Today was one of those rare Saturdays for me. Zero real estate appointments. I'd had a buyer showing planned, but it was canceled so I had some free time for a home project.
Liz had ordered a new dog kennel for our Chihuahuas and it was Ikea style, everything in a box including the chain link. The frost was melting and the forecast was for the low 50s as a high, so I broke down the box and organized the parts on the patio. Before long the frame was done, and I learned a bit more than I really wanted to know about how to untangle chain link :)
This particular kennel came with a roof frame so we could add tarps for shade and just as important when you've got itty bitty dogs, a barrier to keep those hawks away that keep eyeballing our little furry "snacks". And while I could assemble the frame, lifting it up 6 feet and holding it in place while I installed the pole clamps was just a wee bit awkward...okay, REALLY awkward. I might have gotten there in time, but with a little help from Liz the roof frame was quickly installed and then we moved it to the kennel's place in the yard.
Real estate is one of those tasks some people feel like going solo. There's enough information on the Internet that they figure they can get any question answered...and it's true, you can find an answer, but will it be the RIGHT one for your situation? Because real estate IS local, and that question may be answered by an agent in Washington state rather than someone in Warren County Ohio, and while their answer may be perfect for Washington state, it may be dead wrong here.
You may choose to go solo selling your home, and that's your prerogative. Things may go perfectly, and we hope they do. Learn what you need to know, understand the agent bringing the buyer does NOT work for you, they work for the buyer (despite the fact you're probably paying that agent's commission at closing).
You may choose to go solo buying new construction. Again, that's your prerogative, but there's something you REALLY need to consider. Our commission is built into the overhead of the cost of very home the major builders construct, so you're already paying for our service even if you don't hire us. And the builder's rep works for the builder (after all it's right there in their job title). I love the builder's reps I work with. They're friendly, they're helpful, but by virtue of their job they can't always have YOUR best interest at heart. They can't tell you their homes are overpriced for the neighborhood or that there's actually a better fit for you with another builder a couple of miles away. Hire us as your buyer's agent and we can tell you EVERYTHING you need to hear.
My professional opinion is you can go solo for real estate, but just like me putting together that dog kennel today, it's a lot easier when you've got some helping hands.
Want to discuss further? Just give us a call at 513-520-5305 or email Liz@LizSpear.com.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Bill of Bill & Liz aka BLiz
Comments(8)