Q: Why should we list our home for sale with you?
You can depend on me to get you the most money, in the shortest amount of time, with the fewest hassles.
Q: I heard that there are limited service agents who charge less. Why shouldn't I hire the cheapest agent?
Sellers don't need an agent just to sell their house. They need an agent to sell their house for more! If our property would sell for the same price no matter who sells it - it probably would be in your best interest to sell the home yourself. In that case, why pay any agent?
The fact of the matter is, I can sell your home for more. I have the track record I do because I am an expert at pricing the property (using a specific supply-demand analysis prior to even looking for "comps") and an expert at creating the greatest amount of exposure of your property.
Even at contract presentation, I do not follow the pack. I do not permit other agents to pressure you into a rash decision. The contract will be presented to you by no one other than me. This specific action (especially when there are multiple offers) gets significantly more dollars for my sells. It is very difficult for a seller not to transit emotions and reactions to another agent. That can cost a seller money.
Sadly, there are many agents who need the deal (sometimes more than you do). The weakest negotiator in any transaction is the one who has to have the deal. I am in the fortunate position of having enough clients that any one deal won't make me or break me. Therefore, the negotiations are really about getting you the most money for your home. Period. If the offer doesn't make sense, you can count on me to tell you so.
Q: Why do you sell so many homes?
Experience, product knowledge, doing the little things right, effective marketing programs, and our skilled team all add up to positive results. Every field has people who, through their drive and passion, manage to excel.
Q: Why do your homes sell so fast? Do you price them too low?
Absolutely not. Most of my listings sell at or near full price. I make it my business to know the market, so I can ensure I get the highest possible price for my sellers. I accomplish this by first doing a supply/demand analysis in the immediate area of any home that I consider marketing. All agents have access to the same market information. It is the evaluation of what that information means to the marketing of a home that matters. X-rays mean nothing until they are evaluated by a competent doctor. Similarly, knowing what the market is doing in any area affects both the marketing time and value. Factors like area, demand, condition, pricing, accessibility, and agent choice all affect a home's time on market.
Q: If we list with you, will we be on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)?
Absolutely. Any agent who does not place your home on MLS is doing you a huge disservice. With over 7,000 agents in the valley, it is important to tap in to that agent base of buyers. In addition, if you are not on MLS you cannot appear on Realtor.com, the number one real estate site on the internet.
Q: Shouldn't I pick an "area specialist" to sell my home?
There are agents who focus primarily in one geographic area or neighborhood. However, buyers are from all over the valley and country, not just from that small neighborhood. So an area specialist usually really means, "listing agent" in the area. Many years ago, the real estate business was successfully composed of lots of small "boutique" offices - where companies did specialize in a certain area of part of town. But computers, the Internet, and cell phones have changed that aspect of the real estate business. Now the important points in selecting an agent are experience, track record, and marketing skills.
Q: Once I have decided to sell my home, then what?
Contact me by email or phone, and we will set up an appointment to meet with you. I will tour the home, go over recent market activity in your area to educate you on values, and make recommendations for maximizing your profit and increasing your speed of sale.
Q: How long does it take to get my home on the market?
Once I have a signed listing agreement and a spare key, I can have your home on the market within 24 hours. It may a day or two for the sign company to professionally install the sign.
Q: Do I need an appraisal?
In most cases, it is not necessary to get an appraisal prior to sale. There are three different types of appraisals: FHA, VA, and Conventional. Currently, the most common appraisal is the conventional appraisal. Once your home is under contract, the lender for the buyer will determine what appraiser they will allow to do the appraisal. A current appraisal can be unusable by the buyer's lender - even if it is the right "type" of appraisal - because the appraiser is not approved by the lender. Or if the seller orders a conventional appraisal, and the buyer is getting an FHA loan, here again the conventional appraisal is unusable. So ordering an appraisal prior to sale can end up being an unnecessary seller expense.
However, when a property is so unique that pricing can be difficult, an appraisal can guide sellers towards proper pricing. I say "guide" towards proper pricing, since we have seen many homes sell above as well below appraisal price. If you have a question on whether you should obtain an appraisal on your home, please feel free to contact me for counsel.
Q: I'm out of town. Can you handle the transaction for me or will I need to come back to town?
I can take care of all the details from start to finish without you needing to come to town. I have handled sales with clients living out of state and even out of the country. I simply need a key and your fax number to get started.
Q: I don't have any money to fix up my home. Can you still sell it in its current condition?
Absolutely! Just like any home, I will simply evaluate the condition issues, supply/demand in the neighborhood, and pricing relative to those factors.
Q: What if my plans change and I don't need to sell my house?
You may cancel your listing at anytime. There is no charge and no hard feelings.
Q: Will you be representing me or the buyer?
I always represent the seller on any home I have listed for sale. The real question is whether I will be representing the buyer as well. In the event that I have a buyer for your home or another Mountain Realty agent does, it would fall in the category of "Dual Agency". In that scenario, unless you have instructed me in writing otherwise, Mountain Realty would represent both parties.