South Bay Area Real Estate News

May 12, 2019

Giving Back to Our Community

 

“Friendly and always available.”

That’s how one of our Landed homebuyers described their Landed Partner Agents, Sam and Bindu Xavier, who work as a team to support homebuyers in the South Bay area of Los Angeles.

The Landed team works closely with partner real estate agents to provide wrap-around services to our homebuyers. To date, Landed customers have graded their partner agents with 96% satisfaction (an A grade!) based on a post-closing survey.

We found that Redondo Beach Unified School District (RBUSD) allowed permits, so we enrolled our son at the local elementary school in the district. We realized we wanted to be a part of the school district and community, so we moved to Redondo Beach.

We are now heavily involved with RBUSD. I volunteer at my children’s school and am an active PTA member. Every time that Bindu and I help a homebuyer sell or purchase a home, we donate $500 of our commission to the Redondo Beach Educational Foundation. We became sponsors back in 2013, and since then we have donated close to $10,000 to the fund.

Posted in News
May 6, 2019

Hawthorne Math and Science Academy Near Top in State

Hawthorne Math and Science Academy is among the top performing high school's in the state of California (11th). This according to US News and World Report.

If you have never heard of the school before, you are not alone. It is a new breed of high school. They wear uniforms. 

Hawthorne Math and Science Academy is a state charter high school in Hawthorne, California. It is part of the Hawthorne School District

To break into the rankings schools are  ranked for college readiness, based on graduation rates and state test scores. 

Posted in News
April 14, 2019

Xavier & Xavier Team Announces Guaranteed Sale Program

 

 

Press Release: April 14, 2019, Redondo Beach, CA  Sam and Bindu Xavier are so confident that if you hire us to Sell Your Home or Investment property Today with the Xavier and Xavier Team – Compass that we offer a WRITTEN guarantee. Say what?

Yup, that’s right. We offer a written guarantee in a world where there is typically so little certainty. It’s simple. We will sell your home at a price range and time frame we both agree on or we’ll deduct $5000.00* from our listing side sales commission at closing! What would be any easier than that?

Most sellers worry about what they will ultimately walk away with once it is all said and done. With us, that worry is eliminate through our unique guaranteed sale program. We are the only ones in the South Bay, Palos Verdes and LA Harbor Area to offer this unique seller guaranteed sale program.* Our competitors can’t stand that we offer it. And frankly they are behind the times…

But, while the average agent invests less than $300 a month in marketing, we invest over $3,000 per month to find hundreds of qualified buyers each and every month for your property! That is a huge marketing and economic advantage to home sellers, combined with our 4 Satisfaction Guarantees and other marketing innovations such as our Talking House Lead Capture System™ which allows us to offer you the industry’s most aggressive written performance guarantees:

1.   Communication Guarantee: You will be kept posted on the progress of the sale of your home with an update every week. Your phone calls will be returned by a qualified Team Member within 24 hours. GUARANTEE: If we fail to update you weekly or fail to return your call within 24 hours, we will give you a $500 cash reward.

2.   Honest Promises Guarantee: Guarantee #1 is a good example. We are not going to wildly promise you the moon and stars to get your business. We will tell you what we can and will do, exactly how we operate, as well as what we will not do in up front clear language. When we list your home, we will give you a detailed Professional Service Agreement in writing. GUARANTEE: If at any time, we fail to honor that agreement, we will give you a $500 cash reward.

3.   Reality Based Selling Price Range: We get you top dollar. Our track record and statistics prove it. We will never play the ‘bait and switch’ game of promising to get you wholly unrealistic price just to get your listing then wear you down with low ball offers. Unfortunately, this does go on in our business. GUARANTEE: We’ll guarantee we will market and sell your home and if it doesn’t sell for any reason we can provide you with 3 ALL CASH OFFERS within 72 hours if you like.**

4.   Reality Based Timetable: We implement a complete marketing program to sell your home. You know if advance what will occur step-by-step and will receive weekly marketing updates. We set a “target range” for the timing of the successful sale of your home. In many cases, we will sell your home much faster than your typical agent!

Finally, a local South Bay Home Selling Team You Can Count On! Email Us at info@xavierandxavier.com  or Call or Text 310-866-7598 Today to see if your home qualifies for our Exclusive Guaranteed Sale Program.*

*All Sellers and Sam and Bindu Xavier must agree on initial list price and all selling terms. 

CA DRE #01449986 & 01818247. Xavier and Xavier Team | Compass.

Posted in News
Feb. 28, 2019

South Bay Homes:Sam Xavier the interview.

Un edited auto Transcript:

2
well welcome to amazing South Bay homes
0:06
radio this is here coach Tim and I'm
0:09
here with a special guest today
0:11
sandy Xavier of amazing South Bay
0:15
homes.com and he's going to tell us
0:17
about the amazing South Bay and a little
0:21
bit about the real estate market in the
0:25
South Bay of Los Angeles Sam welcome to
0:27
the show oh thank you give the young
0:31
radio podcast yeah very cool
0:35
Sam tell me about first of all you know
0:38
we're here in the South Bay but there's
0:41
people you may be from other parts of
0:44
the country listening today and they may
0:48
think of South Bay as something else can
0:51
you can you tell us about the South Bay
0:53
where is it well the South the South Bay
0:55
it could be known in maybe three or four
0:57
parts of the area continental United
0:59
States
0:59
there's a South Bay in Florida there's a
1:02
South Bay here in Los Angeles there's a
1:05
South Bay in San Diego as well as
1:07
there's a South Bay in the Northern
1:09
California about what I specifically
1:12
focus on is the South Bay Los Angeles
1:15
and that comprises about 13 different
1:18
cities and municipalities and we're
1:21
running along the coast here in Southern
1:23
California in Los Angeles County just
1:25
south of the Los Angeles International
1:27
Airport and it also encompasses the
1:30
Palos Verdes Peninsula as well as San
1:34
Pedro so my understanding is essentially
1:39
it's the South Bay South Santa Monica
1:42
Bay right yes that is correct him and so
1:46
on the far side of the bay is Santa
1:50
Monica and Malibu and in the middle is
1:52
LAX and then all the way to Peavy and
1:55
something that you told that when you
1:57
said Peavy went off in my mind and that
2:00
is one of my favorites of the South Bay
2:03
is is being up on the hill up there at
2:05
night and there's a thing called the
2:08
Queen's necklace right yeah yes they're
2:11
very beautiful ocean land you can
2:14
typically find that view
2:15
pal 32 states as well as parts of the
2:19
Hollywood Riviera which is actually a
2:21
you know neighborhood in South Redondo
Beach so let's go back a little bit
2:27
before we get into deep into the South
2:30
Bay Area's what uh what got you into
2:35
real estate how how did you get into
2:38
this game
2:38
well I give that question there's a lot
2:41
and it's kind of an interesting journey
2:43
I was in computer IT sales for about 16
2:47
years I started out after college back
2:49
on the East Coast was in Washington DC
2:51
area and I moved to Southern California
2:54
in the summer of 1991 and I was
2:58
primarily working with a lot of
3:00
government aerospace educational
3:03
institutions on their requirement for as
3:06
well as data storage and after the
3:09
Millennium in the year 2000 2001 now
3:13
computers Borland became a commodity and
3:16
my services were gone pretty much no
3:18
longer needed so what we did was we put
3:22
together a plan of starting my own
3:25
business and I bought and sold several
3:28
homes in my lifetime and at that point I
3:31
got my license in the summer of 2004 and
3:35
I started practicing that fall and I've
3:38
been doing it ever since and I have a
3:40
partner on the Xavier and Xavier team
3:42
and they've been doing Savior and she's
3:44
my wife and she was a stay-at-home mom
3:47
and we have heard of a business back in
3:49
2007 and today we are a successful
3:53
husband wife team with Remax estate
3:56
properties and we service the greater
3:58
South Bay area so you know what I I
4:03
think of realtor and I think a lot of
4:05
people do this and there's there's a
4:09
stereotyping that's put out there on
4:12
television and for whatever reason
4:15
either earned or unearned but it is what
4:17
it is what makes you so successful in
4:21
your job in your niche well in our team
4:26
our biggest focus is our customers
4:29
clients that we serve whether it's a
4:31
seller a buyer on landlord a tenant or
4:34
even a property investor we treat each
4:37
individual equally and what we do is we
4:40
sit down and we find out what are the
4:42
four five things that are the most
4:44
important to them when it comes to
4:46
buying or selling real estate and from
4:48
their retailer what the market has to
4:51
offer here in the South Bay of Los
4:52
Angeles to meet their requirements and
4:55
fulfill whether it's a relocation
4:57
whether it's a job transfer what it's
5:01
getting to a better school district you
5:03
know it's a lifestyle so we kind of look
5:05
at ourselves as you know we don't we'll
5:07
just sell how to change people's life
5:09
with helping them get on to the next
5:11
chapter in their particular situation
5:15
yeah you're I remember your wife Bindu
5:19
saying at one point that and I forget
5:24
this sometimes that this is someone's
5:27
biggest financial transaction that's a
5:31
real life
5:32
yeah that's almost like your trademark
5:35
didn't do the primarily attire
5:37
specialist and when when she's
5:40
interviewed she always tells buyers that
5:43
hey you know I'm going to help you with
5:46
the largest transaction that you'll ever
5:48
cross possibly ever make and if I won't
5:50
buy it you sitting by it so we look at
5:53
it as if it's our own money when it
5:55
comes to health and a buyer purchase a
5:58
home or investment property and she
6:01
really seems like she puts her almost
6:04
like a mama bear around around her
6:08
clients is oh yeah feeling I guess just
6:10
like myself we treat everybody like
6:12
family so we you know engage with us
6:14
you're like you know my brother my
6:16
sister my aunt my uncle my parent and we
6:19
only want the best for our client
6:22
incredible so over these many years I'm
6:26
sure you've probably have seen some some
6:29
pretty wild transactions are there any
6:32
favorites or or funny stories that you
6:36
have in your in your history and
6:38
experience that you you mind sharing
6:40
well we've seen it all
6:43
even as they say you know we focus a lot
6:46
with the senior community and a lot of
6:49
it is into life of probate trust sale
6:53
and that we talked a lot of seniors you
6:58
know sell that or liquidate that asset
7:00
for their family estate a lot of them
7:02
move off to assisted living but you know
7:05
end result is at the end of the day you
7:09
know that is a large asset in somebody's
7:11
estate and what we like to do is
7:14
investigate you know who lives there you
7:16
know we might have you know been in a
7:18
property that's been lived in by the
7:20
same family household for maybe 40 or 50
7:23
years to a half a decade and from there
7:25
you know we'll see all kinds of
7:27
memorabilia when it comes to you know
7:29
their albums they're from you aren't
7:32
work on the walls their personal tape
7:35
you know it's kind of like encompass
7:37
somebody's whole life when you go to
7:39
list one of those homes and a lot of
7:42
times we have to be more or less the
7:44
seller because if the owners passed away
7:46
we're going to be the ones that are
7:49
going to hire the estate sale company
7:50
we're the ones are going to hire the
7:52
clean out trash out companies we're the
7:54
ones are going to sell automobiles and
7:56
once the property is on the market you
7:59
know we're going to be actively trying
8:00
to find a new buyer for that home and
8:02
create lasting memories just like the
8:05
previous homeowner did phenomenal I'm
8:10
sure along that same theme there's are
8:13
some favorite areas of the South Bay
8:17
that you've sold homes or maybe you've I
8:19
know that you know you've represented
8:21
many a home seller and a home buyer over
8:24
the years but you've also as part of
8:28
that process have to get a handle on the
8:31
inventory so every week you're out and
8:33
about looking at what's new and and
8:36
making sure that you know what's on the
8:38
market are there any homes that you just
8:40
found really fascinating or or
8:43
intriguing throughout in your
8:45
marketplace here in the in the South Bay
8:47
yeah well what we've seen over the left
8:49
10 years a lot of new development so got
8:53
developers coming in and they're
8:55
transforming the neighbor
8:56
so you might have a beautiful you know
8:59
beach cottage on the avenues and salford
9:01
ando beach and sure enough one by one
9:04
you got the developers that are coming
9:06
in bulldozing those and building these
9:08
beautiful mini mansions
9:11
matter of fact that we're working with a
9:12
family right now they bought the home in
9:15
2004 called Brandon the Builder 3300
9:19
square feet two-story Mediterranean and
9:22
sure enough the husband got transferred
9:25
to Austin Texas and they approached us
9:29
to get their home on the market and
9:31
listed its soul so it's in a great
9:33
school district our kids actually went
9:35
to the same elementary school where this
9:37
home reside we know that particular
9:39
neighborhood and the proximity to
9:42
Riviera Village the Esplanade and South
9:46
Redondo Beach on a cul-de-sac it makes
9:49
the perfect home for a family that's
9:52
looking to raise their kids and be in a
9:55
great school district of matter of fact
9:56
we're Redondo  Beach Unified School
9:59
District was just mentioned in the top
10:02
100 schools in California as one of the
10:05
top high school oh wow cool cool so you
10:12
have a couple things that I find
10:15
interesting one is you lead a referral
10:17
group of local businesses here in the
10:21
South Bay what prompted you to do that
10:25
and what what goes on there well that's
10:29
a good question glad you brought that up
10:30
and you'd be actually even attended a
10:32
few of our meetings so back in 2014
10:35
almost five years ago I was looking at a
10:39
way to give back to my community and
10:41
I've been quite involved with the
10:44
networking and meeting people speaking
10:47
so what I thought was hey you know
10:49
there's a lot of networking you know
10:52
groups are there out there somebody's
10:55
you know charge you know thousands of
10:56
dollars to be a part of application fees
10:58
and I think eight there's got to be a
11:00
better solution out there for the small
11:03
business owner that wants to get
11:05
together me and mingle every week so I
11:08
founded the Redondo Beach
11:10
referral networking group back in August
11:12
of 2014 I was one of the first members
11:15
started out with a group of maybe four
11:17
people that I knew that owned small
11:18
businesses and today after almost four
11:22
and a half years of meeting every week
11:24
we have over 25 members on our roster we
11:28
get referrals on almost a weekly basis
11:31
and our whole motto is to grow our
11:35
business with the fellow small business
11:37
owner here in the South Bay so we've got
11:39
people from bass industries we've got
11:42
automotive repair we've got an interior
11:44
designer we got a financial planner it's
11:47
almost like a little City Hall me and my
11:49
wife are the realtors in the group and
11:51
it's been quite a success we've
11:54
generated several new business
11:56
opportunities as well as we've met local
12:00
businesses that can help us with all the
12:02
different attributes of being a business
12:05
owner such as printing graphic design
12:08
signage you know in town so having a
12:12
resource for elder law with probate and
12:15
trust administration attorneys as well
12:18
as mortgage bankers when it comes to
12:21
getting them our new clients
12:23
pre-approved for financing to buy their
12:25
home and and you also make the space
12:29
available through your office although
12:32
right that's that's a one of the
12:34
advantages a lot of people investigates
12:36
and is so successful why don't you start
12:39
your own company I said well the reality
12:41
is we already are
12:43
Company B franchise one of the biggest
12:44
names in real estate that's Remax and
12:46
the Remax model is you franchise our
12:50
name and you run your business
12:52
accordingly so we have a office base of
12:56
about 15 offices throughout the Greater
12:58
South Bay area and west side of Los
13:00
Angeles as well as Palos Verdes and we
13:03
have a large conference center that's in
13:06
my mind somewhat underutilized but the
13:08
company makes that available to us small
13:11
business owners and they make that a
13:13
part of our franchise fee so we don't
13:15
pay an extra penny and we've got plenty
13:18
of parking and we have a speaker every
13:20
week and I'm just so glad that this
13:23
group
13:23
is well-known in the small business
13:26
community at the South Bay now let me
13:30
let me get into the the real estate
13:34
buying and selling for a second
13:37
when a person comes to you to buy I was
13:42
looking at your website and you have a
13:46
down payment assistant program correct
13:49
yes that's right we work with the
13:52
company called landed and what they do
13:54
is they provide matching downpayment
13:57
assistance to any local school teachers
14:00
kiss trainer or pullies they're looking
14:04
to get into home ownership we've
14:06
recently helped several people in the
14:09
Redondo Beach Unified School District
14:11
the Hawthorne uh School District get
14:14
into a home ownership and stop paying
14:16
the landlord mortgage very cool before
14:22
we wrap this up uh tell me the last
14:26
property that you sold tell me about
14:30
last property sold was a duplex it was
14:33
over here at the city of Gardena and
14:35
that is an interesting the case so the
14:38
owner lived down in South Orange County
14:40
her dad built it back in 1941 it was
14:44
just a little two-bedroom one-bath house
14:46
and then 1947 Edyta
14:49
identical 2-bedroom 1-bath in the back
14:51
and he passed away maybe 15-20 years ago
14:56
and my client inherited it and I
14:59
couldn't believe it she had two tenants
15:02
that were there for maybe ten plus years
15:04
and each one more or less took over so
15:08
one of them had a large camper in the
15:10
back I think he was subletting out the
15:13
other one was a hoarder he had like 20
15:15
TVs and his little two bedroom unit and
15:17
that we brought in our crew and you know
15:21
unfortunately she had to do an eviction
15:22
to get those two tenants out but once we
15:25
did the sheriff lockout we got our
15:26
handyman over there and we refinished
15:29
the polling
15:31
we got our landscaper to take the
15:35
trailer off our hand we rebuilt the
15:37
fence we rely on placate both the front
15:41
and back yard and sure enough we put it
15:43
on the market and got it sold in less
15:46
than a week to a well-qualified investor
15:49
all cash and filled it as is very cool
15:53
now tell me about your most recently
15:57
listed property okay well we're working
16:01
on a seller right now we're in the
16:03
spring selling season and the most
16:05
recent is a four bedroom four and a half
16:09
bath 3300 square foot a luxury home and
16:12
it's in the 2.3 million dollar range so
16:16
that is a property that not most buyers
16:20
here in the South Bay can necessarily
16:21
afford but one thing I wanted to mention
16:24
is the South baby and proximity to Los
16:27
Angeles the Hollywood movie industry
16:32
we've got several sports professional
16:36
sporting teams now with the Los Angeles
16:38
Rams as well as the Los Angeles chargers
16:40
moving to the area so there's a lot of
16:44
high net worth individuals that may be
16:46
looking for a home of that stature so
16:49
we're going to be staging it fully
16:51
staged with the modern furniture
16:54
decorating it we've done some minor
16:57
cosmetics to make it appear as if it was
17:00
a brand new home and it's going to be
17:02
going on the market next week and we're
17:05
going to have a broker's open on
17:06
Thursday and public open houses every
17:09
weekend till we get it under contract so
17:11
if you looking for a beautiful two-story
17:13
Mediterranean and the Greater Southie
17:15
really city of Redondo Beach we would
17:19
love to hear from you and have you come
17:21
check it out you just reminded me of the
17:26
Redondo and Hermosa along the coast
17:30
they're pretty big for the the kings and
17:33
Laker Lakers and a lot of Lakers the
17:39
king Dodgers matter of fact
17:44
another notable client that we recently
17:46
worked with was Kenley Jansen the
17:50
pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers
17:52
helped him buy a home here in South
17:55
Torrance about two years ago and we
17:58
worked through his agent and sure enough
17:59
he was in the process of renewing his
18:01
contract with the LA Dodgers and he was
18:05
even so anxious to get into the home we
18:07
leased it out to him while he was in
18:08
escrow
18:09
very neat that's me that's a great story
18:12
well Sam I appreciate your time I would
18:15
love if you would give your website as
18:18
well as how to get a hold of you through
18:20
the old-fashioned means called the phone
18:23
sure okay well our website known as w w
18:28
amazing South Bay home dot-com and you
18:32
can reach me directly on my cell and
18:35
that's three one oh eight six six seven
18:38
five nine eight we're also all over
18:42
social media we have a social media
18:44
business page on Facebook it's called
18:46
Xavier and Xavier Realtors you can go
18:49
there as well as we have a kind of a
18:52
love branded Facebook page which matches
18:55
our data identity on the internet that's
18:57
called amazing South Bay home very neat
19:01
Sam I appreciate your time and i really
19:05
suggest people get in touch with you
19:07
when they they have any real estate
19:08
questions or needs yeah yeah we welcome
19:12
you to come to one of our many offices
19:14
we were based here in Revere village on
19:17
Lane Avenue and Sal for John Doe beach
19:19
we also have a Torrance office here on
19:22
Hawthorne Boulevard and South torrent
19:24
but wherever you'd like to meet we're
19:26
always open to coming to your place it's
19:29
a little bit more convenient for you
19:32
very good champ I appreciate your time
19:35
thank you very much you're welcome Tim
19:39
it's be
Posted in News
Feb. 18, 2019

How Can Real Estate Build Wealth in The South Bay Area of Los Angeles

4 Ways Buying Real Estate Can Build Wealth In The South Bay

1. Appreciation

Home prices have continually rose over the last 7 years and this is how the majority of South Bay Homeowners built their wealth by buying South Bay Real Estate at the bottom of the market! One thing to consider when it comes to South Bay Real Estate appreciation affecting your return on investment (ROI) is the fact that appreciation combined with leverage offers huge returns! If you buy a property for $50,000. and it appreciates to $550,000, your property has made you a 10% return However, you likely did not pay all cash for your property and instead you effectively used 90% of the bank's money... If you consider that your 10% down payment ($50,000.) actually has doubled your original investment, which is effectively a 100% return on your investment.

2. Leverage

With mortgage interest rates still under 4.6% and down payments available under 15%, South Bay Real Estate is one of the easiest assets to leverage. The South Bay has higher demand than other parts of Los Angeles and people want to live here and raise their children at award winning public schools districts such as Redondo Beach, Palos Verdes and Torrance Unified School Districts to name a few.

3. Paying Off the Debt

With each and every monthly mortgage payment you are actually paying down your loan balance and building equity instantly! You can also borrow against your home's equity and use that to leverage buying another South Bay Investment Property! 

4. Forced Equity

Forced equity is a term used to refer to the wealth that is created when an investor does work to a property to make it worth more…”  There are many inexpensive ways to increase the value of your South Bay property by adding square footage, adding new appliances and remodeling your home.

These are 4 extremely lucrative reasons to Buy and Invest in South Bay Area Real Estate!

Looking to upgrade into a larger home or purchase an income property?  Let Our Amazing South Bay Real Estate Experts Sam and Bindu Xavier Give You a Hand. Visit: www.amazingsouthbayhomes.com Today!

Sam and Bindu Xavier, Realtors, Compass 

ca dre #01449986 & 01818247

 

Posted in Market Updates
Jan. 2, 2019

10 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Realtor to Represent You Buy or Sell Real Estate

When you decide to buy or sell a home, you are entering into one of the biggest financial decisions most people ever engage in. A lot of money will be involved and you understandably want to get the best experience you possibly can. This is why you need an exceptional Real Estate Team working for you. You need an advocate who will ensure you get what you need – whether you are buying or selling. Not all Realtors are created equal, though, so it is important to know how to screen them if you want to improve your experience.

We’re Bindu and Sam Xavier, local Realtors with Compass and we would like to share our expertise on why it is so important to make the right agent or real estate team selection.

Why You Need a Realtor

Let’s answer this question first, because without knowing why you need a Realtor you may hesitate to do the work required to choose a good one. A real estate agent is a professional involved in buying and selling houses. It is this professional-level ability that you are paying for. Consider when you need to repair or upgrade your car. Yes, with the right tools you can spend a weekend – or weekend after weekend – doing the work yourself. It may even turn out great. However, it will also take substantially more time than it would be if you took it to a professional.

Buying or selling a home is similar. You can find the tools to do much of the work yourself, but your chances of getting professional-level results – especially in a reasonable time frame – are low. This may be OK when it comes to changing your oil, but when you are dealing with hundreds of thousands of dollars – it pays to hire a professional.

10 Questions to Ask When Interviewing Realtors

So you have decided you want to work with a Realtor. You just need to know how to find a good one. Again, like a mechanic, there are some great Realtors out there and there are some not-so-great Realtors. You want a great one. Take the time to interview potential candidates using these ten questions.

1.   May I contact some of your references?

Every agent should have a list of references that you can talk to about his or her work. If you are buying, you probably want to talk to other buyers who have worked with the agent. If you are selling, ask for the number of some other clients the agent has sold for. You want to get a good idea of how this person works and how satisfied the clients are. Also, you want to make sure he or she has been working recently. The market changes and you want someone who is successful now.

2.   Is the area growing or declining?

If the agent has been working for very long, he or she should have a good handle on how different areas are doing. You might see a heck of a deal in a new house, but the agent might see a cheap house in an area that is only going to decline in value. This is important information you need to make an informed purchase. See how this agent rates different areas of town you are considering. This is the type of question that a good buyers agent should have no problem answering. In fact you want an agent that know the area like the back of his or her hand.

3.  How many clients are you currently working for?

There is no perfect answer to this question, but it is important to ask it anyway. You want an agent that is sought after, but not one that is overworked. If the agent has 50 clients he or she is working for that you will probably not get the one-on-one attention you prefer. If the agent only has 5 clients, this may be a part time job for him or her – or the agent is just not well-recommended. Look for a Realtor who has somewhere in between a handful of clients and a number that is probably unreasonable

4.   What are your fees?

You might as well get this out of the way at the beginning. First, you want to know what the agent will charge you for selling your home or for finding you your dream home. Most of the time you will find that agents prefer to take a percentage – typically around 5-6 percent depending on your location. This may be something you can negotiate – or not. Also, determine what the stipulations of his or her contract will be. Are you locked into using this agent? If so for how long? What if you are dissatisfied? These are all questions that should be answered to your satisfaction. You may find a buyer on your own by accident or find a dream home without any help from the agent.

5.  Can you get me a FREE CMA of the area?

A comparable market analysis (CMA), also known as comps, lets you see what homes have recently sold in your neighborhood as well as those that are currently for sale. This can give you valuable information in either pricing your home or determining what you should be offering on a property. Depending on what side of the fence you are on this is critical information your Realtor should be providing you.

6.  Do you work in a team or solo?

This is important because it lets you know how heavy the workload is of the agent, as well as whether you will be communicating directly with him or her. There are advantages and disadvantages to each. Find out the agent’s work style to see if he or she is a good fit. If the agent you are interviewing does work in a team find out if you will be working with someone else as well. If so you will want a handle on this agents qualifications as well. The last thing you want is to be handed off to a junior partner who doesn’t have the same skill set as the person you thought you would be working with.

7.  How do you market homes?

You want an agent that takes advantage of all marketing avenues. Not only the more traditional ones like the Multiple Listing Service, but also other avenues like some of the top real estate portals like Zillow, Realtor.com and Trulia. What is important to understand here is that nearly all Realtors use these vehicles but a much smaller percentage will do what is necessary to make your home stand out in these places. For instance you should be demanding vivid photography, well thought out descriptions of your homes best features and even a video tour. The real estate marketing channels are changing all the time. Make sure the agent is up to date on what works and what doesn’t.

At the moment one of the great things to find out is whether the Realtor is going to be using any social media channels like Facebook, Linked In, and Twitter to market your home. Social media is used daily by millions of people. It only makes sense to be in front of some of them!

8.  What is really wrong with my home?

You need someone that will tell it to you straight. Get the scoop on what is undesirable about your home and how the Realtor will work with what you have to get you the best price. The last thing you want is a “yes man”. While you might think it is great if you have found a real estate agent who agrees with everything you say that is not the case. You want an agent who is not afraid to put you in your place and answer the tough questions.

9.  How will you stay in contact with me?

You want and need to know what is happening with your home. Make sure the agent prioritizes regular communication. Some people like email other prefer the more old fashion method of picking up the phone. Find an agent that will accommodate whatever way you like to communicate.

10.  What experience do you have?

You want an agent that has done the work you need done before, and done it well. This is why references are important. Whether you are selling or buying you want an agent who has expertise in that end of the business. Most of the best real estate agents specialize in one or the other. It is very rare for example to find an agent who is representing a lot of sellers who also has the time to go out and show multiple homes during the week. Most agents are not able to juggle too many balls without their service levels suffering.

When you take the time to ask the right questions when interviewing a real estate agent you will have a much more pleasant & profitable experience. Xavier & Xavier are proven, local and experienced Realtors with Compass and we service the entire South Bay Area and Palos Verdes Peninsula! Please lets us know how we can assist you or anyone you know who is looking to buy or sell real estate. Whether it is a first time home purchase or experienced move up buyer or seller, we have you covered with Xavier & Xavier Team's 5 Star Level of Service and backed by the future of real estate Compass!

Best of luck with buying or selling your next home!

Bindu and Sam Xavier 

Realtors

Xavier & Xavier Team

Compass

310-866-7598

info@xavierandxavier.com email

www.amazingsouthbayhomes.com

Visit Us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SamandBinduXavier

Cal DRE #01449986 & 01818247

Part of Xavier & Xavier Weekly Blog Posts “Amazing South Bay Living”

Posted in News
Nov. 28, 2018

Redondo Beach Real Estate is Ready for Play

There’s an abundance of places to play in the Redondo Beach real estate region. Parks are scattered about town providing playgrounds, athletic fields, recreation centers, walking paths and much, much more. A devoted city team keeps facilities in tip top shape while advocating for this close-knit community.

Anderson Park consists of just over a dozen acres. Children love to come here and spend time jumping and climbing on the playground. Tennis and basketball courts are usually filled with competitive spirits. Seniors living in Redondo Beach take advantage of a wealth of amenities in the Anderson Senior Center. The center is utilized for social gatherings, wellness checks, art, hobbies and fitness classes.

Beauty Surrounds Families Living in Redondo Beach

Get back to nature in Hopkins Wilderness Park. Local wildlife thrives within the forest, streams, pond and meadow interwoven together on this piece of Redondo Beach real estate. The Elm campsite is for day use and friends often share picnic lunches and happy moments. Overnight campgrounds are in the park too. Plenty of residents pitch tents and roast marshmallows over the campfire while telling stories into the night. The Get Smart Water Garden is a favorite place to linger. Flora and fauna planted here are water wise and drought tolerant. Native species intermix with other flowers and plants which attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Learn more about how to recreate this beauty in your own backyard garden here.

Energy is high in Dominguez Park. Home runs are hit and strike threes called on two little league fields. Kids get crazy with laughter on the playgrounds. Families bring their pups to the dog park where separate sections await big and little breeds. Tails are wagging throughout the the three acre dog run. Dominguez Park holds a bit of history too. Historic buildings have been relocated to the land to preserve their treasures. The City Historical Museum is found in the Queen Anne Building providing a glimpse back into the past.

Many additional parks are found throughout the Redondo Beach real estate region. Learn more about their specifics, and spend some time in them today.

 

Posted in News
Nov. 28, 2018

Soar Up to the Sky on Torrance Real Estate

Torrance real estate sets sights high. At the Western Museum of Flight, history is alive and the future eagerly sought after. Expertly displayed classic airplanes create inspiration among visitors. Historical exhibits brilliantly tell stories of the past. Special events and classes teach all about the timeline of aviation and what’s coming up in the field.

Patrons take their time exploring the grounds. Aircrafts on exhibit feature several of Northrup’s successes including the Northrop YF-17 Cobra and F-5A Freedom Fighter. This Torrance property also contains one of only three Northrop JB-1 Bats remaining internationally. Dubbed a World War II “Buzz Bomb” the amazing plane is truly an irreplaceable piece of history. Target drones and miscellaneous jets also earn positive responses. An impressive aircraft model collection rounds out the exhibit comprising of over 300 pieces including wind tunnel and plastic scale models.

Take Hold of Adventure on Torrance Property

The future of science and aviation technology depends on the children of tomorrow, and the Western Museum of Flight is determined to fuel a love for avionics in today’s youth. Programs include the impressive KLAS (Kids Love Aviation Science). Held onsite, the program focuses on a mission “to expose the next generation to the educational and inspirational dynamics of flight.” The curriculum was developed to lead Southern California children towards fields in aviation and science. Classes feature STEM principles as well as hands on activities. Students living in the Torrance real estate region get an inside view to actual aircraft materials, cockpit controls, maps and more.

Convenienlty located in the Torrance Airport at 3315 Airport Drive, Red Baron #5, the museum is close to residents living in the greater Los Angeles area and beyond. General admission is only $5.00 making trips affordable for most budgets. Children under 12 are admitted for free. The Western Flight Museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Stop in for a visit and let the spirit of adventure take hold.

 

Posted in News
Nov. 27, 2018

Learn from the Pros on Hermosa Beach Property

Southern California beaches boast sun, surf and volleyball games. At Volley Camp Hermosa individuals can learn from the experts right on Hermosa Beach property. Professional volleyball players share their skill sets with students from around the world. Classes are great opportunities for athletes of all levels. Whether looking to learn the game or improve on technique this is the place to start.

The Hermosa Beach real estate region proudly wears its title of “Mecca of Beach Volleyball, and Volley Camp Hermosa shares in that pride. Located at 2nd and the Strand, the ambiance on the beach is energetic and enthusiastic. Setting the scene, Volley Camp courts are the first by the bathrooms facing the ocean.

Get in the Game on Hermosa Beach Real Estate

Players of all levels are welcome to partake. Classes are designed for one and all including those first stepping onto the sand or regular gamers. Introductory instruction features basic conditioning and fundamentals including serving, spiking and ball control. More advanced players work on setting and defense mechanisms such as attack vision and decision making. Classes specific to beach volleyball are popular especially fitness and conditioning for the sand: core work, joint health and mobility.

Seven day camps are great for the hardcore volleyballer. Partnering with local hotels, out of towners feel right at home. Individuals choose their own schedule from seven classes on up. Some even get the opportunity to join local tournaments and meet professional volleyball players after observing their amazing practices. Take a sneak peek at the upcoming Hermosa Beach property camp schedule here.

Private lessons are also available and great for fine tuning specific skills. Privates are geared both toward individual players and teams of up to eight if desired.

 

Posted in News
Nov. 11, 2018

Selling Your Home in the South Bay For Top Dollar

When you get serious about selling your home, the chances of your selling it quickly for top dollar will improve considerably if you list it with a real estate sales professional. If you doubt this, consider the fact that nine out of ten homes sold today–more in some markets–are listed with a professional real estate agent.

Listing your home places it on the local Multiple Listing Service that is subscribed to by a majority of real estate sales professionals. Through the MLS listing, your home is assured of getting the widest possible exposure to the market place.

Some buyers shop the home market on their own, but most save time and money by using the services of a real estate sales professional. Ask yourself which homes the real estate agent is going to show the prospective buyers homes listed on the MLS or those that are not?

If you still want to try to sell your own home, be aware that you will face stiff competition when it comes to attracting qualified buyers as your home will not be listed for sale and shown on the Local CRMLS. Contact Xavier and Xavier Team at Compass Today at 310-866-7598 to Schedule a Listing Conversation! 

Posted in News