Bob Fiorito - Real Estate Expert and Broker of Coldwell Banker Premier In Connecticut - Explains The Importance of Why it is Smart to Hire a REALTOR® When Selling or Buying a Home

Why is it smart to use a Realtor^®?

By: Bob Fiorito - Real Estate Broker

Coldwell Banker Premier

www.cbpremoves.com
860-829-2333

Robert Fiorito
Broker - Coldwell Banker Premier
Connecticut

Using a REALTOR^® is usually one of the best decisions that you can make when you are buying or selling a home. Your home is many times, your largest asset, and is one of the largest financial decisions you will make. Whenever we make major decisions it is good to get the best advice possible. That is why we consult with lawyers, accountants and other professionals when we have large decisions to make.

But why a REALTOR^®? Aren’t all real estate licensee’s the same?

No, not all Licensees are the same. Only those licensees’s who are members of the National Association of REALTORs^® can use the term REALTOR^® in their marketing. REALTORs^® subscribe to a strict code of ethics and pledge to treat all parties fairly in the transaction. REALTORs^® are expected to maintain a higher level of knowledge in the buying and selling process so they can be a trusted advisor to their clients.


Still need to be convinced? Well here are a few of the services your REALTOR^® will provide to you.

Your REALTOR^® will help you determine your buying power. During your initial consultation you should give your REALTOR^® pertinent information concerning your financial situation so that they can help you determine the right price range for your purchase. He or She can refer you to several lenders so that you can see what your best options are. Not all lenders have all the same mortgage products.

Your REALTOR^® can help you with the latest information on property availability. Your REALTOR^® will use many sources to locate all the properties that are available that meet your criteria.

Your REALTOR^® can help direct you to find the information that you need to make your decision. Things like school information, town services, availability of shopping and other services play an important role in finding the perfect property for you.

Your REALTOR^® can help you negotiate. There are a myriad of factors that go into the contract to purchase or sell a home and all of those factors are negotiable. There is a saying that money fixes everything and this is very true in the real estate transaction. Your REALTOR^® will help you negotiate on many items including price, financing, terms, date of possession and other inclusions and exclusions based on your needs and wants.

Your REALTOR^® will help you with your due diligence after your negotiations with things like the different inspections you may want to have. Your REALTOR^® can help you with the names of qualified professionals who will do inspections and be able to make repairs on any items that need attention.

Your REALTOR^® also works hard to get you to the closing table. There are a million details that have to get done by several professionals; and your REALTOR^® will make sure that things get done on time. Many parts of the contract are time sensitive and failure to comply with dates will create problems.

When selling your home, your REALTOR^® will provide you with the most current analysis of your home’s value. They will discuss with you the best way to position your property in the marketplace to get you the most amount of money in the shortest period of time with the least amount of hassle. Your REALTOR^® will provide you with a complete marketing plan to expose your property to as many potential buyers as possible.

Since 80% of buyers use a REALTOR^® to buy their home, your REALTOR^® will market to other agents who might have a buyer for your property. Over 50% of sales are done with a cooperating broker. Your REALTOR^® will make sure that only qualified buyers are allowed to come into your home to look at it. This service provides sellers with peace of mind that all showings are done with a REALTOR^® present.

When you get an offer on your property, your REALTOR^® will again help you to evaluate the offer to purchase and help you negotiate a sales contract that will close. They will manage the sales process for you to make sure all contingencies to the contract are met on time and your sale goes smoothly.

According to surveys done by the National Association of REALTORs^® 85 % of sellers who were assisted by a REALTOR^® were happy and most state they would use the services of that REALTOR^® again.

Buying or selling home is a complicated process. Most people agree that they would not try it themselves. They rely on a team of professionals for guidance and advice to insure that they are making sound decisions. Your realtor is at the center of this team to help make sure that the process goes smooth.

Bob Fiorito is The Broker at Coldwell Banker Premiere Real Estate in Berlin, Connecticut. Bob and his Licensed Real Estate Professionals are REALTOR^®s^®, servicing Home Sellers and Buyers located in all towns of Central Connecticut.

Bob also served as one of the Past Presidents of the Connecticut Association of Realtors (CAR). Currently he continues to be amongst CAR leadership and remains active in the Connecticut Association of  REALTORs^® Legislative and Grassroots Committees.  His dedication establishes positive results as a Broker and Leader in Real Estate for the State of Connecticut.

Bob can be reached at his office at 860-829-2333 or via email at robert.fiorito@coldwellbanker.com

The office website is www.cbpremoves.com - where you can search properties for sale, request a current market value of a home or seek the advice of a Licensed REALTOR^® 

In Business: Real Estate Expert, Debbie Battista, Tells Real Estate Home Sellers The Key Steps to Get a Home Ready to Sell - Turning The "For Sale" to SOLD!

By: Debbie Battista

Happy New Year from The Home of Domus Realtors & Associates to Your Homes!


 If you are going to sell your home in the next year, here are some things to consider.


De-Clutter, store and purge your belongings. When people look in your basement and in your closets it will be more organized and less overwhelming. Remove all the family photos and children’s artwork. Make it easy for the potential buyer to imagine his or her belongings in your space.

Give your Home a fresh coat of paint (use neutral colors) and clean all your switch plates. It makes the buyer feel like it is clean and new. Who wants to buy someone else’s dirt?

Pay attention to the “curb appeal”. If it looks rundown and dirty from the curb, most people will assume the interior is also rundown and dirty. Think about a new welcome mat, painting your front door, polishing the brass, adding a planter to the front porch. Clean all garbage from the property and trim back any overgrown bushes and trees. Keep the lawn cut. If you have a pool, keep it clean and in good condition.

Clean up after pets. During showings have them visit a neighbor or take them for a ride .Put away all of your pets toys, bowls, beds etc. Not every buyer likes animals. Clean and Shampoo rugs. Don’t smoke in the house many buyers are turned off by the smell of smoke.

Repair any water issues. Water in the basement, leaking roof, toilet, clogged gutters, etc. Water can do so much damage, it is cheaper to solve the original source then have to replace ceilings, walls, or flooring.

Consider staging, or making some simple changes to make your home look more desirable. For example; if your dining room is small, take the extra leaves out of the table, add a throw pillow, open all the window shades, and curtains, turn on lights and make sure the home does not have an unpleasant odor. Hint; don’t overdo it with air fresheners, or candles. Some people are sensitive to perfumes and they might think you are attempting (to hard) to mask something.

Pay to have your home appraised just before listing it. The value might be more or less then you think. Get a professional to tell you (an appraiser not an agent). You will also have the appraisal to use as a tool if a potential buyer questions the value. List it for the correct price first. Otherwise, you run the risk of letting your home appear as a “stale” or stigmatized property.

Make repairs before you market your home. It almost always costs you more if they need to be negotiated at a later point. Have your home inspected for pests and treat if need be. Many banks will not give a mortgage to a potential buyer without proof of this.

Shop for your Realtor. They represent you and your interests. You want to be sure that they are a good “fit” for your needs. Are they a part time or full time agent? What fees does the Brokerage charge? Are they negotiable? What kind of advertising can you expect? Does the agent go to all showings or leave a lock box on the property? Will they do an open House? How often? How much of the commission (what is the split) will be shared with the agent of the buyer? Remember they work for YOU! What kind of feedback will you get, is this someone who you are on “the same page” with? If you are not happy with them, how do you cancel your contract? What is the length of the contract? Your Realtor can make all the difference in the world. They help negotiate, deal with inspection issues, share information with appraisers, attorneys, inspectors, and agents, and communicate between all of the parties on your behalf. They do so many “Behind the scene” things. Studies have shown that selling with a Realtor, will fetch you a better price, than selling it on your own (often paying for more than the commission rate that you are charged)! You wouldn’t try to fix your own teeth, so trust the professional Realtor. Realtors have relationships with other agents, inspectors, appraisers, lenders and owners…all of these things may be an exceptional asset to you in the sale of your property. They also have the benefit of experience…they might have solutions to problems that you cannot imagine. Not to mention the fact that if they don’t’ get the job done, they do not get paid…They are just as motivated as you.

Don’t have a “secret sale”. You must allow the Realtor to put up a “For Sale” sign. Have your agent provide you with a copy of the marketing materials, The virtual tour and any other photos, as well as your Residential Property Disclosures (remember it is the LAW to be honest and list any issues the property might have).Share them with your email list or post on your Facebook and Craig’s list. that your home is for sale. Allow technology help you sell. Ask your agent about SMS or Texting property details to potential buyers. Have your Agent provide your listing with a Bar Code. Many phone applications can read it and if someone drives by, and wants more information, the bar code can provide them with those details.

Hire a Real Estate attorney. They will not only protect you, but they often help you avoid mistakes that can come back to haunt you at a later date. They are worth every penny. Communicate with him/her during the entire process.

Start Packing, it is never too early to pack, organize, clean, sort, tag sale, donate and purge. For more information contact us at www.domusrealtors.com

* Debbie Battista is a Licensed Real Estate Broker, ABR, SRES, CDPE, EcoBroker who owns Domus Realtors & Associates in Connecticut. She is an expert in Real Estate Sales for Sellers and Buyers. Additionally, Debra provides services for Sellers and Buyers that are Relocating. Debbie can be reached at 203-605-6528, or by fax 203-907-1000. Visit www.domusrealtors.com to contact and read more about Debbie Battista, Search Real Estate Properties or Get the Current Market Value of your home.


www.facebook.com/domusdeb