Educator and Realtor Shares Insight with Home Buyers – Chris Silker
On this episode of The Closing Table, we sat down with Chris Silker!
To watch the full episode, check it out on YouTube below. In the meantime, here’s a summary of the conversation…
Here’s what you missed from Chris Silker…
The conversation starts with word association icebreakers on capital gains, property tax, home warranty, and more. Chris then talks about his degree from Central Michigan in Elementary Education, which has given him a valuable skill set in translating complex information into language that the average consumer can understand. This ability is crucial in the real estate industry where emotions run high and clients need guidance through difficult times. Chris ensures he is emotionally available and patient, meeting his clients where they are and leading them to a more informed decision. He serves the entire Greater Lansing region with his office located in Okemos and also has partner agents in different cities.
Next, Chris shared how his hard work and dedication to maintaining high-level relationships have earned him recognition as Okemos’ 2023 Local Business Person of the Year on the small business network Alignable. He shares that staying engaged with his sphere is key to his success in the industry. His goal is to provide the highest level of customer service possible, which means creating a relationship with his clients and setting them up for success. In his view, customer service is no longer just about providing a differential experience. Instead, it’s about building a connection with people that he cares about and ensuring that they have the best possible outcome.
Looking ahead, Chris anticipates that the real estate landscape will see an increase in inventory from May to September, which is traditionally when the majority of sales happen. He notes that weather and the school calendar could play a role in this trend. He believes that the statistics will likely remain the same in 2023. When asked about the discrepancy between the drop in median sold list prices and the increase in median active list prices in the Lansing real estate market, Chris attributes it to the available inventory. He explains that there has been an influx of 500+ homes from January to March, which made up 20% of the inventory, but had a smaller buyer pool, causing them to stay longer on the market and leading to a discrepancy.
The two then talked about the current market conditions for first-time homebuyers. Chris shared that interest rates are a major concern for first-time homebuyers. To address this, his team runs estimates and discusses mortgage options with their clients to equip them with the necessary tools and sources. Patience, repetition, management of expectations, and persistence are key factors in successfully guiding first-time homebuyers through the buying process. He assures that his team will be there every step of the way to help their clients navigate the current market conditions in Lansing, which includes a low absorption rate and decreasing inventory.
The conversation wraps up with Chris recommending visiting the house before making an offer and using their team’s home inspection training to guide the initial process. Other important factors to consider include the length of time you plan to stay in the home, the price per square foot, and other relevant factors. They also discuss expectations and possibilities to set their clients up for success. He also gave a 60 second explanation of the most recent market update.
Check out Chris Silker:
https://www.facebook.com/silkersells
https://www.facebook.com/advantageinteam
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