Selling your home can be a stressful proposition, whether you're relocating, retiring, or you just need move on the property ladder. Working with a good listing agent is the single most effective way to ease your anxieties as you decide to place your home on the market.
You may be hoping to save commission dollars by going the "For Sale By Owner", or FSBO route. Beware: Successful FSBOs take time, major commitment, and a thorough understanding of financial and legal issues, contracts and your local real estate market.
At first, using a listing agent does seem to take some cream off the top of your net profit (typically 5 to 8 % of the selling price), but a good agent is worth his fee, saving you from common pitfalls that could actually cost you more, such as overpricing your home, costly work orders, not negotiating the best price or even lawsuits.
Top reasons to go with a Realtor@
Get advice on home inspections, repairs and home presentation before placing it on the market.
Because of their familiarity with the local market, agents can price your home at its highest reasonable price-and their insider's view of financing and work orders can save you hundreds, even thousands, of dollars.
Many buyers-especially first-time buyers, who constitute about 1/2 of the market-are reluctant to work with FSBOs.
Good agents are up to date on financial and legal issues-essential for negotiations and closings.
Agents will answer calls and be available for showings during weekdays, weekends and evenings; you don't risk losing a sale because of your day job, and you'll get more prospective buyers into your home.
Agents handle costly advertising, promotion and (usually) open houses.
Agents handle all offers and negotiations-situations that often cause homeowners to lose their cool and, potentially, a sale.
Agents will help screen the financial qualifications of prospective buyers as well as advise them on financing options.
Agents can promote your home to colleagues, drum up buyers in a dry market, and-here's the pot of gold-list your home with a local Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which gives other agencies access to your listing.
In the emotional environment of selling, buyers and sellers are more comfortable working with a third party during walk-throughs and negotiations.
How to find the right listing agent
If an agent stops by your home to promote a new listing in your area, most often he/she is a good listing agent and good way to start a brief interview. Ask what is the value of your home, and if they request a walk-thru with a follow up appointment, you just about found the right listing agent. If the agent jumps out with a price without ever stepping in your home, read on.
You can always visit www.homevalueoption.com to receive a free home market evaluation (only applicable for Queens county, New York residents). You will receive a comparative market analysis and get to interview a listing agent.
If a great agent has been recommended to you, get some background on his or her agency before you seal a deal. Your contract is actually with the broker firm, not the agent-an important point if you and your agent have any conflicts. Does the agency specialize in residential sales? If your agent takes a weekend off, is a colleague available to help you?
Google "real estate and your town" and call up the top three on the list. Request to speak to the managing broker and ask for the top 3 listing agents. Make appointments with all three listing agents for a listing presentation.
Compare "listing presentations." Ask the agents to create a listing presentation, including: a comparative market analysis of recent sales and listings of similar homes in your area, with listing date, sale date, and list and selling price; their promotional plan for your home; suggested selling price; and a net proceeds sheet detailing your gain under different financing and commission scenarios.
Choose someone you like. This is a close, sometimes emotional, relationship, so choose an agent whose personality is compatible with yours. A proven sales record is more important than finding a friend for life, but be sure that you're comfortable with your agent, share basic habits, and communicate in the same language.
What Not to Look for
Here are a few things that should not be an emphasis in your search for a good listing agent:
The size of an agency is less important than its record of sales, longevity in the area, and an atmosphere of support within the agency. Ask whether the firm uses up-to-date computer technology, which may enhance marketing opportunities.
Don't automatically go with the agent who suggests the highest selling price for your home; numbers are cheap if your home is priced too high for the market. If you're tempted by dollar signs, phone two other agents and ask for a reality check. Some agents price unrealistically high in order to get your listing and later have to drop the price over and over.
Curiously low commission. There is no legal standard for agent commissions, and there are lots of ways to approach a commission percentage. But if you get excited about one agent's 4% fee in a market whose standard is 6%, consider what services (s)he's cutting to stay competitive.
Professional Real Estate Consultant. B.A in Finance. Extensive knowledge in home evaluation. Over a decade in sales experience. Real Estate investor
I am a "Pro-active" real estate professional who take pride in my line of work. Working with teams of "closing coordinators" and marketing professionals to assure a succesful sale and closing on your real estate investment . It is my job to provide homeowners and buyers the necessary information to achieve their goals in buying or selling their real estate. I have forfeited part of my commission to help make a transaction happen. I understand that buying or selling a home is a complicated, emotional process, therefore, listening carefully to my clients needs is very important. I use my experience and expertise to help my clients and advise them to walk away from bad deals. I maintain the same standards of customer service whether it is a buyer's or seller's market. I am a voice of reason in overheated markets, and a voice of encouragement in stagnant markets. Testimonials June 6th, 2008 Dear Andy, First of all, we would like to thank you for making our sales experience easy, joyful and beneficial to all. I had to say, both myself and Kristina were somewhat concerned given it was our first homeowners sales transaction. All of our concerns were clarified upon our initial meeting, and we knew we had the right type of representation. There was no hidden agenda, and or last minute surprises, to which we obviously found comfort in. All of the information you provided was accurate and up to par. Your experience and knowledge was crystal clear. Additionally, would like to thank you for making yourself available at all given times, as we had phoned you in hours which might be sort of outside the scope of ones responsibility. I think apart from your knowledge base, the flexibility of your timeline helped us tremendously, given we are both professional adults and time is of an essence. Lastly, but foremost, we hope our paths cross once again soon. We are looking forward to future business endeavors. Simply put your service was outstanding, and we sincerely both thank you for it. Good Luck Sincerely
Luke Bebenek & Kristina Shapovalova
I have extensive knowledge in co-ops, condos and single family homes in the areas of Forest Hills, Rego Park, Middle Village, kew Gardens, Kew Garden Hills, and Flushing.
Experienced real estate investor in Multi-family homes.
Working with first time home buyers to ensure their first purchase is a sound investment. Everyone I work with daily is very capable and effective making sure buyers receive the best consultation and advice from everyone involved in the transaction, from attorneys to home inspectors.
With a B.A in Finance from Bernard Baruch College and special courses designated for Appraisals, I offer extensive knowledge on both the financials and evaluation of real estate for both buyers and sellers. Providing my clients honest advice and opinions is part of my resume. Honesty is my best method in looking after my clients best interest.
ABOUT FOREST HILLS, NY
The community was founded in 1906, but before that it was known as Whitepot. The present history of Forest Hills was begun in 1906 when successful businessman Cord Meyer purchased 600 acres of farmland in Whitepot. Meyer re-named the area Forest Hills in deference to nearby Forest Park and because the area was the highest point for miles around.
Grosvernor Atterbury, a renowned architect, was given the commission to design Forest Hills Gardens. The neighborhood was planned on the model of the garden communities of England. As a result, there are many Tudor-style homes in Forest Hills, most of which are now located in Forest Hills Gardens. However, there are currently a number of Tudor homes in particular areas of Forest Hills outside of the Gardens.
Forest Hills was once the home of the U.S Open tennis tournament, played at the West Side Tennis Club before it moved to the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Park. When the Open was played at the tennis stadium, the tournament was commonly referred to merely as Forest Hills just as The Championshios, Wimbledon are referred to as Winbledom. In the 2001 motion picture The Royal Tenenbaums, Luke Wilson's character plays a tennis match at the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills.
Forest Hills pupils attend several different elementary, junior and high Schools, including:
This is the view from a LIRR station. Station Square in Forest Hills is one of the most beautiful spots in New York City. The Tudor architecture that dominates the square is even more surprising for its location just blocks from Queens Boulevard and yards from the shopping on Austin Street.
Forest Hills Gardens is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in all of Queens. The area, which is distinct from Forest Hills, is a private community, no gates, but with private roads, green spaces, and even sewers. Developed in 1910, the neighborhood, of roughly 4,500 residents, is one of the most exclusive areas in the borough.
UPDATED INTEREST RATE FROM JUNE
30-year fixed 6.375% APR 6.547% LTV 90% Pymt $ 1,559.67 PI 15-year fixed 6.00% APR 6.280% LTV 90% Pymt $ 2,109.64 PI Jumbo 30-year fixed 7.750% APR 7.904% LTV 90% Pymt $ 2,987.44 PI Jumbo 15-year fixed 6.875% APR 7.112% LTV 90% Pymt $ 3,698.65 PI FHA 30-year fixed 6.375% APR 6.554% LTV 97% Pymt $ 1,339.10 PI VA 30-year fixed 6.375% APR 6.557% LTV 100% Pymt $ 1,372.51 PI FHA 3-year arm 5.250% APR 5.418% LTV 97% Pymt $ 1,233.06 PI 75% non-owner 15-year 6.50% APR 6.784% LTV 80% Pymt $ 2,177.76 PI 90% non-owner 15-year 6.875% APR 7.163% LTV 90% Pymt $ 2,229.64 PI 75% non-owner 30-year 6.750% APR 6.926% LTV 80% Pymt $ 1,621.50 PI 90% non-owner 30-year 7.00% APR 7.179% LTV 90% Pymt $ 1,663.26 PI 3-year fixed (arm) 6.00% APR 6.168% LTV 90% Pymt $ 1,498.88 PI 5-year fixed (arm) 5.750% APR 5.915% LTV 90% Pymt $ 1,458.93 PI 40-year fixed 6.375% APR 6.526% LTV 90% Pymt $ 1,441.44 PI
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