Live Franchise Info. Presentation May 17th

Assist2Sell Live Franchise Info. Presentation/Workshop Wednesday, May 10th @ 12 pm pacific time. 

Generating more listings and doing more business is only the beginning when operating a consumer-centric real estate business. If you want to have more effective marketing, low overhead, a great technology platform, and more referrals, you owe it to yourself (and your business) to explore the Assist2Sell opportunity.

If you are interested in learning more about our “Full Service with Savings” business model this live presentation is a great way to get the details.
Consumers are cutting back, saving more, and looking for value more than ever. Real estate is no different. Our concept gives sellers the best of both worlds, services they have come to expect from a professional real estate company with significant savings.


What we'll discuss - 

  • The new reality of the real estate business. 

  • How Assist2Sell works. 

  • Is Assist2Sell the right concept for you?

  • History and evolution of our concept.

  • Is a franchise right for you and your real estate business?

  • What you get if you buy a franchise.

  • The future of the real estate business. 

And much more! 

There is no cost to attend but space is limited. Click to link below to register and get more details.
 

If the above links do not work, you use the link below. 

REGISTER

#realestatefranchise #assist2sell #realestatebusiness #sellersavings

City of Marinette Completes its First Small Home Project

by Allyson Spottswood, FOX 11 News | Sun, April 30th 2023, 3:18 PM PDT

MARINETTE (WLUK) — Forced fixer-uppers that break the bank may be a thing of the past in the city of Marinette.

“This house will probably sell, I’d say, within the first couple weeks,” said Francine Kitkowski, broker/owner of Assist 2 Sell Buyers & Sellers Realty, while pointing to a small home.

Marinette has completed its first small home project to address the city’s growing residential housing need.

“The city had vacant parcels that we acquired from the county through an In Rem tax sale,” said Marinette Mayor Steve Genisot. "And those parcels were beyond repair. They were demoed and then just vacant lots."

This plan offers new housing at a more affordable rate for those looking for starter or retirement homes.

Among the requirements, the city requires at least 600 square feet of livable space.

"Beautify neighborhoods, improve values, and for consumers to actually have a brand new product that is probably more affordable than buying existing older homes in this crazy market that we have," added Kitkowski.

This house is the first of many small houses in the plan. It's currently listed on the higher end of the price range at just under $200,000.

The home is two bedrooms and one bathroom with a full-sized kitchen and living room at just under 900 square feet.

The property even features a one-car heated garage and is within the distance of many neighborhood recreation offerings.

Inside of Marinette’s first small home project April 26, 2023. (WLUK/Allyson Spottswood)

"We still have a high demand," said Kitkowski. "We still are seeing multiple offers, we're still seeing offers come in above this price."

The city is providing the land, sidewalks, sanitary and water extensions as well as an entry walkway to each home.

This is to encourage developers to jump start construction in the area.

There are already nine vacant lots ready for construction as a part of this continued plan.

"We'd love to see these 'tiny homes,' we call them, all throughout the community. We'd love to see a larger scale, maybe a small development of tiny homes," added Genisot.

Interested Vacant Residential Lot Developers can submit their proposals to the mayor’s office.

Five Questions with Real Estate Agent Amanda Brisson

Interview by Jason Setnyk | Submitted Photo | Original Post

Cornwall, Ontario - From non-profit to volunteering to real estate, Amanda Brisson has worn many hats in her hometown of Cornwall. From the last five years, she has been a local real estate agent buy has spent over a decade prior in the non-profit sector as an Executive Director. Amanda remains active within her community as the chair of the Cornwall Canada Committee, a director on the Police Services Board, and a sponsor of many non-profit charities.

Amanda is a real estate agent with Assist-2-Sell and Buyers Realty, a company that specializes in the buying and selling of residential and commercial real estate. They are a lender in real estate in Cornwall and SDG. In 2022, this brokerage won 2nd place for sales in Canada amongst all Assist-2-Sell offices.

Five Questions with The Seeker

1 — Can you discuss your background and how you became a real estate agent?
”After working in a non-profit field for 15 years, I felt it was time for a change. Real estate was one of many options I had always thought was exciting, but in the end, it was the one that ended up winning. I spent almost a year taking courses and shadowing other agents to make sure I was ready to help others with the biggest investments they will ever make.”

2 — How do you stay informed and up-to-date on the latest trends and changes in the real estate market?
”Staying up to date is a huge task when you are in a field that changes so much. The great thing is that The Real Estate Council of Ontario hosts weekly training and updates for any member that wants to take part. Aside from these sessions, I read so many articles around real estate and continually watch where the interest rate is sitting to be ready to help clients understand what these changes mean to them.

As we have seen over the last year, the interest rate on mortgages has risen. This has impacted what clients can afford as a mortgage. It makes clients more picky about what type of home they will buy. The home prices have dropped a little but are still under the provincial average.”

3 — Can you discuss any unique strategies or approaches you use to market and sell properties?

“The fact is that there are so many ways to market and sell properties. I use a mix of strategies. I believe in order to get the right person for your home, you need to make sure you are reaching them. I use newspaper ads, Facebook ads, online ads, and of course I host open houses. I believe that my professional videographer and photographer will help as well.”

4 — How do you help clients determine their budget and find properties that meet their needs and wants?

“I spend a lot of time talking with clients and getting to know them. You need to make sure that your agent knows what your end game is and what you need to be happy when this is all done. I make lists with my clients. What are must haves? What would like to have? And what are for sure deal breakers? This saves everyone’s time and efforts by streamlining the homes they want to see.”

5 — How do you ensure that clients have a positive and stress-free experience throughout the buying or selling process?

“Stress-free is the only way to be. I have constant communication with my clients so they don’t overthink everything. Clients have a hard time getting stressed if you are answering questions they didn’t even have yet. I try to be a step ahead of the process so that when we hit that next step, they already know what to expect. It seems to work for them and me. Communication is key. I enjoy what I do and enjoy the friends I have made doing real estate. I have never asked for a referral, but about 60% of my clients are referrals. Just being there for your clients is important. I love hearing the stories about their homes and the memories they have made in them.”

Contact Amanda for your real estate needs.

Business Phone: 613-330-5079

Business Email: amandabrissonrealtor@gmail.com

Business Address: 625 Montreal Road Cornwall, ON K6J 1C3

Company Website: 4cornwallhomes.com

UpNest Reviews: A Legitimate Way to Save on Real Estate Fees?

When it comes to buying or selling a property, choosing the right company and agent can be a daunting task. With so many options, it can be challenging to know which one to trust. In this article, we will take a closer look at UpNest, one of the new companies entering the real estate space. Here’s more information about UpNest and some of their reviews to help you make an informed decision.

What is UpNest?

UpNest is an online platform owned by Realtor.com that claims to connect home buyers and sellers with real estate agents. After you fill out a form with your property and contact information you will be shown three to five local agents who want your business. The company claims to have a network of more than 20,000 “top-rated” agents across the United States. In reality, all UpNest requires for an agent to use its platform is that they have a current real estate license and 3 years of experience, a minimum of six transactions over the last twelve months, and some online reviews. This means there is no way to know for sure that the agent you choose is actually top-rated.

UpNest tries to differentiate itself from the other agent matching services available by having the real estate agents on its platform “compete” against one another. This process, in theory, should encourage the agents on their platform to offer lower commission fees. The truth is much more complicated than that.

The service can be a great starting point for identifying real estate agents in your local area, buy you may be better off just going directly to a local agent yourself. This is because UpNest doesn’t pre-negotiate commission fees on your behalf, so savings may not be as good compared to other options such as Assist2Sell. In addition, the platform requires all of the agents using it’s service to pay UpNest a 30% portion of their income. The reality is many agents have to charge more to cover the added expense of using UpNest.

How Does UpNest Work?

Here is a quick breakdown of what it takes to use UpNest:

  1. You’ll need to sign up and enter details either about what you are looking to buy or information about your property.

  2. Once you enter the required information, your profile will be compared to agents in its system that are near your local area. Agents will then receive your information to determine if they’re willing to give up 30% of the commission for your business.

  3. You can receive three to five proposals. These proposals will contain anything from commission quotes to rebate promises to make it worth your while to choose them over another agent.

  4. You get to decide if you are going to walk away and start your real estate journey elsewhere or pick an agent. There is no obligation, but your information has already been provided to agents on the platform and you may receive inquiries even after you’ve decided to go another direction.

Selling a Home with UpNest

Home sellers that sign up for UpNest will have their information distributed to agents on the platform. You can review the agent’s profile as well as their proposal once you receive it.

The pitch sellers receive will usually include the commission rate the agent is offering. This is very critical because the seller is the one responsible for paying all of the commission fees. The potential savings are heavily dependent on the commission rate since UpNest does not negotiate any guaranteed savings on the customer’s behalf.

Buying a Home with UpNest

The process of finding an agent, whether selling or buying is similar. The main difference is that many of the buyer’s agents on UpNest offer what the site calls a “commission refund” or “buyer rebate”

This term is a bit misleading because the seller is the one paying the real estate commissions. The buyer’s agent is agreeing to give the homebuyer a percentage of the commission that they make from the transaction in addition to the fee they have to pay UpNest.

It is worth noting that not all UpNest agents offer buyer rebates, and this offer isn’t available in all markets. In reality, these types of rebates are illegal in many states.

UpNest Reviews: What Are Customers Saying?

UpNest has both positive and negative reviews from its customers. Many of the reviews are positive with roughly 4.5 stars across multiple platforms. The negative review, and positive ones alike, reveal some issues. Here’s what we found from reading the reviews.

What Customers Liked

A lot of reviews expressed that they appreciated how fast the platform worked with matching them to an agent and that they get to choose from multiple agents.

“...It was faster and easier than meeting in person. Our agent contacted us right away and we met with him the next day…” - Tina Panzarella, Google

The reviews also seemed to be overall pretty satisfied with the quality of the agent they got matched with.

>> Read More Reviews…

What Customers Disliked

Most of the complaints about UpNest revolved around customer service, and representatives being unresponsive. Even this positive review cites the lack of communication.

“...They don’t respond email, call, or text messages. Need to be more communicative…” - Ally Ao, Google

This is a major issue, as an agent matching service the number one priority should be making sure the agents that are using the platform are not receiving complaints from customers. The lack of reliability with UpNest’s customer service could leave you dealing with a problem with the agent you chose on your own.

>> Read More Reviews…

Many negative reviews also were disappointed with the lack of savings they received. UpNest doesn’t guarantee that you will receive savings by using their platform, but they do advertise that they “could” save you money on commission fees compared to other options. One review claimed that UpNest had promised to send them $300 after purchasing a new home through the service and that money never came.

“...they promised to send $300 after purchasing a new home with their service and it never came. I contacted my rep after about 45 days and she expressed concern and said she would check. Another 30 days went by and still no check or further response…” - Edward Sohmers, Google

There were also many reviews citing that after they had decided to go a different direction, they still received calls and emails from agents that they had been matched with on the platform.

“...I chose not to contact any of their agents. But that did not stop them from trying to contact me.” - Mikery 2, Google

>> Read More Reviews…

Is UpNest a Legitimate Company?

UpNest is a legitimate company that is owned by Move, Inc., the same owner of Realtor.com. It does hold an active brokerage license in California; as an active brokerage, the license is a requirement for all agent matching services.

How Does UpNest Make Money?

UpNest makes money by charging a 30% referral fee to the agents that use the site. This fee is a percentage of the commission the agent earns from the sale before they have to split with their broker. In order for the agent to make a profit, in many cases they have to charge more than they normally would.

Who is UpNest Best For?

UpNest is best for users that are selling a home, don’t care about saving money, and are not concerned about Customer Service. The platform's algorithm usually does an okay job at matching agents with customers but has in the past matched users with an agent that doesn’t really work in their area.

For buyers, UpNest’s potential buyer rebates could save you some money. Beware that this program comes with lots of restrictions and isn’t offered in many markets. You may be better off choosing another company.

Conclusion

In conclusion, UpNest is not a true real estate company, rather it is an agent-matching service. UpNest is a potential resource for buyers and sellers that are trying to save money. There are n guaranteed savings and agents are often forced to charge a higher-than-normal commission fee due to the 30% referral charge they face. Because of this, you may be better off doing some simple research and contacting a local agent directly, like Assist2Sell. Assist2Sell and many others offer full service at a reasonable price; their fees are openly advertised and usually far less than other agents in the area. It’s important to consider the differences between all the companies and choose the one that best meets your needs.

Assist2Sell Puts People First!

We pride ourselves on putting people first! Our team of experienced professionals is dedicated to providing our clients with top-notch service and ensuring that their needs are met throughout the entire real estate process.

We understand that buying or selling a home can be a stressful experience, which is why we strive to make it as easy and hassle-free as possible. From start to finish, we work closely with our clients to understand their unique needs and goals, and we use our expertise and resources to help them achieve the best possible outcome.

Our commitment to our clients is evident in everything we do. We offer competitive pricing, personalized service, and a wealth of knowledge and experience that sets us apart from the competition. And, with our cutting-edge technology and innovative marketing strategies, we're able to reach a wider audience and get our clients the results they deserve.

You need a Realtor that will put your needs first while saving you all the stress and putting more savings in your pocket. Look no further than Assist2Sell. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve your real estate goals.

Live Franchise Info. Presentation

Assist2Sell Live Franchise Info. Presentation/Workshop Wednesday, April 12th @ 12 pm pacific time. 

Generating more listings and doing more business is only the beginning when operating a consumer-centric real estate business. If you want to have more effective marketing, low overhead, a great technology platform, and more referrals, you owe it to yourself (and your business) to explore the Assist2Sell opportunity.

If you are interested in learning more about our “Full Service with Savings” business model this live presentation is a great way to get the details.
Consumers are cutting back, saving more, and looking for value more than ever. Real estate is no different. Our concept gives sellers the best of both worlds, services they have come to expect from a professional real estate company with significant savings.


What we'll discuss - 

  • The new reality of the real estate business. 

  • How Assist2Sell works. 

  • Is Assist2Sell the right concept for you?

  • History and evolution of our concept.

  • Is a franchise right for you and your real estate business?

  • What you get if you buy a franchise.

  • The future of the real estate business. 

And much more! 

There is no cost to attend but space is limited. Click to link below to register and get more details.
 

If the above links do not work, you use the link below. 

REGISTER

#realestatefranchise #assist2sell #realestatebusiness #sellersavings

Home Seller Market, I Am A Home Buyer. Where Do I Begin?

- It's a seller's market and I'm a buyer. How do I find the right Realtor? Where do I begin?

So whether you are a buyer working in a seller's market or buyer's market finding the right realtor is critical and making your transaction successful less stressful. So here are three essential points that I think you should consider when looking for the right realtor number one level of experience very critical to your transaction:

1. Years: How long has the Realtor been in the business? How well they know the local market is extremely important.

2. Full-time: Does the realtor have another job? Do they answer their phone? Do they return emails? Are they available 7 days a week?

3. Contract Law: Contracts are extremely important. They are legal and binding. There are many many different contracts and they have many definitions.

I can't stress enough that the realtor you hire should know contract negotiations very very well. Give me a call. I am available to answer any questions that you have in the local real estate market. And remember; Friends don't let friends pay 6%.

Fox Charlotte Highlights Assist2Sell Listing In Fort Mill

“But the basement is an experience. Duffy and his wife designed it first and then told the architect to work around the basement. “We kind of took a cue from Disney and Universal. We call it immersion. You really want people to immerse themselves in that whole environment,” said Duffy.”

The 12,222 square foot house sits on 1.3 acres in the Baxter Village neighborhood. With six bedrooms, nine bathrooms and a five-car garage it’s a mansion by definition. But the basement is an experience. Duffy and his wife designed it first and then told the architect to work around the basement. “We kind of took a cue from Disney and Universal. We call it immersion. You really want people to immerse themselves in that whole environment,” said Duffy. “The property is special,” said Angela Cerbelli, a realtor with Assist2Sell. She’s got the listing and helping Duffy. A trip down the stairs will take you back in time to the 60’s. “We treated everything down there like a movie set,” Duffy said going over all of the details. His background is in production design so the basement finish out makes sense. The rooms are centered around a city street. “It’s 202nd street because that’s where I grew up in the Bronx,” said Duffy. There’s a grocery store front, a soda shop with a working kitchen and even a club. “I’m a big Beatles fan so we designed it around the Cavern Club in Liverpool,” Duffy explained as he took FOX 46 on a tour. The fun doesn’t stop there. There’s a working arcade and a movie theater. “We’d love to see people customize the space to their own likes for the things they like to do,” said Duffy. Almost everything downstairs in the basement is staying with the house. Duffy will be bringing his Beatles memorabilia and toy collection but the rest goes to the new owner. “It’s all about having fun and staying young that’s what prompted the basement, soda shop and theater,” said Duffy. He’s moving to the sunshine state and already has grand plans for his next home. If you’re interested in learning more about the property you can contact Angela Cerbelli at 803-548-4995.

#waysmarter #fortmillcastle #uniquehome #fortmillrealestate