Yakety Yak, We Got Hacked!
The following is part important information for Massachusetts home buyers and sellers, and part story of a really smart guy and a really dumb guy. I’m the dumb guy.
As some of you already know, over the weekend claytonrealtygroup.com was hit with a virus. Apparently hackers got in through vulnerabilities in the WordPress version the site was running on and KABOOOM!!!! They really went to town. Since I do most of the website maintenance myself, I figured I could deal with it and initially did some research on my own. And then I cried. Just kidding. Not really. But seriously…though I do fancy myself a cut above the average real estate agent when it comes to technology, I knew immediately that this was way over my head. I also knew exactly who to call for assistance. So a few days and a few dollars later, we are now totally back in action and I apologize to those of you that were inconvenienced.
So what does this have to do with Massachusetts home buyers and sellers? Well today I spoke with a potential new client who is looking for a buyer agent. He is a first-time buyer who has been doing a lot of research and learning on his own, mostly online, so he has a pretty good idea of what he can afford and where he should be looking. At this point in the process, however, he told me he is at an impasse and feels that it’s time to bring in a professional to consult with and guide him through the next steps. He’s the smart guy in this story.
The fact is, this is how today’s consumer operates. We all know how to Google stuff, right? Consumers are most likely coming to the table prepared and any business that doesn’t realize that might want to close up shop! BUT just because we are educated consumers doesn’t mean we know it all and doesn’t mean we can do it all ourselves. For instance, I read articles about website development and WordPress all the time, that’s how I learn. So I knew that I needed to upgrade my site’s software or risk getting attacked. But I had no idea what I was in for if I put it off. And I put it off! I figured it would be fine until I got to it, noone is going to attack my little website, I’ve got plenty of time. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Home buyers and sellers, it’s a crazy real estate world out there! Do your research but reach out to professionals for advice early on in your process. It’s impossible to stay on top of everything and there really are some instances when you don’t have as much time as you think. If you’re a first-time home buyer looking to qualify for the extended tax credit, you probably know you have until April 30th to execute a contract. But do you realize that new FHA lending guidelines become effective April 5th? Many of you are hoping to go FHA and these new policies will make a difference on your bottom line. In addition, credit card laws recently changed and those changes play with your credit score. So if you were pre-approved for a mortgage in the Fall, you definitely want to get a fresh one based on more current numbers.
Sellers, if you’re thinking of listing your home in the Spring, the buyers are already out there so it’s definitely time to get the process going! Do you have a recent comparative market analysis to determine the value of your home in today’s market? Are you aware that even though you already own, you may qualify for up to $6,500 in tax credits for purchasing a new home? Have you been putting off any maintenance that needs to be scheduled and are you current with the new smoke detector requirements that took effect the first of the year?
Don’t go it alone, there’s too much at stake. As always, we’re happy to answer any questions you have and put you in touch with all the key players who can help you with every step of the buying or selling process.
Finally, a well-deserved shout out to my hero, Leanne Wildermuth. On her website, she states she is a “Self-taught, self-representing artist, illustrator, photographer, graphic and blog designer”. I think she’s a genius. Not only can she blow out a virus and meticulously put the pieces right back together, she is also the artist behind the world’s greatest dog who sits at the bottom of each page of our site. (And next to me as I type this.) She is also good at keeping me in line and even made time to yell at me for neglecting my website so horribly! Leanne, YOU ROCK and I promise I won’t be the dumb guy anymore!
Hi, I'm Jake...and that's my dog! By day I'm founder and Chief Geek at MyUntangled Media, LLC and Executive Director of Business Development at Barrett & Company Real Estate . By night I am part struggling musician, frustrated writer, wanna-be chef and obsessed dog owner. I started this site mainly to learn WordPress, work on my design and writing skills, and showcase some folks with all kinds of talents and great stuff to say. (Read the long version if you dare) and please introduce yourself over on my Google+ Profile!
I find myself doing the same thing as I grow older and wiser... turning to the pros and paying for the job to be done right rather than floundering and researching it myself. I flipped real estate in Metrowest Boston for several years with NO construction experience, and was able to learn how to do every task by books or internet. In the end, it was not really done as well as the pro, but in the hot market it was enough. Buying and Selling real estate has hundreds of pitfalls, and a good agent will get a deal done and make it look easy. Unfortunately, this may cause a person to try to buy or sell the next home by themselves.
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