FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - Click on each topic below
Can you help me with buying new construction, spec, model or builders homes?
What if I can't sell my old house before we have to move in to our new home?
What is the difference between fair market value and asking price?
What is a MLS (Multi-Listing Service) and why do I need one?
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SellingHomes@raiseyrealestate.com
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Well obviously the more you can put down the better. However, in some cases when working with Federal Programs you can put down as little as 3% to 5%. Then figure in closing costs to be anywhere from 2% to 5% depending on your lender and their fees. If you are unable to come up with any type of down payment there are several programs out there that will allow you to buy your home with ZERO money down. Coldwell Banker Mortgage offers some of the best rates. Contact me so I can pair you with one of their consultants.
BUYER - It costs you absolutely nothing for me to find your new home. Buyer representation is of no cost to the Buyer. The service is being paid for by the Seller whether you use it or not. Why is this you ask....? Well, "typical" listings are contracted at 6%. This amount is shared 3% to the listing agent and 3% to the agent that brings the buyer, which in some cases can be the original listing agent. Meaning the listing agent, if they found the buyer, would get the entire 6%. The Sellers listing agreement fee of at least 6% is negotiated at the time the listing agreement is signed by the seller. That fee can not be negotiated once agreed upon by the seller, nor does it effect the price of the home. Therefore I can represent you in the close of the deal at absolutely no cost to you. So why not use the service your seller has already paid for?
SELLER - Finders Fees and Agent Commissions in most industries are normally 10%, however, my fee to sell your home is negotiable from 4.5% depending on the level of service you prefer. Keeping in mind you get what you pay for, my level of service can not be negotiated below 4.5%. Unlike some limited service listing companies out there...you pay absolutely NOTHING up front with me. The commission fee is earned only when I actually sell your home and is disbursed by the title company at closing accordingly from the profits of your sale not directly out of your pocket before your house is even sold.
Special Programs available for houses selling for over $500,000.
For more detailed information simply contact me so we can discuss all the details of why you want me to sell and/or find your new home.
In Texas any Realtor can show and sell to a Buyer any property that is actually listed for sale by another Realtor for their seller, commercial or residential.
Where ever there is a for sale sign on a property for sale or a custom builder putting in new construction, I can assist you as your Realtor. I will be able to show you ALL current mls listings of new houses for sale as well as any new construction homes for sale. I also specialize in resale pre-owned houses.
Before you just call the agent on the sign, remember that listing agent named on the sign represents the Seller. You, as the "Buyer", will need representation from your side of the deal. You are not charged a fee or penalized in any way to utilize a Realtor as your representation on the buying side of a deal. That service fee is already paid for on the selling side whether you use the service or not. So why not use what has been paid for?
Most definitely I can! We offer a great relocation package that can assist you in moving into the Collin, Dallas or Denton County area. Remember my services are free to the buyer. Just contact me for more details.
Buying your first home can be an exciting yet scary experience, especially if you do not have a Realtor assisting you every step of the way. I will make sure the process if as pain free as possible.
You first need to apply for a loan to see what price range of house you can be approved for. Once approved, start deciding on what type of house you want, then contact me with your specifications and I will begin searching diligently until we find the perfect home for you! My services are at no cost to the buyer so you have nothing to lose by allowing me to assist you in this very important part of your life. Make it easier on yourself and let me do the work for you. Contact me today for more details about purchasing your first home with me as your representation as an established, seasoned and experienced Realtor.
Normally you can close on a home in 30-45 days. In some instances, depending on your personal situation, there are some lenders and title companies that can close on a home in as little as 10 days. Each situation can vary. Contact me today to start the process
Yes!!! I specialize in assisting Buyers with New construction purchases.
I will use my knowledge of the area as well as my relationships I have secured with area Builders to help you negotiate the best possible home at the best price. All reputable builders welcome Realtor participation. Since I am a professional Realtor and know real estate law, I will also be able to assist you in your sales contract and be there for you throughout all transactions during the process.
Contact me today so I can pair you with the best New Construction Builder to suit all of your needs.
A successful sale requires you to concentrate on five considerations: price, terms, condition, location and exposure. Since you can't control all of them, you may have to overcompensate in one or more areas to offset a competitive disadvantage in another.
As your Realtor, I make sure your home is marketed at the best possible price while also considering your investment needs.
Your home needs to be prepared visually to appeal to a buyer's critical eye. Buyers look for homes not houses. It is the little things that make the house seem more inviting and like a home they can build a future in. As your Realtor, I can advise you of the best way to display your home to make it the most attractive to a Buyer visually.
The location of the home you are trying to sell, without a doubt plays a large factor in how it will sell. Obviously, some areas of town are less desirable than others. Therefore it is my job as your Realtor to counter act any negative areas with other positive aspects of your home.
Hard selling while in the home is not advised. Most people purchase a home based on emotion. Once in the home I allow the Buyer to discover the great points of your home on their own. Helpful notes to point out special features are recommended. If you are present during showings, make sure to remove yourself so the buyer does not feel as thought they are invading your space but walking in to their new one.
The more exposure your home gets, obviously the more people will see it and ultimately the faster it will sell. At the time we discuss the particulars of your listing agreement I can discuss in greater detail the various levels of my service that can be offered to you in making sure you home gets the exposure you want.
Average listing time can vary from 60 to 180 days, according to market conditions in a particular region, town or neighborhood; and of course: price, terms, condition, location and exposure play an even greater role.
Selling in any market is easier if you keep time on your side. Some professionals will tell you that allowing yourself at least six months will put you in a position to get a better return from their marketing efforts. However, the time frame can vary depending on various factors. For example, I have sold some houses in less than a week in which all factors were most favorable.
With all my listings, I personally do an evaluation of each listing every 15 days. If I see that any listing has not received favorable responses on a consistent basis, I reconstruct the marketing plan and/or find what is keeping the home from selling. I then consult with you on how best we can change those things. I never leave a home on its own to see if or when it will sell just by chance. I never leave you in the dark about what potential buyers or other agents think about your home. I stay in direct contact with you on a regular basis and go over the marketing strategies with you to make sure we are on the same page about what needs to be done to get your home sold.
This situation can arise for any number of reasons. For instance, getting the job promotion you have been waiting for may mean having to relocate very quickly. Another example: you finally find your "dream home", and need to get it under contract before it is sold to another buyer. Whatever the reason, don't panic! You have some viable alternatives to the potential nightmare of double mortgage payments.
If you do not have to sell in order to buy a new home, renting is one option to think about. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of renting your old house. If you are being transferred, you may be able to obtain a short-term rental while you are becoming familiar with the new area. Either way, a local broker can usually help by advising you how much you can expect to pay for rent in your new city, or what you need to charge to cover your mortgage payments and other costs you will incur as the landlord of your investment.
Generally speaking, the owner's asking price - the advertised price of a house when it goes on the market - is set slightly higher than fair market value. You can assume that some negotiation will be necessary to reach an agreement with a buyer. As your Realtor, I will be willing to help you establish a competitive pricing strategy based on the buying and selling habits of your area.
Most buyers also leave room for negotiation when they make an offer. Thus, a certain degree of flexibility is usually called for on the part of both the buyer and seller.
While it is ultimately your decision to accept or reject an offer, or present a counter-proposal, as your Realtor I can be of great assistance to you during the negotiating process. In fact, negotiation is one of the most valuable skills I can offer you. As negotiations proceed - whether in writing, face-to-face, or by phone, I will inform you of your options in responding to each offer from the buyer. Even without such advice, a cool, rational manner in what is often a long, emotionally charged process will usually net you a significantly higher price.
First, before we even list your home I recommend obtaining a qualified bank appraisal. How would you feel if your home sold for $250,000, only to find out from the appraiser after the buyer made an offer, that it was worth $260,000? In today's real estate market, this happens more often than you think. Your home will have to be appraised by a state or federally licensed lender sooner or later. The quicker you can accomplish this could result in thousands of extra dollars in your pocket.
Bonus: A qualified bank appraisal is a tremendous marketing tool for your home, because buyers are afraid of paying too much for a house. That's why they often make low offers.
Without an appraisal, you're just guessing as to the value of your home - and when you get an offer, you'll be guessing as to whether or not the offer is fair or not fair. Just going on a hunch has cost many sellers thousands of dollars, by emotionally reacting to a low offer. A certified bank appraisal gives you a point of reference, a benchmark of value on which to base your decisions. More importantly, a professional appraisal will help us sell your home for full price, because the buyer can see that the price was realistically established by an uninterested, but qualified third party.
A Multiple Listing Service, or MLS, is one innovation that makes it easier to reach a large number of prospective buyers and dramatically increase the exposure of a property.
Quite simply, it is a system under which participating brokers agree to share commission on the sale of houses listed by any one of them. For example, if you list your house with one broker and another broker actually sells it, they share the commission. The advantage to you is clear; more people have an interest in selling your house.
Still, even though the MLS search area is a powerful tool, it can not locate homes that are not on the market. Once you decide that I will act as your representative, as your Realtor, I will also conduct a personalized search for you to find the home you want. Remember buyer representation is free to the buyer.
Trying to sell your home yourself will always get you less desirable activity than if your home is listed with a Realtor. If you open your front door to everyone who walks down the street and sees your sign, you may be spinning your wheels. You want a qualified Buyer. One who is ready, willing and able to purchase your home if it fits his needs. Over the years, I've found that many people who look at For Sale By Owners are curiosity seekers, nosey neighbors, and people with poor credit hoping to get you to help them with the financing.
Other Buyers may be qualified, but they're six months or more away from being ready. They don't want to bother a Realtor yet, so they call and look at For Sale By Owner homes to get a feel for what's available. Many of these folks have a home to sell first, or they need to save money for the down payment, or they may need to work on their credit rating. When everything else is finally in place, that is when they seriously begin their search for homes by working with a Realtor. By trying to sell your home yourself, you could ultimately waste a lot of time working with a Buyer who may be unqualified or simply looking for decorating ideas. Therefore, I always screen Buyers to make sure they are qualified before even showing them homes. I won't show a Buyer a home unless I know how much he can spend for a house by obtaining a copy of his pre-approval letter. Then, I ask questions as to how much he has to put down, how good his credit is, how much he can pay each month, and how much money he will realistically walk away with when he sells his present home.
As your Realtor I can alleviate the unqualified Buyer therefore not wasting your time with lookers. It is also my job to devise a marketing plan to get your home as much qualified attention by as many means as possible. I make sure that your listing is seen by every Realtor internationally who has a Buyer interested in your area. I help you determine the best selling price based on your area's buying & selling habits while keeping your needs of your investment in mind. I get paid nothing until your home is sold so obviously I will work my hardest to make sure that happens. As a home owner, I have a mortgage to pay too. Trust that I am with you every step of the way to make sure you are totally satisfied with my services and in getting your house sold for the best price as quick as possible.
There is often a great deal of confusion regarding how Realtors are paid. Yes, we are paid a commission, but there are some aspects you probably don't realize. Real Estate Agents are independent contractors, not employees. There is no salary involved and no regular pay-day. As independent contractors, each agent must pay self-employment taxes, their own medical insurance, errors and omissions insurance, licensure fees, access fees for the MLS (multiple listing service) as well as their own business expenses - mobile telephone, mileage, advertising, etc. We work on a contingency basis, meaning that we are only paid if and when a deal closes. If a Buyer's financing falls through or there's a problem with the title and the sale doesn't close, the agent isn't paid... period. Because of this fact, I am very committed to working with you and making your transaction a successful one.
As you may be aware, a real estate commission is most often paid by the Seller of the property. What most people don't know, is that this commission is shared by a number of people. First, the listing broker gets paid - that's the company whose name is on the listing by the Seller of the property. If the buyer is represented, the listing broker pays a 'co-broker' commission to the buyers broker. If there is no buyer representative involved then the listing broker will keep the full commission. Each broker - the listing broker and the buyers' broker - pay their agents a share. By the time all these 'splits' are done, your agent will typically receive only around 25% of the total commission.