Thinking of listing your own home? Maybe you should think again....

I recently had a client interested in a listing in Charlottesville where the seller hired a limited service agency... Basically, they paid a flat fee to get their property in the MLS and otherwise, were on their own, acting as their own real estate agent, also known as a "FSBO: For Sale By Owner".

I called to schedule the first showing and was told a key would be left under a rock for us.  If they has been using a Realtor, a lockbox would have been left out, making the property far more secure.
After touring the property, my buyers decided they wanted to make an offer. I called the "listing company", that redirected me to the owner.  Turns out the owner has asked their daughter to handle the sale of the home. I call the daughter and tell her that I emailed an offer to her agent and to please call me with questions and to confirm that she received.  She calls me back and begins to explain that she looked at the offer on her phone, but noticed the price, which she thinks is too low, and begins to explain the history of the property.  Her parents purchased is as an investment ten years ago, they had several great tenants, a couple bad, decided they wanted to sell, it has been on the market forever, etc....  I explain to her my client's offer: price, closing date, desire for an inspection, financing, and desire for a home warranty.  The response: "that sounds good.... I don't know what a home warranty is though."  I proceed to explain, send links with options and information. She calls me back to following day.  "So, we talked about it and.... did you know that we replaced the carpet, fixtures, stove, toilets, etc... and because we did all of that, we just feel... we want to offer $195,000."

After thanking her for the information and tell her I will be in touch once I speak with the buyers.
They receive the counter offer and decide to make an offer on another property in the neighborhood.  Secretly I am cheering because I know that with no guidance from an agent this would have turned into a very complicated deal, with the brunt of the work falling on me.

If the seller had hired a Realtor up front would the property have been on the market so long?  Probably not.  
Would my buyer have thought it was worth less because it had been on the market for 100+ days more than any other house in the neighborhood?  Probably not.
Would they have already known about the improvements made to the property prior to making an offer? Yes.
Would the seller have had a professional negotiator working on their behalf? Yes.


All of these factors added together mean a faster sale and for more money for the seller.  I know the price tag of a full commission might seam like a lot, but after trying to sell a home for 6+ months yourself, it becomes stigmatized that something is wrong with it and it isn't worth what you are asking.

For more information on reasons not to do a "For Sale By Owner" visit: 5 Reasons You Shouldn't Do a FSBO

If you are thinking about selling your home, feel free to call, text or email me for a valuation of your property and to learn more about what a Realtor can do to help you sell your home!

Rachel Burns-Reynolds

RE/MAX Realty Specialists

(434)760-4778  Cell or Text

(434)974-1500  Office
facebook.com/RemaxRealtySpecialists

www.RachelReynoldsRealty.com     

Licensed to sell real estate in Virginia. 

Surviving the Holidays at Home

Are you hosting your family's Thanksgiving celebration this year?  While the holiday is all about being together and being thankful, many of us get so overwhelmed by our hosting duties that we forget to relax and slow down long enough to cherish our holiday moments.  My email has been filling up with tips and tricks to make it through this holiday with time to spare after your hosting duties to actually enjoy them! Here are some of my favorites:

Lauren Miller, author of 5 Minutes to Stress Relief, says the purpose of any stress-relieving task is that it “distracts us from the brain muck, and gives us a brain break.” Even if your tea choice isn’t scientifically backed, the act of brewing and sipping can be enough to take your mind away from family tension.

Jill Donenfeld, founder of the private chef service, The Culinistas, and author of “Party Like a Culinista: Fresh Recipes, Bold Flavors, and Good Friends.”  suggests When people ask what they can bring, I always say: ice. You can never have enough! And when the refrigerator is packed with food, it’s great to have plenty on hand for filling ice buckets.”

Start preparing the week ahead!  Here is a list of tasks to get done ahead of time and save you some last minute stress:

Set the table
Grocery Shop
Prepare for overnight guests
Take inventory of you kitchen supple - do you have your meat thermometer? Serving dishes and spoons?
Start cooking on Sunday

For these and more tips to help you survive (and enjoy!) this Thanksgiving holiday, visit Real Simple.  

I hope that everyone has a wonderful and enjoyable holiday season with friends and loved ones.  If you are thinking about listing your home, or currently have it listed, feel free to reach out for additional tips on how to survive the holiday season while trying to sell.  It adds a whole new level of stress to hosting and enjoying the season while trying sell or pack for a move.

5 Reasons New Construction Might Be Right for You

Thinking about buying a home?  Have you thought about building?  Here is some great information from RE/MAX.net about the benefits of building a new home versus buying an existing home.

If you're looking at homes for sale, it might be worth adding some newly built houses to your list. There are plenty of good reasons – financial and lifestyle – that a new home could be the right home, and here are some of them.

1. Cheaper maintenance. Upkeep of new homes can be more economical. One study shows owners of new homes ­– defined here as those that are four years old or less – spend significantly less than homeowners in general.
2. More protection. A new home means new appliances and other systems that are still under warranty. Anyone who has dealt with a misbehaving dishwasher or hot water heater will appreciate the peace of mind that possible repairs will be covered.
3. Energy efficiency. Because they're often built using contemporary methods and materials, and include the latest appliances, many new homes tend to be more energy-efficient. For a certified green home, look for Energy Star designations and construction companies that specialize in energy-efficient structures.
4. Your home, your taste. If you're working directly with the builder or the developer, your new home will reflect many of your own preferences, down to the appliances, colors and layout. No need to spend your weekends on home-improvement chores to undo someone else's work.
5. New feels and looks good. It's nice to move into a clean, fresh space that's never been lived in before.

listing update: union mills road video added

Enjoy this new video of my listing at 2053 Union Mills Road in Troy, Virginia.

Please call, text or email  for additional information about this great property!

baby gate inspiration!

Have wee ones?
Check out this fun DIY baby gate. I love the color.

Cute Barn Baby Gate!

information about listing your home from Movement Mortgage

1. Choose the right real estate agent. It’s important to hire a professional that knows just how to showcase your home to its best advantage. Get referrals from friends and family, and set up interviews with agents you think you can work best with. Be sure to ask about MLS listings, setting up mobile advertising, and open houses. You’ll be working closely with the agent and relying on them to help you set pricing and draw up your contract; don’t just take the first person that comes along. The right agent will even be able to assist you with the other tips on this list. Remember, real estate agents are experts at buying and selling homes, and they are on your side: They want you to sell your home quickly and for a great price, because, after all, that is their business. 2. Create an amazing first impression. This means cleaning, clearing, and de-cluttering. Your home needs to be almost a blank canvas upon which the buyers can project themselves and their possessions. Strive to make your home look as much like a model home as you can. From the driveway to the basement, your property needs to be neat and tidy, personal items should be stowed away, rooms should be bright and cheerful, and you should do all you can to make each space look large and inviting. 3. Make some minor tweaks. If your home needs a little help to look its best, select quick and inexpensive updates that will give you the most bang for your buck. A coat of neutral paint, professionally cleaned carpets, and a new dishwasher or even new drawer pulls can make a huge difference to a buyer on the fence. 4. Get a home inspection. This one is a bit unusual, but it could save you some heartache in the end. Your buyers will almost certainly insist on an inspection, so instead of getting blindsided by dry rot in support-bearing beams or electricity that’s not up to code, you can know what’s coming, choose what you wish to address, and price accordingly. While many factors are on the side of the seller in today’s market — including low inventories in many desirable neighborhoods and slowly rising mortgage interest rates — it’s still in your best interest to put some effort into getting your home into the best shape for showings that you possibly can.

 

open house inspiration

I am sitting at an open house on this rainy Sunday and thought I would write some suggestions for people hosting open houses, enjoy! 

-Offer food!  In the summer have a BBQ, bake some cookies, etc... I have done this many times and while it doesn't get the public to come to an open house, it does make them remember it.  This is a good way to lure real estate agents to an open house! Offer them lunch to come take a look when you first list your home, this will help you get their feedback on the property and the price.
-Invite your neighbors, they are generally curious and they will provide good word of mouth to potential buyers. Leave a flyer on their front porch or in their mailbox with the date and time and a personal note asking them to stop by.
-Advertise your open house online as much as you can. Your agent will put it on Craigslist and in the MLS, but think beyond that, twitter, facebook and other social media sites are free and reach your local community.
-Think outside the box: pick an unusual time like in the evening to show off the sunset from your deck or have a happy hour and offer wine.  Trying something different might bring out a group of people that wouldn't normally come to a Sunday morning open house.  
In addition to the above ideas it is always important to make sure that your home is as clean as it can be for your open house so that buyers see the house and not your belongings.  It is also important that you let your Realtor host an open house for you, potential buyers tend to be more honest and ask better questions without a homeowner present.

Happy Sunday!