How to $ave on Commissions........
One of the first questions a Realtor is asked is: "How much is your commission and do I really need you?"
In brief, you CAN sell your home without a Realtor. There are many web sites where you can post your own home for sale. HOWEVER.....
.....many times a seller has tried to market their home themselves, and then ultimately turned the situation over to me...WHY? Frustration because once you make the commitment to actually sell your home, you need to reach a lot of buyers, understand the real estate laws of your state, make your home "sellable" inside & out, and most important BE THERE to show it. This will COST you MORE of your valuable time and your out-of-pocket expenses (which can be considerable) plus the time necessary to determine the true value of your home AND anticipate the unexpected.
An EXPERIENCED, HONEST & PROFESSIONAL Realtor SAVES YOU TIME AND MONEY for several reasons. He is an expert in marketing, showing, and advertising. He has access to HUNDREDS OF QUALIFIED BUYERS, works with the mortgage and escrow companies & can anticipate and handle the unexpected.
The internet is a GREAT place to buy books, gifts, and office supplies and I do it all the time. However, it is unlikely that someone would actually buy a home on the "net" without checking it out first and seeing the neighborhood it is in. The internet is a GREAT TOOL to SHOW you what is available in the areas you are interested in. It is EXTREMELY rare that a Buyer actually purchases the home he sees on the Internet.
There are agents who advertise that they will work for a discounted fee....and they give discounted services too. They put your home in Multiple Listing and offer the other agents a $200 commission to co-broke. FACT: MOST HOMES SELL THROUGH MLS, however, WHAT AGENT is going to show your home & receive only a $200 commission? BE CAREFUL of what you do....
What should you do?........
Hopefully you'll recognize the need for a professional, full-time agent with a reputation for giving great service and the lowest possible commission. Right?
You DO have many choices in finding your professional Realtor, but first let's define "professional":
1. Experienced
2. Educated.
3. Top Sales Person
4. Service oriented
I have been helping people find homes for over 26 years..........
I'm one of the few Realtors that hold CRB, CRS, SRES & CBR designations (all are awarded to Agents who have a lot of experience, sold many homes and passed several series of tests). In fact, I'm the only one I know that holds all four (4). In addition, I have a Bachelor's Degree in Economics.
I have been a RE/MAX agent for 11 years and have consistently performed in the TOP 1-2% in Sales nationwide.
Many agents don't understand the basics of being service oriented. It's much more than just listing a home and writing a contract. If you are an out-of-town seller/buyer, you need someone who is going to watch your home, make sure everything is in order. If repairs are necessary suggest to the homeowner what needs to done & get someone to do it for a reasonable price . The seller needs someone who realizes how important it is to coordinate the transaction with the other agents, escrow companies and home inspectors.
From a buyer's standpoint, many times, they sign a contract and go back home. Again, I do what needs to be done. Are the lawn sprinklers in working order and do the bushes need to be trimmed? Does the pool have enough water? How is the seller leaving the property? OKAY....OKAY.....
YOU NEED A REALTOR! I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL PROPERTIES AND SOLD HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF HOMES THROUGH THE YEARS and I 'm able to offer substantially lower fees than most.
I have always offered special reduced fees to:
Seniors age65 & over, a 1% discount
If you are actively in the military, and are moving due to active duty, I will list your home for free.
If you are relocating out of state, I will provide you with a referral to a top agent. That agent will
pay me a referral fee which I will credit to your fees on your Florida home. This will reduce the cost
of your Florida sale by about 1%.
If you already have a buyer for your home and want us to consult on your home, we will provide
a fee schedule for you.
If I'm marketing your home and you find a buyer through your network, I'll waive 50% of my fee.
In short, you get a top, experienced, educated agent working for you and you can actually sell your home for lower fees.
It's very important that you don't hire me just because my fees are lower. I want you to want a top agent who is experienced & educated. My lower fees are just a benefit.
It's Experience That Counts