My Approach
Any real estate agent has the challenging task of being two very different things to two types of people: buyers and sellers.
For Buyers:
What you want is an experienced agent that is actively selling other properties and understands the market, where it’s going and what is happening right now. Many investors and first time buyers are especially interested in purchasing distressed properties, which is very much different that a traditional sale. The contract riders and bank addendum often contain different terms, timelines are non-negotiable for the most part and contingencies generally favor the seller in all cases. Your agent will need to be experienced helping buyers purchase these properties to protect you and your money. I’ve been helping buyers purchase homes since 2006 and distressed properties since 2007.
Not interested in a foreclosure? That’s ok too. Your agent will need to have one finger on the pulse of the market, sifting through 100′s of homes for sale to find you that one great deal. I specialize in helping buyers maximum purchasing power and assist in finding the best financing program for your situation.
For Sellers:
Selling a home is fairly straight forward right? You put up a sign, buyers flock by the dozen to your home and by the end of the weekend you have 17 offers and have sold your home for 134% above the list price.
As crazy as that sounds it did happen just 6 short years ago. Now it seems that every home is for sale, and the ones not listed for sale are bank owned and soon will be. It’s not exactly that bad. Here’s the truth: You can get your home sold even in this market.
Between 85-93% of home buyers (according to industry surveys) are searching the internet for their next home right now. If you hire an agent with internet marketing savvy you’ll be a step ahead of the competition. I began marketing properties online shortly after starting my real estate career, and moved to 100% digital marketing for my property listings in 2008. This is an important distinction to keep in mind when you are preparing to sell your home. An aggressive online marketing strategy is key to selling a home in this market. After all, there’s no other single medium that can expose your home to more potential buyers.
My Business
I was licensed in October of 2006. Guess what happened right after? The real estate market imploded. I’ve had veteran agents jokingly tell me it’s partly my fault but I continue to maintain my innocence…
When I first got into the real estate business most of the agents I knew were doing very well. Homes were selling almost instantly, and with minimal effort. Heck, almost everyone got into real estate because the money was good and it seemed there was no end in sight.
We all know how that turned out, the market began a sharp decline in 2006 and we’re still looking for the bottom. Scores of agents have moved on, and 1000′s more have taken part time jobs to help support themselves.
I was fortunate enough to receive some good training, have a strong work ethic and find a little luck along the way. Below you’ll see a chart showing my business over the past 5 years and how it’s grown in the midst of a weak economy and a soft real estate market. I honestly am not trying to brag, or puff up some inconequential statistic to make myself look good, but rather I’ve always believed in laying all the cards on the table and let the consumer decide. So, this how my business has gone over the past few years:
source: Clatsop MLS. information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed accurate.
I’ve been extremely fortunate. I’ve been blessed with many satisfied, loyal clients that continue to refer their friends & family to me for their real estate needs. I also think it’s important to note that my real estate business is not a hobby or side job but a full time (and often more) career. This is not the case with every agent in the business.
Of course anyone can produce a single stat or figure that paints themselves in a good light, take car commercials for example… Every model has the “best in class xyz” right? How can that possibly be? Well, in black and white here’s how I compare to every other agent in the county:
source: Clatsop MLS. information deemed reliable but not guaranteed accurate.
Who would you rather have on your side? The average real estate agent, or the one that is outproducing them by 5 to 1.
Meet Jeremy Linder
As I noted above, I began my career in real estate in 2006 and boy has it been an interesting ride!
After growing up in Astoria, Oregon I attended college at the Oregon Institute of Technology and landed my first post-college job in Southern Idaho. Along the way I met the most amazing person in the world and decided to return to the Oregon Coast to settle down, get married and start a family. I truly believe there’s no better place to live than in Clatsop County.
Jeremy Linder