If you’re looking to move on from your current home, you probably have hundreds of questions running through your head. From carry-over mortgages to timelines, there are many factors to consider – especially if you’re selling and purchasing a home at the same time. Open a dialogue with your agent to ask about what you need to do and when, in order to get clarity on the process – and some peace of mind.
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1. How Does This Process Work?
It’s easy to think of ourselves as second-time buyers instead of first-time sellers, but it’s important to ask your agent what your responsibilities are as a seller.
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2. What Will I Pay in Commission – With Tax?
Ask your agent about his or her fees – and what you get in return – to strengthen trust between you both. A seller should know what their investment in an agent is going to produce, and factor that commission into their own budget.
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3. What Are the Extra Costs Beyond Commission?
As with any major business deal, there are costs that come up as the process moves forward. From hiring a professional stager to last-minute repairs, know what it takes to get the most value for your home. Also, ask your agent about closing costs, lawyer’s fees and any other regular expenses associated with selling.
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4. How Do I Maximize Value?
Looking to make the most on your property investment? Ask your agent for suggestions that could add value to your home. Your listing agent will know what buyers want in your particular neighbourhood, and can make recommendations and even arrange for services to be carried out.
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5. When’s the Right Time to Put This House on the Market?
If you have time on your side, ask your agent for a selling/buying schedule that makes sense. May is often considered the golden month for selling, but that might not be the case in your area. There are also home-life factors to consider, such as school terms and taking time off work for moving to a new house.
Staging a home and holding open houses can be tricky when you’re still living in the home. Ask your agent if staging is needed to elevate your listing in your area. Sometimes a good declutter and professional photos can be enough, but in tough, saturated markets, staging can really set your listing apart.
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7. What Are You Going to Do to Sell This House?
Ask your agent what he or she plans to do to sell your house. Having a plan in place will make this process feel a little less daunting. There are so many balls in the air, and you want to be confident the sales plan makes sense to you. Ask questions along the way and feel secure knowing your agent wants the best outcome for you and your home.
Remember, when the time comes to sell your first home, don’t be seduced by the promise of the next property. Get the scoop on what you need to make the most of your current home by asking the right questions. Happy selling!
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Topics to ask about during the interview include the agent's experience, communication style and availability. Both buyers and sellers should ask specific questions related to their needs, such as marketing strategies for sellers and bidding war strategies for buyers.
However, listing agents have a legal and ethical obligation to negotiate the best terms for their clients and to share multiple offer details with them. Sometimes, in the best interest of the seller, they may with the seller's consent disclose your offer to another buyer or another buyer's offer to you.
Phrases related to race, gender identity, sexuality, nationality, cultural identity. It should go without saying but any word or phrase related to any of these items should be left out of your property descriptions. A single point of view is not the only one that matters.
The SPQ is designed to trigger the seller's memory about the property and prompt the seller to disclose specific material facts. The seller must disclose all known material facts, even if those facts relate to things that occurred in the past, including prior to the seller's ownership of the property.
Here is a sample email template or a phone teleprompt a buyer/seller can use when contacting a real estate agent: Dear [Name],I am interested in [buying/selling] a [type of property] in [location].I have a few questions I would like to ask you before I decide on a real estate agent.
The eternal question of whether it's the right time to buy or sell a home is a perennial favorite among internet searches. Timing the real estate market perfectly is challenging, and the decision to buy or sell should be based on individual circ*mstances and objectives.
What are the three most important things in real estate? The three most important things in real estate are to clearly communicate with your clients, market your properties well and always be thinking about generating new leads.
One of the hardest things about being a real estate agent is smoothing your income so that it is consistent throughout the year. This requires discipline and rigorous budgeting. Some agents take second jobs.
Introduction: My name is Mrs. Angelic Larkin, I am a cute, charming, funny, determined, inexpensive, joyous, cheerful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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