From time to time, sellers ask us how you can prepare for a home inspection.
Bob Murphy is a home inspector
Leave appliances clear: Don’t leave dirty dishes in the dishwasher or laundry in the washing machine or dryer. This is because the inspector will need to test the appliances, and he doesn’t want to have to pull out dirty clothes in front of everybody. The same is true for your oven and stovetop. The inspector will need to test them without moving your food or pots around.
Make things accessible: Ensure the location of the attic and crawlspace are identified and easy to access. Don’t make a home inspector move your belongings in order to gain access. Strategically placed bundles and belongings can imply that the seller is trying to hide something and can cause the buyer to get nervous and the home inspector to get very thorough.
Check the lightbulbs: If a lightbulb isn’t working, the inspector will need to determine if the fixture is inoperable. Save them time by making sure all the lightbulbs in the home operate, including those in the crawlspace, attic, and furnace rooms.
Note shut off valve: Sometimes the location of your water shut-off valve is not obvious. You may want to label this to make it more obvious.
It’s important to understand what legal responsibilities your real estate salesperson has to you and to other parties in the transaction. Ask what type of agency relationship your agent has with you:
Seller's representative (also known as a listing agent or seller's agent)
A seller's agent is hired by and represents the seller. All fiduciary duties are owed to the seller. The agency relationship usually is created by a listing contract.
Buyer's representative (also known as a buyer’s agent)
A buyer’s agent is hired by prospective buyers to represent them in a real estate transaction. The buyer's rep works in the buyer's best interest throughout the transaction and owes fiduciary duties to the buyer. The buyer can pay the licensee directly through a negotiated fee, or the buyer's rep may be paid by the seller or through a commission split with the seller’s agent.
Subagent
A subagent owes the same fiduciary duties to the agent's customer as the agent does. Subagency usually arises when a cooperating sales associate from another brokerage, who is not the buyer’s agent, shows property to a buyer. In such a case, the subagent works with the buyer as a customer but owes fiduciary duties to the listing broker and the seller. Although a subagent cannot assist the buyer in any way that would be detrimental to the seller, a buyer-customer can expect to be treated honestly by the subagent. It is important that subagents fully explain their duties to buyers.
Disclosed dual agent
Dual agency is a relationship in which the brokerage firm represents both the buyer and the seller in the same real
estate transaction. Dual agency relationships do not carry with them all of the traditional fiduciary duties to clients. Instead, dual agents owe limited fiduciary duties. Because of the potential for conflicts of interest in a dual-agency relationship, it's vital that all parties give their informed consent. In many states, this consent must be in writing. Disclosed dual agency, in which both the buyer and the seller are told that the agent is representing both of them, is legal in most states.
Designated agent (also called appointed agent)
This is a brokerage practice that allows the managing broker to designate which licensees in the brokerage will act as an agent of the seller and which will act as an agent of the buyer. Designated agency avoids the problem of creating a dual-agency relationship for licensees at the brokerage. The designated agents give their clients full representation, with all of the attendant fiduciary duties. The broker still has the responsibility of supervising both groups of licensees.
Nonagency relationship (called, among other things, a transaction broker or facilitator)
Some states permit a real estate licensee to have a type of nonagency relationship with a consumer. These relationships vary considerably from state to state, both as to the duties owed to the consumer and the name used to describe them. Very generally, the duties owed to the consumer in a nonagency relationship are less than the complete, traditional fiduciary duties of an agency relationship.
Ron Ginyard has the experience you need to successfully realize your real estate goals.
Short sales abound, but many real estate sales associates do not possess the time, training, or temperament to process this type of transaction. In particular, many sales associates would rather use the time that would be lost processing paperwork to instead pursue marketing, lead generation, and other more productive activities.
Rather than distract themselves from their core tasks, sales associates handling a short-sale listing can benefit from the involvement of a short-sale negotiator, but they must be careful to adhere to rules on agency relationships, insurance, and compensation.
Home owners may choose their own negotiator, although they often do not have the expertise to select the best professional; selling sales associates may retain a negotiator as part of their team, or this individual may be an independent contractor that they hire; or the buyer's sales associate may bring in the negotiator, although this may lead to agency issues since the buyer's sales associate then begins to represent the seller.
In any case, it is critical for listing and selling sales associates to be certain of their Errors & Omissions policies, which may or may not cover these activities. They also must take care to address how the negotiator will be paid — out of commissions that have been earned or as a separate or negotiated fee.
Second Liens Roadblock for Short Sales
Second mortgages have become one of the biggest roadblocks to closing short sales. There are about 450,000 properties in some stage of the foreclosure process with at least one junior lien, according to real estate research firm CoreLogic. These second liens are a primary challenge for Freddie Mac, said Mark Johnson, who oversees short sales…
The foreclosure mess is making it harder for banks to sell properties. ForeclosureRadar, which tracks foreclosures in five Western states, says the number of properties coming to auction in Arizona, California, and Nevada has declined by more than 30 percent. Investors are backing away from sales because they fear that the properties they buy will…
This real estate scheme usually happens when the borrower owes more on the property than the current value. The borrower then pretends they have a financial hardship and can not make any more payments. Someone, an accomplice, who is working with the borrower submits a low offer to buy the property. The lender agrees with the…
The market is improving. Most markets have either turned or are close to turning.
All real estate is local. Homes in great locations are always in demand.
Spring is coming soon. Many potential buyers are starting their online searches right after the holidays, making mid- to late February a great time to start marketing.
5 Sure Signs That Its Time To Sell Your Home
When should I sell my home? This is not always the easiest question to answer. A lot of people don't plan on living in their first, second, or even third home forever, but still knowing when to let go and move on can be tricky. It can feel like ending a long term relationship, it's…
6 Budget Tips For Staging A House To Sell In Arlington
If you are trying to land a great deal for your property in Arlington, then you can't afford to overlook home staging. You'll want to hold a terrific open house- one that leaves the attendees entranced. And the good thing is, you can do that without having to break the bank.
Staging Hints For Sellers With A Place At Stratford On The Potomac In 22308
Are you planning to list your residence? A home that isn’t staged may sell if properly prices. On the other hand, a staged place of residence will sell faster and for more money. What steps can you take now to sell your split foyers-style house in a Split Foyer-style community?
Pocket listings -- off-market listings that are marketed directly by the seller’s real estate agent or broker -- are growing in number, according to news reports.
Sellers must agree to "pocket listings"; otherwise they aren’t permitted. Some sellers agree to such arrangements to “test the waters” first with selling or to avoid a large number of people from entering their home, or they may seek privacy, like in cases of celebrities or public figures.
Some real estate professionals argue the rise in pocket listings is hurting the housing market because these homes are given limited exposure and are making it more difficult to compare homes and prices.
Usually with pocket listings, brokerages complete the entire transaction in-house, thus collecting both the seller and buyer commission.
“Pocket listings are a good segment of our business,” writes one real estate professional on the RISMedia Facebook page. “Regarding cons with agents taking in full commissions ... we charge a flat rate for our pocket sales, much less than a full-percent commission.”
But many agents note that the majority of pocket listings are eventually entered into the MLS.
Source: “Pocket Listings: Helpful or Harmful?” RISMedia (March 14, 2013)
Selling a property quickly and at the best price can seem daunting in {Location_Name}. In order to ensure a fast sale, Nesbitt Realty prices our homes competitively. If you overprice, you run the risk of losing out on potential buyers. Your Realtor can help you to make sure that your home is clean, inviting, and in great shape. Our agent can point out where you should spend money and where you can save your money. Of course, a seller wants the home to show in the best possible light, so we recommend deep-cleaning, decluttering, and we'll suggest that you make any necessary repairs. It's best to stage the home with attractive furnishings and décor that complement the space.
[Learn more about selling]
Nothern Virginia Condo Experts
It should be obvious, but start by choosing a selling agent that cares about you and your condominium. The agent you choose should also understand the benefits and challenges of the condominium lifestyle.
An agent who has never lived in a condo or owned property in a condo might not appreciate the benefits of life without guttering, lawn care or exterior maintenance issues. Your Condo Alexandria agent knows how a condo community functions and just how great it is to own a condominium. A Condo Alexandria agent understands why some units are more than others. A Condo Alexandria agent can help others understand what a great view you have or how nice it is to be close to the parking lot.
Each condo has it's own benefits. We find your unit's benefits and make it obvious so that seller who want your condominium can find it.
5 Sure Signs That Its Time To Sell Your Home
When should I sell my home? This is not always the easiest question to answer. A lot of people don't plan on living in their first, second, or even third home forever, but still knowing when to let go and move on can be tricky. It can feel like ending a long term relationship, it's…
6 Budget Tips For Staging A House To Sell In Arlington
If you are trying to land a great deal for your property in Arlington, then you can't afford to overlook home staging. You'll want to hold a terrific open house- one that leaves the attendees entranced. And the good thing is, you can do that without having to break the bank.
Staging Hints For Sellers With A Place At Stratford On The Potomac In 22308
Are you planning to list your residence? A home that isn’t staged may sell if properly prices. On the other hand, a staged place of residence will sell faster and for more money. What steps can you take now to sell your split foyers-style house in a Split Foyer-style community?
Renovated kitchens are always popular.
How do you craft a compelling marketing message that draws the perfect buyers to your listings? It’s all about the principle of sacrifice, said Laurie Moore-Moore, founder of the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, based in Dallas.
“Don’t waste your time bringing in people who won’t buy the house,” Moore-Moore told REALTORS® on Friday during a session on how to develop a successful marketing plan for luxury properties at the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® Conference in New Orleans. “Sacrifice those people and focus on the ones who will buy.”
For example, if you’re struggling to get offers on a beautiful home because it has a miniscule backyard, create a message that targets the small pool of buyers who would see that negative feature as a selling point. The headline to use in your marketing messages: “Backyard Removed for Your Convenience.”
Or, if you can’t seem to find any positives for a condo that’s just like all the others in the building, only it looks out onto a brick wall rather than the city skyline, try a headline like “Willing to Trade View for Value?”
How about proximity to Metro?
“Target the prospects for whom view is not an issue,” Moore-Moore said. “Sometimes the negative is your best hook—it becomes the reason to buy.”
Moore-Moore emphasized the importance of writing an interesting and descriptive headline that’s used in your printed marketing materials, your social networking communications, and possibly even on your For Sale signs. (Tip: Never use the property address as the headline!)
Once you draw the prospects in with a great headline, follow up with a story that defines the home’s lifestyle and calls out the most unique aspects of the home.
“Recognize that marketing is storytelling,” Moore-Moore said. “Ask yourself: What is different about the house that competitive homes can’t say? You have to find that special story.”
—Kelly Quigley, REALTOR® Magazine
