Posts in category: Agents

“How hard can it be to hire a realtor?” That’s a good question, but often people don’t give a lot of thought to the answer. And to be honest, it’s not hard to ‘hire’ one – but hiring one who is going to do what is needed to either find or sell a property for you – that’s another story.

Because when it’s all said and done, working with real estate is a business transaction. You may know real estate professionals from your family or social circle, and it seems like they would be the easiest choice to make, right? But unless you know how they operate in business and are comfortable with all their methods, you may want to cast your net a little farther afield. (If only to retain those personal relationships, because nothing will damage a friendship or familial tie faster than a financial transaction gone wrong – in either direction.) Actually – when you think about it – friends are a lot harder to come by than Realtors®. So perhaps keeping business and personal separate is generally a good idea.

It’s Business, Not Personal.

When the time comes to choose a Realtor®, the most important thing to do is make sure you pick someone that you can have a serious, straight-talk business conversation. At some point, this person is going to become very familiar with your entire financial picture – something that can skew a personal relationship uncomfortably. You may agree or disagree on decisions about properties, lender choice, or any number of things in the process; and let’s face it: not every real estate transaction turns out perfectly. If there’s any chance of personal feelings getting in the way of getting the best outcome, you’re probably going to be much happier with a straight business relationship – handled by a professional that has no emotional stake in the final outcome. (Can you hear it? “But if you buy this house, we’ll live on the same street!” Yikes!)

Obviously, you want to choose the most qualified person for your needs (a specialist in your area, a Seller’s or a Buyer’s agent, a relocation specialist, etc.) – and one that you feel will work well with you. So in the big picture, the bottom line is to find an experienced professional who knows your market, acts in an ethical manner, answers all of your questions, addresses your concerns, and listens to you – acting as your teammate – throughout the entire process.

Knowing all that, there are still a few questions that will be helpful for you to ask any potential Realtor® with whom you’re considering working. And the answers to those questions will help you determine if they are the right fit for your needs. Any reputable Realtor® – even those with a long-term business presence and sterling reputation – will understand that working with an informed client is to their benefit, as well. (Meaning, if a real estate agent ‘doesn’t want to be bothered’ with a brief interview, they’re probably not the best choice for you.)

Nine Questions to Ask a Potential Realtor®

Just to get the ball rolling for you, we’d like to provide a brief list of questions you should inquire of a potential Realtor®. Many of these inquiries will lead to other questions that will ultimately help inform your final decision. But in our experience, these are a great place to start!

1. What are the top three things that separate you from your competition?
2. How many years of education and experience do you have as an agent or broker? What percentage of your clients are buyers (vs. sellers)?
3. In which neighborhoods do you primarily work?
4. How many homes have you closed in my chosen area or neighborhood?
5. Will I be working with you directly or handed-off to anyone else other than you? In other words, will you handle all aspects of my transaction or will you delegate some tasks to a sales associate or administrative assistant? (A knowledgeable assistant can be invaluable, but you want to make sure you can connect with your agent regularly.)
6. How many other buyers are you representing now? How many sellers? Hint: the busiest agents often are the most efficient.
7. What would be your marketing plan/strategy for my needs?
8. Will you help me find other professionals? (lenders, appraisers, etc.)
9. What haven’t I asked you that I need to know about you?

Buying or selling a home is a big deal – no matter what anyone tells you. Because it affects so many important areas of your life (where you’ll live, schools your kids will attend, financial well-being, creditworthiness, and much more) – even though real estate transactions happen every day, you can’t take for granted that everyone who hangs out a shingle knows how to do it right. (There’s a reason that some lawyers specialize in Real Estate, you know.) Make sure you take a little extra time up front to find the right, experienced, and knowledgeable agent to help you get it all done. It’s worth it. Trust us.

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for property management, a newly built home from a local builder, or a resale property in just the right location, a New Home Resource Realtor® is here to provide the service you’re looking for. Please contact a New Home Resource Realtor® today at 702-365-1000 or visit www.newhomeresource.com. Broker Joanna Piette, and agents Denise Thrasher, Jessica O’Brien, Evelyn ‘Beng’ Kern, and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

No lie – there are times when it’s great to be thought of as SuperRealtor! And then there are times, when … well, notsomuch. Helping a client buy their dream home (or sell their existing home to get there) – is a wonderful feeling. Pulling all the details together and helping everyone to reach the finish line is so incredibly satisfying to a Realtor™, both professionally and personally.

BUT…. (you had to see that coming, didn’t you?) Even Clark Kent had a day job.

And by that, we mean at any given time, we have a lot of balls in the air – it’s just the nature of our job. So while we do our best to “be there” whenever a client needs us, there are times we simply aren’t at liberty to drop everything and rush out the door. (Emergencies are, of course, another story. And yes – there are real estate emergencies to deal with at times.)

After all, if you were the client with whom we had scheduled an appointment in advance to view homes, or to take care of paperwork, inspections, etc. on your home purchase or sale – you wouldn’t be too thrilled at the idea of being ‘ditched’ because of someone else’s poor planning – right? And (it’s always amazing to us that people don’t think about this until we point it out) ….we’re Real People, too! That means we have a work life and a home life (okay, sometimes). There are hours we’re awake – and hours when we sleep. (Aaaaack! What a concept!)

We’re the first to admit that with the 24/7 nature of Las Vegas, sometimes people forget those little details. So we’d just like to point out three little courtesies that will help you and your Realtor™ get along even more swimmingly.

• Respect Your Realtor’s Time – As Much As You Do Your Own

Do you have an appointment scheduled with your Realtor™? We’d really love it if you’re on time. But we also know that ‘things happen’ and get in the way of even the best-laid plans. Just keep in mind – it takes us time to drive to that appointment, too. So if you know (or even think) you may be late for a scheduled appointment, please give us a call as soon as possible. Often, even a 15-30 minute hitch in our schedule can inconvenience many other clients, the other agent, the sellers, and staff that we work with. It can be the difference between having a productive day or seeing our schedule thrown into complete havoc (and having to play the “I apologize/Catch-Up” game the rest of the day). So those clients who appreciate that we have a schedule, too, well – we appreciate they recognize that fact more than they know.

• Failing To Plan Ahead

Ideally, buyers and sellers choose a Realtor™ to work with because they believe we’re good at what we do. Most people will ask friends or associates for a referral to a good agent because hey! – we live in a “social” world anymore. There is simply more trust placed in a business or a professional because someone you trust has had a good experience with them.

The news flash that goes along with that? It means we work hard. And that our schedules are busy – just like yours. Let’s face it – would you want to hire the Realtor™ who has nothing but “free time”? Nope. You value us because we’re dedicated to doing a great job for every single client. All that, while practicing the delicate balancing act of maintaining a personal and family life, too. (And yes – we know that’s not a problem exclusive to Realtors™. All the more reason to empathize…because we know everyone deals with that.)

That said, it’s a pretty safe bet that most people have a sense of when they plan time in their schedule to view homes. Talk with your Realtor™ about a mutually beneficial schedule – and then you’ll both be on the same page to find a day and time that works for you both. Because it all falls back on that “respect for time” we mentioned above.

• Expecting “Instant” Communication – At Every Hour

Vegas is a tourist town – we get it. And we love it! However, just because you’ve come to town shop for a home and chose to utilize this trip to catch up on your casino recreation at 3am, it doesn’t really follow that we’re sitting at home waiting for your text to come through about that time. Sometimes, there are reasons we must be available by phone, just as you have had such situations occur. But we also have the hope that our clients will respect our off-hours and not shoot us messages at any hour of the day or night, asking to go look at homes in 3 hours! Ahhhhh……yes, it all boils down to – once again – respect of time.

But that respect is absolutely a two-way street. A professional Realtor™ is completely dedicated to giving each client the time and attention needed (and then some!) to make sure their real estate needs are met – – and exceeded. We work hard, during long hours to know our market, to know the always-changing laws and regulations, to get our clients exactly what they’re in search of, and still manage to get it all right. And we love doing it, too! We just also happen to love it when our clients realize we’re just like them . . . we need to play, rest, and take care of our personal lives, too. We promise, if you’ll keep that in mind, you’ll get the very best of every service we have to offer!

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for a newly built home from a local builder, or a resale property in just the right location, a New Home Resource Realtor® is here to find the perfect property for you. Please contact a New Home Resource Realtor® today at 702-365-1000 or at www.newhomeresource.com. Broker Joanna Piette, and agents Denise Moreno Thrasher, Jessica O’Brien, Evelyn ‘Beng’ Kern, Lance Partin and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

Devoting the time and effort involved in making sure we provide our customers with dependable, market-specific information to help them buy or sell real estate – it’s just our nature. Going the extra mile to make sure they receive the best possible service from knowledgeable experts on the subject of all things “Las Vegas” – that’s just how we roll. The bottom line is this: We’re in this business because we love it – and we love working with customers and others in our industry who really ‘get’ how great this city is.

But it’s always a thrill to have that dedication acknowledged – and when we discovered that our Fearless Leader – Broker Joanna Piette – was chosen as one of the Top 25 Women in Real Estate in Las Vegas for the 3rd year in a row – well, it just seemed like it was something worth mentioning.

New Home Resource Broker, Joanna Piette

Why? Because we know that the company she’s in is pretty darn amazing. Being able to share this honor with two dozen exceptional women who work throughout our industry is something to be both proud of – and grateful for.

Each of the women listed – that will be recognized at next month’s event at Treasure Island Hotel and Casino – is a leader in her field, and we’re awfully proud that the Women’s Council of Realtors considers Joanna Piette to be among this list that represents the best of the best. (We’ve always known it around here!)

Members of The Women’s Council of Realtors exemplify the highest standard of industry professionalism and it is a recognized source of leadership development and the businesswoman’s perspective in Las Vegas. To learn more about the vision, values, and impact this organization promotes in our great city, click here for further information.

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for a newly-built home from a local builder, or a resale property in just the right location, a New Home Resource Realtor® is here to find the perfect property for you. Please contact a New Home Resource Realtor® today at 702-365-1000 or at www.newhomeresource.com. Broker Joanna Piette, and agents Denise Moreno Thrasher, Jessica O’Brien, Evelyn ‘Beng’ Kern, Lance Partin and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

“What’s the big deal? A Realtor® lists your home for sale, and then earns a big paycheck just for punching a few keys into MLS. I can sell it myself for cheaper!”

Been there? Said that? And if you’ve ever actually tried it, you know (to coin a phrase) “it just ain’t so.” But for those looking to sell a home who don’t know any better (yet), here’s a little peek behind the scenes of what goes on after your real estate agent accepts your listing.

1. This is important, so read it twice: Your agent doesn’t get paid unless your home sells. Let’s try that again. Your agent doesn’t get paid unless your home sells.

It’s easy to forget this part – but Realtors® don’t get paid by the hour. In fact, you might consider them the original gamblers, because if your home doesn’t sell – all their time, work, and energy doesn’t net them a dime. The rule of thumb is pretty much that for every 1 hour your agent spends with you, they’re spending 9 more hours working on behalf of your listing. “Working on what?” you ask? We thought you might say that, so read on.

2. They’re researching.

Arriving at the optimum listing price for your property takes time and research. It’s not enough to simply look at online listings to compare the square footage and price of other homes currently on the market. Your agent will often take the time to visit the current listings in person because it’s the only way to truly compare the characteristics of each home. Just because two homes have the exact same floorplan doesn’t mean they possess the same value. If your home is in a quiet cul-de-sac location and another listing is on a busy avenue – that is going to make your listing more desirable to potential buyers. And that’s only one example among dozens that can make a difference not only in whether you sell your home, but for how much. Plus, listings come and go fast in the real estate world, so agents need to check their multiple listing service database constantly or they can miss opportunities that could provide benefit to your listing.

3. They’re marketing your property.

Remember that part about ‘not getting paid unless a home sells’? That’s one reason your selling agent will also put their money into multiple avenues of marketing your home to potential buyers. Even the best home in the world isn’t going to sell if people don’t know it’s available. So the more exposure your agent can get for your listing, the better the odds that you receive an offer, or even multiple offers (and who doesn’t love that!?). Once again, it takes time to prepare ads and list them– whether online, in magazines and newspapers, fliers, direct mail postcards, premium placements on listing sites, and more. In fact, depending on the property, these efforts can run into thousands of dollars. All paid from their own pocket before ever earning a dime.

4. They deal with buyers and their agents.

Your home is on the market – and people are going to want to know about it. That means phone calls, emails, and correspondence from buyers and other agents – and knowing how to sort through the ‘qualified’ from the ‘not-so-much-qualified’ takes time (and skill, if you want the truth). Without a listing agent, there’s a good chance that you can get within days of the closing ‘finish line’ only to discover your buyers can’t seal the deal (bummer – you just lost 3-6 more months of valuable time). So – not only are they saving you all the time of dealing with buyers – they’re also making sure when you do have a buyer, they’re for real.

5. Paperwork. Lots of paperwork.

It starts with the listing itself, and following up to make sure every obligation required in your state is met with regard to real estate laws. If you try to do it yourself and miss even one single disclosure or timeline, you are leaving yourself open for lawsuits for years to come. Seriously.

And, of course, offers – obviously the most exciting and important part of the transaction. How they’re handled can save or net you thousands of dollars on a sale. Yet getting to the right price requires written offers and counteroffers every step of the way. It’s time-consuming, meticulous, and detailed – and your listing agent addresses every part of the transaction with an eye to your benefit. Not to the buyer’s; and certainly not their own. This is one time in your life you can be assured you’re the “Star” of the show.

6. The Best Part? They make it all look easy.

Not every sale goes smoothly—buyers and sellers (and even other agents) get difficult all the time—but good agents try to shield their clients from the high drama unless there’s a reason to fill them in. It’s a talent – putting out fires (many times, before buyers and sellers are even aware of them). And when the drama does rear its head, they know the steps to resolve it – all the while helping to keep you calm when the pressure is on. People get emotional about their home, so being a problem-solver and keeping a step ahead of potential issues is more important than either buyers or sellers realize.

So the next time you hear someone say “Why get a Realtor®?” I’m just going to sell my house myself!” – you’ll know just how to reply to that. With either: “Hey, take a look at this article!” – or, “I hope you have a lot of free time on your hands, then.”

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for a newly-built home from a local builder, or a resale property in just the right location, a New Home Resource Realtor® is here to find the perfect property for you. Please contact a New Home Resource Realtor® today at 702-365-1000 or at www.newhomeresource.com. Broker Joanna Piette, and agents Denise Moreno Thrasher, Jessica O’Brien, Evelyn ‘Beng’ Kern, Lance Partin and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

If you’ve ever sold your home or an investment property before, at some point you’ve probably asked yourself: “Why shouldn’t I just sell it myself and save the commission?” That’s a great question. And although we touched on this topic in our last article, we thought it might be a good idea to delve a little further into the details.

In fact, we’re going to champion that idea for you and help you prepare for the task! So grab your pencils and highlighters, because we’re about to give you a Crash Course in For Sale By Owner techniques.

1) Remember, anyone – including you – can sell your home. All you have to do is underprice it. That’s been proven by studies showing that “for sale by owner” properties lose between 14%-20% on the price they could have gotten by using an agent. (So saving that 3% Selling Agent commission will come in handy.)

2) Great news! You get to keep your schedule wide open! At least, that’s if you want to make sure you don’t miss any prospective buyers. Because without an agent, you need to be on-call 7 days a week to show your property. If you’re not, of course, that means fewer offers and even less possibility of receiving a full-priced offer. (Then again, you might want to put a value on your time as you’ll be losing income for taking off work.)

3) That also includes taking time to market your property – whether with flyers, or online ads, or signage, or any other non-MLS methods you can think of. You’ll be paying for the cost of all this marketing, along with putting in hours of your time to let the public know your home is available for sale. Of course, without the instant and mass exposure of an MLS listing, you won’t have as many places to market your property as a real estate professional. That will mean less showings, fewer offers, and a lower sales price.

4) Tell yourself: “I can always list it later if it doesn’t sell.” If you first attempt a “for sale by owner” without success – and later decide to list with an agent – you may have already eliminated many potential buyers who saw or knew of your home in the first place. One of the reasons is this: In real estate, the first week your home is on the market is considered its “Golden Time.” That’s typically when you will get the most interest and the most money for your home. And the longer it’s on the market, the less money people are willing to offer.

5) Put on your “negotiating” hat. Because you’ll be the one to field all the phone calls, emails, and inquiries that come in about your property – and you’ll need to know the right things to say – such as how to ask pre-qualifying questions to determine if a buyer is financially able to buy your home. (No sense taking the time to show it if they aren’t.) That’s all before you find a buyer, of course. Once an offer comes in, keep in mind all it takes is one missed call to potentially kill a deal. But if you do get a contract – then you’ll need to make sure to meet with the appraiser and home inspectors, too – so be sure to schedule your time accordingly. (Oh, and know that “More than one in three appraisals contain inconsistent property ratings.” So you need to brush up on how appraisals are done, too.)

6) Put your attorney on stand-by. Because the odds are you probably don’t understand the contract process well enough to avoid legal problems, or how to explain to a buyers’ agent how you want things drawn up. You’ll also need to have the right forms and real estate disclosures on-hand to comply with the real estate laws in your state. Without an attorney (and they’re cheap, right?) – you won’t have any protection between you and potential buyers. And by the way, with the new TRID regulations that have recently gone into effect, buyers have even more protections than ever before.

7) You may still need to pay a Buyer’s agent commission. Most serious buyers are already working with an agent, so some of those phone calls will be to see if you will “cooperate” with them. If you don’t, they won’t even bother to show your home to their client. If you do, you’ll be paying them the standard commission at closing (generally 3%). That means you’re putting in all your time and money into saving only half of the full commission (3%). You might want to make sure that pencils out.

8) Be prepared to do it all more than once. Not every real estate transaction gets through to the end, for many reasons. Some can be avoided (with the help of an experienced professional), and some can’t – but estimates of real estate sales that fall through range from 10-20%. If yours is among them, you’ll need to take the time, effort, and money to start over again (more marketing, calls, showings, inspections, paperwork, contracts, fees, etc.). Of course, you’ve lost your “Golden Time” opportunity – so it will probably take longer, and you’ll get fewer and lower offers – but you’ll never be bored!

Okay, we do have to admit to a little bit of tongue-in-cheek with the foregoing information – but the point is, all of it is true. And while some sellers may be up to the task, potential FSBO sellers should be aware of these facts:

• Only half of home sellers who try “for sale by owner” actually sell their home on their own.

• In 2013, the typical FSBO home sold for $184,000 compared to $230,000 for agent-assisted home sales. (That’s a difference of 20%.)

• FSBO sellers list the following difficulties with selling on their own:

o Understanding and performing paperwork

o Getting the price right

o Preparing/fixing up home for sale

o Helping buyer obtain financing

o Attracting potential buyers

o Selling within the planned length of time

o Having enough time to devote to all aspects of the sale

All of that is contrasted with these most recent statistics:

• 88% of sellers were assisted by a real estate agent when selling their home.

• Recent sellers typically sold their homes for 97% of the listing price.

• The typical home sold was on the market for 5 weeks.

Perhaps the biggest mistake made by most FSBO sellers is this: Placing too little value on their own time. In truth, working with a professional real estate agent will more often than not net you better results.

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for a newly-built home from a local builder, or a resale property in just the right location, a New Home Resource Realtor® is here to find the perfect property for you. Please contact a New Home Resource Realtor® today at 702-365-1000 or at www.newhomeresource.com. Broker Joanna Piette, and agents Denise Moreno Thrasher, Jessica O’Brien, Evelyn ‘Beng’ Kern, Lance Partin and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

(Or: How To Lose Money By Not Hiring One to Sell Your Home)

Everyone loves “a deal.” In fact, if you’re like most people, finding a great deal on a product or service doesn’t only save money, it just plain makes you feel good. You were smart enough to know where to look, you put in the time to do the research – so you should feel good, because these days we all need to spend our money wisely.

Which means it’s only natural that for any big-ticket expenses, people are going to look around for the best price. But unlike a discount on a new appliance or a smokin’ price on an airline ticket, when it comes to real estate there’s more to take into consideration than simply the commission rate you pay an agent. Or for that matter, you may even wonder if you need to hire an agent at all.

We hear that a lot, actually. And to be truthful, we completely understand the motivation. The mere fact that you are about to sell your home means you’re dealing with big numbers. So it only makes sense to ask questions about the value you’re receiving for those fees.

If you’re like most homeowners, you’ve probably got more than a few more questions on your mind about the benefits of hiring an agent vs. doing it yourself. But whether you decide to work with a Realtor or not, it’s only smart to have all the information in order to make an informed decision. In our experience, many sellers don’t stop to consider some of the following points – and as a result, it can end up costing them money.

1. “Why should I pay an agent’s commission at all?

Naturally, this is a common question. So common, in fact, that studies have been done to see how transactions fare when handled with and without a real estate professional. The results show that when an agent is not used – transactions typically net the seller between 10-20% less cash when it’s all said and done. What does that mean? That working with an agent to list your home will generally pay for itself – and then some.

Part of why that happens is explained below. But it’s not only a matter of counting the actual net proceeds at closing. There are many other ‘intangibles’ that sellers need to consider if they’re going to forge ahead on their own.

2. “What, really, does an agent do for me – that I can’t do myself?”

Great question! Without an agent , here’s what happens:

• Sellers need to determine the value of their home in the current marketplace and neighborhood. Contrary to what people think, it isn’t simply a matter of getting a “Zestimate” on Zillow. For one thing, the estimates calculated by Zillow are created by mathematical formula. That means they don’t take into account the specifics of your property – such as upgraded items, water features, cul-de-sacs, and other potentially desirable features that set your home apart from the competition. Independent research has shown that Zillow estimates can range from 8-20% off actual market pricing. For a $200,000 home, that can mean an incorrect valuation between $16,000-$40,000. (Can you see that money leaving your net profit already?)

On the other hand, not only does a real estate professional have access to Multiple Listing Service (MLS) historical data and proprietary information gathering systems – they also know the area, and in many cases, are even familiar with the specific homes that you will be competing with for a buyer. Providing a detailed analysis of what has sold and is for sale in your specific area is part of an agent’s service – and allows you to ensure your property is priced right, seen often, and gets the best results.

• Sellers need to market their home themselves. Without the mainstream access of the MLS, sellers must spend time and money on advertising and getting the word out that their home is for sale at all. Whether it’s through newspapers, online ads, flyers, direct mail to Realtors – it takes a lot of effort to make your single home noticed in a busy real estate environment. Taking photos, putting up signage – it’s a lot of work; and worse, without a network it might net you only minor results. At best, sellers are able to make a small local part of the market know their home is for sale. At worst, it means that having a much smaller pool of potential buyers limits the offers and opportunities for a speedy sale at the best possible price.

Of course, this is all in addition to the time it takes you, as the seller, to maintain your property in ‘show-ready’ condition at all times. There may be repairs to be made, or even just the day-to-day maintenance of living in a home and trying to make it as welcoming as possible to potential buyers by keeping it clean and clutter-free. (Many sellers consider that a full-time job in itself!)

On the other hand, a professional agent not only has an internal network of support and services that takes care of creating both an online and print identity for your listing – but your home gets marketed to all the other agents in the area. You know – the ones who are representing real, pre-qualified buyers. The combined reach of the MLS and the broker’s own marketing programs mean that once your home is listed, the word is OUT.

• Sellers need to handle the paperwork, contracts, and documentation on their own. That can be a scary proposition if you’re not familiar with the laws concerning real estate transactions. Failure to provide information or contractually cover all your bases can not only result in failing to close the deal – but can involve potential legal ramifications via lawsuits and costly settlements – both now or even years down the road. And all for an oversight you simply weren’t aware of.

On the other hand, real estate agents know the law. And a good one not only knows what is required to meet its demanding specifications, but also knows how to anticipate and head off potential problems – simply by the scale of their experience.

• Sellers may still be working with a buyer’s agent, even if they’re going the “For Sale By Owner” route. If you think about it, here’s what that means: You’re going to pay the buyer’s agent to protect the buyer’s interests – but you’re not willing to pay a seller’s agent to protect yours. Ouch.

On the other hand, having an experienced agent on your side, who knows the market, often knows the other agents, knows the business, and follows-through – can give you a considerable leg up in negotiating a deal more beneficial to you.

• But even if you’re not going to agree to a buyer’s agent fee, there’s another drawback. (And just so you’re aware – that’s how most FSBO listings start, by saying “No real estate commissions paid!” But due to lack of activity, it doesn’t take long for sellers to agree to pay the buyer’s agent commission just to get people to see the property).

The drawback we’re talking about? You need to screen potential buyers. Are they financially capable of completing the purchase? Are there any mortgage lender requirements they cannot overcome? You’ll have to do the footwork, make the phone calls, and ask the ‘uncomfortable’ questions about their personal situation so that you can protect your own position. Believe it or not, people will make an offer, you’ll take the property off the market, and only discover weeks or even months later that they may have to sell their own home first, or they don’t have the ability to get a mortgage loan at all. So the closing never happens. And in the meantime, you’ve lost the chance to sell to a truly qualified buyer.

On the other hand, (are you sensing a pattern here?) your agent knows the dance. They set the conditions, they follow up to make sure they’re met, they talk with the escrow and mortgage companies to keep on top of every single requirement the buyer has agreed to. That means problems are discovered and dealt with quickly – and all on your behalf, because your agent is working for you.

Buying a home is an emotional investment, not only a financial decision. And for that reason alone, it is critical that every step in the process is properly handled – the first time around.

Why is that so important? Because perception matters when it comes to real estate. The length of time a home has been on the market, whether the listing price has changed and why, if it has gone into and then fallen out of escrow – all these facts and many others will collectively play a role in the success of your sales efforts.

If it’s all done right, the property is considered “hot” and “in demand.” If not – as in the case of a failed FSBO effort that is ultimately then listed with an agent for sale – it can give potential buyers the perception that there’s something wrong with your home. And quite frankly – with all the other homes available for sale – it’s not worth the risk to them of finding out.

Much like people – a home doesn’t get a second chance to make a great first impression. If your goal is to sell at the right price in a reasonable time frame, a decision not to hire a real estate professional can be a very costly one, indeed.

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with all of their Las Vegas real estate needs. Whether your preference is for a newly-built home from a local builder, or a resale property in just the right location, a New Home Resource Realtor® is here to find the perfect property for you. Please contact a New Home Resource Realtor® today at 702-365-1000 or at www.newhomeresource.com. Broker Joanna Piette, and agents Denise Moreno Thrasher, Jessica O’Brien, Evelyn ‘Beng’ Kern, Lance Partin and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

The recent experience of a Realtor during an Open House event in Gilbert, Arizona is a fresh reminder to those in our industry that personal safety should always be at the top of our checklists. Because a real estate agent works so closely with the public, it is sometimes easy to forget how critical it is to follow common safety precautions. Let’s face it, we’re in this business because we love working with and helping people find their ‘forever’ home. But it’s always going to be most important to be aware of warning signs and remain diligent – because that’s the best protection we can provide ourselves – and it’s a duty we owe to our clients, as well.

While the agent’s experience, which occurred during an Open House event in Gilbert, Arizona last month, was a serious matter, thankfully she was ultimately successful in rebuffing her attacker and escaping serious, life-threatening injury. Perhaps more importantly, the suspect was recently arrested and is in custody (big sigh of relief for Realtors and homebuyers everywhere), and may also be the suspect in other similar events.

Just as important as our own safety is that of our clients. It is a critical part of our duty to do our best to ensure their well-being in our dealings and travels, too. There are many stories that have been written outlining fellow Realtors’ personal experiences on this topic – which include tips and recommendations about best safety practices we should all be using. At the top of the list are letting your colleagues know where you are at all times, gathering identification, and knowing the neighborhood and the home you will be showing.

Other safety measures should be followed as well – and this might be a good time for us to review those tips to make sure we’re doing all we should be to protect ourselves, our families, our colleagues, and our clients. (Take a few moments to review these stories on the topic: Realtor.org and Zillow articles, and this video announcement by the National Association of Realtors regarding a new NAR Safety Course to be presented next month in Washington, D.C.)

The Las Vegas market is heating up (and we’re not just talking about the weather!). So let’s make this coming summer selling season one of the best – and the safest – on record!

New Home Resource helps current and future homeowners with their Las Vegas real estate needs. Please contact a New Home Resource Realtor® today at 702-365-1000 or at www.newhomeresource.com. Broker Joanna Piette, and agents Denise Moreno Thrasher, Jessica O’Brien, Evelyn ‘Beng’ Kern, Lance Partin and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

As a new homeowner or as a homeowner looking for a new home, we here at New Home Resource strive to be the one source for all your house searching or selling requirements. Whether you’re moving to Summerlin or Mountain’s Edge, we ensure that you’re happy with your home. After you find that ideal locale to begin new experiences, we have some places, sites and stuff to-do you and your entire home can be a part of.

First, you may want to stop by the Las Vegas Springs Preserve if you need a good dose of gorgeous green to satisfy your adventurer’s palate. The Las Vegas Springs Preserve offers educational and recreational opportunities for the whole family. This activity can be a whole day affair or just an afternoon after school.

Do your kids have a sweet tooth? These next two hotspots are great options for the clan. The World of Coca-Cola is interactive and entertaining. Enjoy samples of your favorite soda and some informative tours about Coca-Cola soft drinks around the world. Additionally, right next door is M&M World. What’s an afternoon without a little candy? Fill up on sugar or stock up on gifts for the rest of the year.

After the family is full of sweets, it’s time to burn off that extra energy at Red Rock National Conservation Area. Organize a short walk to some stunning scenic areas or plan an entire day hike with a picnic. Red Rock National Conservation Area offers an assortment of different trails so all ages can have a good time outdoors. Don’t forget to bring sunblock!

If you and your family are ready for new adventures as well as a new home or wanting to sell your current home in exchange for adventures elsewhere, please contact a New Home Resource Realtor® today at 702-365-1000 or at www.newhomeresource.com. Broker Joanna Piette, and agents Denise Moreno Thrasher, Jessica O’Brien, Evelyn ‘Beng’ Kern, Lance Partin and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!

To close out our seven series blog session, it is important that buyers understand that Realtors® are on their side. With the knowledge, experience and connections that your Realtor® has, they can make your home buying process so much better. If you are falling into this series late, just click here for our first home buying myth busting article.

Myth #7: Buying real estate guarantees appreciation…

A buyer used to be able to purchase a home and plan to live there for 30 years and pay off their mortgage. This turned into a great investment for that buyer because the home appreciated. Today, buyers are shopping in a different world.

With all the access to information and the use of technology, people just don’t stay in one home as long as they used to. Also, people are waiting longer to settle down and get married, therefore owning one or two homes before staying in one spot.

If a buyer cannot commit a minimum of 5 years when buying a home, it may be more beneficial to rent until they are ready to settle down. It is important to remember that making this purchase is buying a home first and an investment second. Buying a home does not guarantee appreciation.

If you are looking for a new home or wanting to sell your current home, please contact a New Home Resource Realtor® today at 702-365-1000. Broker Joanna Piette, and agents Denise Moreno Thrasher, Jessica O’Brien, Evelyn ‘Beng’ Kern, Lance Partin and Kathy Paterniti are all here to help!