Why Realtors?

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10 Reasons to List with a Realtor

Price

Realtors know the market and can negotiate a better price.

Access to Buyers

Through the Multiple Listing Service, professional contacts and their own database of prospects, Realtors can help you reach the widest range of customers.

Marketing Expertise

Realtors know the best ways to advertise to attract buyers, plus they can use the marketing muscle of their brokerage to promote your name.

Sales Skills

Realtors can evaluate your home and suggest improvements to get you maximum value, and they're skilled at handling showings to generate a positive response.

Negotiation Skills

With years of bargaining experience and expert understanding of the market, Realtors can help you close the deal at the price and terms you want.

Knowledge of Service Providers

Realtors can refer you to their network of top-quality lenders, lawyers, inspectors and repair people to make sure you get the best result in every stage of your deal.

Advice After Closing

An experienced Realtor will continue to support you as questions pop up after the deal is done.

Knowledge of Neighborhoods

Realtors know local communities and can help you find a replacement home in the nicest neighborhood and with the best schools.

Experience Handling Paperwork

Buying or selling a home involves reams of paperwork that can be hard to understand. Realtors thrive in this world.

Time

Realtors have the time and expertise to handle showings, inspections and the dozens of other tasks that would take you away from your work and regular routine.

 

Why Should You Pay a Real Estate Commission?

Why would a seller not want to hire a realtor?

The number one reason is that they want to 'save' money by not paying a commission. Buyers that shop For Sale By Owner (FSBO) listings do so because they think the house is going to be discounted since it's not listed by a licensed real estate agent.

BUT did you know that nearly 90% of FSBO eventually list with a realtor?

A realtor advertises your home, invests in signage, shows your home countless times, and can bring years of experience and expertise to the table to help you avoid costly mistakes.

 

Why pay a commission?

Homeowners who attempt to sell their homes without the assistance of a real estate professional generally do so for one and only one reason - to avoid paying a commission. 

Buyers who buy for sale by owner generally do so for one reason, they want to save money. They assume since the seller isn't using a Realtor, the price of the house will be "X"% less and they will get a better deal.

Both the Seller and the Buyer are trying to save the commission for themselves!

Is this really true and worth it? Only the homeowner can answer that. Over 90% of For Sale By Owners eventually list with a REALTOR. 

I don't get paid until your house closes. Until then, these are some of the things we bring to the table:

  • Advertising
  • Prospecting
  • Yard signs
  • Experience
  • Information
  • Showings and scheduling showings
  • Feedback
  • Networking
  • Financial pre-qualification
  • Technical support
  • Keeping your best interest in mind!
  • Details, details, DETAILS
  • Time
  • Information - knowing whom to call
  • Code of Ethics
  • Showing houses
  • Follow up with lender
  • Fight for your price with appraisers
  • Problem solving
  • Doing whatever it takes to get your home sold

 

Staging your home to sell

To earn top dollar and sell your home more quickly, you need to make it stand out from the competition. And one of the best ways to do that is through staging.

4 reasons to stage:

  1. Your home will shine online. Buyers first found 92% of the homes they visited on the Internet. Good staging can make your home stand out before buyers see it in person.
  2. It shows off the potential. 77% of agents say staging makes it easier for buyers to visualize a property as their future home.
  3. It spurs walk-throughs. Customers are more willing to walk through a home that's been staged, according to 40% of agents.
  4. Your home will sell faster. Nearly two-thirds of agents say staging decreases the amount of time a home spends on the market.

"Clutter eats equity... Staging is preparing a home for sale so the buyer can mentally move in." - Barb Schwarz

 

Simple fixes agents recommend:

  • Declutter: 93%
  • Full home cleaning: 89%
  • Carpet cleaning: 81%
  • Remove pets before showings: 80%
  • Make minor repairs: 75%
  • Depersonalize the home: 72%
  • Paint walls: 68%

Realtors' estimate of impact of home staging on selling price:

  • 1% to 5%: About one-third of buyer's agents say staging increases selling price by 1% to 5%.
  • 6% to 10%: 13% of agents say staging increases selling prices by 6% to 10%.
  • 11% to 20%: 5% of agents say staging adds 11% to 20% to selling price.

Sources: NAR 2017 Profile of Home Staging, Househunt.com, realtor.com, Barb Schwartz

Pricing your home to sell

The real value of your home is based on facts.

  1. It doesn't matter how much another agent thinks it's worth.
  2. It doesn't matter what Team Moji thinks it's worth.
  3. Comparable SALES determine the value of your home.
  4. UPGRADES to your home increase the value - granite counters, wood floors, etc. If everyone in your area has these same items, then it is not an upgrade.
  5. Maintenance items do not add value - your home is supposed to have a good roof, air and heat that are in GOOD working order. Replacing these items makes your home sell faster and will get you a higher value than your competition who have not taken care of their property!

Is your home priced right?

  1. If your home is priced within 2% of what it should sell for, you should have an offer within 30 - 45 days.
  2. If you have 10 - 15 showings, and no offers, your price is off by about 4 - 6%.
  3. If you have a low number of showings but lots of drive-ups or flyers taken, your price is off about 6-12%.
  4. If no showings are happening at all, then your is likely price 12% or MORE above what the market will bear for your house.

Who controls the price?

  • There is no "EXACT PRICE" for real estate - it is subjective.
  • We don't tell you what we think your home is "worth."
  • The market determines value - together we determine asking price.
  • You determine price based on factors YOU control: market time, financing alternative provided, condition of property, exposure methods

Factors that don't affect price:

  1. What you paid for house
  2. Your need for money
  3. Your personal attachment to property
  4. What another agent said it's worth
  5. Items considered maintenance rather than upgrades

Overpricing:

  1. Makes your neighbor's house sell.
  2. Agents will not choose to show it.
  3. Buyers stay away too.
  4. You lose a strong negotiating position.
  5. House becomes stale on the market.
  6. May not appraise (big issue!).

3 people you have to convince:

  1. The realtors who have the clients
  2. The buyer who makes the offer
  3. The appraiser who works for the lender who wants to protect their investment

 

Comments frequently heard from sellers:

"I have an appraisal when I refinanced that is more than you are suggesting."

The lender is concerned about your ability to repay this loan - which you have already demonstrated. The appraisal may be high or low - it just has to fit the lenders requirements for your refinancing. I even had an appraiser ask me what my 'number' needed to be!

"People always offer less than the asking price."

"My neighbor was able to get his price."

"My house is better than the rest."

"We paid more than that for our home."

"We just painted and added carpet."

"I need this much money for our next house."

"The buyers can always make an offer."