Selling a Home - What to Ask Your Realtor?

10 Questions to Ask Your Realtor about Selling a House Are you a full-time professional real estate agent? How long have you worked full time in real estate? How long have you been representing buyers? What professional designations do you have? Knowing whether or not your agent practices full time can help you determine potential scheduling conflicts and his or her commitment to your transaction. As with any profession, the number of years a person has been in the business does not necessarily reflect the level of service you can expect, but it is a good starting point for your discussion. The same issue can apply to professional designations. Do you have a personal assistant, team or staff to handle different parts of the purchase? What are their names and how will each of them help me in my transaction? How do I communicate with them? It is not uncommon for agents who sell a lot of houses to hire people to work with them. As their businesses grow, they must be able to deliver the same or higher quality service to more people. You may want to know who on the team will take part in your transaction, and what role each person will play. You may even want to meet the other team members before you decide to work with the team. If you have a question about fees on your closing statement, who would handle that? Who will show up to your closing? Do you have a Website that will list my home? Can I have your URL address? Who responds to emails and how quickly? What's your email address? Many buyers prefer to search online for homes because it's available 24 hours a day and can be done at home. So you want to make sure your home is listed online, either on the agent's Website or on their company's site. By searching your agent's Website you will get a clear picture of how much information is available online. How will you keep in contact with me during the selling process, and how often? Some agents may email, fax or call you daily to tell you that visitors have toured your home, while others will keep in touch weekly. Asking this question can help you to reconcile your needs with your agent's systems. What do you do that other agents don't that ensures I'm getting top dollar for my home? What is your average market time versus other agents' average market time? Marketing skills are learned, and sometimes a real estate professional's unique method of research and delivery make the difference between whether or not a home sells quickly. For example, an agent might research the demographics of your neighborhood and present you a target market list for direct marketing purposes. Will you give me names of past clients? Interviewing an agent can be similar to interviewing someone to work in your office. Contacting references can be a reliable way for you to understand how he or she works, and whether or not this style is compatible with your own. Do you have a performance guarantee? If I am not satisfied with your performance, can I terminate our listing agreement? In the heavily regulated world of real estate, it can be difficult for an agent to offer a performance guarantee. If your agent does not have a guarantee, it does not mean they are not committed to high standards. Typically, he or she will verbally outline what you can expect from their performance. Keller Williams® Realty understands the importance of win-win business relationships: the agent does not benefit if the client does not also benefit. How will you get paid? How are your fees structured? May I have that in writing? In many areas, the seller pays all agent commissions. Sometimes, agents will have other small fees, such as administrative or special service fees, that are charged to clients, regardless of whether they are buying or selling. Be aware of the big picture before you sign any agreements. Ask for an estimate of costs from any agent you contemplate employing. How would you develop pricing strategies for our home? Although location and condition affect the selling process, price is the primary factor in determining if a home sells quickly, or at all. Access to current property information is essential, and sometimes a pre-appraisal will help. Ask your agent how they created the market analysis, and whether your agent included For Sale by Owner homes, foreclosed homes and bank-owned sales in that list. What will you do to sell my home? Who determines where and when my home is marketed/ promoted? Who pays for your advertising? Ask your real estate agent to present to you a clear plan of how marketing and advertising dollars will be spent. If there are other forms of marketing available but not specified in the plan ask who pays for those. Request samples or case studies of the types of marketing strategies that your agent proposes (such as Internet Websites, print magazines, open houses, and local publications).

Common Mistakes Sellers Make

Mistakes Sellers Make When They Sell a House

Not all sellers opt to sell a house through an estate agent. Many homeowners try to sell their own houses, sometimes successfully, but not always. Whichever way it goes, there are some typical mistakes sellers make when they try to sell a house. 

The Most Common Mistakes Sellers Make When Selling a House

Because sellers are not trained in real estate, they don’t always understand the industry. And because sellers are subjective about the property they are selling, this often affects important decisions in terms of value and price. 

But that’s not all. Because sellers are not trained or educated in real estate, they often do opt for assistance from an estate agent. But this same lack of training and education in the industry all too often leads to bad choices. Not all agents are created equal, and some will produce better results than others who try to sell a house. It’s important to work with an experienced estate agent who knows how to determine home values in your area, and ultimately, how to sell a house like yours. 

Why Experience Matters When Selling a House

Trained estate agents with experience know that to sell a house, they need to price it right. Most times sellers want more money than their homes are worth, which leads to one of the worst mistakes sellers make: overpricing their property. Leading from this, sellers often choose an estate agent who is willing to market their home at this unrealistically high price. Unfortunately this doesn’t mean the agent will be well equipped to actually sell a house. 

It has been said that pricing a house for sale is part science, part art. It does involve comparing the house with others in the same area, and determining what the market is likely to pay. But near-perfect appraisals only come with the experience of selling a house. 

So to avoid the mistakes sellers make much too often, engage a qualified estate agent who really does know to sell a house, and who will help you to achieve the best possible price. 

Are You Considering Selling Your House? I would love to offer you my expertise - click here to see what your home is worth

Why You Should Use the Services of a Real Estate Broker

Why You Should Use an Real Estate Agent

Why use an Real Estate agent when you can save money buying or selling a home yourself?

Generally a real estate agent will make around three percent of the sale price, which represents a fair saving. Or does it?

The reality is that using a real estate agent can actually save you money in the long run. 

The Benefits of Using a Real Estate Agent to Buy or Sell a House

A licensed real estate agent is a trained professional who can help you in your property search, or assist you in selling your home. Generally anyone trained to buy and sell realty will accurately set a price when they walk into a home. A trained real estate agent will also know where to find sales prices of similar homes in the neighborhood that were sold recently, for comparison, to make sure your home (or the house you are planning to buy) is not overpriced or underpriced for that matter. 

A good real estate agent will be able to give a seller good advice in terms of renovations that should be made prior to putting the house on the market; as well as ideas and suggestions regarding staging the home.  

There’s a lot of paperwork involved in buying and selling property, which is another key reason to use an RE agent. A real estate agent will also negotiate, unemotionally, on your behalf – whether you are buying or selling realty. 

Another really good reason to use an Real Estate agent for your property search or realty deal is because they network with other real estate agents. They can find properties for sale, and potential buyers that you will never be able to find without their help. 

Communities Served

• cary park
• Homes for Sale in Apex
• Homes for Sale in Cary
• Homes for Sale in Clayton
• Homes for Sale in Fuquay Varina
• Homes for Sale in Holly Springs
• Homes for Sale in Knightdale
• Homes for Sale in Morrisville
• Homes for Sale in Raleigh
• Homes for Sale in Wake Forest

Carpenter Village - Premier West Cary Neighborhood

Carpenter Village - Premier West Cary Neighborhood

Watch this Lifestyle Video now and see why Carpenter Village is one of West Cary's Best Neighborhoods.

Conveniently located in West Cary, Carpenter Village is close to RTP (Research Triangle Park), RDU Airport, and the new I540 Expressway.  Nearby shopping and dining, parks, peaceful hiking and biking trails and many parks and recreation options make this a great place to call home.


Contact Lisa Quin Realty if you would like more information about Homes for Sale in Carpenter Village.

What Can Go Wrong When Selling Your Home?

What Can Go Wrong When Selling Your Home

Anybody who has ever had a home for sale will know how stressful this can be. Having made the decision to move on, for whatever reason, selling a house is thwart with potential challenges. These range from not being able to get your price, to a willing buyer not being able to raise the money to pay for your home for sale. 

But there are solutions to most problems, and here are some ideas that will help you meet the challenges you might face when selling a house. 

The Importance of Being Able to Negotiate the Price When Selling Your Home

While it is not a good idea to set an unreasonably high price for your home for sale, you may need to leave a margin for negotiation. If the price you ask is your bottom line, and you seriously cannot reduce the amount you are asking when selling your home, you will have two choices:

1. Accept a price lower than you need.
2. Lose a willing buyer.

The obvious solution is to negotiate your asking price just a little. This can also help to cover some of those extras, like buyers’ closing costs. 

Evaluate Buyers Before you Accept an Offer to Purchase Your Home

Even some of the nicest potential buyers cannot afford what is needed for house sales. It is a rarity for buyers to have enough cash to pay for a home, and most need to raise a mortgage or borrow elsewhere. Some have a home for sale; and this deal needs to be concluded before they can buy elsewhere.  

Instead of waiting to find out later that the person you thought was going to buy your house actually doesn’t have the money or qualify for a loan, check this detail before you accept the offer to purchase. Insist on a letter or some other proof that they are qualified to buy your home for sale. 

Perhaps the buyer really wants your home, but if he or she can’t come up with the finance, the offer isn’t worth the paper it is written on. 

If the buyer owns a house or property they are selling, you might accept the offer to purchase with a clause that gives them a limited period to sell. Alternatively, give them first option if someone else wants to buy your house – and has the money – before they have concluded a sale. If they can’t find the cash, they lose. 

Buyers Back Out for Other Reasons too!

If you are selling a house, you might find that a willing buyer sometimes backs out even though they do have the finance. Often this is because they have suddenly found a better house at a better price; or personal issues might come into play (divorce, pregnancy, job loss are all possible issues), perhaps the inspection was not what they were expecting or the appraisal may be an issue

At the end of the day, there’s a lot that can go wrong when selling your home, but you need to remain positive and trust in your agent to get your home sold.

Thinking of Selling Your Home? 

Take a look at the Market Snapshot and see what your home is worth in todays market and if you are ready to consider your options - I would love to assist you with this big decision.

Is This The Right Neighborhood for Me?

Is This Neighborhood Right for Me

When it comes to buying a home there are many things to consider, not least of which is the neighborhood in which you will live. Of course you first need to decide which state you’re going to live in; and then which part of that state, and whether  you will be happier in an urban or a rural area close to the sea or elsewhere. 

How to Decide Where to Live

Your age, lifestyle and interests (as well as your budget) will all be important when you start to search for the perfect neighborhood. Some cities will appeal more to young professionals, while others will attract people in specific careers. Some cities are cleaner than others, while there are towns and cities that offer better climatic conditions, or the opportunity to live well. 

How to decide where to live can be a challenge unless you have some idea of what you want. Some neighborhoods are more popular because there are excellent schools in the vicinity, or because there are better opportunities for a community lifestyle, or better chances to meet other people in your age group or who have the same interests as you. Some areas offer a wider range of cultural or sporting opportunities. There really are a lot of variables. 

How to Choose the Ideal Neighborhood to suit your needs.

Choosing a neighborhood that is right for you is just as important as finding the right home. It is even more important if you are buying a house or apartment because you will effectively be investing in the neighborhood. 

Some important factors to consider when you ask yourself how to decide where to live are whether:

• streets are quiet in the neighborhood
• there are trees and parks close to where you plan to move
• you will be located close to shops and restaurants
• you will get the benefit of a community lifestyle
• crime might be an issue
• public transportation is available nearby
• property values will make you investment worthwhile

Of course not all of these factors will be important to you. It’s up to you to decide what is most important and to make your decisions based on that. 

It does not matter where you choose to live. I would love to offer you my expertise to find you the home of your dreams. Please use my website search tool to find that home.

Top 10 Things to Do in Cary with Kids this Summer

School is almost over!  The Town of Cary Parks and Recreation offers a wide range of classes, camps and activities to keep the kids busy all summer.

Here are some more ideas to keep them busy and active this summer.

1. Sign up for a class at the Cary Arts Center
2. Do a craft project at the Cary Creative Center or buy some supplies to take home
3. Rent a paddle boat or a canoe at Bond Park
4. Bike the Town of Cary Greenway System and the American Tobbacco Trail
5. Get an old fashioned ice cream cone at Ashworth's Drugs and take a stroll in downtown Cary
6. print out the Cary Park list and try to visit all of them.  Kids Together park is the best!
7. Ride the Train and Carousel at Cary Towne Center Mall
8. Attend a Story Time at the West Cary Library or the Downtown Cary Library 
9.  Wear them out at Jump Zone or Monkey Joe's.
10. Join the Cary YMCA Pool or any of the local Swim Clubs in Cary