Tag: real estate

Whiteboard Topics: Does “Lake Home” Mean “Lakefront”

Posted on Kamari House
Not every lake home is waterfront, but they all have their advantages.  Lake Homes Realty’s CEO, Glenn Phillips, breaks down the differences between types of lake homes.
  1. Sometimes, But Not Always: Not every lake home is on the water. There are many options available including lakefront, lake access, and lake view.
  2. Lakefront: This property is also known as waterfront, and is actually on the water. The home has direct access to the lake.
  3. Lakeview: These homes are some distance away from the lake, but have a beautiful view of it from where they are. For some, the view is the highlight of lake living.
  4. Lake Community: Typically a large community with plenty of amenities including golf courses and clubhouse access. You’ll also be a fair distance from the water but said amenities will more than make up for it.
Whether your home is right on the water, or some ways away, you can still make the most out of your lake living experience. Think about what’s most important to you before you buy your dream lake home!

Whiteboard Topics: 5 Real Estate Agent Marketing Tactics You Should Ignore

Posted on Kamari House
Unfortunately, some real estate agents are known for using catchy phrases and buzzwords to attract unsuspecting homeowners. Lake Homes Realty’s CEO, Glenn Phillips, gives five tactics to ignore when choosing a lake real estate agent.
  1. “No Cost to the Buyer”: There is always a cost because agents are getting compensated for representing you. You want to get the most value because you are paying them indirectly.
  2. “Million Dollar Producer”: A million dollars sound like a lot, but can be misleading. Selling one million dollars of property can be done in four transactions, which isn’t very much.
  3. “The Most Listings”: Having properties available isn’t a bad thing, but the problem arises when those properties have been on the market for long periods of time.
  4. “Largest Local Office”: The size of the office doesn’t determine how motivated a brokerage is to sell your home. Depending on their processes, they can even limit your pull of buyers. 
  5. “Marketed on Thousands of Websites”: Being marketed on thousands of websites means nothing if no one is visiting those websites. You want your properties to be seen on high traffic, real estate-focused sites.
If something sounds too good to be true, that’s because it usually is. Be ahead of the game, and know what you should and shouldn’t take into consideration when choosing your lake home real estate agent!

Whiteboard Topics: 5 Keys to the Fall Lake Home Market

Posted on Linda Thach

The incoming fall season inspires change in the current lake homes market. Lake Homes Realty’s CEO, Glenn Phillips, gives five keys to follow in order to keep up with this fall lake homes real estate market!

  1. Price Growth Peaking: The acceleration in price growth is finally coming to a plateau now that the summer rush is over.
  2. Mortgage Rates MIGHT Matter: Mortgage rates could be a hedge against inflation. Paying off a mortgage with a lower interest rate than inflation rate may be an option.
  3. Inventory to Remain Low: Inventory will most likely remain in low supply, meaning there still won’t be many homes coming to the market.
  4. “Less” Competition: The competitive edge of today’s market will begin to subside, especially because people are losing the extra time they gained in the midst of Covid.
  5. Long Distance Buyers Remain: These buyers should be taken into account when selling, and it’s important to have an agent who can tap into this pool of buyers.

The change in season doesn’t stop the lake homes real estate market, but it does have an effect on it! It’s crucial to stay on top of this shifting market, whether you’re buying or selling a lake home. 

2021 Lake Homes Realty Agent Summit Awards

Posted on Linda Thach

Lake Homes Realty held the 2021 national Summit event on October 12-15. The annual meeting covered performance statistics, employee training, and company planning and outlook for 2022.

In addition, special guest speakers presented a host of topics including business sales, the present state of the real estate marketplace and future projections, and professional and interpersonal growth.

The event closed with an award ceremony recognizing 2021 high-performing agents in these three categories: Aqua Award, Big Wave Award, and Splash Award.

Agents qualifying for the company’s Aqua Award have $3.5 million in revenue but not exceeding $10 million for the year. They are:

Aleace & Calvin Cappelle
Allison Adams
Amanda Parsons
Barbara Park
Brian Kincaid, II
Bruce Erskine
Carol Vandyke
Chuck & Melissa Goff
Connie Nealy
Cynthia Lanham
Dana Waldrep
Daniel Burnside
Dave Carlson
Dawn Holcomb
Gail Barnett
Glenn Fisher
Greg Isaac
Heather Leslie
Jacki McCulloch
Jerry Moomaw
Jill Botos
JoAnna Von Arb
Kurt Hauseman
Lester & Bonnie Burleson
Linda Delay
Loni Marcus
Marie Skillern
Nancy Monts
Patricia Mathis
Rachel Parker
Rebecca Brewer
Rhonda Lettow
Roxanne Clemons
Scott Brooks
Sherri Beecroft
Steve Fuentes
Tammy Moen
Tara Biesboer
Tiffany Hazelwood
Tommy Clark
Tracy Boyd
Tracy Watson
Trish Greer
Vickie Melder
Wendy Schurgot

Agents qualifying for the prestigious Big Wave Award that recognizes $10 million and up in sales for the year are:

Angela VanHouten
Bruce Jones
Carole Bryson
Cat Thornton
Chris Johnson
Cindy Anderson
Cindy Myrex
Deb Groom
Deb Short
Doug Giesler
Emily Carter Morris
Erica Vaughan
Greg Adams
Holly Blanchette
Jill Baugus
Jim Williams
Jo Lynn Miller
John Dinos
John Franklin
John Robert Elliot
J.W. Hightower
Josh Grindle & Robin Cole
Justin Dyar
Karen Packett
Kristie Anderson
Linda & David Hanf
Lisa Parker
Lisa Steele
Margaret Decker
Melinda Edwards
Melisa Bouchard
Michael Murphy
Mike Goins
Nicole Anderson
Pam Bowman
Pam DeBlasio
Peggy Overstreet
Rachelle McClard
Sally Adams
Sandie & Freddie Hurley
Sheila Howell
Stephanie Millard
Terri and Kyle Griner
Terri Gates McIlravy
Terry & Sherrie Norton
The Ken Williams Team
Tony Luna
Ty Miller
Wally Cawthon

The Splash Award is the Annual Agent of the Year! This award recognizes the top Lake Homes Realty Agent based on a combination of sales and proper business management. This year’s winner was Jo Lynn Miller!

Jo Lynn Miller, Splash Award winner and Agent of the Year with Glenn S. Phillips, Lake Homes Realty's CEO.
Jo Lynn Miller, Splash Award winner and Agent of the Year with Glenn S. Phillips, Lake Homes Realty’s CEO.

Congratulations to all our winners! We look forward to a prosperous 2022. 

Whiteboard Topics: 6 Pricing Secrets for Sellers

Posted on Linda Thach

When selling your lake home, it’s important to put yourself in the best position. This means understanding the market, or working with an agent who does. Lake Homes Realty’s CEO, Glenn Phillips gives six pricing secrets for sellers. 

  1. Hot ≠ Stupid: Even though the market is hot, this does not mean buyers will pay crazy, overpriced houses. Start at the right price instead of receiving no offers and having to cut the listing price.  
  2. List $ ≠ Sold $: Comparing your listing price to neighbors’ listing prices will set you up for disappointment. Listing price does not mean the house sold for that price; knowing what homes are selling for is more valuable. 
  3. Local Comps ≠ Lake Market Comps: Buyers could be looking at multiple lakes or even in different states. Working with an agent who understands the entire lake house market will set you up for success.
  4. Pretending ≠ Selling: Include an honest description of the home and make sure you are serious and committed to selling. 
  5. Time = Money: The longer a house is on the market because of a too high listing price, the more money it will cost you. Buyers will believe something may be wrong with the house or are simply unwilling to pay the listing price. 
  6. Start Too High ≠ Best $: Starting too high on your listing price means eventually having to cut that price. This leads buyers into believing you will cut the price further and therefore offer even lower.

Selling your lake home doesn’t have to be difficult. Set yourself up for success and work with an agent who knows not only your lake area but the lake house market!  

Whiteboard Topics: 5 Reasons Your Dream Lake Home May Not Be Waterfront

Posted on Linda Thach
When buying your dream lake home, it’s important to review all your options. Lake Homes Realty’s CEO, Glenn Phillips gives five reasons why a waterfront lake home may not be for you.
  1. Water view: Although waterfront homes seem to be the obvious choice, they can be hard to come by. A great alternative is a water view home, because of the amazing view you’ll have of the lake.
  2. Water Access: These lake homes may not have a view of the lake, but they are in close proximity and are typically located in a community. These are great for those who consider their lake home their ‘second home’.
  3. Bang for the $: One of the biggest benefits of choosing a water access home over a waterfront home, is the bang for your buck. You’ll be able to get a lot more space and a more modern look if you forego the lakefront home.
  4. Competition: The competition for waterfront homes can be overwhelming. Choosing to buy a different type of lake home can lessen the competition, making for an easier buying process.
  5. Future Plans: A water view or water access home can be a great ‘first lake home’ for a much better price. Taking this first step can allow you to plan for the future. 
 
Knowing all your options is key when purchasing your dream lake home. Make sure to review all your lake has to offer!

4 Reasons Lake Home Sellers Should Focus on “Seller Net”

Posted on Linda Thach

Do you know what the term “seller net” means? “Seller net” is the amount of money a seller makes from a real estate transaction after all costs and fees are accounted for. When selling a lake home, there are many factors that could distract you from the overall “seller net” equation. In this video, Lake Homes Realty’s CEO, Glenn S. Phillips explains four reasons lake home sellers should focus on the “seller net.”

  1. Cost of Selling. A common mistake most lake home sellers make is being fixated on the small details of home selling costs such as commission fees.
  2. Time Matters. The time your house stays on the market affects your bottom line. Things home sellers often overlook are mortgage payments, insurance, and home maintenance costs that cost you more over time.
  3. Brokerage Commission. If you pay a lower commission rate and get a lower price for your house, that could affect your “seller net.” In other words, you get what you pay for.
  4. Service Level of Agents. When selling a home, it’s important to look for an agent that can provide you with exceptional service. This includes someone that is knowledgeable about your lake property and location and is capable of properly pricing your home for the best return on investment.

Whether you’re buying or selling your lake home or property, our agents at Lake Homes Realty can help provide insight into today’s lake real estate market and guide you in your home journey.

Lake Homes Realty Honored by Auburn for 4th Consecutive Year

Posted on Linda Thach

Glenn S. Phillips could be spotted playing the tuba with the Auburn University Marching Band when not taking computer engineering classes. Today, he is CEO of Lake Homes Realty, the nation’s largest lake-focused real estate company. The Harbert College of Business at Auburn University named Lake Homes Realty one of Auburn’s “Top Tigers” for the fourth consecutive year. The 2021 Top Tigers awards recognize the fastest-growing companies founded, owned, or led by Auburn University alumni.

“Auburn University taught me a great deal about business and life in general,” said Glenn Phillips, CEO and Lead Economic Analyst at Lake Homes Realty. “To be honored as a Top Tiger four years in a row is the result of hard work and an innovative approach to lake real estate. Lake Homes Realty provides full-service, multi-state real estate brokerage services in 32 states with more states on the way. LakeHomes.com has more than 70,000 lake properties listed, totaling $30 billion.” In addition to the Top Tiger recognition from Auburn University, Inc. Magazine also has ranked Lake Homes Realty as one of the fastest-growing companies for the past four years.  www.lakehomes.com.

Lake Homes Realty was honored as one of the top medium-revenue companies in the Top Tigers awards. Honorees must be led by an Auburn alumnus, been in business for at least four full years, have revenue of more than $500,000, and operate in a manner consistent with The Auburn Creed. Top Tigers are evaluated on year-over-year growth.

Whiteboard Topics: 4 Reasons Some Real Estate Agents Want to Sell Your Home in 1 Day

Posted on Linda Thach

It might sound good to have your lake home sold in one day but it might not be in the best interest of you, the home seller. In this video, Lake Homes Realty’s CEO, Glenn S. Phillips provides four REAL reasons why real estate agents want to sell your home in one day.

  1. Less work. If an agent is able to get your home sold in a very short period of time (which is very likely in a hot market), it’ll mean less work for them. Because of this, you may or may not get the optimal price for your home. 
  2. Commission is similar. Since how much an agent gets paid doesn’t differ much between a good sale price and a great one, there isn’t much incentive for them to go the extra mile to get the best return on investment for your lake property.
  3. Self-promotion. Being able to move a property off the market in record time comes with its own “bragging rights.” But in some cases, it’s the hot market or high demand that is the leading factor behind quick sale transactions and not necessarily the effort that the agent is putting in.
  4. Limit competition. In this current real estate market where the demand is high, agents oftentimes have buyers on hand that are ready to buy (sometimes within the hour!). If a quick sale is something you’re interested in, that’s great! But if you’re looking for the most bang for your buck, you might want to consider having other buyers join in. More competition will benefit you as a home seller since you’ll likely have more offers driving up your home selling price.

If you’re interested in selling your lake home or property and need a lake expert who understands lake property and will help you get the most return on your investment, we’re here to help.