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 

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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.

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!

The Split~Level Home . . . an ingenious design for family living!

When it comes to picking a home to raise children in, there are few styles of homes that can compete with the split-level ranch house designs.  These versatile homes offer privacy, recreation space, and durability that simply can’t be matched with any other kind of house.  Even though many of the split-level designs are very similar to each other, they allow for plenty of individual character designs and décor.  From the outside, your house might look like every other one on the street.  The interior on the other hand, is all about you and your family.  Here is a look at why this type of home might be just what you are looking for.

The first and most obvious benefit of split-level house plans is the amount of space they contain. Popular homes for people with children, split-levels almost have as much square footage on the bottom floor as they do on the top. Whether the design is simply one floor on top of the other with a connecting staircase or a more asymmetrical multi-leveled version, split-level homes are laid out well and make full use of the space available. Another advantage is how the spaces are separated. The stairs and level offset can help isolate more private spaces (bedrooms and bathrooms) from more public ones (kitchen and living rooms). This isolation also psychologically affects the perception of additional space.

The layout of split-levels is another benefit. While the bedrooms are typically on the upper floor along with the kitchen, dining room, living room and one or more bathrooms, the bottom floor contains the laundry room, garage, large family room and often space to include another bedroom and/or bathroom. For parents with children, the family room becomes the playroom, a place where the kids can go and be out of the way.

Since the garage is attached, it can easily be accessed via a doorway. This has the double benefit of saving space on your lot. An unattached garage occupies a lot of space on a lot that could otherwise be used for a garden or lawn. With split-level plans the entirety of the home is self contained.

Although there are many different varieties of split-level house plans, all of them tend to share similar features. Among their common traits are attached garages, two stories, a basement or bottom level that is partially submerged and their asymmetry. Split-level homes can be in Ranch-style, Craftsman, or other style while still being considered split-level. While typically having two stories, some designs incorporate levels in between the stories. You might see a split-level home with a bottom basement level, a main level, and a smaller level with the bedrooms. Often, the entry hall might be on its own level as well. Different designs aside, there are a number of benefits associated with split-level house plans. From square footage to better utilization of the lot, split-level homes are intriguing in that they offer plenty of practical space while being adaptable to custom decoration.

Split-level homes are easily adaptable. Split-levels are typically feature plain architecture with an absence of adorning features. New or used designs offer a clean slate, a chance for the homeowner to customize it. This could be interior modifications or the addition of a deck, patio or simply repainting.

Split-level house plans offer many benefits. An abundance of space is perhaps the most compelling, as the homes are especially popular among home-buyers with children. It’s not like you have to have children to enjoy living in one of the split level ranch house designs.  They were originally designed for this use though, and it shows.  These kinds of houses are known for giving homeowners plenty of space, conveniently arranged.

With split-level designs, you get the most out of what is available to you and have the ability to upgrade and adapt your home in whatever way suits you. The split-level designs are also popular because they tend to be relatively easy to maintain. Split-level homes require straightforward maintenance and upkeep. Many of the same design features used in Ranch homes are found in split-levels, so maintaining the working parts of your home is not overly expensive.  It’s rare to find one of these houses made with hard-to-find materials.  This means that simple home repairs will only require finding a good contractor and buying standard building materials.

Take a peek at this most interesting slide show, put together by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Historic Preservation Division, that will take you on a historic tour of the Split-Level design:

http://issuu.com/georgiashpo/docs/split_level_nationally_pdf_version

Whether you are raising a family or just need some affordable extra space, the unique split-level house is worth looking into.  Give Greg Rapp a call at 704.213.6846 to explore the homes for sale and the possibilities of owning a split-level of your own in Salisbury, North Carolina! There is an affordable split-level home here waiting for your personal touch!

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.