13 Things Your Real Estate Agent Won’t Tell You

I’m writing this based on the Reader’s Digest article located at  http://www.rd.com/slideshows/13-things-your-real-estate-agent-wont-tell-you/. As Real Estate agents, we aren’t trying to be secretive but there are just some things that are overlooked when we do our jobs. Here are the 13 things and my commentary on each of them. Please review the Reader’s Digest article as well.

1. Your open house helps me more than it helps you. 

We hold open houses for your nosey neighbors and a few potential buyers. However, most buyers aren’t going to fall in love and write a contract on your house. They become leads and we show them other properties that meet their criteria and write contracts for them on other houses. It does not mean your house won’t sell or isn’t good enough but as Realtors, we have a good idea of what will or won’t sell and what our buyers are looking for.

2. Plug-in air fresheners are a turnoff to a lot of people.

I’m sure you don’t want to dirty your house with baking items prior to showing it but the real thing is still the best thing. I have found the housewarming candles are usually better than plug-in air fresheners.

3. If you get a call saying that some buyers want to see your house in 15 minutes, let them in even if it’s a bit messy.

You do NOT want to miss the chance for your house to be shown. Regardless if you are getting a call from buyers or your Real Estate agent, it is always better to show the house. Those buyers are generally aware of the short notice and won’t mind the clutter.

4. In this kind of market, don’t be offended by a low-ball offer.

Everyone is looking for the best deal right now. You can always accept, counter offer or reject any offers that are presented to you. Most buyers are willing to negotiate and are willing to work with you instead of trying to look for another home. Plus, if you can come to an agreement on an offer it is easier than waiting for another buyer to become interested in your home.

5. If I’m hugely successful, you may not get the benefit of my experience.

There are some hugely successful Real Estate agents in this market and then there are those of us who are still successful but do all our own leg work. We all want to give you personalized service so please ask us any questions you have so we may address all your concerns.

6. Make sure you read my listing or buyer’s contract carefully before signing it.

The article talks about administrative fees, which are legal even if you feel they are unfair. At my office, we do not charge administrative fees. However, when we list a property we sometimes have an early cancellation fee to cover the costs of advertising and other expenses incurred while listing and marketing your property.

The article also mentions how commissions are negotiable. This is true, although we would like for you to keep in mind all the work we put in to listing, marketing, advertising and more on your house. Plus, we want to keep the commission rates competitive to the area to make sure your house doesn’t get ruled out by agents who want more money. Once we have a contract in place, a lot goes on behind the scenes that you do not see. We are in constant communication with the buyer’s agent, banks, title companies, insurance companies, inspectors, appraisers and more. By the time the deal closes we could have hundreds of hours put into working on your deal alone. Everyone wants to be paid a fair wage and so do Real Estate agents. Please keep in mind how much work we actually do for you before asking us to reduce our commissions.

7. Don’t skip the final walk-through.

This is mainly for buyers. You usually set up a walk-through with your agent within 5      days prior to closing. This is to make sure the house is as you expect it to be and there is nothing missing that shouldn’t be.

8. Beware of seller’s agents who overestimate your house’s selling price.

Many agents will inflate your home’s value to get you to sign a listing agreement with them. Your house will have a better chance at expiring instead of being sold in today’s market with inflated prices. I would rather give you the honest market value for your house and not take your listing should you feel it is too low instead of having your listing expire on us and you be upset at me thinking I did not do my job well.

9. Houses without furniture don’t look larger. 

People like to see simple, uncluttered rooms. It helps them to get an idea of how their furniture will look and fit into the space.

10. My No. 1 selling tip: Clear off counter tops in the bathrooms and kitchen. 

Again, uncluttered spaces sell better. A centerpiece is a nice way to accent a countertop as long as it is not the focal point.

11. For an estimate of property values in certain states, check  zillow.com , but don’t lock on to that number. 

I personally am not a huge fan of Zillow and other home estimate sites but they do give you a general idea of what the area is doing. For the best in market value, ask your Real Estate agent to do a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) on your home and let them know of any great features or updates your home has.

12. If I’m new in the business, my references are likely to be relatives or good friends.

This is true and when I started my business WAS my family. I listed and sold my parents’, grandparents’ and uncles’ houses and sold them their new houses. Since then, I have gained buyers and sellers and have been successful in building relationships with them.

13. I can’t share the economic standing or predominant ethnic background of the people in the area or the local crime rate.

I try to be legal and ethical in my real estate dealings. I know you want to know about the areas and make sure they are safe to live in. My best advice is to search the Internet for the information you seek about certain areas.

I hope this helps you to understand a little better what Real Estate agents do for you and how hard we work to make buying and selling a home as easy as possible.