Tag: listing agent

Is the Highest Price Offer the Best Offer?

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How difficult is it to decide on an offer on your property? It all seems so simple. You put your house on the market with your trusted real estate professional. Buyer’s Agents show you property and then submit offers. Now what? Let’s look at three considerations when assessing an offer:

1. Price

2. Terms

3. Conditions

Price: Sometimes the highest price offer may not yield the best terms and conditions. For example, you receive an offer that is “over” your list price, but the buyer has a house to sell that is in a remote part of Minnesota where it is always a buyer’s market. Of course, you would want to explore the particulars of the house sale situation but, for now, this has a contingency that may not be satisfied for a long while. While the highest price is tempting it may cost you in time and frustration waiting for the buyer’s house to sell.

Terms: In another case, the price may be right, but the terms of the offer may not be reasonable. For example, one term of the offer may be that the buyer’s financing is contingent upon a mortgage loan at an interest rate that is no longer available. It’s important to verify that the lender letter and the contract reflect the current interest rate. The buyer’s financing letter may not be updated, and, with the current interest rate, the buyer may not actually qualify for the purchase. It’s important to make sure that the buyer’s lender letter is updated before accepting an offer.

Conditions: Lastly, some of the offer conditions may not be able to be satisfied per the contract. For example, if a buyer requests that a roof be replaced, or a buried oil tank removed prior to closing and if it’s the middle of winter, then this condition may not be realistic. Evaluate the buyer’s conditions and make sure that you can meet their request.

In summary, each offer is unique. It’s important to have an experienced professional real estate agent to help you navigate offers so you can choose the buyer who best fits with your goals. If you’ve been thinking about selling, get in touch and we can discuss next steps and what to expect from the selling process.

Anxiety and Selling Your Home

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How stressful is selling your home? There are many reasons why selling your home is overwhelming. As a Realtor in Vermont I was overwhelmed with selling a family house out-of-state. The lack of familiarity with the process, the pricing, and the current buyer preferences in the area were all a mystery to me. After choosing a top agent who is a local expert in the area I realized that her job was to alleviate my stress and anxiety and guide me through the process. Let’s explore the major issues that cause anxiety and how we can help alleviate some of your fear and worries.

Here are the top 3 questions that we answer:

1. What do I have to do to my house to get it on the market? It depends. We need to visit your house to see what projects, repairs, updates, etc. would benefit you most with today’s buyers. It’s a good idea to have a budget set aside for these items and we will prioritize your “to do” list.

2. Will I be able to move by a date of my choosing? Most likely, yes. We are experts at getting you out and moving to your next destination in the time frame that works for you. Let us know your plans and we will work with your schedule.

3. How do showings work? With us, we schedule the showings with your lifestyle in mind. If you need to work at home certain days we will schedule around your meetings and work schedule. To minimize the stress of having your house “show ready” all the time we make sure you have enough time to prepare for buyers.

These are just some of the questions that we answer early in the process of selling your home. Make sure you choose a Realtor that has experience to lead you through the entire process, from prepping your house for sale to guiding you through the inspection and closing. If you are thinking about selling, contact us to get started!

Do’s and Don’ts for Choosing a Realtor

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portrait-of-young-woman-using-mobile-phone-in-cafe-323503Let’s face it, there are plenty of Realtors out there. They are in your book club, your networking club, at your gym, and at the dog parks. Realtors wear vests, coats, and even dog leashes emblazoned with their brokerage logo. And, if you even mention “moving” at a Starbucks be assured that there is a Realtor lurking at the next table.

So, how do you pick a Realtor when it’s time to buy or sell? Here are three tips to help you choose:

Don’t be swayed by their claims of being #1 in the Market. If the agent is focused on their firm’s or their individual accomplishments that may be a red flag. The goal of being #1 comes at the expense of client service and attention.

Don’t fall for lower fees. If the agent tells you that they have the lowest rates don’t believe them. Shop around for fees and services. You may want to know why their rates are so low.

Do ask about their market knowledge and how your house compares to others. All real estate markets are hyper-local. Home prices vary from city to city and from street to street. Make sure your Realtor has direct knowledge of your neighborhood. Ask how your house compares to others in the immediate area.

On the Weaver Team we hear from sellers who are unhappy with their agent. If you follow these Do’s and Don’ts you are in a better position to be a satisfied seller in the long run. Remember, real estate transactions can be complex and you will need someone with experience, knowledge, and a professional approach to get you to the results that you want.