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Why Use A REALTOR®

All real estate licensees are not the same. Only real estate licensees who are members of the National Association of Realtors® are properly called Realtor®. They proudly display the REALTOR "®" logo on the business card or other marketing and sales literature. Realtors® are committed to treat all parties to a transaction honestly. Realtors® subscribe to a strict code of ethics and are expected to maintain a higher level of knowledge of the process of buying and selling real estate. An independent survey reports that 84% of home buyers would use the same Realtor® again.

Real estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments most people experience in their lifetime. Transactions today usually exceed $100,000. If you had a $100,000 income tax problem, would you attempt to deal with it without the help of a CPA? If you had a $100,000 legal question, would you deal with it without the help of an attorney? Considering the small upside cost and the large downside risk, it would be foolish to consider a deal in real estate without the professional assistance of a Realtor®.

But if you're still not convinced of the value of a Realtor®, here are a dozen more reasons to use one:

• Your Realtor® can help you determine your buying power -- that is, your financial reserves plus your borrowing capacity. If you give a Realtor® some basic information about your available savings, income and current debt, he or she can refer you to lenders best qualified to help you. Most lenders -- banks and mortgage companies -- offer limited choices.
• Your Realtor® has many resources to assist you in your home search. Sometimes the property you are seeking is available but not actively advertised in the market, and it will take some investigation by your agent to find all available properties.
• Your Realtor® can assist you in the selection process by providing objective information about each property. Agents who are Realtor® have access to a variety of informational resources. Realtors® can provide local community information on utilities, zoning. schools, etc. There are two things you'll want to know. First, will the property provide the environment I want for a home or investment? Second, will the property have resale value when I am ready to sell?
• Your Realtor® can help you negotiate. There are myriad negotiating factors, including but not limited to price, financing, terms, date of possession and often the inclusion or exclusion of repairs and furnishings or equipment. The purchase agreement should provide a period of time for you to complete appropriate inspections and investigations of the property before you are bound to complete the purchase. Your agent can advise you as to which investigations and inspections are recommended or required.
• Your Realtor® provides due diligence during the evaluation of the property. Depending on the area and property, this could include inspections for termites, dry rot, asbestos, faulty structure, roof condition, septic tank and well tests, just to name a few. Your Realtor® can assist you in finding qualified responsible professionals to do most of these investigations and provide you with written reports. You will also want to see a preliminary report on the title of the property. Title indicates ownership of property and can be mired in confusing status of past owners or rights of access. The title to most properties will have some limitations; for example, easements (access rights) for utilities. Your Realtor®, title company or attorney can help you resolve issues that might cause problems at a later date.
• Your Realtor® can help you in understanding different financing options and in identifying qualified lenders.
• Your Realtor® can guide you through the closing process and make sure everything flows together smoothly.
• When selling your home, your Realtor© can give you up-to-date information on what is happening in the marketplace and the price, financing, terms and condition of competing properties. These are key factors in getting your property sold at the best price, quickly and with minimum hassle.
• Your Realtor® markets your property to other real estate agents and the public. Often, your Realtor® can recommend repairs or cosmetic work that will significantly enhance the salability of your property. Your Realtor® markets your property to other real estate agents and the public. In many markets across the country, over 50% of real estate sales are cooperative sales; that is, a real estate agent other than yours brings in the buyer. Your Realtor® acts as the marketing coordinator, disbursing information about your property to other real estate agents through a Multiple Listing Service or other cooperative marketing networks, open houses for agents, etc. The Realtor® Code of Ethics requires Realtors® to utilize these cooperative relationships when they benefit their clients.
• Your Realtor® will know when, where and how to advertise your property. There is a misconception that advertising sells real estate. The National Association of Realtors® studies show that 82% of real estate sales are the result of agent contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends, family and personal contacts. When a property is marketed with the help of your Realtor®, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Your Realtor® will generally prescreen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.
• Your Realtor® can help you objectively evaluate every buyer's proposal without compromising your marketing position. This initial agreement is only the beginning of a process of appraisals, inspections and financing -- a lot of possible pitfalls. Your Realtor® can help you write a legally binding, win-win agreement that will be more likely to make it through the process.
• Your Realtor® can help close the sale of your home. Between the initial sales agreement and closing (or settlement), questions may arise. For example, unexpected repairs are required to obtain financing or a cloud in the title is discovered. The required paperwork alone is overwhelming for most sellers. Your Realtor® is the best person to objectively help you resolve these issues and move the transaction to closing (or settlement).

Copyright National Association of Realtors®, used with permission.

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Why Use An SRS When Selling Your Home

SRS (Seller Representative Specialist) is the premier seller agency designation, conferred by the SRS Council, recognizing real estate professionals who have completed special education in seller representation.

Eight Reasons to list with an SRS

• SRS designees are members of an elite group of trained seller client advocates that know the importance of their client’s specific needs by using Seller Counseling Sessions to insure all needs are addressed.
• SRS designees concentrate their efforts on the seller client’s ultimate goals to insure the client is at the center of the sale.
• SRS designee is extensively trained in a wide variety of manual and electronic marketing methods to uniquely promote your property to the widest range prospective purchasers.
• SRS designees understand that negotiation skills are critical to a successful transaction and are trained to position their client to receive the best possible outcome during negotiations of the sale.
• SRS designees adhere to the highest level of professional ethics and business practices in delivering ‘Client Level’ services with integrity.
• SRS designees are uniquely qualified to exceed the expectations of their clients yielding client trust.
• SRS designees know the importance of staging your property for best results. Staging is a critical component, along with accurate pricing, to attain desired results within a timely manner.
• SRS designees have an advanced level of understanding on how to collaborate with a variety of cooperating agents of all skill levels in the marketplace to insure that the ‘best’ buyer has an opportunity to purchase your property.

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Using a Certified SRES®

Meeting the Needs of the Senior Buyer

As your Lake Sinclair certified Senior Residential Real Estate Specialist®, I have the experience and knowledge to meet the housing needs of seniors, including selling your family home, business, or investment property, buying rental property, and managing the capital gains and tax implications of owning real estate.

We all have different needs when looking for a home and I have made it my goal to specialize in meeting the needs of maturing adults by completing the SRES® course designed by the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council of the National Association of Realtors®. As your certified SRES®, I am trained to address the needs of home buyers age 50-plus. With the realization that adults in the 50 to 64 age groups have drastically different needs than adults over 65, I am qualified to meet the needs of each group.

What Is A Senior Real Estate Specialist®?

The Senior Real Estate Designee is defined as the following by the Senior Real Estate Council:

Seniors Real Estate Specialists® are REALTORS® qualified to address the needs of home buyers age 50-plus. The SRES® Council awards the SRES® Designation to those members who have successfully completed its education program.

By earning the SRES® designation, your REALTOR® has demonstrated necessary knowledge and expertise to counsel clients age 50-plus through major financial and lifestyle transitions involved in relocating, refinancing, or selling the family home. Your REALTOR® has received special training, gets regular updates, and is prepared to offer the options and information needed in making life changing decisions.

Why Use Me as Your Senior Real Estate Specialist®?

• I am your advocate.
  The knowledge I have gained through the SRES® program has enabled me to become your Real Estate advocate. I have gained an extensive knowledge in the financial aspects of home buying and have been educated on the uses and benefits of the reverse mortgage. I also have an understanding of how Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security impact your real estate decisions.
• I am your Advisor.
  I have the expertise to create a customized approach to your circumstances and will work with you in regards to your living situation and requirements.
• I value you.

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