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How to Find the Perfect Property to Buy

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Buying a property is surely a big step in life, hence, you should approach it responsibly and with careful thought. Most average people buy a property only once in life. It is a big investment, so you must make sure that the property you buy is right for you now and in the future as well. At least some near future. Purchasing a perfect property is a long and complex process and as such, it starts way before looking at actual properties. To do it right and consider every possible factor, you should take it slow and be thorough about it.

So, to find the perfect property to buy, you should start with your budget. This is key, as it sets the direction for further steps. Then, you should identify your needs and decide what it is actually that you are looking for. After you’ve done that, it’s time to start searching and narrowing down the search. There will probably be a few properties that you like, so the next step would be to see and inspect them live. That will help you decide which one you like the best. And the final step is making an offer.

  1. Set your budget

The first step when buying a property is setting a budget – this is what defines your search. So, before starting a property hunt, you should consider how you will pay for your property and how much money you have at your disposal. There are fewer cash buyers than those who purchase homes through a mortgage. When buying through a mortgage, you also need to have in mind that you need a deposit of 5 to 10% of the total property price, in cash. A financial adviser can help you assess how much mortgage you can afford as well as help you apply for a loan. Don’t forget to account for additional costs such as legal fees, stamp duty land tax, and removal costs.

  1. Identify your needs

When you have set the budget, it’s time to move to the next step which is identifying your needs and wants. In this step, you should think about what kind of home would be perfect for you. Consider the criteria your new home should fulfill to fit your needs. If you aim to be close to a certain school or your work, map out the area that interests you. Don’t confuse your needs and wants. Make a list of what your needs are and another one with your wants. It will help you make a choice eventually. For instance, a want is a 4-bedroom house, while your actual need is 3. When you have a clear picture of what kind of home you need, you can hire a professional buyer’s agency, such as Curtis Associates, to help you find your dream home.

  1. Start searching and narrow the search down

Before hiring a buyer’s agent, you can start searching on your own, to check out the market and see what is out there. Nowadays, you can easily do that using the internet. You can also check out some local real estate agencies and register on some websites to get alerts when certain new properties are listed. Use filters to narrow down your search by selecting certain locations, price ranges, and sizes of the property. You can also go for some traditional methods, such as looking at listings in local newspapers. Moreover, you can call or email prominent real estate agents in your area and ask them about currently listed properties or new ones coming in. It is easier when you have completed the previously mentioned steps and when you know how much you can afford and what exactly you are looking for.

  1. Inspect the chosen properties

So far, you probably have a few favorites among the properties. How will you decide which one is the best for you? Well, by visiting the properties and taking a closer look at them. Even though nowadays, real estate agencies post quite quality photos of properties as well as 3D tour videos, it is still best to see the property live if possible. In that way, you can inspect it thoroughly and ask all kinds of detailed questions. You should know all about electricity, water, pipes, potential mold and rot, and so on.

Remember that if you really want to inspect it properly and fully, you can’t do better than hiring a professional home inspector. They will know what to look for and all the signs of the major problems you are hoping to avoid, and you will find that having their expertise on your side is going to be incredibly important here. As long as they give the place a clean bill of health, you will be much more confident that it is a property you are going to love, and which will treat you well for many years. That’s a peace of mind that we are all keen to have with our homes.

  1. Make an offer

The final step is making an offer. The details will help you make a final decision about the right property to buy. Take some time to consider all the factors before making a final decision. 

Searching for an ideal property to buy can be tedious and overwhelming, taking a lot of your time. However, you should approach the whole process seriously to avoid making a costly mistake.

Simple Tips For Increasing Employee Satisfaction In Real Estate Businesses

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When you’ve started your real estate company, you’ve likely realized how profitable, fulfilling, and exciting a career in this sector might be. But despite all of its benefits, one aspect many real estate business owners overlook is the difficulty of building an excellent team that drives your business towards success. You don’t only need knowledgable, experienced, and charismatic employees, but also happy and strong individuals who can easily overcome the challenges of working in real estate. To increase employee satisfaction and ensure your staff is performing optimally, here are some simple tips that might help:

Identify your main issues

You simply can’t increase employee satisfaction levels if you don’t know how your staff truly thinks and feels. That is why it’s recommended to conduct an audit of your current practices, enabling you to identify potential issues that could be improved in the future. The best way to do this is to ask employees directly to voice their concerns, share any problems they might be having, and offer suggestions. Consider conducting an anonymous survey to ensure everyone will answer honestly. Conducting exit interviews with staff members that are leaving can also allow you to gain some valuable insight into potential workplace issues.

Streamline daily processes

In most workplaces, some days will be more difficult than others. But if you overwork your staff each day, this will only lead to stress, burnout, and a decrease in job satisfaction. To boost your employees’ happiness levels, try to make their days a bit easier. For example, you can construct a certain schedule employees can follow each day, create an itinerary for showings and meetings with clients, and invest in software solutions such as open house tracking and comparative market analysis tools. This will help to improve organization and overall productivity in the office, thus boosting satisfaction levels as well.

Offer growth opportunities

When looking for a job, most employees want access to professional development and growth opportunities. If agents are able to advance their careers within your company, you can improve your retention rates while increasing engagement and job satisfaction in the process. So, aim to provide your employees with new ways to develop their skills. This can mean covering the cost of education to help real estate agents become brokers, offering training opportunities to allow junior-level employees to take on managerial roles, or even developing an in-house mentoring program in which staff members with different levels of experience can help each other succeed.

Provide remote work options

Remote work has recently increased in popularity among employees, and for good reason. These arrangements allow workers to improve their work-life balance, boost focus and productivity, and consequently increase job satisfaction. But they could benefit your company as well. You might have clients who are looking to buy a luxurious villa or affordable house on the Montenegrin coast, for instance. In that case, having a real estate agent who is situated in Montenegro will give you the opportunity to deliver a service to your clients at the highest possible standard. The same goes for any other destination in the world; local agents working remotely ensure high-quality service.

Improve the company culture

If you own a real estate business, you likely already know why creating an open and welcoming atmosphere for clients is so important, particularly when staging homes for viewings. However, the same logic can be applied to your work environment as well. When your workplace is positive, friendly, warm, welcoming, and supportive, your employees will also feel happier and more satisfied with their jobs. But to achieve this, you will need to take steps to improve your company culture, such as solidifying your brand’s mission and values, offering more flexibility to employees, encouraging rest and relaxation, etc.

Prioritize employee well-being

While meeting specific targets and increasing overall revenue may be important for most employers, these goals shouldn’t be achieved at the expense of employees’ health. In fact, making employee well-being a priority might actually be an important factor in success, as we tend to perform better when we are less anxious and stressed at work. For that reason, you might want to consider including employee well-being in your business plan. Providing more personal time off, encouraging physical activity, acting on the feedback you receive from employees, and being a more empathetic leader can all help in reaching this objective.

Give praise when it’s earned

Employees who feel appreciated and valued at work are also more likely to stay with their current employers and be happier with their roles. To reap these benefits and attempt to increase job satisfaction levels, aim to offer compliments and praise to your staff when appropriate. For example, you can publicly recognize employees who have successfully completed a job such as closing a valuable deal or acknowledge the great communication and collaboration among high-performing teams. Even a simple ‘well done’ after completing a project successfully can go a long way towards boosting morale and increasing employee satisfaction.

Improving employee satisfaction can often be a long and complex process. But with some time, effort, and the right workplace enhancements, higher job satisfaction will lead to increased growth and success in the long run.

7 Drone Service Hiring Tips For Residential Real Estate Agents [From Drone Operator-Insiders]

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Drone Residential Real Estate TipsAs a residential real estate agent you have many responsibilities when you take on a listing.  You coordinate and direct everything from home staging to showings to paperwork and closings.  And each element has a set of professionals you work with.

And as you consider your listing marketing options, in today’s market, especially with high-end listings and rural properties, a drone-aided aerial video/photo shoot must be considered.

But before you jump into shooting your own drone aerial footage or hire a drone operator to do the job, you need to avoid the pitfalls that go with this new evolving visual marketing channel.

So to get you up to speed I asked my network of drone operators…

What should residential real estate agents know before hiring a drone operator for an aerial video on a home listing?

That question generated 47 answers.

As you can imagine many of the responses covered similar territory…as they are the core elements of a good operator screening process.  But beyond the easy ones there were also some valuable nuggets uncovered along the way that are worth the price of admission (What?  You didn’t pay at the door?  Well that person’s fired!)

To help you out this article is grouped into two sections.  The first, for you overachievers and those with short attention spans…squirrel…are the key takeaways.

Then you get the unadulterated and uncensored answers from each of the 47 drone operator contributors.  These are the heavily-involved group of drone operators who regularly deliver the goods with their drones in the residential real estate aerial photo and video niche.  As the National Association of Realtors ® recognizes, they get the cool overhead shots of properties for sale.  The agents get their home listings sold faster and for more money than the competition.

So lets dive in…

Part 1: Top 7 Takeaways

Current FAA Part 107 License

Before you hire any drone operator to do a photo/video shoot check their license.  The best way is to go online to ensure it is in place and current.

Go here to the FAA Website to confirm a drone operator’s license is active.

As a real estate licensee, especially as a Realtor ®, using an unlicensed operator could be putting your real estate license at risk.  Don’t do it.  Confirm you’re dealing with a licensed professional.

$1,000,000 Aviation Liability Insurance

So you confirmed they’re licensed.  That is the first must do step.  The second is confirming insurance.  $1,000,000 is the standard.  Make sure it is aviation insurance, not just your typical general liability insurance.  Get a copy of the insurance binder.  For more information, or if you’re a drone operator who needs to get that insurance in place, check out Evan Garmon’s drone insurance plans at Harpenau Insurance.  He’s the “drone insurance guy”.

Get Work Samples

You can have an operator who is licensed and insured.  But if they can’t fly their drone well and get the shots you want, then they’re not worth hiring.  So check out their work product.  Often you can find it on YouTube or their website.  But don’t just stop there, get a sample that closely represents the type of shot they’ll need to do for your subject listing.  Anyone can do a cool landscape photo or video.  But to do a creative and compelling real estate aerial photo or video that draws in buyers and gets them clamoring to submit offers, that is a talent that only a select few operators have.  Now for that high level of skill you might pay thousands.  Which may be fine for a high-end property.  For a mid-range home you may be fine with a more standard shot and operator skill level.  Because in those price ranges fewer properties have drone shots so yours will stand out from the competition.

What Services Do They Provide?

Are you hiring a photographer and drone operator in one person?  Will they shoot the interiors and exterior and aerials?  Or are they only doing a portion of the photos and video you’ll need to market this specific listing?  Do they just do the raw footage?  Or do they do the sometimes extensive post-production work on the photos and video to get you the best product?  Post production is often the most expensive portion of a project.  So set your budget accordingly.

Staging

Setting the stage for the actual shooting, as in staging the inside of a home, requires careful planning and coordination.  As with the interior you want clean and clear of distractions.  Your drone operator should be able to provide you with a checklist you can use with the property owner to get the home ready for the shoot.  In addition to that prep work, given the aerial element, weather and neighbors play a role.  Preparing neighbors properly for a shoot (so they don’t call the police or cause issues between you and your client) must be addressed up front.  Make sure either you or your drone operator are addressing that.

Timing

How quickly do you need the work done?  How extensive is your request?  Does it need to be perfect?  Or is speed more important?  Make sure you’re clear with your expectations and get confirmation on that timing.

Cost

With the huge influx of drone operators moving into the residential real estate drone aerial photo/video services market, prices have come down.  For a low end shoot you can get a good raw footage video for a couple hundred dollars.  For higher end quality you’re closer to $500.  And for post production work or higher-end shoots you could spend thousands.  But when you consider the home price, the commission you receive, and the edge your property has over similarly priced comps, spending a small percentage by getting top quality drone footage can be your best marketing investment available.

In particular, if I was looking to set myself apart from other real estate agents at a listing presentation, being able to say, “And as an added benefit, in addition to our traditional print and internet based marketing that all agents do, we pay for a drone-based video shoot to ensure you get the edge over similarly priced homes.  And we pay for that so you don’t have to.  It is our gift to you.”

Want to get started in the drone business either full time or as a part time side hustle?  Check out how these people did it…How to Get Your First Paid Drone Gig – 18 Brief Case Studies

Part 2: The Inside Scoop

Phillip Warner II

107 qualified, 1080p or 4k shots, lighting and quality of work.

Dustin Moorhead

Is the drone operator FAA licensed. How they want their deliverables delivered. Ie flash drive and is subject to taxes unlike over internet like google drive or Dropbox. Communicate your ideas of how you want it to look give examples of what you like. When do you expect it to be finished take in account for weather and getting any airspace authorization needed. As well the drone operator should also have some sort of list they expect done like having a clean unobstructed lawn preferably manicured too. Let the operator you choose have freedom from micromanaging so they can concentrate on task at hand.

Tom Allen

They must be Commercially licensed to do so.

Shawn Kwiatkowski

Commercial operators license I think it’s a part 107.

Sean Brinegar

One thing that should be understood, is that they are paying for the equipment you use, the editing software, the time on the job, the time on the computer (possibly even the computer), and the time and money you invested in getting the part 107 certificate. Sometimes people want things cheap, and it seems like you aren’t working because you are just flying a quad around. But the work comes in the cost of equipment/software, mastery of skills in the shots and editing, and the fact that you earned the authority to legally do the work.

So basically it’s just a justification of the cost. A lot more goes into the operation than they will see. So 100 bucks doesn’t cut it, especially if it’s a multi million dollar house with a huge advertising budget.

Anthony Occhipinti

They don’t ask for ANYTHING… BUT, they should ask for to see a Part 107 ID Card.

They NEVER ask for liability insurance, but probably should.

They NEVER ask if you can notify the neighbors on both sides that there will be a drone operating for the purpose of marketing the home.

They NEVER ask if you have ATC authorization to fly in that area. But probably should.

As the pilot I will ask questions like “what’s the address so I can research airspace. is the back and front yard staged properly? What type of video are you looking for? Can you show me an example?

And i ask that the home owners leave for the hour while I’m flying. As well as the agent.

I won’t fly with someone hovering over my backside.

Or I will have them wait in the car or inside if they have to be present. Which 90% of the time they won’t be.

And I ask how many days do they need everything finished by.

Dustin Moorhead

Travis Altman

$1,000,000 liability insurance

William Renegar

Ask for examples of what they’ve produced. Like it, buy it, Simple.

James Morton

Phantom 4 or higher.

Mark Connelly

They should know the pilots Part 107 certification # and have it verified as it is illegal to sell or use a drone based photography that one may profit monetarily from without having the certification.

Calvin Rueb

Make sure that they are also insured. Drones are flying pile of zero redundancy a small failure can do anything from dropping straight to the ground to burning down a building. Not all pilots have the same regard for safety or legality.

Bobby Burns

Must have the appropriate license to fly commercially.  Certain locations could be difficult or not possible to obtain permission to fly.  Professionals who do good work and are license will charge accordingly, but the slight upcharge is worth the risks of using someone unlicensed / uninsured.

Randall L Esulto

* Like any other creative professional, see their past work. Portfolio of photos &/or video reel
* Are they only aerial or do they also shoot traditional, ground-based photos & video
* Are they a photo/video professional who added a drone to their offerings or are they someone who bought a drone and is now trying to monetize it? Either is fine but the work quality and price may be quite different
* Ask for copies of FAA Certificate & Insurance binder prior to executing the contract

Scotty Bud Melvin

Pilot must be FAA licensed. I show my realtors,I work with license. Tell them we, like Realtors, have to be licensed, except ours is federal, their license is from the state. I make sure they know that so they can understand that they wouldn’t want someone to hire a Realtor who wasn’t licensed.

Brian Young

C. I. R. FAA Certified. Insured for Liability. Registered drones w/ FAA.

Evan Garmon

Insurance should be considered and I would be happy to help with a piece so realtors know what policies apply and how to read the certificates of insurance.

Nate Rivard

If it’s even feasible to hire a drone operator, if the property is in a no fly zone (airport nearby) it’s usually a no go. William Renegar 107 can fly within NFZ airport boundaries. They know what should be done.  William Renegar This is another area where it hits the fan.  How many people(aside from dronies), have any idea WTF an FAA part 107 represents?  This is where self regulation is most relevant. The pilot has a much better chance of being acquainted with the legalities.

Peter Cimino

They should be able to provide their certificate for Part107 and proof of insurance. Most companies that are hired carry $2 million in liability for aircraft and premise($1 million for each) which is industry standard from what I have researched.

Steven Bronco

Part 107 certification,insurance,thorough airspace knowledge and probably most important……enough experience to pull off the money making,eye-popping maneuvers for the best aireal experience 

Curtis Denzik

Find out if they are a photographer first or an RC pilot first. In a single photo a real estate photographer should be doing the following POST SHOT edits.

+ Color cast removal
+ Noise reduction
+ Exposure, Lens & vertical corrections
+ Contrast, saturation, brightness & sharpness adjustment
+ Straightening & cropping if needed
+ Window Detailing
+ Removal of Flash
+ Removal of Sensor spots
+ Removal of Tripod
+ Reduction in Glare & Reflection
+ Sky Replacement
+ Vertical Correction
+ Straightening and Cropping
+ Simple retouch like simple wire removal

All manualling done with photoshop without any usage of automatic software like enfuse to give you natural beautiful images.

You should also get:
+ Quality Consistence
+ Ontime delivery
+ Unlimited re-retouches

Sean McEvoy

It’s interesting that none of the responses focus on the actual work product. The ability to get the right shot based on experience, editing, knowledge of MLS requirements, etc.

Nick Blackwell

The main thing you want to look for is experience behind the sticks….Any shmuck can go down to Best Buy and get a P4 Pro and study up for a couple weeks and pass a 107…..That does not mean he has the experience behind the sticks to capture the shot you are looking for.

Markus B

That it actually costs something and you get what you pay. $50 video will be a $50 video, $50k will be a $50k video.

David Themadscientist Drummond

Basically real estate agents should look to hire a licensed professional as the number one point. Just the same way they would hire a licensed qualified builder/plumber they need to hire the right person with the right tools and skills to do the job well. Aviation liability insurance (not general liability) is a must and a good portfolio or demo shots shot in high resolution are usually a guide to a quality provider.

Jay Desio

The pilot must be FAA Part 107 licensed and they should be asked to provide proof of insurance.

The real estate agent should specify if they want any post-production processing or unedited photos/videos for their own processing. While most will want post-processing, there are some that want to do their own post.

The real estate agent should specify what format they want the photos or videos, if they have a preference. Also, do they want the video in 1080p or 4K.

The real estate agent should provide details of any particular photos or videos they want. They may want something that the drone op/photographer wouldn’t normally shoot because they don’t think it’s a good shot, but the realtor may want something specific and they are the customer.

The real estate agent should provide information for anything that could potentially prevent or delay a session, such as house is next to prison, power plant, airport, heliport, military installation, national park, etc. In the beginning, information on location is not always given.

The real estate agent needs to be aware there are regulations that prohibit flying over people and certain precautions need to be in place. Also, some photo/video angles may not be possible due to certain restrictions.

Db Dronoff

Here is a bit of info to consider. I would be cautious about quoting too many stats/surveys compiled by drone business. Instead look to their own industry stats like National Association of Realtors® (NAR®), and Market Share Statistics (MLS). And an article about using drones to market real estate.

Bryan Conn

Understand There are limits. Weather/time of day, privacy laws, local law enforcement, power lines, pilots comfort level.

Nick Tucker

FAA license, insurance, experience.

Tom Hayden

Another angle is the liability associated with using an unlicensed pilot. It’s like using an unlicensed contractor to do home repairs.

Randy OConnor

Check the national database for licensed drone operators. FAA 107 licensed pilots are the only people by federal law allowed to film or photograph commercially.

Troy Graham

When I presented to the local real estate board, I put much like others have above. The local board has a code of ethics that they operate by and knowingly hiring a non part 107 certified pilot is breaking their code of ethics. They seem to understand that very well.

Tyler Mattas

Does anyone sell anything other than their license?

John Prietto

I posted this for my Realtor friends
https://vimeo.com/jpproductions/drones

Phil Johnson

Yup, a 107 certificate is not a substitution for experience. Used to tell that to my customers back in the day before the FAA went nuts and all but shut guys like me out of the industry.

Jacob Spaulding

I agree with most of the stuff here, one point to mention. The company or person that hires an unlicensed drone operator is just as responsible if not more than the Drone operator if they get fined.

The single most important thing that an agent should know is that they can be liable (and their company) along with the drone pilot if an incident occurs with the drone during the job. That could be injury, property damage, trespassing, invasion of privacy, etc. They need to know to hire only a certified commercial drone operator and to get a copy of the pilot’s license, insurance, and drone registration. This will help them reduce their liability risk by hiring a professional, and ensure that appropriate liability insurance is in place before the job starts.
Be pro active about the flight to avoid potential problems. Knock on neighbors’ doors and let them know. If there is no one home 👍good to go. Have a VO that can also run interference if some one does ask questions. Set a camera on your car filming yourself. If there might be an issue. Video is king especially if there is audio as well. Knocking on doors prior and in some cases if it is a commercial property calling PD dispatch (not 911) prior to the flight has been a good practice for me as well. If someone does call they already know who you are and what you are doing. I have never had a negative experience doing those 2 things First. Knock on doors notify PD. After a few times with PD it becomes routine.
John Carpenter Although I’ve not done this, I’ve heard some recommend going the “official drone pilot” route with vehicle signs, warning lights on vehicle, and pilot vest. Lots of people make fun of that idea but it seems safety-conscious and could also lower the concerns about “peeping Tom” drone pilots from neighbors.  Brian W Ziolkowski John Carpenter I just have a simple magnet sign “AirMax Imaging” Spent $$$$$ on drones and cameras. A dedicated trailer with gen, fridge, sleeps 2+ toy hauler type is next. Hmm maybe I better get a Pickup first. 😮
The Real Estate Agent should know that the UAV pilot has his Part 107 and that it is current.
This is a great read…http://dronelawjournal.com/
Residential real estate agents should know that some houses aren’t worth having aerial shots, it’s a waste of money to have a drone operator to come out on a 100k listing on .3 Acres.
If you think professionals are expensive, try hiring an amateur.
Brian W Ziolkowski 
I think that as long as the residential RE market is strong with buyers, agents don’t need aerial shots or video. I think, imo, that when there is a shortage of buyers the agents will start looking for a way to get their attention.  John Carpenter Around here, agents can take some crappy pics and still have decent listings sold in a matter of days. My friend had an agent who was going to do aerials but the house sold (in <24 hours) before the guy could even get out there.  Brian W Ziolkowski John Carpenter pretty much the same here. I think I will give it a while longer, sell mine and rent till the market tanks again.
We have a MLS here that requires the pilots FAA certificate number before they will post any aerial images.
Photo credit: marcoverch via Foter.com / CC BY
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