Questions from Sellers
 How much will my house sell for?
How do I choose the right agent for me?
How do I begin the home-selling process?
How long will it take to sell my home?
I can wait until my agent finds a buyer willing to pay my price. Should I list
my home higher if I want to get the most money?
What should I do if a buyer of another agent contacts me directly?
What happens in a multiple offer situation?
What constitutes a good offer?
What happens once I sign a Purchase and Sales agreement?
Are there advantages in using a discount broker?
What happens if my circumstances change and I no longer want to sell my
house?
Questions from Buyers
General Questions
Questions for Sellers
How much will my house sell for?
The sale price of a house is determined by market conditions, unique characteristics of your home and how it is marketed. All these factors are filtered through your real estate agent and they can give you a good estimate. Most commonly, the real estate agent will most likely prepare a Comparative Market Analysis that outlines other homes similar to yours that have sold recently. By discerning what factors contributed to previous sales, and incorporating what makes your property stand out, the real estate agent will tell you the most you could get for your property.
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How do I choose the right agent for me?
The right real estate agent should be well educated in real estate regulations and current market trends. They should be good negotiators, have a positive attitude and, most importantly, be someone you trust. If you have an existing relationship with a real estate agent that you are happy with, consider using that person again. If not, ask friends and neighbors who they used for their real estate transactions and how satisfied they were with the results. Check the paper and see who has listed similar houses and if they are progressing quickly. Assess your personal needs and preferences and see if your agent is a good match. A good place to start is the Meet Our Agents page, where you can view the résumés of all our Realtors.
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How do I begin the home-selling process?
Once you have an agent you like and trust, a listing agreement will be drawn up for you to sign. The agreement commits you to putting your house on the market, the asking price, and the commission price you are willing to pay when it is sold. It also specifies the length of time you are bound by the agreement. You will also be required to fill out disclosures on your property, where you will list any known physical damages or deficiencies. Your agent will answer any questions you might have regarding this paperwork. Your real estate agent might have some useful suggestions to help you increase the value of your home.
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How long will it take to sell my home?
Selling a home depends on market conditions. The best way to sell your home quickly is by accurately assessing your homes value and deciding on an appropriate price. A talented real estate agent considers the market in general, considers your home in particular and factors in your unique needs to come up with such a price.
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I can wait until my agent finds a buyer willing to pay my price. Should I list my home higher if I want to get the most money?
Although your house may be filled with uniquely desirable features and intangible characteristics that you have come to know and love, it is still seen by prospective buyers as an object. Although you are not under pressure to sell, it isn�t necessarily a good idea to overprice your property and wait for someone willing to spend as much. Statistics show that overpriced properties send the wrong signal to perspective buyers, and if a property stays on the market for too long, it is less and less likely that it will sell at all.
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What should I do if a buyer of another agent contacts me directly?
If you are contacted personally from a prospective buyer, give them the name of your agent and tell them to schedule a viewing through them. Your agent is looking out for your best interests and has the experience and professional training to accommodate buyers and other agents.
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What happens in a multiple offer situation?
It sometimes happens that several parties will be interested in buying your property, and will present themselves at the same time. It is a good idea to talk to your agent beforehand and decide on how you will handle this situation. Although the highest price might seem like the best offer, your agent will be able to weigh that against other terms of the offer, and advise you on which offer is actually the strongest.
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What constitutes a good offer?
A good offer is one that is fair to the actual value of your home, and is easily accommodated by you, the seller. Does the buyer want to move into the house around the same time you want to move? Is the buyer asking for repairs that seem unnecessary? Does the buyer seem serious about buying your property based on what they are willing to put down for a deposit? A real estate agent will be able to answer these questions and advise you on the strength of an offer, and how you should respond to it.
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What happens once I sign a Purchase and Sales agreement?
Once signed by all parties, the Purchase and Sales agreement is considered fully executed and the buyer will most likely make a formal application for a mortgage and have inspections conducted on the property. Again, your agent will help you interpret the results of the inspection and ask that you repair or replace anything on the inspection report that is considered unacceptable to the buyer. Your agent will offer guidance on each step of the process.
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Are there advantages in using a discount broker?
While it may seem like you are saving money going to a real estate broker who will list your home for less than the usual 6% of the sales price, consider that if they are willing to take less, they might be just as willing to work less hard on your behalf and get you a lower price for your home. If they make less money, it is likely that they will not give your house the best exposure and attract the best buyers. They might undervalue your home to sell it more easily, or they might not have the insight and experience to keep things running smoothly.
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What happens if my circumstances change and I no longer want to sell my house?
As long as you have not signed a Purchase and Sales Agreement, you are not legally bound to sell your house. Talk to your agent and see if taking your home off the market is really in your best interests, or if there might be an acceptable solution that you have not thought of. If it is simply not the right time to sell, your agent will stop advertising your home and have you sign a withdrawal form, taking your home off the market.
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