FAQs
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
On average, I take about 6 hours of classes a week. Almost no agents do this. With an ever changing market when it comes to taxes, flood zones, insurance, inspections, market conditions, permits, regulations, etc you must stay up to date on things going on in the community and real estate.
- What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
Do your homework! A huge percentage of those buying and selling their home interview one REALTOR! This is crazy. You need to speak with a few to make sure that you are on the same page as the person guiding you through the most important purchase one can make. Ask for reference letters. Ask where the market is going? Is it maybe better to rent your home to someone than sell it at this time? What kind of marketing will this agent do for you? Do they use a professional photographer? If an agent comes into your home and whips out their cell phone to take pictures for your listing to save $150 towards a photographer, what else are they skimping on?! Make sure you are getting quality service.
- What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?
When purchasing new, those looking for a home need to ask why it is important to have a realtor BEFORE you go to speak to a sales agent that works for a builder at a new community. In Sarasota, the builder’s exchange has made an agreement with the realtor association that they do not offer a lower price without an agent. So take advantage of this! Here are a few of the countless ways being represented is useful: - Making sure the project is meeting time deadlines - Making sure the home is inspected at different points of the build to verify subcontracted work is done correctly - Having the market knowledge to know which community and builder is what you want – it is our job to know this stuff and we have good relationships with the builders in town - Knowing what to ask for or negotiate in the contract – what to waive and what not to, how to protect your deposit, knowing what incentives or discounts each builder offers - Helping you gather what type of financing may be best for you and if cash is better kept in the bank until the home is completed - Offering a buffer between you and the builder to calm emotions on both sides - Helping you choose a home that will have the best resale value in our market - Which upgrades are better left for later and what needs to be done during the build Realtors are generally paid out of a builder’s marketing budget. When a Realtor is not used these marketing monies generally go to marketing to more Realtors. Also, using a realtor creates a fiduciary relationship in which the agent must look out for the buyers best interests – which is not there with a new home sales staff or builder. This includes making sure a buyer is not buying something overpriced for the market, providing insight into the builder practices and process, keeping leverage on the builder during the construction process. We have worked very hard to secure long standing relationships with many of the of the builders and their sales staff in the area and use these connections for your benefit. We are not married to one community or another and are able to compare apples to apples. Don’t sell yourself short and FEEL like you are getting a good deal, GET one. Don’t forget that new construction completion can be up to two years out, so you need to plan ahead. Don’t wait until the last minute and be forced to buy a resale if that is not what you want.