What to Expect From a Listing Agent
What to Expect From a Listing Agent You already know that the best way to sell your home, and for the most profit, is to hire a listing agent. The fact is that people who sell using a real estate agent make more profit and have a smoother transaction than those who try to do it themselves. Yet often consumers don’t know everything the listing agent does. Listing a home properly entails so much more than putting a lockbox on the front door and slapping a sign in the yard. The listing agent is your advocate and partner in the selling process. They help guide you through the transaction, negotiate on your behalf, and work with the buyers’ agents to get you the best deal possible. A good listing agent will provide you with regular updates and input from showings. The most important thing is to discuss and set expectations at the beginning. Some sellers ask that their agent attend all showings. This is typical with luxury properties, for example. But often they do most of their work behind the scenes, encouraging offers, negotiating counter offers, working with lenders and appraisers, handling loose ends and hiccups. Once in a while, things don’t go well. The partnership becomes difficult or impossible. Since almost all listings involve a reasonable time limit, you may feel trapped or hopeless that there is a solution. In this case, you do have options. First, if your agent works for a brokerage, call the managing broker who can mediate, or if necessary, reassign your listing if needed. Your agent is your partner. Be honest and open with your needs and expectations. In this way, you can work together to sell your home quickly and for the best price and terms possible.
Home Search Frustration
Home Search Frustration? How to Refocus and Keep Going The best part of buying a new home is going out and touring homes. This is especially true for first-time home buyers. As time goes on, however, it can be frustrating when each home falls short of expectations. While it’s important to be realistic about what is available and affordable, there can be a temptation to settle when the right homes don't pop up quickly. When this happens, it’s important to take a step back and reevaluate the criteria. Often buyers head out without a solid list of “must-have” and “like-to-have” features in mind. If finding the right home is becoming difficult, then this is the time to create or review these items. Consider lifestyle as well as willingness to renovate or remodel. Is it important the home is turn-key on day one, or is there a willingness and ability to make changes after the sale? Focus on the “must-have” list first. There could be a beautiful chef’s kitchen on the “like-to-have” but if 4 bedrooms are critical for the size of the family, the larger kitchen will not compensate for long. That said, if the hope is to find a home with a pool, is there room to add the pool later? Finding the right home is often a matter of timing. Patience is the best advice. With the start of the new year, new listings are hitting the market every day. The perfect home may not have been listed yet.
What to Expect From a Potential Contractor
Contractor Requirements – What to Expect from a Potential Contractor Most homeowners do not have the expertise or interest in tackling a large home project, so they find a contractor to handle it for them. Hiring a contractor is very different from finding a handyman or gardener. A contractor must adhere to strict guidelines set out by the state or jurisdiction they operate in. Here are the basic requirements that a contractor should address when you meet with them: · Licensing Requirements – You should always use a licensed contractor. Not only have they met and maintained specific standards, but this protects you in the event something goes wrong. In many states, you have no legal recourse if the worker is not licensed. Every state has a licensing board where you can check the validity of the license. · Deposit Limits – It’s common for contractors to ask for a deposit prior to starting work. The amount of deposit is limited by the state in which you live. For example, in California a contract cannot ask for more than 10% of the job or $1000, whichever is less. · Disclosures – Your contractor should provide you with a list of written disclosures prior to starting the project. These discuss the scope of work, materials to be used, timelines, total cost, and change procedures. · Right to Cancel – Your disclosures should also clearly state your right to cancel within the regulations laid out by the local authority. Typically, this is within three days and the contract must clearly state how the cancellation is to be received. Specific laws and regulations vary by state, but they can be found on the state licensing board’s website. Before hiring or starting any project, familiarize yourself with these rules to ensure you’re hiring the right company and protected.
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