| Sellers Warnings...
Far too many clients have had an unpleasant experience with the real estate agent whom they thought was not representing or marketing their property well. In many cases, the home doesn't sell during its listing period. Once you have made the decision to sell your home, it is important to choose a real estate professional who will work hard until the day your home is SOLD! Please remember, you are in control of selecting the best agent for your needs. All real estate professionals are NOT created equal.
*Are you considering selling your home?
*Have had an unsuccessful FSBO listing?
*Are you discouraged about your last listing that EXPIRED?
If so, please read the following precautions:
- Interview the agents you are considering. Each agent is in direct competition with hundreds of other agents in your area. Choose the best! The interaction they have with you as you ask questions of them will show you how they will likely interact with other agents or buyers who will be asking about your home.
- DO NOT share the following information to ANY AGENT until you have decided to list your home with them: "WHY" or "HOW MUCH". The competing agent might ask why you are moving, how much you owe on your home, how much you paid for your home, how much you hope to sell your home for. Those facts have NOTHING to do with the market value of your home. A true professional will understand if you simply say "I prefer not to share that information yet". If you DO disclose those facts, it could end up hurting you in the event that you decide to list with another agent!
- Make sure you feel comfortable with the marketing value the agent has suggested for your home. If an agent simply states a list price without supplying you with the facts they used to determine the market value, you have just seen your first red flag! The market changes daily and this activity can greatly affect the true market value of your home. For more information, please read Your Home's Value.
- During the interviewing process, if the agent asks you to suggest how much you think your home should list for, do not answer. Remind them that they are the professional and that is why you gave them the opportunity to compete for your listing. Most agents apply ethical standards in their real estate business and have the desire to do what ever is in their client's best interest. Please be aware of the small percentage of agents who are out there just to get your listing. They will get exposure from your lawn sign to obtain more business. If they agree to list your home for a price that is far more than your home is worth, you have just seen another red flag! A home that is properly priced and aggressively marketed will sell; a home that is over-priced and lightly marketed will not. You should only discuss your desired list price with the agent whom you have chosen to represent you after the interviewing process has ended.
I encourage you to interview me and allow me to prepare a detailed marketing analysis for you. I will review my marketing plan with you and show you how I get the results that keep my clients happy!
Please see the Client Testimonials section to hear the words of my clients. Sellers benefit greatly from my extensive marketing background. I was the Vice President of a local company which had exclusive retail stores, as well as a national mail order division. During those years, I was responsible for marketing. This included advertising, product promotions, and more importantly, product image. Your home is actually a product on the market. My experience has taught me that heavy marketing is the key to selling. I have learned many tricks of the trade. Bringing this experience into real estate has created exceptional results! I have intensified my marketing knowledge by earning a certification which provided Home Staging Techniques for marketing my client's homes at their BEST! My listings enjoy better than average showing activity (for details, see the link About Me.) I've often had the pleasure of seeing my client's homes go under contract in less than 30 days as a result of my unique marketing plan. My mission with each new listing is the same...
My clients need me to SELL their home, not just simply LIST it.
"Put my energy to work for you today!"
Buyers Warnings...
As a buyer, you are about to make one of the most important and most expensive purchases of your life. This should not be taken lightly - by you or your real estate agent. It is vital that you feel comfortable about the agent with whom you have trusted with the opportunity to assist you. I would like to caution you about the following items:
- Obtain a Buyers Agent! If you are looking for a new home, it is better to have your own agent who will represent you and keep your best interest in mind. The agents who have the properties listed represent the sellers. In some cases, as they have the ability to work ethically as a Dual Agent, one agent will represent both the buyer and the seller. If you have a buyer’s agent you can expect that they will do market research on the property to determine its true market value. They will negotiate the best possible price for the home after they have presented the offer for you. They will show you any property listed in the MLS, regardless of the listing agency. You will build a relationship with one agent who will learn exactly what kind of home you are looking for and be able to show you all of them. The best part is that it doesn't have to cost you anything to have this valuable representation with properties on the MLS. Your agent is paid out of the commission paid by the seller. They should advise you of any property where this does not apply. For more information on Buyer's Agency, you might want to read my "Let's Talk Real Estate" link on the subject.
- Any agent showing you property is required to provide you with a brochure entitled "Working with Real Estate Agents". They should also answer any questions you might have regarding "agency". Agency simply means who the agent represents: Buyer, Seller or both in "Dual Agency". Do not be uneasy about signing the tear-off insert, it is only an acknowledgement that they have done their duty by giving you the brochure. You might want to question the integrity of an agent who does not provide this brochure while showing you the first property, as it is a requirement of the NC Real Estate Commission. Open House showings are an exception to the rule.
- As you find that you are working well with the agent and would like to continue using their services, you might be asked to sign a "Buyer's Agency Agreement". Please read it carefully and understand the agent's commission requirements before signing. In most cases, the buyer's agent receives a portion of the commission paid by the seller. The percentage your agent will receive is advertised in the Multiple Listing Service. If you have signed an agreement with the agent you have chosen to work with, make sure you speak to YOUR agent before asking another agent to show you the property. This agreement is a commitment between you and the agent who has earned your trust and approval.
- Your agent should only be showing you the properties you truly have an interest in. If you find yourself wasting time driving all over town being shown many homes that do not fit your criteria, bring it to the agent's attention. In this area, the home that perfectly meets your criteria could be listed by any given real estate company, as there are many different reputable companies. If the homes you are being shown are all listed by only one company in town, you might question the integrity of your agent. Your time is too valuable and there are far too many homes on the market to settle for this. Your agent might suggest assigning a Listingbook® account for easy access to the homes that match your specific criteria.
- Trust your mortgage lender! In a real estate transaction, there are many pieces to the puzzle; you, your agent, the seller, the seller's agent, the closing attorney and mortgage lender. In some cases, all other parties involved can work efficiently to assure a smooth closing, only to be delayed because the lender cannot deliver the loan package to the closing attorney in time for the closing. This is not where you want to be on the day you had planned your move into your new home. The furniture can be on the moving van and you could find yourself looking for a place to stay until the close. For more information, please visit the Mortgage Center on my website.
Whether you are buying or selling, my success is measured by your satisfaction!
Please read the Client Testimonialssections for references. Prior to beginning my real estate career, I enjoyed 12 years experience in the mortgage industry. Being the group leader of my department, one of my responsibilities was to assure that every document involved with the loan was complete and accurate. I became very familiar with the documents prepared by the attorney who was responsible for the closing. That direct connection has helped to enhance my success in real estate. I have used that experience many times to help my clients over road-blocks that have jeopardized their loan closing. I understand the importance of having the proper documentation and all requirements that are necessary to enjoy smooth closings. I am able to answer many questions that my clients may have about financing. I am qualified to give my clients excellent service throughout the entire home buying process. Your benefit is having this kind of experience on your side!
If you or anyone you know is interested in buying real estate, please contact me and
"Put my energy to work for you today!"
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