Common Myths About Real Estate

Common Myths About Real Estate


MYTH:
Mike Pristow, Donna Hodge & Associates sells a lot of real estate. Perhaps they are too busy to pay attention to my listing.
FACT:
Just as great restaurants are always busy and superior doctors have a heavy patient load, Mike Pristow, Donna Hodge & Associates' success in marketing and selling homes has resulted in a busy schedule. But like good restaurants and doctors, they have assembled a team of top-notch people to assist with all of 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.
FACT:
Successfully marketing a property in the competitive marketplace takes skill and resources. All of the promotional costs, such as photos, brochures, printing, signs, advertisements, MLS fees, direct mail, etc. are paid for by Mike Pristow, Donna Hodge & Associates. How will a discount broker offer such a complete marketing campaign? Does the discount broker have a staff to personally tend to your specific needs? Do they have a proven tack record of success, or are they just using the lower commission to try to win your business? Do they have expertise to guide you through the problems that often develop during the closing process? Remember that you only actually pay a commission if and 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 dominant market share in any major city in the country.

MYTH:
I should select the agent who suggest the highest list price.
FACT:
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 they need to reduce the price. We don't play games. We provide a well researched computerized market analysis to determine the true realistic price that your home will bear in today's marketplace. The decision of which agent to list with and what price to ask are two completely separate decisions. Select your agent abased on their credentials and track record, then decide on price. NEVER SELECT AN AGENT BASED ON THE PRICE THEY SUGGEST!
 

MYTH:
Property condition is not important to buyers.
FACT:
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.
FACT:
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 usually 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.
FACT:
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. We utilize 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.