Tips for finding a broker to sell your building?

Having a good broker, and the right broker, for your needs is critical. Here are some tips on finding the right broker to help sell your building:

1. Interview multiple brokers. The only way to truly know if a broker will be a fit is to meet them face-to-face. They'll be meeting face-to-face with buyers, so you should know how they come across in person.

2. Ask your brokers how many trasactions they have done in your market or target market. The longer a broker has been in the market, the better. Only time enables brokers to build relationships and gain the experience you need.

3. What is their availability; how much time can they spend on your transaction.

4. If you're selling a duplex how many duplexes has the broker sold in the same area? If you're selling a 25 unit apartment complex, how many large buildings has your broker sold in the same area? Real estate is extremely local and brokers that typically deal with smaller buildings do not know the ins-and-outs of larger sales.

5. Use online tools to research brokers and to get a good sense of the market. A few great sites to consider are LoopNet.com, redfin.com, trulia.com, zillow.com and if you're in the San Francisco bay area, check out WheelhouseBrokerage.com.

The Future of Housing Demand: 4 Key Demographic Trends

[ From US News and World Report ]

The Future of Housing Demand: 4 Key Demographic Trends

The age of the suburb is over, and America's great reurbanization lies ahead, expert says

By Luke Mullins

Posted: February 1, 2010

Demographic shifts and changing values will increase demand for pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use communities in both urban and suburban settings, according to John McIlwain of the Urban Land Institute. "The age of suburbanization and growing homeownership is over," McIlwain said in a recent report, "Housing in America: The Next Decade." "The coming decades will be the time of the great reurbanization as 24/7 central cities grow and suburbs around the country are redeveloped with new or revived walkable suburban town centers." This transition will be fueled by the growth of two-person households, an end to baby boomers' suburban infatuation, and public policies designed to stimulate compact development. In his report, McIlwain points to four key demographic trends to watch going forward:

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