The Brian and Kindra Show

On Episode 23 of The Brian and Kindra Show, they discussed insurance with Kevin Cansler State Farm. Because of Brian and Kindra’s careers in the Real Estate business, homeowner’s insurance is something they frequently discuss with buyers and sellers.   Kevin reminds us that your home is probably one of the largest assets you want to protect. Customers need to visit with their insurance agent to ensure that they are properly covered. You may be advised to cheapen your premium, however that will typically reduce coverage. It is advised to look at insurance with the mindset of Price versus Cost. The most common answer is price. However, when it becomes necessary to file a claim, one may also find themselves with higher out-of-pocket expenses due to improper coverage.  Unfortunately, it wasn’t much of a savings in premium on the front side if it’s going to cost so much more on the backend.Some insurance companies offer a Home System Protection Plan.  It protects items that are built into your home, not appliances, but things that are wired or plumbed in (ex. air conditioners, water heaters, solar panels, etc). This endorsement is something that can be added to your home insurance policy that can alleviate some of those expensive replacement costs.The item has to fall into the guidelines of the protection; it has to be an abrupt/direct loss of the particular item, not a slow decline with lots of repairs as that is a maintenance issue. Many insurance agents will recommend an Umbrella Policy.  Kevin explains that there are aggravating claims and devastating claims. An aggravating claim is a hail claim on a roof, with a $1,000-$2,000 deductible. Or a windshield claim on your car with a $500 deductible. It’s aggravating to come up with the money and take the time to fix the issue. A devastating claim could be causing a lot of bodily injury with your vehicle or accidentally causing a fire that causes significant loss of your property and others too. You are financially liable for your actions. If you have to come up with $250,000 or $1,000,000 worth of claims or lawsuits, yes your home or auto insurance is going to have liability, but once that is exhausted your insurance is done. Once they are done, you are responsible for the remainder. The $1,000,000 umbrella policy gives you that protection if you need it.  Life insurance can be a difficult policy to discuss as it requires focus on the inevitable end of life. With loss of life comes loss of income and soon your loved ones may find themselves unable to pay the mortgage or other bills. Life insurance can take care of things like loans and liabilities, replace income, and take care of final expenses with the loss of life. Life insurance can help continue the dreams you have for your family even when you aren’t around. Is it ever too early to get a life insurance policy? Life insurance rates are based on health and age. If you want something affordable, get it while you're young and healthy. If you wait until you are older or unhealthy, the rates will be high, or you could even be denied coverage. It is suggested that you review all your insurance policies with your agent annually. It might seem repetitive, but giving your agent the opportunity to dig a little deeper to see if there are gaps or concerns will help you in the long run, rather than finding out at the time of a claim how you are short. Brian and Kindra hope these tips have been helpful to you.  As always, if you have any questions or need help, please feel free to reach out to your local real estate professional.

On Episode 22 of The Brian and Kindra Show, they discussed MLS, the Multiple Listing Service. MLS started in 1800's America when a group of brokers met discussing housing information and compensation for working together, establishing ethical guidelines to protect the public when it came to swapping/transferring property.  What does that mean to us today? It means these meetings still happen. Brian and Kinda are part of the Northwest Oklahoma Association of Realtors MLS encompassing not just Woodward, but the full Oklahoma Panhandle, East to I-35, South to Kingfisher, and over to Camargo. Whenever they are talking to buyers and say, “We can show you anything in town,” they just about can. Brian and Kindra work with other brokerages in the MLS. Their favorite thing about working with other brokers is Realtor Tour. Realtor Tour is a meeting of all agents to discuss new happenings, legislation, and listings! With the new listings, realtors come together and drive around town checking out new properties. This allows for Brian and Kindra to share properties with other agencies. Then, if an agency has a buyer that fits the property it’s easier for them to coordinate, bring the contract, and sell the home! Some people ask, “Why would you want to share the commission?” Brian and Kindara do what is best of the customer. The best for the customer is to get them a house or to sell their house. If somebody else has a customer ready, willing and able, they don't want to stand in the way. They want that thing to sell. Through Brian and Kindra, a property is listed on the multiple listing service and the seller might ask, “Does anybody call me to schedule a showing?” The answer is NO. Although Brian and Kindra are part of MLS, they have the exclusive right to sell your house. They are hired to sell your house and to be the middleman, working with other realtors/buyers to schedule showings. The exclusive right to sell or lease means that a seller cannot call other realtors to ask about showings of their property. The showing realtor updates the listed realtor on all showings and the seller goes through them to get information. Every agent doesn’t call the seller, the listed realtor is the middleman.  How do realtors get into each other’s houses? Each home has a lockbox with an automatically generated personal code, linked through Bluetooth that realtor’s access through their phone. The boxes and their one-time codes are highly secured. Each realtor has an app on their phone and is notified when one of their listed properties has been accessed. This allows them to see who has been in the house and for how long. This access helps realtors have an easier time to access each property, so they can be more efficient with showings, but is also very safe and helpful for the sellers.  What does the MSL do? It coopetate’s. Coopetate is a coined term amongst realtors that is a mix of cooperation and competition. Friendly competition is important, but also cooperating to see each other’s success.  Brian and Kindra hope these tips have been helpful to you.  As always, if you have any questions or need help, please feel free to reach out to your local real estate professional.   

On Episode 21 of The Brian and Kindra Show,  they discussed some tips to help you get your home ready for sale.  They began with the recommendation of a Pre Listing Home Inspection.  There are multiple reasons this could be helpful in the sale of your property.  First, Brian and Kindra share that they have found that occasionally, a seller may feel something is functioning within normal limits where a buyer may not find that to be so.  For example, an air conditioner that is not keeping up with the thermostat thus the home stays warmer than it should.  Or plumbing issues that can be temporarily remedied.  Over time, a homeowner may become so accustomed to these things that they no longer recognize that the system is not functioning properly.  A thorough home inspection can potentially help to identify these situations so that they can be handled before a buyer is aware of them and intimidated by them.  The inspection will allow the seller to both make remediations and provide a detailed report along with their property condition disclosures that may give the buyer a greater sense of security with their purchase.  Making remediations prior to a listing alleviates time restraints that occur when a problem is discovered during the contract period.  It allows the seller to shop prices and methods to appropriately fix defects.  Then, to be able to provide the inspection report and remediations to a prospective buyer will provide an even better assurance to the buyer that they have a solid investment.  This is a Win-Win situation! Next up, organize and clean!  This is something Brian and Kindra say so often, the reader may find they want to skip this part!  Please don’t stop reading just in case there are hidden tips!  Hot spots are a big issue!  Kindra shared she has a mail hot spot on her microwave, Brian shared that he has a stack of mail to be shredded mail, also creating a hot spot.  Identify your hotspots and clear them away.  Make sure pet toys are put away nicely or even better, hide any evidence of your furbaby before showings just in case your buyer has an aversion to indoor pets.  Try to store kitchen appliances inside cabinets or pantries so that your counter space is highly visible.  Things that are often forgotten are ceiling fans and windows!  Be sure to dust fan blades and have the windows sparkling clean inside and out!  While you are tidying up and getting your home show ready, compile the warranty manuals for your property to leave for the buyer.  Some homeowners keep them in a 3 ring binder so they are all in one place, easily stored and left at the property.  Also, while you are cleaning, you may want to invite your close friends or family over and request a smell test.  If they smell your pet or your other unseemly odors, you may want to find the source and more deeply clean those areas.   Obviously, curb appeal is incredibly important as prospective buyers will be driving by your property.   Be sure to keep your lawn trimmed, edged and weeded.  Add fresh mulch to your flower beds and add some flowers, either potted or planted.  A front door wreath or hanger of some sort and an attractive door mat all help the buyers to feel welcome as well as catching their eye.   Brian and Kindra hope these tips have been helpful to you.  As always, if you have any questions or need help, please feel free to reach out to your local real estate professional.