COMMON REAL ESTATE MYTHS
MYTH:
The Quest Real Estate Team sells a lot of real estate. Perhaps they are too busy to pay attention to my listing.
TRUTH:
The Quest Real Estate Team’s success in marketing and selling homes may result in a busy schedule, the reason Quest Real Estate assembled a team of top-notch people to assist with all the details. The result is outstanding customer service and support. The long list of satisfied clients speaks for itself.
MYTH:
A “discount” broker can do just as well and save me money.
TRUTH:
Successfully marketing a property in our competitive marketplace takes skill and resources. All the promotional costs such as photos, brochures, printing, signs, advertisements, MLS fees, direct mail, etc. are paid for by Quest Real Estate. How will a discount broker offer such a complete marketing campaign? Does the discount broker have a team to personally tend to your specific needs? Do they have a proven track record of success, or are they just using the lower commission to try to win your business? Do they have the expertise to guide you through the problems that often develop during the closing process?
Remember that you only pay a brokerage fee when your property sells. Many sellers have found that their commission with a discount broker was really zero, because their property never sold! It is interesting to note that a discount broker does not have a significant market share in any major city in the country.
MYTH:
I should select the agent that suggests the highest list price.
TRUTH:
This is the oldest scam in real estate sales: Tell the seller what they want to hear, compliment the home, and agree to list it at an unrealistically high price just to get the listing. Then, after you have the listing for a few weeks, start telling the seller that they need to reduce the price.
Quest Real Estate doesn’t play any games. Quest Real Estate provides a well researched computerized market analysis to determine the true realistic price that your home will bear in today’s marketplace. The decisions of which agent to list with and what price to ask are two completely separate decisions.
MYTH:
Property condition is not that important to buyers.
TRUTH:
WRONG! A property in superior condition will sell faster and for a higher price than a home in average condition. Buyers purchase properties that are most appealing, and a home in great condition with a reasonable asking price always tops the list. Sellers that invest in necessary repairs and keep their home clean and fresh always reap the rewards!
MYTH:
Empty homes are harder to sell than occupied homes.
TRUTH:
Vacant homes often sell faster for several reasons, but again it all depends on condition. A vacant home that is clean, in good repair, and priced fairly will sometimes sell fast because the rooms will appear larger without furniture and clutter, buyers can easily visualize their furnishings in the home, and most agents prefer to show vacant homes because they can go anytime without worrying about making appointments, etc.
MYTH:
Pricing a home for sale is a mysterious process.
TRUTH:
Your home will sell for what the market will bear. To determine the range of value for your home, it takes a solid knowledge of the market. And because every home is unique, your home will sell more near the high or low end of the range depending on its specific attributes like location and condition. Quest Real Estate utilizes a computer database along with years of experience to help you decide where to set the price. It is not simple, but it isn’t mysterious either.
