Real Success
109 episodes - English - Latest episode: 7 months ago -Real, raw, and honest real estate advice you've all been seeking.
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Episodes
2024 Housing Market Predictions
December 19, 2023 13:25 - 5 minutes - 4.95 MBWhat do you think will happen in 2024?
Do you think buying or selling during the holidays is difficult?
December 05, 2023 13:14 - 4 minutes - 4.43 MB1. Are you seeing home buyers take their pets into consideration when looking at homes? 2. Do you think buying or selling during the holidays is difficult? 3. I want to decorate my home for Christmas but we’re in the process of selling, what would you recommend?
Our Marketing Strategy!
November 21, 2023 13:05 - 6 minutes - 6.17 MB1. Can you share success stories from home sales your team has facilitated? 2. What innovative marketing strategies do you use to showcase homes? 3. How does SST handle negotiations and ensure the best deal for sellers?
Do You Want To Join WREA?
November 14, 2023 13:01 - 4 minutes - 4.37 MB1. What makes your brokerage different than others? 2. What are your values/culture at WREA? 3. What would you suggest to someone who’s in a contract but wants to make a brokerage/switch/has already capped?
Current Market Update!
November 07, 2023 14:58 - 5 minutes - 4.83 MB1. Do you see a lot of buyers backing out of sales due to financing contingencies in your current market? 2. Do you see that homes sit longer once a buyer has backed out of a purchase? Does it indicate to others a problem with the home? 3. What do you think the biggest challenge is for buyers in the current market?
Will Home Prices Drop?
October 31, 2023 15:46 - 6 minutes - 5.49 MB1. I don’t want to sell my home, but I have a lot of equity, what are some things you would recommend doing with that equity? 2. If I wanted to sell my home quickly what are some things you would recommend to do that? 3. Do you think we will see home prices decrease due to rising interest rates?
All About My Best Seller!
October 24, 2023 13:13 - 6 minutes - 5.55 MB1. Why did you decide to write a book? 2. How was the process of writing a book? 3. Can you give a bit of an overview of what I can expect from reading the book?
Buyer's Agents Futures
October 17, 2023 13:01 - 5 minutes - 5.39 MBWhat is happening with buyers' agents right now? Am I going to have to start paying for representation?
I Wrote a Book!
October 10, 2023 13:43 - 6 minutes - 6.03 MB1. Are there any full-service hospitals in Henry County, or should I plan on driving to Atlanta for my medical needs? 2. What would you say is the primary cuisine of Henry County? Any good restaurants you would recommend? 3. Considering the market in Henry county right now, would it be better for an out-of-state buyer to move to Henry county and rent or stay with friends initially while looking for a house, or to try to buy a property long distance and do a door-to-door move?
Carla Does the Q&A!
October 03, 2023 12:36 - 8 minutes - 7.73 MB1. What are the local attractions for the Henry County area? What places are good for families to visit? 2. What factors would one of your lenders look for in my credit history that would help me most in my loan application? Would your lenders work with me to improve my credit score?
How Long Does It Take to Build a Home
September 26, 2023 12:32 - 4 minutes - 4.35 MB1. Should I be leery of, or outright avoid, buying a house that is in close proximity to electric grid transmission lines? 2. If I want to build a house instead of buying an existing one, how long should it take to build? Do you have any recommendations for a reputable builder? 3. Who would you say is the best internet provider in Henry County? I work from home and need service that is super reliable and isn't spotty.
Should I Get a Pool?
September 19, 2023 12:45 - 3 minutes - 3.63 MB1. Do most houses in the county have swimming pools, or should I be looking for a house that has a community pool within a subdivision? Is a pool necessary to live comfortably in the area? 2. What is the main business of, and major employers in, McDonough? 3. Are the public schools good in Henry County or should I consider private schools for my school-aged children?
Getting Permits for Garages?
September 12, 2023 12:17 - 5 minutes - 4.68 MB1. My pool needs a lot of repair—should I bury it before I sell my house, or invest the money to fix it? 2. Is there a lot of new construction in McDonough, and should I use a realtor when buying new, or rely on the builder? 3. The house I'm buying just doesn't have enough garage space. Will I have trouble getting a permit to build a detached garage or storage shed?
Do You Have to Own a Jeep to Work at WREA?
September 05, 2023 12:21 - 5 minutes - 5.41 MB1. If I buy a larger lot (one acre or more) and it is mostly wooded, are there environmental restrictions on clearing the lot where I would have to leave it wooded? 2. Are open houses an effective way of selling a property when every property for sale is on the internet? If so, how many open houses are generally conducted to show the property? 3. Does a realtor have to purchase a Jeep Wrangler to work at Watkins Real Estate Associates?
Should I Get Solar Panels?
August 29, 2023 14:12 - 3 minutes - 3.31 MB1. How prevalent are solar panels in McDonough and do they add to the value of the house? 2. Have HOA fees been trending up or holding steady in the last 2-3 years? 3. Why isn't there a healthy condo market in McDonough (apartment-like condos, not townhouses)? Are they against local laws?
What is a Home Warranty?
August 22, 2023 13:00 - 8 minutes - 7.5 MB1. What is the best time of the year to sell my house in today's market? The best time of the year to buy a home in Henry County? 2. If I were considering a career change, how long does it take to become a realtor? Can I do it part time? 3. Would you please explain what a home warranty is and do you encourage buyers to get one or have sellers provide one?
Henry County Traffic Report
August 14, 2023 17:01 - 4 minutes - 4.51 MB1. In this buyer's market, how long do I leave my house on the market before calling it quits if it doesn't move? 2. If I move out of the area/state due to a job reassignment, and I list my house, who takes care of the property—realtor, property management firm, or someone else—until it sells? 3. How is the day to day traffic in McDonough and surrounding area?
Can You Sell Your House for $1?
August 08, 2023 12:23 - 5 minutes - 4.73 MBCan I sell my house to my children for a dollar or is that considered a gift? In this market, should I rent out my house instead of selling it? Can I ask my neighbors to mow their lawn when I am showing my house?
Moving to Henry County!
August 01, 2023 13:56 - 4 minutes - 4.01 MB1. I'm ready to buy my new home in Henry County and I'm itching to get there from out of state. What is the ballpark amount I need to budget for the move to Georgia (packers, movers, temporary lodging, etc.)? 2. I'm about to close on my house in Henry County, but I don't know what utility companies to contact for water, sewer, trash, internet and TV. Will my realtor be able to assist me with setting up those services, or should I just ask my new neighbors? 3. As I tour homes in the area, I...
White Brick Going Out of Style?
July 25, 2023 16:00 - 4 minutes - 4.01 MB1. How big of an effect does seasonality have on the real estate market? 2. Do you think white brick will ever go out of style? 3. What is your top piece of advice to sellers to get my home sold quickly?
Real Estate Advice!
July 11, 2023 13:35 - 6 minutes - 5.56 MB1. What’s your #1 piece of advice to new realtors? 2. What is the one thing that stands out about your team? 3. Do you think Realtors hanging out with clients is acceptable? I saw a video of a realtor saying they never do anything with their clients outside of work.
Airbnb Market Declining!
July 03, 2023 15:09 - 5 minutes - 4.71 MB1. NAR reposts that all 4 regions saw a decline in home sales in May. Are you seeing this locally? 2. Is the Airbnb market ending? 3. What is your must have in a kitchen renovation? Fancy stove, colored cabinets, open space, etc.?
Student Loans Affecting the Housing Market??
June 27, 2023 12:59 - 5 minutes - 5.26 MB1. What would you suggest to first time home buyers who can’t seem to find anything they can afford? 2. Do you think the student loan repayment starting in September will affect the housing market? 3. When should a new agent give up on a real estate career/how long do you think it takes to get your business off the ground?
Crystal Ball 🔮 2023 Real Estate Predictions!
June 20, 2023 12:59 - 4 minutes - 4.44 MBWhat are your predictions for the rest of the year in real estate? How would you advise someone deciding between a home, townhome or condo? What is your favorite current home trend? Exterior or interior
AI Taking Over Real Estate!
June 13, 2023 16:35 - 6 minutes - 5.56 MB1. What would you suggest to first time home buyers who can’t seem to find anything they can afford? 2. Do you think AI will ever take over the real estate profession? 3. Do you believe housing prices will ever go back to pre-covid prices?
Your Real Estate Questions Answered!
June 06, 2023 12:41 - 6 minutes - 6.22 MB1. We are buying a house and are getting close to closing. Our lender sent us a HUD-1. What is this document and what in particular should we be looking for on it? 2. If the government defaults will this impact the housing market?
Selling a Home Off Market??
May 23, 2023 12:19 - 5 minutes - 5.24 MB1. If I want to list my house, and the realtor already has a waiting list of people looking for properties, and my house lines up with one of those waiting list people, am I better off selling it before it is ever listed, or should I take advantage of a possible bidding war? 2. What is an easement? Do I have to give up part of the land I purchased for an easement? Do I have to take care of the easement (like mowing it)? Can I use the easement to park my car or truck? 3. Is it safe to buy a...
Pricing a Home for Sale!
May 16, 2023 12:12 - 5 minutes - 5.35 MB1. How does a realtor from the Shannon Sells Team determine the selling price on a house? Is it determined by the seller, or does the realtor have a magic formula to set the sale price? 2. Have you ever listed it a home for what the seller wants to list it for even though you know it is not properly priced? And did you have to hold your tongue to not say I told you so when the price had to be adjusted? 3. When listing a house, who decides how many and what photos to take and publish on the...
Lender Questions!
May 09, 2023 12:09 - 5 minutes - 5.35 MBEnjoy this episode as we ask a local lender some important questions.
We Need Affordable Housing
May 02, 2023 12:08 - 4 minutes - 3.97 MBWhat do these new interest rates mean for you?
What Is Happening in the Real Estate Market?
April 25, 2023 12:28 - 5 minutes - 4.67 MB1. Are people still looking to buy homes even with interest rates? 2. Can I still get top dollar for my home in this market? 3. How do I figure out how much equity I have in my home currently?
Title Insurance; What Is It and How Do I Choose a Company?
April 17, 2023 18:32 - 6 minutes - 6.01 MB1. When we go to close on our house, we've been told that we need title insurance. What is title insurance? 2. How do we choose a title insurance company? 3. I want to build and need to buy raw land to build on. What should I be looking for when buying a lot?
Should I Tell a FSBO They've Listed Their Home Below Market Value?
April 11, 2023 12:37 - 8 minutes - 8.01 MB1. I'm considering buying a home from a FSBO--For Sale By Owner. I've done my market research, and the seller obviously has not. He is offering the house at below the market price for a home that size and age. Am I under any obligation to talk to the seller about his low price? Should I be wary that the price isn't what the market might sustain? 2. If I really want to sell my house for maximum gain, should I put in a pool or what is the best what is the best improvement to get the biggest ...
Vacation Properties!
April 04, 2023 12:40 - 6 minutes - 6.13 MB1. When should I buy a vacation property and how would I do this? 2. What things should I ask my realtor when buying a vacation home? 3. How much should we budget for getting our home ready to sell? What's the average cost to get a home ready for sale?
Pre-Approval, Selling, and Line of Credits
March 28, 2023 12:48 - 4 minutes - 4.12 MBListen in to hear our weekly Q&A with James this week!
A Relationship With Your Realtor Is Important
March 21, 2023 12:39 - 4 minutes - 4.36 MBHow would I start the search for an investment property? Why is it important to maintain a relationship with a realtor when you are not planning on buying or selling at the moment? Do realtors normally provide a newsletter or market update or helpful hints to their clients and prospects to help maintain that relationship?
What Happens When a Client Passes Away During a Sale of A Home??
March 14, 2023 13:03 - 5 minutes - 5.55 MBIf while under contract the house becomes uninhabitable due to natural disaster (the house burns down, gets hit by lightning, floods, etc), can either party get out of the contract? If the client passes away while under contract, does the realtor represent during the estate process? & If, while under contract but before closing, the seller dies, does that void the contract? Do realtors still "farm" areas or zip codes like they used to back in the day? If not, how do they get their leads o...
How Do We Handle Clients?
March 07, 2023 13:47 - 5 minutes - 5.2 MBHas Watkins Realty ever disinvited a prospect or client? When does a realtor know when a client is not going to buy and is just using them for expertise? When does the realtor reach the point of no return with the client?
Foreclosure Sales and more!
February 28, 2023 13:34 - 4 minutes - 4.28 MB1. Many people use on-line calculators to determine if they can afford to purchase a house. Although these calculators have a lot of value in the decision making process, there is a possibility that when the purchaser goes to get their loan, the numbers may be significantly different. Is it better to use an on-line calculator to determine home buying worthiness, or to speak to a lender in person? 2. Some contracts include covenants, conditions and restrictions. What are some typical CCRs an...
How To Prepare Your Home For Listing!
February 14, 2023 13:47 - 6 minutes - 5.83 MB1. What are some ways to prepare my house for selling? Should I work on curb appeal? Should I bake cookies just before showings? Should I re-paint certain rooms before listing? What will get me the biggest bang for my buck to get my house sold? 2. In this housing market, are there any rent to own options? 3. Is it better to close on a house at the beginning or the end of the month?
Do I Have to Give Earnest Money When Buying a Home?
January 31, 2023 13:03 - 3 minutes - 3.68 MBWhen I'm buying a house, do I always have to come up with earnest money to give to the seller before we close? Is it refundable if I don't buy the house? How do I know if the HOA for the house that I'm considering is charging the proper amount or too much? Is there an average rate for HOAs in Henry County? What does it mean to be pre-qualified? How do I go about doing that?
2023 Market Flipping | Buyer's Market
January 23, 2023 14:51 - 3 minutes - 3.32 MBAs the market seems to be flipping from a seller's market to a buyer's market, what are some seller's concessions that might be offered to entice buyers? I am moving to Henry County and will be working mostly remotely from home. Is the internet service in Henry County reliable? If not, where should I reside that is close to Henry County that has reliable internet service? Should I be concerned with how a property is zoned? What are the proper zones for residential properties and what shou...
How to Buy an Airbnb!
January 17, 2023 13:14 - 5 minutes - 4.64 MBI am planning on buying a house specifically to use as an Air B&B rental. Is there anything special I need to know about the process? A recent report by ATTOM generally states that it is cheaper to own rather than rent. Is that true in Henry County? Link; https://www.axios.com/2022/01/11/owning-is-cheaper-than-renting-in-much-of-the-us How do you handle a buyer who, after closing, has buyers remorse?
How Can I Afford a House?
January 10, 2023 13:27 - 3 minutes - 2.96 MB1. Help! My house sold faster than I thought it would. The house I am buying isn't ready yet, or I haven't quite found it yet. What should I do for a place to live in the interim? What are my options? 2. Is there some formula or calculation I can use to determine how much house I can afford to buy? 3. Can the seller determine the type of financing for the buyer? For example, whether the buyer can go conventional, VA, FHA, etc.
Becoming a Real Estate Tycoon
January 03, 2023 18:06 - 5 minutes - 4.92 MB1. If I wanted to become a real estate investor, and start my journey to financial success like Shannon Watkins, how much money would I need to start my investment business? 2. With the housing market and interest rates as they are, will real estate agencies start shedding agents? Is it a bad time to get into real estate as a profession? 3. Should I be concerned with how a property is zoned? What are the proper zones for residential properties and what should I look for?
What is the difference between a realtor, a real estate agent, and a broker? Which one will provide the best services and help me buy or sell my dream home?
December 23, 2022 13:43 - 5 minutes - 4.73 MBTell me about signing a contract with a realtor. Is it exclusive? Can I sign a contract with more than one realtor at a time? How long is the contract typically for? How binding is the contract? Can a realtor help me find a place to rent, or do they just concentrate on buying and selling homes? I know they get a commission for selling a home--how does the fee structure work for rentals?
When buying a home, what are some of the non-negotiables that a buyer should insist on? Is home inspection one of them?
December 20, 2022 16:30 - 6 minutes - 6.1 MBBuying a home can be as stressful as buying a car from a dealer. I really don't know what I'm looking for when I walk through a house. What two or three things should I be concentrating on to tell me the condition of the house? Foundation? HVAC? Hot water heater? With higher interest rates and a tight market, are there any programs in Henry County that help home buyers with down payments or grants towards purchasing a home?
What is PMI (private mortgage insurance) and do I really have to pay it?
December 12, 2022 13:55 - 4 minutes - 4.28 MBIs there a website or other resource where I can see reviews of realtors to know which ones are good and which ones to steer clear of? A kind of Yelp or ZocDoc for realtors? What is a short sale and should I consider it if my realtor asks me to consider it as an option?
I've watched several episodes of Tiny House Nation on HGTV and was wondering if there are any tiny houses in Henry County.
December 06, 2022 15:39 - 4 minutes - 4.52 MBI've heard that a person can live fairly comfortably by investing in real estate. Is that true? How would I get started? Do I have to have a lot of money up front to do this? We're moving from out of state to Henry County. We've never seen pine straw before. What is it? It seems to be all over every backyard we look at.
I've been watching commercials on TV for companies who will buy my home for cash and close in a week. It sounds like a good deal. Is it?
November 21, 2022 15:10 - 5 minutes - 4.86 MBWe are planning to put our home on the market next spring and seeking advice on home improvement projects to maximize our sale. What guidance do you have on home improvement projects with the best resale value? Since the housing market is so tight, inventory is low, and the competition for a house is stiff, are open houses really necessary?