BLOG POSTS
Advice On Selling A House
Summary: Of course you should clean up the house when you are trying to sell it. But what else can you do to get it sold fast, and at a higher price?
Maybe you've read lots of advice on selling a house. But do you know the biggest mistake many people make when selling a house? Not understanding real estate value.
You see, it doesn't matter what you think your home is worth. It doesn't matter what you did to make in nicer for your family. The value of your home is determined by buyers. What you enjoyed about your house may be irrelevant when it's time to sell. Think in terms of what buyers want, and use some of the following advice on selling a house.
1. Know the real estate market trends. What other similar houses have sold for? Have those examples ready to show potential buyers.
2. Decide on a minimum price - the price below which you just won't move. Don't tell your agent what this minimum is, but negotiate with any buyers who make an offer near or above it.
3. Concentrate on the visible things first. A new mailbox is often a good idea. When buyers fall in love with the house before they even enter it, they forgive a lot of problems.
4. Clean the neighborhood. If a neighbor's yard is a mess, give their kids $10 to pick up the yard. Spend $20 to put flowers in any common-areas, and buyers will have a better first impression of the neighborhood.
5. If you or your agent aren't getting many calls, try something new. Is more advertising necessary? Is the price too high? If price is the problem, drop it fast. That perfect buyer might pass on by while the the home is still over-priced.
6. Listen to prospects. They'll be more objective than you. If you hear several times that the kitchen is dark, get out the white paint.
7. Find the average sales time for your area. If your house is taking longer than average to sell, there's a problem, and usually it's the price.
8. Ask your real estate agent what she plans to do - before you sign a listing agreement. Write down what she says, and hold her to her promises.
9. If there are known problems, such as an old roof, get an estimate for repairs. The sellers may want a $7,000 allowance for a new roof - until you show them your $4,000 estimate.
10. Do improvements that can realistically get you at least a two-to-one return on investment. If $300 to seal the driveway is likely to add $600 to the sales price of the home, do it. Always consider first those things that are most visible.
There are dozens of things you can do to sell your house faster, and get a better price. Start with the ones that will get the most "bang for your buck." Also, read and USE good advice on selling a house.
Keywords: advice on selling a house, real estate, house
Maybe you've read lots of advice on selling a house. But do you know the biggest mistake many people make when selling a house? Not understanding real estate value.
You see, it doesn't matter what you think your home is worth. It doesn't matter what you did to make in nicer for your family. The value of your home is determined by buyers. What you enjoyed about your house may be irrelevant when it's time to sell. Think in terms of what buyers want, and use some of the following advice on selling a house.
1. Know the real estate market trends. What other similar houses have sold for? Have those examples ready to show potential buyers.
2. Decide on a minimum price - the price below which you just won't move. Don't tell your agent what this minimum is, but negotiate with any buyers who make an offer near or above it.
3. Concentrate on the visible things first. A new mailbox is often a good idea. When buyers fall in love with the house before they even enter it, they forgive a lot of problems.
4. Clean the neighborhood. If a neighbor's yard is a mess, give their kids $10 to pick up the yard. Spend $20 to put flowers in any common-areas, and buyers will have a better first impression of the neighborhood.
5. If you or your agent aren't getting many calls, try something new. Is more advertising necessary? Is the price too high? If price is the problem, drop it fast. That perfect buyer might pass on by while the the home is still over-priced.
6. Listen to prospects. They'll be more objective than you. If you hear several times that the kitchen is dark, get out the white paint.
7. Find the average sales time for your area. If your house is taking longer than average to sell, there's a problem, and usually it's the price.
8. Ask your real estate agent what she plans to do - before you sign a listing agreement. Write down what she says, and hold her to her promises.
9. If there are known problems, such as an old roof, get an estimate for repairs. The sellers may want a $7,000 allowance for a new roof - until you show them your $4,000 estimate.
10. Do improvements that can realistically get you at least a two-to-one return on investment. If $300 to seal the driveway is likely to add $600 to the sales price of the home, do it. Always consider first those things that are most visible.
There are dozens of things you can do to sell your house faster, and get a better price. Start with the ones that will get the most "bang for your buck." Also, read and USE good advice on selling a house.
Keywords: advice on selling a house, real estate, house
ARTICLE WRITTEN BY: VANCOUVER ALLIANCE FINANCIAL SERVICE
Advice on Picking a Real Estate Agent
Summary: The ideal agent is not always the one with the most sales under his or her belt, or the most years on the job. The ideal agent is one who listens to you, is easy to get along with, and has the tools and skills to address your unique situation.
The ideal agent is not always the one with the most sales under his or her belt, or the most years on the job. The ideal agent is one who listens to you, is easy to get along with, and has the tools and skills to address your unique situation.
Every home buyer is different. Some have credit issues. Some are buying from out of state. Some need help selling their current home in addition to buying a new one. Just as buyers have different needs, real estate agents have different skills and specialties.
Here's how to find the agent who's right for you:
1. Ask friends and family for agent referrals.
Nobody knows you as well as your friends and family do. So they're often in the best position to recommend an agent who is well-suited for your needs. You can also trust a referral from friends or family more than one that comes from a stranger.
2. Talk to multiple agents.
I once saw a statistic that 84% of home buyers choose the first real estate agent they contact. This means one of two things. Either most people are choosing wisely the first time, or they're just rushing into things without shopping around. Probably a little of both.
You don't have to exhaust yourself interviewing agent after agent, but at least talk with two or three to see who you're most comfortable with (which leads to the next point).
3. Consider the vibe factor.
Professional expertise is an important criterion when choosing a real estate agent. But interpersonal skills are equally important. After all, you'll be working with this person anywhere from 2 to 12 months, so it helps to get along with them. We all have unique personalities, and that's the way it should be. But when working with someone professionally, if helps if their personality "meshes" well with your own.
4. Ask how they hunt for on sale houses.
When deciding on a real estate agent for their real estate services, ask how they search for homes. Some agents have their own preferred listings that they favor. But you want what's best for you, not what's best for your agent. You're paying them, right? So make sure the agent is willing to search high and low to find the best home for you. That includes using the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) as well as their own personal network.
5. Read paperwork carefully.
This advice is heavily used for a reason. It's critical that you examine all documents during the home buying process, and that includes your agent agreement. At some point during the relationship, your agent will probably ask you to sign an agent agreement. Basically, it just means that if the agent shows you a particular property, your purchase of the property should be credited to that agent. In most cases it's a simple, just be sure to read it carefully and ask questions.
Keywords: realtor, real estate agent, texas, buying, selling, directory, professionals, counties, central
The ideal agent is not always the one with the most sales under his or her belt, or the most years on the job. The ideal agent is one who listens to you, is easy to get along with, and has the tools and skills to address your unique situation.
Every home buyer is different. Some have credit issues. Some are buying from out of state. Some need help selling their current home in addition to buying a new one. Just as buyers have different needs, real estate agents have different skills and specialties.
Here's how to find the agent who's right for you:
1. Ask friends and family for agent referrals.
Nobody knows you as well as your friends and family do. So they're often in the best position to recommend an agent who is well-suited for your needs. You can also trust a referral from friends or family more than one that comes from a stranger.
2. Talk to multiple agents.
I once saw a statistic that 84% of home buyers choose the first real estate agent they contact. This means one of two things. Either most people are choosing wisely the first time, or they're just rushing into things without shopping around. Probably a little of both.
You don't have to exhaust yourself interviewing agent after agent, but at least talk with two or three to see who you're most comfortable with (which leads to the next point).
3. Consider the vibe factor.
Professional expertise is an important criterion when choosing a real estate agent. But interpersonal skills are equally important. After all, you'll be working with this person anywhere from 2 to 12 months, so it helps to get along with them. We all have unique personalities, and that's the way it should be. But when working with someone professionally, if helps if their personality "meshes" well with your own.
4. Ask how they hunt for on sale houses.
When deciding on a real estate agent for their real estate services, ask how they search for homes. Some agents have their own preferred listings that they favor. But you want what's best for you, not what's best for your agent. You're paying them, right? So make sure the agent is willing to search high and low to find the best home for you. That includes using the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) as well as their own personal network.
5. Read paperwork carefully.
This advice is heavily used for a reason. It's critical that you examine all documents during the home buying process, and that includes your agent agreement. At some point during the relationship, your agent will probably ask you to sign an agent agreement. Basically, it just means that if the agent shows you a particular property, your purchase of the property should be credited to that agent. In most cases it's a simple, just be sure to read it carefully and ask questions.
Keywords: realtor, real estate agent, texas, buying, selling, directory, professionals, counties, central
ARTICLE WRITTEN BY: VANCOUVER ALLIANCE FINANCIAL SERVICE
Avoid Legal Battles over Broker Commissions
Summary: Clearly spelling out the terms of agreement is the first rule for owners and brokers. This is the best way to prevent litigation.
Commission agreements that spell out how brokers are paid typically use form documents. The commission formula sometimes changes, but the terms and conditions usually stay the same. Consequently standard terms and conditions of commission agreements are often ignored by brokers and owners once the agreement is signed. Since the broker’s income is tied to the terms of those agreements, close attention to details are vital to all parties involved.
Recent lawsuits stemming from disputes over broker commissions reveal tough lessons about the importance of paying close attention to commission agreements.
A building owner in Detroit was forced to pay a commission because the original agreement did not contain an expiration or termination date. The building owner argued that there are a number of key terms understood and agreed to prior to signing the agreement that were not contained in the final written agreement. The judge overruled this argument stating that the contract was clear as written.
Judges and juries are not real estate professionals. The term “procuring cause” may have a standard definition in the real estate business, but mean nothing to a juror. All parties involved must make sure the language is clear. A judge or jury will not rewrite a contract to save either party from a bad business decision.
Even after a favorable commission contract is successfully negotiated and written, it’s not OK to simply file it away. Either party cannot claim they forgot about the agreement.
The lesson here is to carefully note important terms and conditions, especially those that relate to performance, compensation, and termination.
Legal disputes are not unique to any location. Judges and juries nationwide are showing resistance to insert terms into commission contracts or allow parties to ignore the terms of a contract. Recently there’s been an increase in the number of disputes. Some have settled out of court, yet a fair number have gone to litigation. This can be reversed through the efforts of brokers and owners who invest more time and effort putting together agreements and abiding by them. This is the best method of prevention.
Good luck to you.
Keywords: broker, commission agreement, contract, sign, owners
Commission agreements that spell out how brokers are paid typically use form documents. The commission formula sometimes changes, but the terms and conditions usually stay the same. Consequently standard terms and conditions of commission agreements are often ignored by brokers and owners once the agreement is signed. Since the broker’s income is tied to the terms of those agreements, close attention to details are vital to all parties involved.
Recent lawsuits stemming from disputes over broker commissions reveal tough lessons about the importance of paying close attention to commission agreements.
A building owner in Detroit was forced to pay a commission because the original agreement did not contain an expiration or termination date. The building owner argued that there are a number of key terms understood and agreed to prior to signing the agreement that were not contained in the final written agreement. The judge overruled this argument stating that the contract was clear as written.
Judges and juries are not real estate professionals. The term “procuring cause” may have a standard definition in the real estate business, but mean nothing to a juror. All parties involved must make sure the language is clear. A judge or jury will not rewrite a contract to save either party from a bad business decision.
Even after a favorable commission contract is successfully negotiated and written, it’s not OK to simply file it away. Either party cannot claim they forgot about the agreement.
The lesson here is to carefully note important terms and conditions, especially those that relate to performance, compensation, and termination.
Legal disputes are not unique to any location. Judges and juries nationwide are showing resistance to insert terms into commission contracts or allow parties to ignore the terms of a contract. Recently there’s been an increase in the number of disputes. Some have settled out of court, yet a fair number have gone to litigation. This can be reversed through the efforts of brokers and owners who invest more time and effort putting together agreements and abiding by them. This is the best method of prevention.
Good luck to you.
Keywords: broker, commission agreement, contract, sign, owners