When you list with Greg Rapp ~ the sign says 'SOLD'!

Two days on the market?  We'll take it!  When you list your home, land, or commercial property with Greg Rapp / Salisbury Real Estate LLC ~ the sale HAPPENS!  

In the case of 187 Spring Oak Drive, sold by Greg Rapp at the end of July 2021, it doesn't hurt that the Ranch-Style home is such a favorite residential architectural style!    

And it didn't hurt that this 3 bedroom/2 bath ranch home was nestled on a quiet wooded lot with its expanse of rocking chair front porch that spans the width of this 1,351 square foot home.

And we guess it didn't hurt that this lovely single-story home offered a wonderful open floor plan and freshly painted interior. 

 

BUT...the moral of the story:  Greg Rapp listed Spring Oak Drive on June 29th, it was under contract in TWO DAYS, and closed in less than three weeks....for MORE than asking price!

Is it time to list your home for sale?  If so, it's time to give Realtor® Greg Rapp / Salisbury Real Estate a call: 704.213.6846 gets the 'SOLD' sign happening at your home!!

187 Spring Oak Drive

Salisbury, North Carolina 28147

CMLS#3756338

$239,900 SOLD

Greg Rapp 
Salisbury Real Estate LLC 
704 213 6846 Mobile 
GregRappRealtor@gmail.com 
www.realestatesalisbury.net 

#GregRappRealtor #SalisburyRealEstateLLC #SalisburyNCRealEstate #realestate #realtor #realestateagent #sellingsalisbury #homesforsale #salisburyrowancounty #rowancountync #salisburync #listwithME

Never Say These Things to a Real Estate Agent...and Here's Why...

By Mike Bell ~ The Lighter Side of Real Estate ™

"Let’s be clear on one thing: by nature, real estate agents are not fragile beings. They’ve heard it all. And for the most part, they have a great sense of humor about things. In other words, you can tell them virtually anything — in fact, you should if it’s pertinent to buying or selling your home.
It’s just that there’s a handful of things clients say that can rub agents the wrong way. These things aren’t offensive, per se’, and you probably mean no harm when saying them. But we need to discuss these things. Thus, this list. Let’s file it under “edutainment” — important enough to warrant a dialogue, but light enough for you to realize it’s not the end of the world if you’ve said these things to an agent in the past.

Here they are:

1. “I want to buy a home, but I don’t want to commit to one agent.”

Loyalty is a two-way street. If you want an agent’s help, understand that he or she will spend a considerable amount of time, money, and effort shuttling you from house to house, scheduling home viewings, and previewing listings on your behalf. The tradeoff for this hard work is to sign a buyer’s agency agreement, allowing them to formally represent you as a client (versus merely a customer). There are major differences between the two. Learn more about agency relationships here.

2. “Don’t show my home unless I’m available.”

Look down. See a hole in your shoe? That’s because you’re shooting yourself in the foot. Real estate agents are busy. Therefore, if you want to maximize your home’s exposure, you’re gonna have to be flexible (i.e., as “hands off” as possible). I get it, though. You cringe at the thought of muddy shoes dragging across your beige carpet (or whatever else your concern may be). You naturally want to be present to keep an eye on things, but try to control that urge. Buyers get uncomfortable with sellers standing over them while they view a home — and that’s if you’re lucky enough to draw the buyer inside in the first place,considering all the hoops created by stipulating that other people’s schedules must align with yours.

3. “But Zillow said…”

Stop listening to Zillow. Relying on Zillow to determine your home’s value is, at best, a crapshoot. Zillow itself even encourages buyers, sellers and homeowners to conduct other research such as “getting a comparative market analysis (CMA) from a real estate agent” and “getting an appraisal from a professional appraiser.” Sure, Zillow’s Zestimates® are quick, easy, and free… but so is dating advice from your thrice-divorced Uncle Larry. The point? Just let a local real estate professional (who will actually see your home’s unique features in person) determine its fair market value.

4. “I’ll get pre-approved for a mortgage later.”

This puts you at a huge disadvantage right out of the starting block. First, an agent worth his or her salt won’t agree to invest countless hours showing homes to someone who isn’t approved for a loan. Secondly, it’s an unfair burden on the seller to bring tire-kickers into their home (which is how you’ll be perceived). Therefore, listing agents and sellers will often require a pre-approval letter alongside your offer. This letter strengthens your offer by instilling confidence in all parties that you’re financially capable of purchasing the home.

5. “I don’t want to bother my Realtor®. Can you just show me the house?”

Not just no, but heck no. To be clear, you’re more than welcome to view it, but there’s a protocol in play here. Contrary to what you think, asking your agent to see a home is not “bothering” them. It’s their job. It’s how they get paid. It’s what they love doing. If there are extenuating circumstances preventing your agent from showing you a home, let him or her call the listing agent directly. Don’t worry, you’ll get to view the home one way or another. But if you’re already represented, then going straight to the listing agent is considered is a faux pas in this industry (and a bit of a slap in the face to your agent). Just don’t do it.

6. “Real-a-tor”

The correct pronunciation is Real-tor. No need to throw that extra syllable in there.

7. “Oh, you sell real estate? You must make good money.”

Hold your horses… not necessarily. According to NAR (National Association of REALTORS®), the median gross income of REALTORS® was $47,700 in 2013, and that’s before expenses like MLS fees, marketing, insurance and everything else. Also, keep in mind that commissions are split between the brokerages representing the buyer and seller. In other words, of that X% you paid your agent to sell your home, he or she saw only a tiny fraction of that.

8. “I’m planning to sell my home by owner. I just want to know how to do it.”

We all know that time is money, but so is knowledge. It’s not always free, and it certainly can’t be passed from one brain to another through osmosis — especially not how to sell a home. So if you ask this question to an agent, don’t be offended if you don’t get the answer you were seeking. It’s not that agents want you to fail… it’s just that advising you how to sell a home isn’t as easy as, say, forwarding a recipe for chocolate pound cake. I should know. Many people tried to replicate my grandmother’s chocolate pound cake. They even had the recipe. But they all failed miserably, every time. Bottom line? If you want to benefit from experience, be willing to pay for it (especially when it comes to real estate).

9. “I’ll only sell my home to a buyer who is (insert race, gender, religion, etc. here)”

This is a big no-no, and one that’s liable to get you sued (unless, of course, you list with a real estate professional who’d certainly know better than to discriminate). Federal equal housing laws were passed in 1968 in the wake of the Civil Rights Movement, and they prohibit renters and home sellers from discriminating against individuals on the basis of race, sex, religion and other factors. So in a nutshell: focus on getting your home sold, and forget about to whom.

10. “I’d love to get paid to look at pretty houses all day, every day.”

So would agents. “Looking at pretty houses” is only one of about 184 things real estate agents do for their clients."

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * 

This article, written by Mike Bell, appeared in The Lighter Side of Real Estate™ and we couldn't resist sharing!  See the full article here:  http://lightersideofrealestate.com/community/featured-articles/10-things-never-say-real-estate-agent

Realtor® Greg Rapp has heard it all!  But Greg continues to be Salisbury Rowan County's leading real estate agent in historic homes, commercial property, and #1 in client relationships.  Call Greg today at 704.213.6846 ~  and it's OK ~ you can say what you want! 

Greg Rapp 
Wallace Realty Co. 
704 213 6846 Mobile 
704 636 2021 Office 
www.realestatesalisbury.net 

The Real Estate Agent Who is in it for the Long Haul!

Real estate has seen some ups and some downs over the past decade. Right now, we’re in what can be looked at as a “long-haul” market. What that means is that immediate improvements in the overall health of the industry are not expected any time soon, so people who want to succeed in the real estate business need to be committed for the long haul.

Your real estate agent needs the following to survive in a long-haul environment: 
1. A positive attitude toward the realities of the market. 
2. Strong sales skills and business acumen. 
3. A high level of commitment and discipline. 

Greg Rapp of Wallace Realty has these tools in his real estate toolbox and is in it for the long haul! 

328 Warehouse Drive is a large, over 74,000 total square foot, property with 2 large warehouses, and one large workshop right in the heart of Salisbury, North Carolina! With the property’s security & sprinkler systems in place, 1800 square feet of offices, a kitchenette, and two bathrooms, one might think that this excellent lease revenue potential might have been jumped on at only $395,000 asking price. Yet…this property languished on the market for nearly three years. Greg Rapp had listed the property on & off over the 3-year period, but persistence finally paid off. With colleague James Poe/Wallace Realty bringing Livingstone College to the table, the team was able to negotiate a final long awaited sale on the property to the satisfaction of both buyer and seller in November 2012. Being in it for the long haul pays off for everyone!

Today’s market has revealed where agents are lacking. Warren Buffett has a great quote: “When the tide goes out, you know who’s been skinny-dipping.” Because the tide is out right now, today’s market demands more discipline, mental toughness, and consistency from real estate agents. If your agent does not have those qualities, you and your property are going to be vulnerable. Today we too often hear brokers complain about how tough the market, sellers, buyers, and transactions are. Whoever says success and rewards are easy was mistaken ~ real estate has always been challenging. Real estate transactions may have been easier in the stretch from 2002 to 2006, but that’s gone. It's time to get over it! 

The real estate agents who master their attitudes and maintain a level of discipline to achieve results are having their best year in real estate. Greg Rapp is one of those Realtors. Greg has been able to grasp that concept, putting systems and strategies in place that have been successful in expanding his business. Real estate buying or selling is a commitment towards a goal and your real estate agent must be in it for the long haul. If you think of it any other way, you may be on the wrong track. 

It used to be easy to “flip” or resell a property fairly quickly. At one point in time it was far too easy – now real estate is facing a new reality that is here to stay for a while. It is better to get it right, than right away - a bit of care in choosing a Realtor that is in it for the long haul before you sign on that real estate buying/selling commitment can save you  frustration and increase your long term satisfaction with your property sale or purchase.

Today’s marketplace requires more from your agent. During the current economic downturn, over 300,000 Realtor’s have given up because they refused to change and keep themselves educated on the new processes required to assist their clients in navigating the myriad of requirements posed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and HUD. In today’s market, Greg Rapp feels it is his obligation as a professional to stay abreast of the ever changing landscape in the Real Estate market. To that end, Greg has invested in additional real estate education. By furthering his knowledge, he can help his customers acquire the perfect property or assist them during the sale process in ways that aid clients in obtaining mortgage lender approval. This creates a win/win for both parties.

Greg Rapp is the real estate agent to choose who will be in it for the long haul to either find you the property you are looking for, or to move that real estate you’ve been trying to sell for so long. You can’t be defeated by the marketplace unless you quit. You might be delayed, but you won’t be defeated! Call Greg Rapp today at 704.213.6846 to move your property. Become one of Greg Rapp’s preferred clients ~ he will be glad to represent you.

Speedy Turn~Around Strikes Again!

Who says your home has to languish on the market for months, while you postpone your life waiting for your real estate decisions to finalize?  This may be the scenario for some, but if you list your property with Greg Rapp, the potential to move your property quickly increases exponentially!

A lone sign in front of your property will not sell your house.  A lone photo on a multiple listing service will not sell your house.  A Realtor who already has communication lines open with a variety of potential buyers sells your house.  A Realtor who uses a broad range of marketing tools sells your house.  A Realtor who understands the fluctuations of the housing market, and can help you price your home TO SELL, sells your house.

Greg Rapp listed the great single story brick home at 835 Choat Road, Salisbury NC, that sits on more than an acre of property, on Tuesday October 23rd.  The home is in a country setting, with vistas of open fields in every direction, yet minutes from the Interstate Highway and the conveniences of the City of Salisbury.  This maintenance-free home, with brick and vinyl siding, had been empty for approximately a year and was in need of a little TLC, but nothing a cleaning and landscaping crew couldn't take care of in a day.  By Saturday, October 27th, Greg had a contract in his hands!  FOUR DAYS ON THE MARKET...not 4 months!

List with Greg Rapp/Wallace Realty to get your property, and YOU, moving along!  Call Greg at 704.213.6846 or email gregrapp@wallacerealty.com.

Want Quick Turn~Around? List with Greg Rapp!

Has your Home~For~Sale been languishing on the market for months and months, perhaps over a year, waiting for a buyer . . . the right buyer . . . any buyer?  It doesn't have to be this way, even in this struggling and depressed housing market.  Choosing the right agent, who knows how to price your property to SELL, and who knows how to reach the broadest breadth of interested buyers, is the secret to moving your property!  Just check out this real~time success story:

The owners of 103 Trapper's Ridge Drive in Rockwell, North Carolina were anxious, as many of you are, to sell their property in a timely manner, a beautifully landscaped one-story, brick, 3-bedroom home sitting on a hill up off the road in a charming, quiet neighborhood.  The home features hardwood floors in most rooms, a vaulted ceiling and brick fireplace in living room, arched and bay windows. Trapper's Ridge has a master~suite to die for ~ with 3 closets, one of which is a huge walk in closet, and beautifully appointed master bath with separate shower and tub. The home's formal dining room and separate eat in kitchen area are great for entertaining as is the secluded patio at the rear of the home. The home's superb floor plan, laundry room, and 3~car (yes THREE!!) garage already made this home a choice piece of real estate.  

But how were the owners to get out from under their heavy mortgage payment, and quickly?  

The owners listed 103 Trapper's Ridge Drive with Greg Rapp/Wallace Realty on September 24th.  With Greg's expert advise, they priced the home right at $200,000.  If this sounds low, it might be.  It was priced $50K below tax value . . . but in this case, the owners needed to move on quickly. Letting the house linger on the market was not a palatable option! Pricing at $200K allowed home buyers to find this property in searches that, for instance, allow one to look at properties priced from $150K to $200K...or from $200K to $250K. 

Greg's broad-reaching real-estate marketing tactics allow him a steady stream of interested buyers.  Within days of listing the property, Greg was showing 103 Trapper's Ridge to valid potential buyers.  By October 5th, just 12 days from listing the property, this home was under contract.

Want to be able to share the same success story for your property?  Call Greg Rapp at 704.213.6846!

Coming Soon! The Quintessential Southern Porch Wrapped around a nice Circa 1893 Victorian Home

 Stay Tuned for this upcoming listing in the Brooklyn South Square! More info soon.

Quick Facts~ 3245 Square Feet.
Huge Front porch with 2 sitting areas
Tremendous Great room addition.
Spectacular Kitchen.......
Breakfast room.....
Mudroom...........
And so much more!
             

To FSBO or Not to FSBO ~ That is the Question! The Disadvantages of FOR-SALE-BY-OWNER.

If you are going to sell your property, You'll be thinking about whether to work with an agent or do a For-Sale-By-Owner or FSBO. Many are trying FSBO because they think that they will be able to save money on Realtor commissions. Selling property in this manner will spare folks from paying commissions and many feel they will be more in control of the processes as well as the decision-making, but sellers should understand the disadvantages to selling their home themselves.

There are several disadvantages to trying to sell your home yourself. Selling a house takes a lot of time and attention to detail. Real estate agents are familiar with all the processes and the paperwork. They know how to prep a house for sale, deal with potential buyers, set up open houses, and how to handle financing, closing, and legal issues. Their expertise can also have a major impact on the sale.

It is important to know the drawbacks and disadvantages of FSBO to consider if you are making such a decision. Below are seven disadvantages of selling the property yourself and the advantage of working with an agent:

1.Let’s face it ~ Real estate agents are much better trained and informed than the average homeowner. There are many and frequent changes in the provisions regarding the selling of property. Even real estate agents research to stay updated!

2. The competition in the real estate market is extremely tough. This is why it is difficult to sell a property today. There are many sellers in the market and a limited number of buyers. Many sellers are lowering their prices in order to compete in the market. Many who take the FSBO route do not know how to present their property or market it well, and end up in losses. If you are competing with experienced real estate agents, your chances for success are extremely slim.

3. Selling your property is time consuming. There are many more processes involved than just putting up a For-Sale sign. The real estate agent is involved in these processes EVERY DAY and is extremely familiar with all the ins and outs of selling a home. Your property needs to be marketed properly by advertising it, making sure it reaches as many people as possible. Real estate agents have many tools at their fingertips to market your property, with a variety of methods to attract the right buyer, that are unavailable to the average FSBO home seller.

4. You have limited contacts. Marketing can be very difficult because unlike the real estate agents, you do not have access to all the different available lists. It is extremely important that you are able to contact a wide reach of people so that you can attract more buyers. Because a licensed Realtor can do this, he has a much greater opportunity than the average FSBO person to get you good and realistic offers.

5. You are emotionally attached to the property. You may overprice it because you think that it should be valued that way. The right real estate agent can make sure your home is priced right for the market. A real estate agent will be familiar with recent sales and home prices in your area, and market demand. Overpricing a property can make it languish unsold for months or even years, undermining any leverage you as a seller may have later in negotiating. 

6.  If you are selling your home yourself, it can be awkward for you to show it to buyers, and especially awkward to hear any criticisms they may make. The real estate agent can be the professional interface for this difficult process. If buyers have negative comments regarding the property, he can catalog them impartially and provide the comment to you in a manner that could turn out to be helpful, letting your make improvements that may ultimately help sell the property. Your Realtor will not take the comments personally. They could turn out to be helpful later on.

7.  The right real estate agent will know the rules. There are many and varied state laws and regulations governing fair housing, lead paint disclosure, and other requirements. Selling a home requires that you be in full compliance of these regulations. There are also rules governing offer-and-acceptance (your sale negotiations with a buyer) and sales contracts. The last thing you want is to risk a future lawsuit for not disclosing some defect on your property.

There are other benefits to working with a real estate agent. Consider choosing an agent who is a Realtor. In addition to being licensed by the state to sell real estate, Realtors, like Greg Rapp,  belong to the National Association of Realtors and must abide by a strict Code of Ethics. The National Association of Realtors has a code of ethics that will knock your socks off, and they are very strict in dealing with people who don't abide by them. Also, only Realtors have access to Multiple Listing Services (MLS) through which members share listings and have access to many more properties than non-members. When potential buyers contact a Realtor and explain what they are looking for, the Realtor may (1) already know a list of properties that meet the client’s needs, or (2) can research the MLS listings to see what matches those requirements. Your FSBO home will not be showing up on this list and will likely be overlooked!

Choose an agent who listens to your needs and takes the time to explain things you might not understand. Real estate transactions are complicated and full of confusing terminology. Greg Rapp will both know the answers to your questions and take the time to explain them. It's extremely important to find an agent whose personality you like. You want them to be bright, professional, trained, and someone who works in the business full-time, but personality is important. You are going to spend a lot of time with this person whether you are buying or selling.

The right agent will work with your time schedule. If you can only show your home on Sundays and your agent does not work that day, look elsewhere. If a listing agent does not work on weekends, consider who will be responsible for showing the house on weekends or holding open house. Whether buying or selling a house, your agent will set up appointments for you to either tour different homes, or show your home for sale. The Realtor will accompany you when you tour homes for sale. You can and should ask your agent many questions; after all, he is the expert. Many of Greg Rapp's clients have often expressed the value of his willing to work a flexible schedule that accommodated their busy lives.

Choose an agent who can and will provide other services. Greg can help arrange the house inspection, refer you to qualified lending professionals and real estate attorneys, and help you conduct a study of the property's value.

Some homeowners, faced with the prospect of selling their home, may weigh the possibility of selling the home themselves ~ without the benefit of contracting with a REALTOR. Beyond the issue of commission, many homeowners are wary that real estate brokers, for all their efforts and expertise, may not have their best interests at heart. Selling your home involves a lot of homework and homeowners making this decision must weigh their options carefully. Do you have the time to advertise and open your home for showings? Do you have what it takes to ask for an offer and negotiate a deal? Will you be able to close the deal? This is a huge undertaking for most people and not everyone has the level of expertise or training to take it on without some help. FSBO may allow you to save money because you will not be paying sales commission. However, you may lose a lot from the expenses incurred in advertising and marketing your property that show poor results. This will lead to fewer buyers and low offers. You will more than likely make the most if you work with an experienced sales agent.

 

Working with a real estate agent is necessary. With the right real estate agent, you are sure that your property is getting the maximum exposure and technical inputs.

If you have been thinking of selling your home all by yourself, think twice and think carefully. Homes in Salisbury/Rowan County, North Carolina deserve careful marketing and selling. With a licensed REALTOR like Greg Rapp, you are sure that selling your home will be a success! Greg Rapp DOES have your best interest at heart, knows the market, and uses the tools that WORK to sell your home! 

Need a REALTOR to avoid the FSBO pitfalls?  It's not too late to call Greg Rapp at 704.213.6846.

Great New Listing!!! ~ Great Neighborhood ~ Great Price!!!

Check out this wonderful and superbly affordable, solid Arts & Crafts Bungalow in the desirable Fulton Heights neighborhood at 1118 Fries Street. This home features a large 7.5 x 30 foot front porch, with Arts & Crafts mill work at the front door and windows. Special features of this charming bungalow are its 2 fireplaces, one in the living room and one in the master bed room. French doors divide the living and dining room spaces. The Jack and Jill bath between the bedrooms has both a shower and separate bathtub. There is a large, spacious utility room that could easily accommodate an upgrade for an additional bathroom.  This home has 6yr-old roof, updated 200 amp electric panel, and newer water heater. Exit through the walk-out cellar to the greenery of the back yard.

At only $48,500 (WOW!!!), 1118 Fries Street is a steal, especially because of its location in the very family oriented neighborhood of Fulton Heights in Salisbury NC!

The Fulton Heights Neighborhood Historic District in Salisbury, North Carolina is an intact representation of a middle and upper-middle class residential neighborhood that developed in the early twentieth century. It is among several suburbs of North Carolina towns that emerged as an outgrowth of the City Beautiful Movement. You can read more about the history of Fulton Heights or read why streetcar suburbs worked so well.

The neighborhood is laid out in grid patterned streets along which houses rendered in nationally-popular styles were regularly spaced within well-landscaped yards. Fulton Heights is among several neighborhoods of the period in North Carolina that boasted amenities such as a streetcar system and large park area within its boundaries. The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.

The old trolley lines are now covered with landscaped green-space mediums that the neighborhood maintains.  The neighborhood additionally raised enough funding and worked with the City of Salisbury to create Centennial Park, where Easter Egg hunts are conducted annually and other neighborhood events are held.  This one acre park located in the Fulton Heights neighborhood features a walking trail, a footbridge, a picnic table with benches, and a play structure. Tree-lined streets give this neighborhood a special feel where families walk, children bicycle, and where the neighborhood even provides a weekly dog-walk.  The area is supported by the strong Fulton Heights Neighborhood Association, that ensures local codes are enforced, exercises a crime-watch program, and keeps the lines of communication open in the neighborhood.  The neighborhood association sponsors a Halloween Parade, Easter Egg Hunt, and Holiday Home Tour. 

The opportunity to own an Arts & Crafts bungalow in Fulton Heights at this price does not come along every day!  This 1243 sq ft, 2-bedroom home is the perfect starter or retirement cottage!  And the neighborhood's proximity to Downtown Salisbury keeps you within reach of the cultural happenings, dining, and shopping opportunities that comprise historic Salisbury North Carolina.

Give Greg Rapp a call today at 704.213.6846 to be the first in line for 1118 Fries Street!  You won't be sorry!