Free Real Estate Articles by Damian Lanfranchi and Done-For-You Deals

(Continuing from Part 1 of When Is A Realtor Right For You?)

As a seller…

If you have built up enough equity in your home where you can afford to pay a Realtor and you are not in a rush to sell, a Realtor is a good way to go.

Also, a Realtor is particularly good if you are selling an unusual or unique property – like a horse farm in an area with no more open land is available or a home that has a one-of-a-kind view of the city skyline. Not when you are selling a house, that while it may be nice, is similar to dozens of other for sale in the area.

Having plenty of time to sell is critical when working with a Realtor because when you do not have time to sell the solution is almost always to drop your price!

This begs the question – if you are dropping your price to sell faster then why spend the money on Realtor commissions too?

A good Realtor can be a tremendous resource. But this does not make them the solution to every homeowner situation you may face.

You would not go to the eye doctor if you are having chest pains, right?

Yet folks automatically assume if they need to do anything that involves buying or selling a house a Realtor is the best solution. This simply is not true.

Realtors are trained to be very good at dealing with traditional housing situations…

Like selling your house when you are not in a rush and you have built up a good amount of equity.

Or when you want to buy a house and you have good credit and you have saved up a 10-20% down payment.

But what if your situation does not meet the traditional model?

What if you need to get cash for you house in less than 30 days?

What if you are a hard worker but your credit score is less than perfect?

Well just like Realtors specialize in buying and selling homes the traditional way – we specialize in the exact opposite.

Short on selling time or equity, or both, and need a solution fast?

That is exactly who we help.

For buyers, we do the same thing by helping when they do not meet the standard requirements Realtors look for as far as a sparkling credit score and huge down payment.

With the housing market still on a bit of a roller coaster and the mortgage business similar, it is important you know there are other choices for you.

I cannot guarantee we can solve all your problems instantly, but I will promise you this…

You will discover a world of choices and solutions you never knew you had…

Especially if you do not think anybody can help you – you need to click on the Creative Homeowner Solution Request link on this page..

I will personally do my very best to refer you to someone that can find a solution that is just right for you.

Sound fair enough?

So if you have not done so already Just click on the Creative Homeowner Solution Request link on this page.

When Is A Realtor Right For You?

Buying a house, call a Realtor.
Selling a house, call a Realtor.
Renting a house, call a Realtor!

This is how most of us have been trained to think, right?

Yet – do you really know exactly what a Realtor does, how they work and when they are and are not the right answer???

If you are thinking of buying or selling a property any time soon – this Real Estate Agent 101 is a MUST-READ for you.

In general, Realtors either work for the buyer or the seller. (They can sometimes work for both at the same time, but let us keep this simple).

When a Realtor works for you as the seller of a house – they are called a sellers agent. They place your property on the Multiple Listing Service or MLS, which is the database used by Realtors to find properties for their own clients. The only way to get on MLS is to be listed with a real estate agent.

A “good” sellers agent will also market and promote your property with open houses and other advertisements. They can also assist in the closing process. But this is not always the case. Some agents list properties on MLS and that is about it.

Lots of folks think you only use a Realtor to sell a house. Not true.

When a Realtor works for the buyer – they are called a buyers agent.

They will search MLS to find potential property matches for you and then arrange appointments for you to visit these places.

So a sellers agent represents the folks selling the house and a buyers agent represents the folks buying the house.

Got it?

When a property exchanges hands this means TWO separate commissions must be paid.

A commission is paid to the sellers agent who listed the house.

And a commission is paid to the buyers agent who brought the buyer to the property.

Two commissions and if you are the seller, you pay BOTH.

Typically the combined percentage paid is 6%, which on a $250,000 property is $15,000.

So as a seller, this $15,000 will come out of the net proceeds of the sale before you get your share.

Now that you know how the process works – when is a Realtor the right for you?

(Stay Tuned for – When Is A Realtor Right For You? – Part 2)