Ron Neal and The Neal Estate Team eNews March 2011

Hi , The market is changing! The recent continuing trend is fewer sales and more listings compared to the same time last year with downward pressure on prices. To view our latest "Real Estate Update" with the latest Victoria Real Estate market information and other helpful information for home buyers, sellers and renters check the The Neal Report We are proud to annouce that we are among the first and very exclusive small group of Victoria Realtors to have our listings searchable through the City of Victoria's website! Please also check out our new look and join us on Facebook Last month I had the surprise and great honour to be awarded RE/MAX's The Spirit of The West Award which is awarded to the one individual Realtor of more than 6,000 in Western Canada who goes out of their way to promote good will and the team spirit within our organization. I must share the honour with my awesome team who truly make all things possible from providing the highest possible level of services we strive to provide our clients to jumping in wholeheartedly to all the causes we embrace together. List on MLS for FREE? There’s been a lot of talk of late over changes to real estate and the competition act. It seems every conversation starts with asking me what I think and how will it affect me and my business. Here are my thoughts on it. First, nothing has really changed. Not for me, not for my team, not in Victoria. We’ve had ‘alternative commission options’ in Victoria for as long as I’ve been in business. There are alternative ‘cheap no frills’ options for most businesses in existence. I believe as most people do that in most cases in life you ‘get what you pay for’. There are always the do it yourself options, then there are some in between the full service or ‘concierge’ level of service. I’ve built my business, my team, on the basis of providing a complete and full service, world class concierge level  personal service. Typically the low commission companies who will post your property on MLS (for payment in advance) and do little or nothing else who and also leave it to the buyer to pay their own Realtor’s commission if they want to buy that property. Most buyers prefer to look at properties where the seller pays the fees and recognize the value of having a competent professional Realtor on their side for negotiations and to protect their best interests. Freedom of choice already exists here in BC and those who choose to look for the cheapest alternative don’t call me. This is a business in which mistakes can be very costly. It's expensive to provide the highest level of service and to ensure the best possible results. Often the properties we list and sell have been listed unsuccessfully by others before we are called in. The right marketing, preparation, networking, negotiating skills and experience cost more because they're worth it. The Neal Estate Team represents YOU. For complete details on our concierge service for both Buyers and Sellers, please visit us online at RonNeal.com or call for a FREE an no obligation consultation at 250.386.8181. As an example we just sold 1547 Morley in just a few days for top dollar after the seller had it listed for several months "on MLS" with a discount real estate company (who got paid up front) in addition to marketing with The Property Guys for sale by owner service (who also got paid up front). Coming up next month mark your calendar now for our FREE Buyer Seminar at 7pm, Thursday, April 7th and our Twelfth Annual Neal Estate Team Easter Egg Hunt for BC Children's Hospital is scheduled to go ahead rain or shine on Saturday, April 23rd at Beaver Lake Park. Further details on each event and download of colouring contest available soon at RonNeal.com or call 250.386.8181. Last week we sent "FREE Notepads". If you did not receive one and would like one, please let us know. On average 80-85% of our business is from your repeat business, your recommendations and referrals to your friends and family. We appreciate and depend on your support, thank you. Thanks, Make it a GREAT DAY! Ron Neal and The Neal Estate Team