more exposure on the market to see if he could get more. Long story short, that first buyer didn’t want to wait around, and so three months later, he got $15,000 less than what he could have.

Scenarios like that are why we are here. We’re here to maximize your return and lessen the inconvenience for you, whether you’re buying or selling.

If you have any questions about what’s going on in the real estate market, feel free to contact me directly. I’d be glad to use my experience and perspective to guide you through your transaction.

What Will Your Wheel of Life Look Like in 2018?

Kevin@ClancyRealEstate.com (Kevin Clancy) — Mon, 8 Jan 2018 08:36:00 -0800

A new year is a great opportunity for a fresh start, but you have to be willing to work for it.

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2018 is upon us and I hope you’re having a fantastic year so far.

That being said, January is a time of change. People tend to set goals for themselves when this month rolls around only to abandon them in February. Why does this happen?

Something I want you to think about this year is the “Wheel of Life.” The Wheel of Life is basically comprised of every aspect of your life, including your finances, your health, your career, and more.

Think about this: If you had to rate each aspect of your life on a scale from one to 10, how well would those ratings turn out? Ideally, every aspect of your life should be well-balanced around this wheel.

But real life isn’t so simple. Change is not easy, nor is it comfortable. That’s exactly why successful people get comfortable being uncomfortable.

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Successful people get comfortable being uncomfortable.

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The pain of changing must be less of the pain of staying stuck in something negative. It really comes down to asking yourself what you’re willing to accept in life. In 2018, I challenge you to raise your standards.

When you decide what you want and expect out of life, you have the power to take control. One way to help yourself take control is by surrounding yourself with people who build you up instead of those who tear you down.

What gets me out of bed every day is making a difference in people’s lives.

If there’s anything I can help you with, real estate or otherwise, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

What Should Buyers and Sellers Know About President Trump’s Tax Cuts?

Kevin@ClancyRealEstate.com (Kevin Clancy) — Tue, 19 Dec 2017 09:24:00 -0800

Whatever happens with the upcoming tax cuts may have a short-term impact on our real estate market, but it won’t be the end of the world. Here’s why.

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How will President Trump’s new tax cuts affect our real estate market and you as a homebuyer or seller?

Before I give my thoughts on that question, I want to thank you for coming out to our recent Thanksgiving pie giveaway. We had a great turnout and had a lot of fun giving away so many pies. As you know, we also held a gift card raffle at the giveaway, so today I’ll announce the winners of our grand prizes.

Now, onto the news at hand. Nobody knows exactly what’s going to happen with these tax cuts, but there’s plenty of concern that the mortgage interest deduction is going away.

If you’re buying real estate just for the mortgage interest deduction, you’re buying real estate for the wrong reason. People buy real estate for many reasons, and the deduction was a great benefit, but it’s not the end of the word if it goes away. People will still buy real estate.

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Don’t buy real estate for the tax deductions.

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Many years ago, I was in a situation where I was fortunate enough to be able to pay off my home, and my financial planner told me not to pay off the home for the mortgage interest deduction because then I’d lose that deduction. I just went back and ran some quick numbers regarding what I saved with the deduction and having no mortgage, and I calculated that my savings were vastly greater by paying off the house instead of taking the mortgage interest deduction.

I liken this situation to when the state of New York banned smoking in bars. Back then, it was common to wonder if a lot of bars and restaurants would go out of business. 10 years later, the bar and restaurant industry is thriving. Everyone survived.

Change is sometimes hard, but change is generally good and positive. Whatever happens with the mortgage interest deduction may have a short-term impact on the market, but we’ll survive.

Now for the winners of our pie giveaway raffle. There were many entries, but only a select few can now claim some of our fabulous prizes. Without further ado:

The winner of a $100 gift card to Black & Blue restaurant is...Charlene Campanelli!

The winner of a $100 gift card to Jacob & Anthony’s restaurant is...Addie Napolitano!

The winner of a $100 Amazon gift card is...Michael Appelgate!

The winner of a $50 gift card to Cheesecake Factory is...Michael Fensin!

The winner of a $50 gift card to Dave & Buster’s is...Michael Sheeran!

The winner of a $50 gift card to Lucky Strike Social is...Scott Renzi!

If you’re one of these lucky winners, congratulations, and thanks again for entering our competition.

If you have any questions about how this proposed tax cut may affect your or you have any other real estate questions at all, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d be glad to help you.

In the meantime, have a wonderful rest of your holiday season!

How Has My Team Found Success?

Kevin@ClancyRealEstate.com (Kevin Clancy) — Mon, 4 Dec 2017 13:37:00 -0800

How is my team so successful in our industry? Well, it all comes down to the behind-the-scenes work my team members do each day.

Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home search

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Call me at (518) 861-7016 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation

Today, I want to talk a little bit about how we sell so many homes. Most of all, I want to talk about the efforts of my team. The work they do behind the scenes is truly to thank for our success.

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The work my team does behind the scenes is truly to thank for our success.

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My team members are averaging 30 sales a piece, when the average agent in our area tends to average just seven or eight homes.

While I absolutely appreciate the credit I receive for my team’s success, I want to make it known that each and every one of my team members plays a huge role in what we do.

In 2016, we were named the No. 3 team in the state of New York in terms of sales.

Our team makes it a priority to take care of buyers and sellers in today’s market. For example, if you are a buyer and are unhappy with your home within your first year of residing there, I will sell that property for free.

Don’t just take my word for it. You can hear a testimonial from one of our past clients, Nicole Cohen, in the video above.

If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Could There Be Carbon Monoxide in Your Home This Winter?

Kevin@ClancyRealEstate.com (Kevin Clancy) — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 07:31:00 -0800

Our furnaces may keep us warm during the winter months, but did you know they may also be kicking off carbon monoxide? Here’s what you need to know to stay safe.

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Before I delve into today’s topic, I’d like to begin with a special message. Thanksgiving is upon us and I want to take a moment to say thank you. I can’t tell you enough how much I appreciate your support, which has made us the No. 3 real estate team in New York state. Your experience and satisfaction is of the utmost importance to me.

Speaking of Thanksgiving, we’ve reached the time of year when people are beginning to turn on their heating systems. Furnaces may keep us warm, but they can also pose a hazard related to today’s subject: carbon monoxide. If a system is malfunctioning, it could be spewing carbon monoxide into your home.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can be put off by gas stoves, furnaces, or any other appliances in your home that use gas or oil.

It seems like there isn’t a year that goes by that I don’t hear about an injury or death having occurred as a result of just this.

So, if you don’t already have a carbon monoxide detector, get one. They cost just about $29 and you can find them at Home Depot, Walmart, and any other similar stores. This small expense is well worth it.

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If you don’t already have a carbon monoxide detector, get one.

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You cannot detect carbon monoxide without a detector, and breathing in high levels can kill you or cause you to become seriously ill.

I believe in the importance of this so strongly that if you can’t afford a carbon monoxide detector, reach out to me and I will buy one for you.

I hope you have a safe and happy holiday season.

If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

How Serious Is the Presence of Mold?

Kevin@ClancyRealEstate.com (Kevin Clancy) — Mon, 6 Nov 2017 13:39:00 -0800

Mold is huge issue for both the buyer’s and seller’s side, but it may not as pervasive an issue as you think.

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Before we begin today’s topic, I’d like to mention that we are having our annual Thanksgiving giveaway on Tuesday, November 21st, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

We’ll be giving away apple pies from Lakeside Farms. If you’re a client, please watch your mail for your invitation. You will need to RSVP so we can make sure that we have enough pies on hand. Last year we gave out over 200 pies. This is just our way of saying thanks and showing our appreciation to our clients.

The topic I wanted to discuss with you today is something that’s on the forefront of my mind: mold.

Mold is one of the biggest issues we’re facing on both the buyers’ and sellers’ side.

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Mold is one of the biggest issues we’re facing on both the buyer’s and seller’s side.

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Two years ago in New York, lobbyists pushed for legislation requiring both assessors and mold remediation companies to come into your home under certain circumstances, which ultimately passed. This could add a tremendous cost to you as a seller.

In New York, if you have more than 10 square feet of mold, it must be addressed. If you’re a seller, check your basement and attic for the black or gray patches that indicate mold growth.

Mold is fairly cheap to remediate but buyers are really scared of it. If you’re a buyer, just be aware that mold is probably in 40% of the homes that you’re going to look at. It’s not a deal-killer; don’t be scared by what you read on the internet. Mold can be removed easily with a 30-year warranty by the company, and that should be the end of the problem.

This is how widespread the fear of mold has become.

I had a home under contract about six months ago. The garage door had one-foot squares on it, like the old ones used to. Two of those squares on the door had what I would call mildew, but the buyers called it mold.

The buyers wanted $1,500 to remove that mold, when I could have put a brand-new, single-bay, insulated aluminium door in for just $800.

I believe that it's paranoia and absurdity, but it is something to be aware of on both sides.

If you have mold in your home, treat the area with a chemical product. After that, find the source. It will likely be an issue of moisture intrusion or a problem with ventilation.

If you have any questions at all about mold, call me. Mold is an issue we will deal with ahead of the curve before we list your home. For buyers, we will inform you of the risks and reality of mold in your home.

As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any real estate questions you might have. I look forward to hearing from you!

How Does My Team Do It?

Kevin@ClancyRealEstate.com (Kevin Clancy) — Mon, 23 Oct 2017 08:24:00 -0700

What is my team’s approach to real estate? That’s what I’m going to talk about today.

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As we head toward the winter months, the fall real estate market continues to be strong in Albany. Our inventory is limited, which is good news for sellers. Interest rates have remained very low as well, which is good news for buyers. Instead of giving you a more detailed look at the market, I wanted to answer a question I hear all the time. People want to know, “How does your team do what it does?”

My team of 13 agents may be small, but it is also mighty. We are the No. 3 ranked time in the state of New York. The biggest reason we were able to have this accomplishment is the people on our team and our culture.

There is a wealth of knowledge and then some on my team. Over a third of our team have Master’s degrees, which is practically unheard of in the real estate business. The people on our team believe in our business and believe that we will achieve more when we work together.

I have a great story to share about how my team utilizes their wealth of knowledge to benefit our clients. We were recently working with some buyers who hit a snag during the inspection period. A radon system needed to be installed, but the contracted company wouldn’t be able to install it for three weeks. If we waited three weeks to close, this deal would fall through.

So, our agents got on the phone. One of them ended up being on the phone until 11 p.m. the night before closing. That dedication produced results, as we got everything on track by getting a system installed that only delayed closing by 24 hours.

This story speaks volumes to how we do what we do. We’re dedicated to our clients. Most agents would have given up when they heard that closing would be delayed three weeks. That’s what makes our team different.

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This is what sets our team apart.

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Finally, a quick announcement. Going forward, you won’t be seeing my face as much. Of course, I’ll still be bringing you two videos per month. You just won’t be seeing my old mug on our yard signs from now on. I’ve come to a realization that my face doesn’t need to be on there anymore because my team isn’t just me. I want something that will better represent us as a whole.

If you have any questions for me or anyone on my team or if you’re interested in buying or selling a home in Albany, don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you.

Is Fall or Spring the Better Market for Home Sales in the Albany Area?

Kevin@ClancyRealEstate.com (Kevin Clancy) — Mon, 9 Oct 2017 08:54:00 -0700

Contrary to popular belief, fall is a great market for both buyers and sellers. Here’s why.

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Should you buy or sell this fall or wait until spring?

Most buyers and sellers feel that spring is the best time to buy and sell, but I couldn’t disagree more. The fall market is a great market.

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Fall is a great time to sell your home.

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Most people assume that the majority of home buying in our market takes place during July and August because buyers need to settle in time for the start of the school year, but statistics don’t support that assumption here in the capital region. July and August are generally slower months in terms of home sales, but September and October are great months for home sales.

Over the past few years, statistics have shown that we’ve sold more homes in the fall than in the spring. Inventory is still tight, and buyers are still very active during this time period. As we approach Thanksgiving, we will see a bit of a slowdown, but we should see inventory start to pick up, so fall should be a good time to buy as well.

If you list your home well before Thanksgiving and Black Friday, you should see success. Just last week, I listed a home that received five offers in 48 hours—most of them over list price. That’s the kind of activity we’re seeing with homes that are properly marketed.

If you have any questions about buying or selling in the fall or you’re thinking about buying or selling soon in our market, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d love to help you.

How We Gave Jason a Spot on Evaluation

Kevin@ClancyRealEstate.com (Kevin Clancy) — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 09:41:00 -0700

"We received very good results better than we expected. He was just very well informed, knew the market very well. We had met with agents prior and they were off quite a bit on the evaluation and Kevin was spot on. We were very happy with him." -Jason H.

How We Helped Alice Sell Her House

Kevin@ClancyRealEstate.com (Kevin Clancy) — Thu, 7 Sep 2017 09:05:00 -0700

"I got very good results. I was under the gun because I was trying to make a move to California. I put the house on the market at the beginning of June. I had about 16 people go through which is a very good showing. It only took maybe a month and a half, at the most two. I did get a sale. They always let me know when they were coming. They always gave me notice. I was very satisfied." -Alice H.

What Are the Most Common Mistakes Made by Buyers and Sellers?

Kevin@ClancyRealEstate.com (Kevin Clancy) — Wed, 6 Sep 2017 08:35:00 -0700

Today I want to share some of the most common mistakes I see buyers and sellers making in their transactions. Knowing what to avoid is important as knowing what you should be doing.

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When it comes to real estate, a common topic of discussion is the things buyers and sellers should do to succeed in the market.

However, today I want to talk about something a little different. As important as it is to know what you should be doing, you should also understand there are certain things that buyers and sellers alike should avoid.

First of all, I often see buyers and sellers making the mistake of letting their egos get involved. When negotiation becomes about winning instead of the goal at hand, things can quickly go downhill. When buyers and sellers put their egos aside during negotiations, they will both be much more successful in getting what they want.

Another mistake I see from people during real estate transactions is sellers not investing in the preparation of their home. My team has the resources to help sellers make these kinds of investments, which can bring a bigger return, but ultimately, our help can only go as far as a seller’s willingness to take it.

Overpricing, too, is another thing that sellers need to avoid. “The second agent wins,” is a saying that has come as a result of just how often sellers make this mistake. What this means is that when sellers overprice their home the first time, they are unsuccessful and will ultimately hire a second agent later to try to do the job right.

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If you want to win, you have to be in it.

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Pricing a home too high with the promise of bringing it down if need be will always be a losing strategy. A home’s price should be set correctly from the start if you want to net more than you would if your home sat on the market through a series of price reductions. Overpriced homes cost sellers millions every year.

Buyers, too, should avoid doing certain things. For example, many buyers are reluctant to get into a bidding war. If you want to win, you have to be in it. A great home in a great location at the right price is rare to come by. Letting a good opportunity pass you by could lead to a lot of regret.

Additionally, many buyers make the mistake of not wanting to go over list price. If you’re going to be in a home for a long time, going over the price by even a few thousand dollars isn’t going to be a big deal. When I bought my home in 2001 and paid $2,500 over list price, people thought I was crazy.

However, today, that home has appreciated by six figures. As a buyer, you shouldn’t hesitate to go over list price if it’s truly the right home.

These mistakes cost buyers and sellers alike a lot of money over the course of their real estate transactions.

If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

What Matt Has to Say About Us

Kevin@ClancyRealEstate.com (Kevin Clancy) — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 11:26:00 -0700

"Fantastic. Excellent all the way around, from the beginning to the end. The guy's incredible, a great agent. I recommend everyone I know to him. He's fantastic." -Matt K.

How We Helped Gary with His House

Kevin@ClancyRealEstate.com (Kevin Clancy) — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 11:27:00 -0700

"Oh, they were fine. Everything was great. Kevin was very good to work with, easy and so was his assistant Kristen. She was very good. I would say that Kevin was very patient with waiting for my demands so to speak for what I wanted to get for my house. He didn't push me to do anything I didn't want to do." -Gary H.

Thank You for All of Your Support This Past Year

Kevin@ClancyRealEstate.com (Kevin Clancy) — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 13:46:00 -0700

Today, I have an exciting announcement that wouldn’t have been made possible without your incredible support.

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Call me at (518) 861-7016 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation

The nationwide Wall Street Journal rankings of the top 1,000 real estate teams in the country came out a few weeks ago, and I am excited to announce that we are ranked 181 in the country. This may not seem too great, but when you look at the hard working teams we’re ranked with, you’ll see that it is quite the accomplishment.

Last week, the new state rankings came out, and I’m proud to say that our 12-person team was ranked third in the entire state of New York. I want to say thank you to everyone who supposed us last year, and I appreciate each and every one of you.

I’m so proud of the work that my team has done over the last year. Each member has exhibited a great work ethic and I couldn’t be more proud.

Our phenomenal service comes down to one core value that we all take very seriously: clients first. There’s a difference between a customer and a client, and we don’t treat our clients like customers. My team and I don’t base our commission around what unnecessary extra things we can sell you.

A client is different than a customer. A customer is a consumer of goods, and they buy a product or a service. If you walk into my office, you become a client. This creates a fiduciary bond that we have a duty to protect you and give you advice as professionals. You can trust that we will put your needs above our own.

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If you walk into my office, you become a client.

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I think that this attitude of putting our clients first is what sets us apart and pushed us up in the statewide rankings—because we treat you as clients, not customers. So again, thank you.

Finally, our newest Barbara Corcoran commercial is just out, and we’re excited to show that to you as well.

If you have any questions at all or you’re looking to buy or sell a home, please give us a call. We look forward to working with you.

How We Helped Jason Sell His House

Kevin@ClancyRealEstate.com (Kevin Clancy) — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 12:02:00 -0700

"We put the house on the market Wednesday and I think we had our first showing Friday. We had an offer on the house Friday evening then we accepted it. We are in contract right now, closing soon. I was very, very pleased."

How We Helped Paul Get the Deal Done

Kevin@ClancyRealEstate.com (Kevin Clancy) — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 11:56:00 -0700

"The results were excellent every time I use him which is about three times a year. He'll do whatever he needs to do to get the deal put together and closed."