Seller Frequently Asked Questions

How are you able to have a lower fee?

People use me when they don't see the point of paying 5%-6% (Listing agent fee of (2.5%-3%) or when they don't want to give their home away. 

The old-school method of charging 5%-6% (and splitting some with the Buyer's agent) was based on having formal office space, paying for desks, cubicles, and administrative staff. Plus the way of searching for homes and AI has changed a lot of processes.

That model exists for many, but doesn't exist for me - it never has. It really comes down to efficiencies. I don't have a brick and mortar office to pay for, any services I need I outsource per listing, and I use AI when I can for an even higher efficiency. This allows me to offer a lower fee, all the time. 

Do you sell homes needing repair?

Absolutely! All homes have "material defects", even brand new ones. I have also sold homes which many thought should have been torn down.

I contacted a flipper / redeveloper and they told my that I really save from using their services. What do you think?

Yes and no.

There are costs in selling a home on the retail market. But, we are essentially broadcasting the home to the world to find the highest agreeable price.

When someone offers to sell their home to a flipper - that flipper is the ONLY buyer.

There is a lot of money in the market - so showcasing it to one buyer only, doesn't make sense!

Not in my book anyways.

The flipper / re-developer told me that I don't have to pay closing costs or Realtor fees.

That is often true, but to me it comes down to simple math.

The flippers have to buy it low "to make a profit" so they can flip it for a profit too. They often try to use scarcity to get the deal! Common flipper lingo, "I have to know asap because I can use my money elsewhere." 

What they are NOT saying is, "Hurry, sell it to me, so no one else gets the chance to look at it."

Sell a home to a flipper for 65%-70% of best retail price OR list with me to find the best retail price - realtor fees - seller credits - closing costs - holding costs of 4 months.

Flipper:

$325,000 - 30% = $227,500

Me:

$325,000 - $11,375 - $5,000 - $2,000 - $6,000 = $300,625.

How many people would rather have $73,125 more for waiting a little bit?

Here is the irony of it - let's say you get desperate, and want to dump it. If you drop the price to $275,000 on the market, it will sell faster, and you will still get receive more than most flippers will offer after all fees!

Selling with a Realtor seems like such a hassle...showings, negotiations, all that.

My job is to make it as easy as possible. It's only a hassle, when you haven't met someone like me. My job is to keep everyone on their toes. 

With all the technology "out there", many of the old-time process are much easier now.

There are two main parts of a transaction.

1)

Getting an offer. The more showings we get, the easier it is to sell. Showings are based on price, location, the quality of photographs, the smell and cleanliness of home when people walk through, and how much people can "see themselves in the home."

When I represent the Seller, my job is encourage everyone that asks about the house to make an offer, to present to the Seller all the information I receive, and to provide analysis of that information so the Seller can make the best decision possible. I provide education for Sellers can make informed decisions.

2)

Negotiating the offer. A negotiation is a give and take, we seek the win-win.

How long does it take to list a home?

Once I have all the materials I need including photographs, a survey of the home and it's features, and description, it usually take about 90 minutes to get the listing up. 

Part of my service entices me to get the listing up as soon as possible. 

How much do closing costs average?

This all depends on the negotiation during the offer. When we receive an offer that is a starting point, and then through the negotiation the sales price goes up and down. 

Are you a flat fee Realtor?

Traditionally, a flat fee Realtor is someone who tends to discount their services to the bare minimum to offer a flat fee to everyone. 

That does NOT serve people the best in my opinion. I offer tiered fees, depending on how a buyer comes.

I provide savings in the following ways:

The possibilities are

a) through my marketing a Buyer comes and has a Realtor,

b) through my marketing a Buyer comes and does NOT have a Realtor (also called dual-agency),

c) the Seller finds the Buyer and wants help with the facilitation, and

d) the Seller finds the Buyer and does NOT want help with the facilitation.