Real Estate Agent

FSBO vs. Hiring a Butte Real Estate Agent – 7 Points to Ponder

Saturday, August 29th, 2009

Selling a home isn’t easy, especially now. Yet some homeowners believe they can stick a “for sale” sign in the ground and have the house off the market within a few days.

While FSBO (For Sale By Owner) sales do occur, four out of five homeowners still use a Butte real estate agent. Why? Because selling your home on your own is hard work, and even more importantly, statistics prove that real estate agents get homes sold faster and for more money than FSBOs.

If you’re not sure what you should do, here are a few things to think about:

FSBO

Sometimes, for sale by owner purchases are a good deal for the homeowner. That doesn’t mean you should just jump in, however. FSBO might be a good thing for you if:

It’s a seller’s market

1. You don’t care how long it takes
2. You are unwilling to pay the typical Butte real estate agent commission
3. You have a good attorney who can keep you protected for the legal aspects
4. You have the time to learn how to do it, answer the phone and provide open houses
5. You’re comfortable negotiating
6. You’re confident you can price your home correctly

Real Estate Agent

Although you will have to pay your agent a commission, there are some definite benefits to hiring one:

1. A good agent can help you price your home correctly.
2. They have an abundance of resources to help find buyers, get the best price and get your home sold.
3. They make sure the potential buyer can actually afford it.
4. They’re good at negotiating and aren’t emotionally invested in the sale.
5. If for no other reason, they’re interested in getting the highest price possible because of their commission.
6. They put in several hours a day, that you may not have available, to get your home sold.
7. They have advertising resources, such as real estate magazines, that you may not be able to touch (or afford).

A [city] real estate agent may not be the best way to go for you. On the other hand, you may not have the necessary information and time required for FSBO. Before going one way or the other, take the time to really look at both sides and decide which works well with what you expect from the sale of your home.

If you’ve tried to go the FSBO route, and it didn’t work out, or if you know FSBO isn’t for you, I can help. Call me at 406-491-1234 or email me for more information.

Tags: Butte FSBO, Butte Real Estate, Butte Real Estate Agent, Butte Real Estate Market, Using a Real Estate Agent in Butte
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Your Butte Real Estate Agent and You

Monday, July 27th, 2009

As a Butte real estate agent, I get to meet people from all ends of the spectrum: buyers, sellers, renters, etc. I also come across other agents, and it constantly amazes me at the different outlooks surrounding the real estate profession. Many buyers think sellers and real estate agents are out to stiff them. On the opposite side, many sellers think buyers and agents are out to stiff them. Unfortunately, even some agents think both are out to stiff them.

I know they say “it’s a dog eat dog world”, but if everybody was truly out to stiff everybody else (rather than just get a fair deal), nothing would ever get done. There’s a big difference between a good agent and a crummy agent. So, maybe we all need to be reminded of what a good Butte real estate agent really is:

Your agent is your business associate. They are in the business of finding what you need, whether it’s a house to buy or a buyer for your house. As a business associate, they look for the best deal for you, because the best deal for you is the best for them.

Your agent is your negotiator. This goes along with the first, but is more in depth. For instance, if you’re looking at new construction homes and the builder has a “buyer’s agent”, do you really think that agent is there to help you get the best deal? No, they’re there to help the builder get the best deal. That’s why you have your own agent there – you know they’re on your side.

Your agent is your friend. Especially when you’re having problems selling your house, you’ll have a lot of worries. A good Butte real estate agent will be there to listen to them and either a) relieve your worries or b) be understanding of them.

As real estate agents, we understand that selling a house isn’t easy. We understand that buying a house can be stressful. We even understand that you may be stuck in a situation you’d rather not be in, such as during a foreclosure. Good agents aren’t just agents; we’re good friends.

If you need to sell your home or are looking to buy one, I’d love to help you. Call me today at (406)491-1234 or email me at Judy@Montana.com.

Tags: Butte Homes, Butte Real Estate, Butte Real Estate Agent, Butte Real Estate Market, Selling a Home in Butte
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Home Improvement: 4 Places Butte Real Estate Agents Say, “Don’t Go Cheap!”

Tuesday, July 7th, 2009

As most Butte real estate agents will tell you, remodeling, decorating or repairing your home can go a long way towards getting it sold. For that matter, it can add value to your property in case you want to sell later – that is, if you don’t choose the wrong places to buy cheap:

• Windows – Never buy a window based on which one is cheapest. You want windows that look good, and, as most Butte real estate agents will recommend, you want energy-efficient windows. During 2009 and 2010, you may be eligible for a Federal Tax Credit for Energy Efficiency of up to $1500 when you purchase Energy Star windows.

• Paint – Paint is one of the biggest places people skimp when it comes to cost, and a big no-no. Cheap paint may take several coats to look right; those several coats can end up leaving blotches and runs. In addition, cheap paint has a tendency to peel or wash off under light cleaning. If you’re going to add painting to your remodeling or repair work, quality is always better.

• Doors – Whether it’s for a shower or a screened-in porch, the door you choose can make all the difference. A rickety shower door falling off the railing is a big “don’t buy” sign. While you don’t want to blow your whole budget, the doors throughout your house should be of quality material. Likewise, a solid front door adds to the curb appeal and security of your home. Some exterior doors also qualify for the Federal Tax Credit for Energy Efficiency. Find out if your exterior door qualifies for an Energy Star Rebate or Tax Credit.

• Flooring – Unless it’s expensive carpet on sale, cheap flooring never looks like anything but cheap flooring. Low cost carpet and wood flooring seldom has high durability and is likely to wear out before you’re ready to replace it again. Take the time to find quality flooring at a price you can afford – don’t go cheap!

Many Butte real estate agents will push quality, but the biggest point they’ll push these days is – go green! It may not be the cheapest option, but the benefits in efficiency and property value more than make up for the cost.

Want more tips on remodeling or repairing your home? Subscribe to this blog. Two or three times a week, you’ll get information like this automatically sent to your email for free.

Tags: Energy Star Rebate, Federal Tax Credit for Energy Efficiency, Home Improvement
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