Why shouldn't I do it myself?
Real estate transactions are complex and getting more so as time passes. It is of significant value to have a professional watching out for your interests. Escrow and title companies tell us that escrows without professional representation fall through in an extremely large number of cases. Completing the sale should be your ultimate goal.
Realtors have the ability to expose your property to all of the realtors in the area through the MLS system; with more exposure you have a better chance of finding the right qualified buyer. Lastly realtors have marketing expertise another area for increased exposure to potential buyers. Please click here to open the attachment to see my Commitment and Marketing Plan for my sellers. Naturally, it would be modified to apply to each individual property.
Do I have protection if you put a lockbox on my house?
An electronic lockbox allows agents the flexibility of showing your house when it fits everyone’s schedule. It keeps a record of when the house was shown and by which agent. If there is ever a problem (I’ve never encountered one) I can find out who would be the responsible party. I also encourage my clients to put small, portable items away during open house as a safety measure.
What are the behind-the-scene things that a realtor does?
Countless, sometimes I feel that I am like the duck that appears to be floating serenely on the surface of the pond and paddling like crazy underneath. The realtor coordinates preparing the house for market, multi-media marketing, working with other realtors, negotiation, and paperwork.
How long of a commitment do I make?
That is open for agreement. The more unique or challenging properties will usually require a much longer marketing period. To be fair to the realtor a longer listing gives them comfort in spending the necessary funds to effectively market the property.
Is it better to fix it up or not?
The decision should be an individual one based upon your time frame, financial requirements and the amount of work to be done. I have assisted clients with complete top to bottom remodels as well as help in providing small touches, which make a difference.
How does escrow and title work?
The escrow officer is a neutral third party. She is responsible for making certain that all parties involved keep their parts of the contract. The escrow officer checks for and pays off any liens on the property including outstanding loans and property taxes and collects the incoming funds. When all is in balance on the agreed upon date the title company will record a new deed in the names of the new owners.
What are termite and how do they affect my house?
Termites and other wood destroying organisms can over time cause significant damage to your house. It is generally the accepted that the seller is responsible for the repair of such damage and elimination of the problem usually by tenting the structure and killing off the infestation. This is called Section I work. The inspector will also inform you of problems that if not corrected can lead to an infestation. (Section II). This is usually just a heads up for the buyer.
Are contractor physical inspections really necessary?
A house generally comes to you “used.” It is vital that you know what possible problems you might be inheriting. If there is a major systems problem, it is important to know. An allowance for their repair needs to be built into the transaction or you may choose to walk away from that purchase.