I am always wearing two hats, one for Real Estate and one for Construction. Some times my two companies and fields overlap in logical things. One of the most important things is communication and telling your agent or builder the truth. If you can’t do this, you will not be able to sell your property, buy that dream home, or build that new home. I encounter this a couple times a year. A realtor or builder can only do what they have to work with. By not explaining everything or continuing to have an open line of communication, you can’t expect to sell your property, find what you can afford, or build that dream home. So here are a few things to consider when working with a realtor or builder.
When working with a realtor on selling a place, a lot of time and money goes into listing and marketing your property. If you insist on overpricing your land, it’s not the agents fault it does not sell. The agent will normally advise you of what you need to list for. The worst thing you can do is not listen, then let the listing terminate or expire and change agents and reduce drastically. This agent will try to sell at your high price or they might decline taking the listing. Why not allow the first agent to reduce and sell? Technically, you loose every which way. Listen to your agent. I have seen and experienced this on a property, where the sellers have gone through 4 agents in 3 years, prices all over the board, and they complain they must stay high to retire. Again, don’t blame the agents. Listen to them.
When working with a realtor on buying a place, be sure to tell them about your true financial situation. Tell them about any bankruptcies, the fact you must sell before you buy, never bought before, etc. They can help you get started down the right path for getting financial aid. The agent needs to know where you stand, and this will allow the process to flow smoothly.
If you are working with a builder, similar things exist. You must work through what you can pay to have a home built or remodel done. Tell the builder up front what you have to spend. You might have that champagne taste and a beer budget, but you might be surprised at what you and the builder can come up with. If you know anything about your home and you want a remodel started, tell the builder what you know. You might know about a leak repaired, plumbing issues never addressed, or just some old history on the house. Tell your builder everything you know. If you try to cover something up, it can only cost you more down the road.
Honesty and communications can save many a headache. Just remember when you go to the doctor, you have to tell them everything so they can figure out the problem and how to treat you. Same concept, just a different profession. Again, just tell the truth and the process will go much smoother.
For ALL Your Real Estate and Building needs or questions, call Debbie at (830) 833-4249 / (713)818-6658 or debbie@vallonerealestate.net
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