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Resources
I want to help with your home buying or selling process wherever I can. Below are a few articles that many of my clients find helpful. You can also reach out with any questions you may have or for a no-obligation consultation. I’m happy to help.
Make a Plan
How to Purchase Your
Dream Home
Buying a home doesn’t have to be complicated, but there are some key steps you should consider when beginning the process. Give me a call. I’d be happy to walk through each step in person or at a virtual meeting.
Step 1
Let’s get pre-approved! Hiring a local lender is equally important to hiring a local agent. Not sure who to put to work for you? Let me connect with a local lender today. When paying cash, we will ask to have proof of funds (POF) up front to ensure the funds are in an account and liquid.
Step 2
Let’s pinpoint what you are looking for! What is your target price point? What are the desired location(s)? What are your “must haves?”
Step 3
Set up an MLS targeted search! The multiple listing service (MLS) is a search engine tool we use, and pay for, as licensed agents. It is the most accurate home search engine on the web. As your agent, I will plug in your criteria to start a home search to start sending listings your way promptly.
Step 4
Time to start seeing homes! Private showings will be set up around your schedule. Together, we will walk through homes observing location, price, condition, and amenities. Once we have found “the one, “we will discuss my 10+ offer strategies to present a competitive offer to the seller.
Step 5
Write an offer! After an accepted offer, there are a handful of contingencies/steps to get to the closing table. Briefly put, these steps include collecting earnest money, setting up a buyer home inspection(s), appraisal, fully securing financing, and title work. Put my Nexes team to work for you to ensure a smooth transaction backed by experience and knowledge!
Real Estate Tips and Tricks
Reasons to Choose a
Real Estate Agent Over
“For Sale By Owner”
In today’s market, with homes selling quickly and prices rising, some homeowners might consider trying to sell their home on their own, known in the industry as a For Sale by Owner (FSBO). There are several reasons this might not be a good idea for the vast majority of sellers.
There Are Too Many People to Negotiate With
Here is a list of some of the people with whom you must be prepared to negotiate if you decide to For Sale By Owner:
- The buyer, who wants the best deal possible
- The buyer’s agent, who solely represents the best interest of the buyer
- The buyer’s attorney (in some parts of the country)
- The home inspection companies, which work for the buyer and will almost always find some problems with the house
- The appraiser if there is a question of value
Exposure to Prospective Purchasers
Recent studies have shown that 89% of buyers search online for a home. That is in comparison to only 20% looking at print newspaper ads. Most real estate agents have an internet strategy to promote the sale of your home. Do you?
Results Come from the Internet
Where do buyers find the home they actually purchased?
- 44% on the internet
- 33% from a Real Estate Agent
- 9% from a yard sign
- 1% from the newspaper
The days of selling your house by just putting up a sign and putting it in the paper are long gone. Having a strong internet strategy is crucial.
FSBOing has Become More and More Difficult
The paperwork involved in selling and buying a home has increased dramatically as industry disclosures and regulations have become mandatory. This is one of the reasons that the percentage of people FSBOing has dropped from 19% to 8% over the last 20+ years.
The 8% share represents the lowest recorded figure since NAR began collecting data in 1981.
You Net More Money when Using an Agent
Many homeowners believe that they will save the real estate commission by selling on their own. Realize that the main reason buyers look at FSBOs is because they also believe they can save the real estate agent’s commission. The seller and buyer can’t both save the commission.
Studies have shown that the typical house sold by the homeowner sells for $210,000 while the typical house sold by an agent sells for $249,000. This doesn’t mean that an agent can get $39,000 more for your home as studies have shown that people are more likely to FSBO in markets with lower price points. However, it does show that selling on your own might not make sense.
For more information, check out the articles below.
11 Reasons for Sale by Owner Is a Terrible Idea
8 Reasons to Choose a Real Estate Agent Over “For Sale by Owner”
Let’s find your dream home. Together.
Brock E. Carlston
Specializing in both residential and commercial real estate, I enjoy meeting new people, creating lasting relationships, and assisting buyers and sellers with their real estate needs. I understand that every situation is unique, and I’m here to help.