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Home » listing agent

4 Truths About Real Estate Agents

November 16, 2018 by admin Leave a Comment

We want our clients, whether it’s a buyer or a seller, to be well informed about the home buying and selling process and that sometimes means being honest about real estate agents. Not all agents are ethical, shocker! But by weeding out to those that might have unethical practices, we can help you be more informed and better able to make a wise decision when it comes to selling and buying and who to represent you.

4 Truths About Real Estate Agents

With that in mind, here are four things you should probably know about real estate agents before buying or selling.

Real estate agents can work both sides of the transaction.

This means that the same real estate agent can assess the buyer and the seller in the same transaction. Typically, the buyers have their own representation and the sellers have their own listing representation but dual agency is allowed in most states and this is where the same real estate agent can represent both the buyer and the seller. You can probably already start to see the discrepancies and conflicts of interest that this can create. If an agent is representing a buyer and a seller, how can they hold up to their fiduciary duty and be honest both sides? Confidentiality can be skewed when it comes to representing both sides. If a buyer is trying to negotiate for a lower price but the seller knows that the buyer can afford more, chances are that buyer is getting the short end of the stick. Similarly, if the seller can come way down on the price and the buyer knows it, they’re going to keep negotiating for that lower price. You can see how this can be a huge conflict. It’s best to have your own agent representing you, regardless of which side you are on.

Commission is negotiable.

Most listing agents will tell you a flat 6% commission but it is negotiable. However, that 6% is split in half between the buyer’s agent and the seller’s agent. For higher-priced homes, there is a pricing strategy that can be used but when negotiating, just remember that you can always negotiate for a lower or a different type of split to be more attractive to buyers agents, drawing in more buyers.

Open houses may not work.

Sellers expect open houses but they usually don’t necessarily sell the house. Statistics show us that only 7% of buyers find their home at an open house. Often times, agents will sit open houses simply to gain more buyers, rather than to actually sell the house. When it comes to an open house, it’s truly up to the homeowner whether they choose to have an open house or not. There’s always the security aspect so think carefully before deciding on an open house.

Read More: Is it okay to find a Realtor® at an open house?

You are free to choose your own service provider.

Because we work with both buyers and sellers (because we have listing agents) we have a plethora of resources such as home inspectors, real estate attorneys, escrow and title companies, but you have the ultimate choice on who to use. One little piece of advice when it comes to service providers, experienced, long-term agents have usually built up a better book of referrals and resources the new agents. Because we have sold real estate for decades, we have found excellent service providers that are reputable, honorable, and affordable.

Great Questions to Ask Your Realtor®

The point is to choose your real estate agent carefully. We have listing agents and we are buyers agents so even though we are on the same team are loyalty lies to one side or the other during a transaction. Feel free to interview us, ask questions, and contact us when you’re ready to buy or sell throughout Brunswick County in both North and South Carolina.

Schedule a Consultation with a Listing Agent

Schedule a Consultation with a Buyer’s Agent

Filed Under: Buyers, Sellers Tagged With: agents, buyers agent, dual agents, listing agent, real estate agents, realtors, sellers agent

Sell My Home in Sunset Beach NC

March 1, 2017 by admin 1 Comment

When it comes time to sell your home or property anywhere around Sunset Beach, Ocean Isle Beach or anywhere along the coast, you need to know that your agent will do everything necessary to create the most exposure for your real estate with as much profit in your pocket at closing as possible. You need an agent that not only knows the current market, which changes nearly weekly but the neighborhoods and the community as well.

Sell My Home in Sunset Beach NC

As a Brunswick County real estate agent, I stay up-to-date with all the current real estate trends, prices, and comparable sales and know how to price your property correctly the first time to get more buyers in the door and more offers on the table. Because I also work with buyers I know what buyers are looking for and can help you stage and set up your home properly to get the most interest from potential buyers.

More: The Cost of Selling a House

As your Sunset Beach listing agent, I am aggressive in pricing your home correctly rather than pricing it high and dropping the price as we go. If you’re serious about selling we need to price it correctly from the beginning. I will go through your home, offer staging advice, repairs, and updates that may need to take place before listing, and provide professional photographs to showcase your home in the best light, the best time of day, and for the most interest from buyers. Read More: 5 Questions to Ask Your Realtor®

Find out how much your home is worth

We start by looking over your home and discussing what you need out of the sale, how quickly you need to sell, and how much you can put into the home if need be. I don’t recommend spending more money when listing a property then you need to, but we do need to go over the seller’s disclosure form to make sure that you inform buyers of any potential hazards or issues. This is the time to be brutally honest. Anything found out later could result in a lawsuit. I will offer tips, suggestions, and advice to getting your home in top-notch shape. I recommend touring model homes to get a great idea of what buyers are really looking for an interested in. I will show you the homes that have recently been sold, similar properties on the market, and how to get your home in front of as many buyers as possible.

Read more: Many Mistakes Many Sellers Don’t Even know They’re Making

With my network of social media, website integration, and featured listing pages, your home will be showcased and displayed to a wide variety of buyer’s agents and buyers all across the country. Call us today and let’s get started getting your home listed and sold for the right price.

More Advice for Sellers:

Ways to Make Every Room More Appealing to Buyers

Great Words that Help Sell a House

Staging a Beach or Oceanfront House

 

Filed Under: Sellers Tagged With: how to sell, listing agent, sellers, selling a house, sunset beach

5 Questions You Must Ask Your Realtor®

November 21, 2016 by admin 1 Comment

If you’re considering selling your home in Sunset Beach and surrounding towns and cities in North and South Carolina, you need not just a good agent but a GREAT agent that gets the home sold and tells you the honest truth. Here are five questions to ask a potential realtor or real estate agent before listing your home.

#1. How many homes have you actually sold?5 Questions You Must Ask Your Realtor®

This goes beyond how many homes he/she has listed and not sold, or sold as a Buyer’s Agent. How many homes have you actually sold within the last year that you have listed? If the answer is few to none you may want to reconsider the agent. A great agent needs to know how to price the home correctly, how to set up and stage and market that home to potential buyers.

#2. How easily can I get a hold of you?

If simply setting up the listing presentation has been a slew of emails, unanswered phone calls or texts, this is only a red flag as to what the listing process may be like. Make sure you can get a hold of your agent quickly for answers to your questions, showings, and for potential offers.

#3. Can you be honest with me about the price?

This may be a hard one for many sellers to swallow. A good agent can answer most questions but a great agent can answer the tough questions. Being realistic about the selling price without just telling sellers what they want to hear is a step in the right direction to getting the home sold. Sometimes the sellers must hear the harsh reality of what their home may be worth in order to get it sold.

[Related: Questions to Ask a Buyer’s Agent]

#4. How well do you negotiate?

This is also another red flag. If you’re Agent is wavering on price and seems a little weak even in the listing presentation you can be sure that this type of attitude will carry over into the negotiations. A strong, firm but respectful agent can get things done quickly and efficiently on your behalf.

#5. Do you help with relocation?

Not all agents have a moving van at their disposal to offer to sellers when it comes time to move but help with relocation, in general, can speak volumes. Does your agent have suggestions on what to do if your current home doesn’t sell? What happens if you have two mortgages or rent and mortgage? Can they help with community relocation information such as utilities, phone numbers, and school districts?

As a Sunset Beach real estate agent, it is my duty not only to help you get your home sold but also to help your move be as smooth and as stress-free as possible. Give me a call today and I would be honored to discuss a listing presentation with you, marketing strategy and an advertising plan to get your home sold quickly.

 

Filed Under: Sellers Tagged With: listing agent, realtor, sunset beach real estate

What our clients say

Ken and Linda Foltz

“Life will lead you to where you belong. Five years ago life led me to meeting Karen Baker at an...
Sunset Beach and Beyond Realty
2015-03-16T20:16:32+00:00
“Life will lead you to where you belong. Five years ago life led me to meeting Karen Baker at an Open House. Our relationship continues as Karen and her husband Frank have been outstanding not only in helping my husband and I find the right retirement relocation home, but we have watched their commitment in helping many others find their homes. She and Frank treat every client as if they are the only ones that exist. They provide thorough research of areas and homes of interest and present you with the options. They are not your typical hard sell, must-buy-now realtors. They are here to help you find your next home?. You won’t go wrong with the Bakers!
https://sunsetbeachandbeyond.com/testimonials/ken-and-linda-foltz/

Steve & Jean DeVito

“The Bakers treated us like family during our whirlwind weekend of looking at houses. Prior to our on-site visit to...
Sunset Beach and Beyond Realty
2015-03-16T20:17:46+00:00
“The Bakers treated us like family during our whirlwind weekend of looking at houses. Prior to our on-site visit to Sunset Beach they created a portal and populated it with properties that met our ever-evolving criteria. By time we arrived we had a good feel for what we could afford and what was available that met our criteria. The Bakers, especially Karen, were able to make sense of what we thought we were looking for and eventually matched us with a house that we ended up purchasing — Karen called it the “This is it” house and she was right. We are loving our 2nd home and appreciate how painless Karen and Frank made the process. All the paperwork was done seamlessly and quickly and the closing went off without a hitch. The Bakers do not believe in the hard sell — they gave us the knowledge we needed and the guidance we needed to make our dream a reality.”
https://sunsetbeachandbeyond.com/testimonials/steve-jean-devito/

Matt & Amy Carver

Amy and I have bought and sold four properties in the past twelve years. Both of you are the best...
Sunset Beach and Beyond Realty
2015-03-16T20:18:22+00:00
Amy and I have bought and sold four properties in the past twelve years. Both of you are the best realtors we have ever dealt with. Amy and I both felt we could trust you to look out for our interest. The level of service you provided was outstanding, from taking the trash out, helping the buyer with inspecting the irrigation system, dealing with our tenants, always being there if we needed to ask a question, providing constant updates on the market and always keeping us informed on the sale of our house. I think your next venture should be training other realtors, because both of you have mastered the art of providing excellent service. I will be sure to recommend the Frank and Karen team to anybody looking for a trust worthy, knowledgeable and top performing realtor. It was a pleasure working with both of you.”
https://sunsetbeachandbeyond.com/testimonials/matt-amy-carver/

Ernie & Carol G.

“Karen & Frank Baker are the best. They are very knowledgeable with the area & showed us many homes. When...
Sunset Beach and Beyond Realty
2015-03-16T20:18:50+00:00
“Karen & Frank Baker are the best. They are very knowledgeable with the area & showed us many homes. When we made up our minds which one we wanted, they got us the best deal on it. We were very satisfided with them. After the purchased was made & we moved in, they were still there to answer any questions or problems that we might of had. Like I said, they are the BEST.”
https://sunsetbeachandbeyond.com/testimonials/ernie-carol-g/

Dave & Rose

“Thanks again for all the time you spent with us, As overwhelming as it was, you two made it fun”
Sunset Beach and Beyond Realty
2015-03-16T20:19:23+00:00
“Thanks again for all the time you spent with us, As overwhelming as it was, you two made it fun”
https://sunsetbeachandbeyond.com/testimonials/dave-rose/
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