FAQs for Buying & Selling

The first 2 weeks is typically the most significant time. You should be getting showings and feedback. If you aren’t, it’s often a sign of a price adjustment.

Once an offer is received, I can estimate your closing costs so that you can get a good idea of what you should expect at the settlement table. In some cases this also helps determine if the offer is even possible.

Since many people wait to sell in the Spring and Summer, sometimes listing your home in the Fall and/or Winter can also be a fortunate time since the number of new listings is typically lower.

The usual rate is 6%. Typically 3% goes to the listing broker and 3% goes to the buyer’s broker.

When doing a short sale the bank pays the listing agent and the buyer’s agent.

No. It is all up for negotiation. But if the sellers decline to all of the repair requests, the buyer(s) could walk from the contract.

No. But sometimes it is in the best interest of the seller to fix them in order not to lose the buyers.
Listing 25k over what you’d like to net is the best price to start.

• Whatever the offer price is, is the price you will net.
• The first 2 weeks of your listing are the most telling.
• In the Spring, most homes sell b/c of an open house.
• Selling agents stay involved in the buyer’s process even if they have their own agent.
• After a home inspection, seller’s must repair everything that comes back questionable.

The seller’s agent pays for both the seller and buyer’s agent. Typically the only “fee” charged for a buyer to use a Realtor is regulated by the agent’s office / broker. A common amount is from $275-375 and this is only charged if the buyer settles on a property.

Once you have a ratified contract (both the seller and buyer have agreed on al terms) the buying process usually takes about 45 days. During this time you will apply for financing, do a home inspection, get an appraisal, and let a title company order and research the house to it properly conveys. For example, your lease is up at the end of April. You should aim to be in a ratified contract no later than mid-March.

Yes! Within an As – Is sales contract you have the ability to do the inspections with the right to terminate. This means that you can conduct inspections, and if something comes up that you aren’t comfortable with, you can terminate your contract with no questions asked.

In most cases, a buyer can come to the settlement table with as little as 3.5%. For example, for every 100,000 you will need $3,500.

You should budget for the following (costs are a good estimate):

• Bank appraisal – $450.00
• Home inspection – $275.00 – $365.00 depending on the size
• Termite inspection – $65.00

In order to make an offer on a house, you will need a pre-approval letter from your chosen lender showing the property address, approved amount, and conditions. You will also need an Ernest Money Deposit (EMD). This is typically 1% of the offer amount. For example, if you are making an offer for 250k on a house, your EMD should be for about $2,500.00. This is to show the sellers that you are a serious buyer and will be deducted from your settlement charges.