Please do not choose me solely on price. The $5000 to $10,000 commission that you save by using a discount Broker can be wasted away if the Agent in charge does not handle things properly. I CAN HANDLE THINGS PROPERLY--THE PROOF IS BELOW.
IF YOU DO CHOOSE SOMEBODY ELSE, MAKE SURE YOUR AGENT IS A NOTRARY PUBLIC, OTHERWISE THERE IS AN EXTREME LIKELIHOOD THAT YOU'LL BE REQUIRED TO TAKE A DAY OFF WORK TO SIGN CLOSING PAPERS AT A TITLE COMPANY DURING BUSINESS HOURS.
In addition to being a Real Estate Broker and the Owner of California Magic, I am a Notary Public.
THE MOST IMPORTANT TRANSACTION YOU WILL EVER DO IN YOUR LIFETIME IS THE LISTING AND SELLING OF YOUR HOME. THE INDUSTRY STANDARD FOR COMMISSIONS ON THE SALE OF A HOME HAD BEEN 6% (3% for both the seller's and buyer's agent), BUT WITH THE ADVENT OF THE INTERNET AND THE SPIKE IN PRICES OVER THE LAST SEVEN YEARS, THIS HAS DROPPED TO ABOUT 5%. WE CHARGE LESS THAN THREE AND A HALF.
Since this transaction is so uncommon (people usually only sell their house two or three times in their lifetime), the consumer usually goes into this with little or no education as to how to find the best representation. I thought I'd post here to give you an idea on what to look for and hopefully have you trust in me for my services.
Hi, my name is James Smith and I am a Real Estate Broker in the East Bay. My office name is
California Magic Real Estate, and our phone number is 925-558-2710. I had been a Real Estate Agent (aka Salesperson, which means I worked for someone else) for ten years. I obtained my Broker's License and opened up my own company last year.
CLICK ON THE PICTURES BELOW FOR MORE DETAILS.
Here's our listing in Richmond -- PENDING SALE ABOVE ASK PRICE:
Here our listing in Fremont, SOLD 9/29 for $35,000 ABOVE ASK PRICE:
Here's their neighbor's house which we SOLD 12/21 ABOVE ASK PRICE:
Here's a Santa Clara unit we listed that sold 9/27 $20,000 above asking price:
EVEN IF YOU CHOOSE TO SEND YOUR BUSINESS ELSEWHERE, here are the things to consider when choosing an Agent (and company) to sell your home that will ultimately SAVE YOU THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS:
1) Trust. In Real Estate, the term "fiduciary responsibility" is often brought up. It means that your Agent will act in YOUR best interest at all times. Since you are not used to these transactions, it is possible for an Agent to do things you are unaware of to "rip you off". TRUST is the NUMBER ONE REASON people hire their friends to represent them in Real Estate transactions.
2) Knowledge of your situation. Agents need to ask why you are selling your home. There are different market strategies for different situations. Neglecting to ask about your situation is the most common mistake that Agents tend to do.
3) Knowledge of how to apply your situation to the appropriate market strategy. Unfortunately, when people are represented by their friends, all the right questions are asked but the wrong strategy is applied. This is the most common mistake when deciding to be represented by a friend or relative.
4) Appropriate Real Estate tools to effectively market your home. This will be things like For Sale signs, Multiple Listing Service membership, and Lock Boxes that are standard for all REALTORS. If you are not dealing with a REALTOR, your Agent still may have this...but you MAY not.
5) Appropriate knowledge on how to use those Real Estate tools. Many Agents rely on the local MLS to post a picture of the front of the house on the MLS website. While this may have been standard 10 years ago, the technology has been advanced dramatically since then. Things such as use of photos and the internet can greatly increase your chances of maximum exposure.
6) Appropriate use of Open Houses. The common misconception is that if an Agent has an Open House, hundreds of people come by and the house is sold quickly. The reality is that MOST OPEN HOUSES ARE INEFFECTIVE (AT THE FAULT OF THE AGENT), AND GET FOOT TRAFFIC OF ABOUT 5 PEOPLE IN THREE HOURS. There is a way to assure maximum exposure, to an open house.
7) Knowledge of the steps to be followed once an offer has been accepted, and cooperation with other Agents. This is where most people who are selling their house without an Agent have the transactions fall apart.
8) Commission. COMMISSIONS ARE BY LAW NEGOTIABLE. Find a company that is willing to negotiate this with you (most will tell you that the industry standard is 6%), or that company is inherently breaking the "fiduciary responsibility" stated above in Rule Number 1!
For homes selling under $600,000, my fee is 1% or $4500, whichever is LESS. For houses with a sale price above $600,000 and below $1 million, my fee is $4900. The flat fee for homes above $1 million is $7500. This does not include the fee paid to a buyers Agent (it's your choice what you'd like to pay that Agent--the standard is 2.5%).
EVEN IF YOU CHOOSE TO LIST YOUR HOUSE WITH SOMEBODY ELSE, if that Agent doesn't offer the steps above...RUN AWAY!!!
I've tried to be complete but brief, but understand I may have failed in the latter. Please call or email me with any questions or comments.
James K. Smith, Broker
California Magic Real Estate
11501 Dublin Blvd. #200
Dublin, Ca 94568
DRE # 01180918
925-558-2710(ofc)
510-506-2840(cell)
JKSmith@CaMagic.com
NOW SERVING
Is this deal being beat by ANYONE on Craigslist?
|
