Seller References

Buying Or Selling First?

The chicken or the egg? A typical question and concern for many second home purchasers. There is no set in stone answer to this question. It’s really something each seller has to evaluate individually. Consider four things:

1. Your motivation to move.
2. Negotiating position.
3. Your finances.
4. Your lifestyle and situation.

1. If you’re starting to look at new homes actively and are decided about buying a new home, you have to prepare and plan on possibly having two mortgages. There is no guarantee that your existing home will sell at the same time you’re moving in. A bridge loan may ease the strain of your monthly expenses however; you should have sufficient equity on your present home in order to qualify. You could always purchase your new home with a contingency that your existing home sells first. Getting a motivated seller on the other end to agree to this may be somewhat difficult but it does happen. You’ll want to write an offer based on this. Having that right Realtor working with you of course can make everything easier and less stressful.

2. Negotiating both ends of the deal can be tough when you have two decisions to make. You may have less negotiating room buying a home if there’s a contingency or an urgent need to close due to your home already in contract. Handling this properly takes skill and experience about the “what ifs” and possibilities. You don’t want to lose out on either side of the transaction.

3. Depending on your finances and equity built up in your home, your position may be weak or strong. You may need to wait till your home sells to know how much you’ll net from the sale for your next down payment. You may be able to afford it for a few months and take on a bridge loan or two mortgages temporarily. Again, this is something to seriously consider and evaluate before making any rash decisions.

4. Many factors can make your decision go either way. If you have children in school, relocating out of the area, job change, or are in a must sell situation, you may need to act fast. Even scheduling a move for a large family can be stressful if you’re not certain when and where you’re going.

Ultimately, it’s up to each home seller. With all things considered you have the final choice and only you can decide how to go about it. Professional guidance and assistance by an experienced Realtor, is certainly advised.

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Peak Seasons, Best Time To Sell?

They say timing is everything. Depending on supply and demand that could be true. There are certainly better times traditionally in the real estate market to put your home up for sale. Having a home priced right and look great and in peak condition is really the main factor of getting your home sold timely. Remember though, without proper exposure and marketing, how will anyone know how wonderful your home is?

The peak season for selling in the Cleveland Ohio area, as in most, is typically spring and fall. Schools are out and the weather is perfect for viewing homes. Some sellers wait till these seasons come around thinking they have a better chance of getting their home sold, and have the largest amount of buyer activity. It may be true, but there are also more homes for sale and more competition. People will always need a home to live in. They don’t always need that home in spring or fall. Serious motivated buyers do buy homes at Christmas! Actually it’s a joke in our office, “Who will be here on Christmas Eve writing an offer?” Someone usually always is. Remember when thinking of the best time to sell that may just depend on you and your families needs. If you’re worried about properly timing the sale of your home, make sure you talk with an experienced real estate agent who has the knowledge and tools to coordinate the timing of your sale.

• Consider your time frame and your goals.
• Don’t make the decision to sell based on other’s advice.
• Give thought to which type of market you’re in. A seller’s market is ideal and may help sell your home faster.
• Understand what your price means to the market. Pricing correctly can definitely affect your selling time.
• The condition of your home is also a huge factor of course.
• Interest rates may also be a factor depending on current buyer motivation.

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Home Improvements, Some Sell, Some Don’t

If you’re planning to sell, you’ve probably already looked around and decided to make some changes. Before going about drastic large improvements, please consult your Realtor. Investing time and moneymaking upgrades thinking it will help your home sell for more, could actually harm you. Some of these upgrades may include, adding a green house, swimming pool, unique landscaping including waterfalls, drastic color changes in or out of the home, even flooring options. There are many upgrades of course that will help your bottom dollar significantly. The following are estimated rates of return.

• Kitchen remodeling – 150 percent – today’s kitchens are elegant, simple, functional and stand to be the most important room in the home.
• Landscaping and lawn - 100 percent - Even a few hundred dollars invested in lush grass, flowers, and shrubs may increase your curb appeal and sale price significantly.
• Fireplace – 100 percent – Fireplaces add warmth and appeal to the home. Upgrading an existing fireplace or installing a new one can bring value. There are so many options today with energy efficient gas models, you almost can’t go wrong.
• Second bathroom – 90 percent – Even a small second half bath can add value and be the final “sold” factor. In today’s market, additional bathrooms are desired. Decorate bathrooms with warmth and care. Leaving out all signs of personal use is a must. A remodeled bath can add 60-80 percent. Master baths are desirable as well as double sinks.
• Deck – 70 percent – Outdoor living is in demand and can bring an added smile after walking through the home. Seeing a nice surprise when walking outside is always a good thing. Freshly painted or low maintenance decks are a plus.
• Painting The Exterior – 50 percent - Probably the best idea for added curb appeal, while making the home look fresh and well maintained initially.
• Finished basement – 40 percent – An already existing space can be made into a living area that will be of value to a buyer. Walk out basements will create even a higher return.
• Heating system/Mechanicals – 40 percent – Although buyer’s opinions may vary with this upgrade, replacing old furnaces, A/C, H20 tanks, etc. can certainly increase value. Your return however, may not bring as much as you would like. It’s probably best to only replace if needed.
• Windows/Doors – 35 percent – They certainly make the home look better and more modern, but they are almost considered a normal feature in today’s market. Energy is a huge factor to many homebuyers. Knowing how to effectively market these upgrades can help bring even more awareness and attention to the offer amount!

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Priced To Sell, Not Sit

Setting a realistic price for your home may be difficult when the work put into it was from you, and the memories that fill the home are your families. The actual value of your home unfortunately depends on the market value. Emotions or opinions of value by sellers hold little weight when the price is mentioned.

• Market Value means: What a buyer is willing to pay for a home. It’s different than appraised value.

The most accurate way to determine your home’s market value is to have a local real estate agent supply you with a CMA. A Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) is an overview and summary of homes that are currently for sale, have sold, and homes that are expired or pending in your area matching your home’s criteria. There are many characteristics of your home that must be matched to others. If this can’t be done your Agent will have to add and subtract features such as lot size, garage, square footage, bedrooms, bathrooms, etc. Make sure you avoid the temptation of pricing your home based on considerations not relevant to the market value.

• The price you paid for your home.
• How much profit you would like to make.
• How much you may need to purchase your next home.
• The amount of money you put into home improvements.
• Area appreciation percentage.
• Personal attachment to your home.

Pricing is of course one of the most important parts to selling your home. 60% of all buyers purchase a home at market value not above it. If you price your home correctly to begin with, you will get more prospects viewing your home and inquiries. Many sellers feel that they should start with a higher price and “see what happens” or have the idea that they can always “reduce” later. The fact is, your Realty One Real Living Realtor will advise you of the benefits of pricing your property correctly to begin with so that the peak time for activity, (the first two weeks) are sure to bring the best results.

You can obtain a free CMA at anytime by visiting the Your Home’s Value page.
An experienced listing specialist from Realty One Real Living will be happy to discuss with you your goals and situation. No matter which area of Ohio you’re in, from Cleveland to Columbus and beyond.

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Expected Selling Time

When you ask your Realtor how long will it take to sell my house, it greatly depends on you. The average seller wants top dollar of course for their home. The Realtor wants to sell your home at top dollar. It comes down to condition, pricing, marketing, and the home itself. It should always be a team effort between both. When this happens, success is sure to follow.

The condition and look of your home means a lot. The more appealing to the buyer the more they will bite. You can visit my Prepare To Sell page for great tips on how to get your home ready for selling.

Pricing is of course one of the most important parts to selling your home. 60% of all buyers purchase a home at market value not above it. If you price your home correctly to begin with, you will get more prospects viewing your home and inquiries. Many sellers feel that they should start with a higher price and “see what happens” or have the idea that they can always “reduce” later. The fact is, your Realty One Real Living Realtor will advise you of the benefits of pricing your property correctly to begin with so that the peak time for activity, (the first two weeks) are sure to bring the best results.

Marketing is crucial. Marketing effectively is not just advertising or placing ads. Make sure you’re using an Agent that is tapped into the Internet in more ways than one. With 85% of all buyers online looking for their next home, if your Realtor doesn’t have a strong Internet presence, you may be missing potential buyers. Please view the Marketing page for further information on proper exposure.

Certain factors may affect your selling time frame that you have no control over:

• Local real estate market conditions
• Economy
• How many homes are in direct competition
• Current buyer trends

The most important part of correct pricing is to understand timing and trends. Pricing your home correctly can save you money and time. Many sellers end up reducing later in their listing period which prolongs the sale of the home and makes buyers question why the home has been for sale so long asking, “What’s wrong with it?”

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10 Steps to selling – From listing to close.

You are probably already aware of the market and the fact that there are many homes for sale. It’s a Buyer’s market all over Northeast Ohio. It is important to have a plan in place and know what to expect when the time comes to sell your most valued asset.

1. Making a good first impression is crucial. A well maintained attractive home generally sells faster and for more money than an outdated or run down home in need of repair. This is an area Realty One Real Living Agents specialize in. Knowing what to improve in your home can save you thousands.

2. Familiarizing yourself with the market is a must. You don’t have to the homework alone. Your Agent will supply you with a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA), which will show you trends and what’s happening in the area. It’s important that you remain realistic with your location and street when pricing your home.

3. Pricing your home correctly is key. Too high, and you may lose out on potential buyers even looking at the home or making an offer. Too low, and you may not have much negotiating room or lose out on top profit potential. This is an area that must be researched extensively and your home’s uniqueness and appeal play a part. Make sure to price your home intelligently with your Agent.

4. Marketing correctly means more than just a sign out front. It is a skill and timing is everything. Realty One Real Living is the largest Broker in the Cleveland area and all of Ohio. With the most marketing tools around and the most Agents, you can’t go wrong. Since Realty One Real Living has the most Agents in the area, that also means we have the most Buyers and we sell the most homes. In today’s market, you really need full service and all the extra boosting you can get while selling your home. For a complete list of all the marketing tools and features visit my Marketing page.

5. Preparing for showings has to be viewed as almost an art. Magazine style homes are in demand. I have put together a Showing Drill page for you to reference. This will ensure that your home looks its best for any potential buyer even last minute.

6. Buyers and sellers usually expect to negotiate the price and terms of a home sale. You can speed up this process if you respond to offers and counteroffers in a timely fashion. Your Real Living agent has great experience and will help you through this process by handling all negotiations. And by advising you of the best steps to take.

7. Both you and your Agent should review home inspection report. You should be prepared to respond to issues regarding your home and its possibly safety flaws. You and your Agent will go over the complete report and respond to any requests made by a buyer. You may want to set limits on repairs made or negotiate price or amounts.

8. The purchase agreement and any contingencies have to be reviewed and signed by you. In the state of Ohio, if you’re legally married, your spouse or anyone else listed as owners on the property must sign in order to sell your home. Your Agent will go over the complete contract and any terms and conditions with you. Once all contingencies have been removed and it is completely executed, the sale moves forward.

9. There are many elements that have to fall into place between the signing of the purchase agreement and the close. Your Realty One Real Living Agent will coordinate each step and make sure everything goes as smooth as possible. There are many people and different companies involved including a possible broker, lender, escrow, title work, home owners insurance, etc. utilities must be transferred by both seller and buyer and moving dates should be coordinated around the date of title transfer.

10. The close usually takes place at the Title company. The closing Agent will contact you and set up a time suitable for both to meet. If you’re out of town or not able to come in to the office, they can overnight documents to you or even meet you at home if necessary. All paperwork or warranties for the home should be gathered and left in the home for the new buyer. Any keys should be given to your Agent. Now that you’ve completed the process, you should receive any net proceeds within 72 hours of the title actually transferring. The words “Congratulations” will follow. Your Realty One Real Living Agent of course will explain this process and all of the above steps in depth. If you have any questions, feel free to Contact Me at anytime.

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Why Use A Realtor?

There are dozens of things to consider and keep an eye out for while selling your home. You should focus on your next move and your home during this time. A professional should really handle everything else behind the scenes. Here’s what a real estate agent can provide:

• Correct pricing and market evaluation of your home.
• Marketing and exposure to other Agents.
• Marketing to potential Buyers not just locally, but from around the world
• Negotiating on your behalf, offer advice, and handle all the necessary paperwork and coordinating until the home sells.

A good agent will help you get your home in top selling condition. From the curb to the back yard, your agent can give you tips and pointers. Realtors walk side by side with buyers daily and know what they’re looking for. This could also save you money by doing smaller repairs as opposed to large upgrades that may not bring as much return.

Comparative Market Analysis (CMA). Your Real Living listing agent can generate a report that compares your home to the other homes currently being sold in your area. It may also show other homes that have sold recently, or expired from the market before selling. This data will help you and your agent decide together on the most realistic asking (or list) price for your home.

A good agent also knows the value of spreading the word about your home to other agents. A Real Living agent will widen your audience of potential buyers using these techniques.

It may seem ceremonial, but closing the deal is often the hardest part of a real estate transaction. Your Real Living agent will start working for you even before the final sale.

• Qualification/Pre-Screening. Prospective buyers visiting your home should be financially able to purchase it. Your listing agent can work with the buyer's agent to assure that the people who see your home can afford what you're asking. You may wish to require pre-qualification (or more complete pre-approval) by a qualified lender.
• Inspections. City code, general home, and pest and radon inspections. Your Real Living listing agent can represent you (and your interests) during these appointments so you don't lose time from work or school.
• Evaluating and Negotiating the Offer. It takes a certain finesse to navigate the ins and outs of a buyer's offer. Is the offer acceptable? What closing date works for you? Are you willing to repair the roof in exchange for your full asking price? Helping in shaping your decisions is why you'll want a trusted, objective professional like a Real Living sales associate as your partner.
• Contract Acceptance. Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions of your life. Rely on the guidance and objectivity of a trusted professional. Your Real Living listing agent can make sure that details are remembered and your interests protected.
• Legal and Other Documents. A real estate transaction can involve listing and purchase agreements, multiple disclosure statements, addenda, amendments and contingencies. Do you work with real estate-related legal documents every day? Your Real Living listing agent does. Rely on his/her familiarity with the language, timelines and requirements that lie within these legal documents.
• Dispute Resolution. Even the smoothest, simplest real estate transaction involves two parties, with needs and objectives that may differ. The right real estate agent can provide skilled negotiation and mediation and conflict resolution. Let your agent deal with the sticking points that can sometimes offend a seller.
• Facilitate Closing. The old adage, "the devil is in the details," is no less true at closing. Once you've accepted an offer on your home, your Real Living agent will work quietly and efficiently to keep things moving smoothly and according to plan. Broker, lender or title examiner. Everyone needs paperwork, signatures, verifications and certifications. From opening escrow to title transfer, it's another area where the right agent can make the difference.
• Transfers. The number one irritant of home buyers is running into unanticipated difficulties in gaining possession of their new (your former) home. Your Real Living listing agent will make help the transition go smoothly by handling everything from finalizing the transfer of utilities to handing over the house keys and ownership to the new owners.
• Pre-sale Repairs and Upgrades. Got a leaky roof that requires a certification? Or perhaps you've agreed to remove an unsightly tree stump. Your Real Living agent can create a tickler system that will remind you to fulfill your obligation in a timely fashion to prevent breach of contract.
• Title Services. Creditors' claims, undisclosed heirs and mistakes in public records. These are issues that could stall your closing. Real Living offers title service as part of our "one-stop shopping" service.
• Contingency Resolution. Contractual contingencies are terms that must be met before an agreement is binding. The written contingency, therefore, must also be removed in writing, by a specified date, before the contract can be fully in effect. Whether it's financing, inspection or any other item your agreement is subject to, your Real Living listing agent can assist you in understanding and fulfilling these contractual conditions.

Please remember, Realty One Real Living is the number one Broker in Ohio. We sell more homes than anyone and have the most experienced agents in the field. With the most marketing and most qualified Realtors, you can’t go wrong. Feel free to Meet The Team of Youshouldown.com Realtors ready to assist you in your local market.

You can also visit the Realty One Real Living’s complete Marketing page designed to explain to you all the steps that our Realtors take while selling your home.

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Commission Truth

There are many different Brokers in Northeast Ohio. Many are discount Brokers or small companies that may try to allure you into listing with them due to their fee or commission. Some will charge you up front before your home even sells.

If you’re shopping around for the right Realtor or Company, make sure you’re aware of what they offer, how they get paid, how they will sell your home, and try to determine which path is right for you. Working with a trusted larger company such as Realty One Real Living, you have the reputation and backing needed to cover all your needs. Realty One Real Living is Ohio’s largest Broker with the most Agents. We sell more homes than anyone and have the best marketing tools around to get your home sold at top dollar. If you’re curious about the commission you’ll be paying, try to determine what services you will want and expect. Do you want to set up all your showings by yourself? Answer all the calls that come in about your property? Do you want to pay upfront for services? What if your home doesn’t sell, and you’re out of pocket expenses were wasted? Realty One Real Living is a full service Brokerage. That means we do everything for you. We also go way beyond the average company when it comes to marketing and having powerful tools to reach all potential buyers. You pay nothing until your home sells at a price you’re happy with. Commission is factored into your final net dollar.

Splitting commission – There is a hot trend in the real estate market to co-broke 60/40. Allow me to explain. When your listing agent puts your home on the market, they have the choice to pay the other agent (Who brings the buyer) what they want. Typically in today’s market the listing Agent will keep 60% of the commission and give 40% to the other agent. They can do that, yes. It’s important for you to ask your agent how they plan to split the commission. I believe a 50/50 split is the fairest to the seller. In addition to being fair, it’s also an incentive to another agent to bring a buyer to your home.

Please remember that the Broker gets paid the commission who then pays the Agent. The agent isn’t getting paid as much as you may think. Once we split the commission with the other agent, we then split the commission with the Broker. After that we have to deduct all marketing expenses, fees, insurance, taxes, etc. While you as the seller ultimately has to pay the commission, it’s not going directly to your agent.

Our commission is 5% of the final sales price plus $2000.

When you think about it, getting the most exposure for your home could lead to multiple offers or a fast sale. You could possibly sell your home for more using a full service Broker and an aggressive Realtor who is equipped with massive online tools and marketing that is unsurpassed. The team of Realtors I work with have these tools. Fueled by my online presence and team approach, along with our amazing company Realty One Real Living, well, let’s just say we’re confident that your home and the sale of your home is in great hands. We pride ourselves on being the most innovative, experienced, knowledgeable and aggressive when it comes to helping clients buy or sell a home. It’s what we do, and we love it.

Visit Your Home’s Value to learn more or if you have any questions at all. Contact Me anytime.

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Marketing Plan

Marketing your home in the Cleveland Ohio area and surrounding cities, has to be done correctly and has never been more important. The Cleveland Ohio area is in a buyer’s market from Ashtabula, to Avon and beyond. You must have the proper exposure and timeline in place for effective results. Realtors know the importance of timing. Not all Realtors and real estate companies are the same. Make sure you’re getting every possible option and have an edge on the competition. The list below is my full marketing plan. It is always better to go over this in person so that all your questions can be addressed with each step. Feel free to call or e-mail me anytime. I’d be happy to discuss with you the ways myself, my team, and Realty One Real Living can sell your home.

The interview is the first step to any marketing plan. My team or myself would need to meet with you, view your home, and go over all your goals and plans to better understand your situation. We will want to establish right away a plan and an approach to suit your life and future decisions regarding your move, and timeframe. Research must be done on your property and market area. Your property history and tax information would be pulled and reviewed. This would also help with the (CMA) and better understanding your situation. The CMA, also known as a Comparative Market Analysis, is what an experienced Agent uses to better understand your home’s value. We would work together to find the right price to list your home at. Many factors may affect this decision. Visit my Priced To Sell, Not To Sit link for more information on pricing. I would then go over your home with you and recommend any improvements or changes. My experience and knowledge in this field play an important part in making sure your home looks its best and sells for the highest amount.

The first thing I would do is take photos of your home, and measurements possibly. This also is a very important part of the process. Photos are what buyers see first of course. The right photos make a huge difference. I would then put our highly recognizable night reflective Realty One Real Living sign in your yard along with my phone number and web site giving a potential buyer multiple ways to find out more information through me. Here are the steps that follow:

• Placing your home on the MLS right away, so that every agent from every company knows about your home when searching for their buyers.
• Send out alerts to other offices around Ohio letting them know that your home is new to the market.
• In-office/company discussions about your home and what it has to offer. Flyers are made and distributed and or displayed.
• Your home and photos will be added to the Realty One Real Living web site under newest listings. This is a feature that thousands of buyers use monthly. With the new massive television and radio campaigns for Realty One Real Living, potential buyers are drawn to the site for viewing homes. Realtyone.com is the largest real estate web site in Ohio. Youshouldown.com is the largest Realtor web site in Ohio. I don't know if anyone can top that type of traffic.
• Your property information and photo will also be added to my Featured Homes page (which is the most popular page viewed on Youshouldown.com), Realtor.com and Cleveland.com just to name a few.
• My Internet presence reaches buyers not only the Cleveland Ohio area, all of Ohio, all over the Country, but all over the world. This is huge. Not many agents can say they have this type of reach. This is probably one of the largest benefits you gain by using my team or myself. Unique marketing is key when selling a home. In today's market with the competition, you not only need a Real Estate Agent who is up to date with today's technology, but you also need a dedicated Realtor with extensive knowledge. Mass marketing, and proper exposure worldwide 24 hours a day is necessary. Your home will be placed in literally hundreds of real estate related web sites.
• Your home will be entered into the Realty One Real Living home book. This is a full color magazine that is distributed locally and is viewed by over 100,000 potential buyers each month. Your home will remain in this magazine until it sells.
• While newspaper ads are lessening, your home is still placed in the local newspaper in color and a great description is added.
• Post cards and print ads are also sent out, letting the remainder of the population know about your property being for sale.
• The Strength of over 5,000 Real Living agents, 65 in my office alone, who will be working on our side to get your home sold.
• You don’t spend a dollar upfront, or during your listing period, for all the marketing involved. Nobody gets paid unless your home sells.

If you’re ready to meet with a member of My Team, or myself to discuss the complete marketing plan in depth or to start the interview process, please Contact Me.

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Negotiating Is An Art

Only an artful negotiator can take two sides with opposing interests and bring them to consensus. No formula can be applied to the process; no scientific equation can bring it about. And the back-and-forth communication that is negotiating is a huge part of the home buying and selling process.

A favorable negotiation involves your Real Living listing agent working with the buyer's agent to arrive at an agreement on price, and terms and conditions. As with any bargaining session, the discussion can get bogged down; but a professional knows how to avert problems. It's about working through, around and over any potential sticking points to bring the talks to a mutually satisfying conclusion. More than one buyer has rescinded an offer in the negotiation process, so it's best not to tackle this oh-so-important business dealing without the help of a skillful negotiator.

Having an expert negotiator manage the sale of your home is just one more reason to work with a real estate professional, like the experienced agents at Realty One Real Living. Make sure your listing agent offers capable representation, objective counsel and caring guidance for this process.

Before engaging your agent, know how s/he will handle negotiation. Ask him/her questions like:

• How will multiple offers be handled?
• Will the buyer's agent always present his/her offer to me or will you be the only professional present?
• On which points should we stand firm and on which can we compromise?
• How can you help me figure my bottom-line selling price?
• What will you do to get me the best price in the shortest period of time?

Answers to these questions will give you a good idea of how your agent negotiates the deal to get the best sale price and terms for you.

When you have a Realty One Real Living listing agent, you have a guide who will understand your concerns, expectations and needs – not only in negotiation, but throughout the entire home-buying process. S/he will be able to negotiate on your behalf; after all, at stake is your best interest and your piece of mind in knowing that your home was sold at it's best value.

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Seller FAQs

Q. What typically goes into a listing agreement?

A. The listing agreement is typically between you and the real estate company you employ. Think of it as your legal instructions to the people who will market your home and represent you in the sale. Such an agreement must include beginning and ending dates for the term of the listing; the conditions to which you, the listing agent and the real estate company agree; and a price (usually a percentage of the eventual sale price) you'll pay for services rendered in the sale of your home.

Q. How important is the condition of my property to its sale?

A. It's probably very important, depending on your priorities. Are you hoping to extract the maximum sale price for your home? If so, condition and appearance are crucial. If, however, you've let deferred maintenance catch up with you, your priorities may be different: you may wish to sell your home in "as is" condition, allowing the buyer to repair/replace items as s/he sees fit. In this case, your ultimate sale price will be less than what the same buyer would be willing to pay for a home that's in mint-condition.

Q. Should we leave home during showings (tours) or open houses?

A. Generally speaking, yes. If it causes you no undue hardship, it's easier for a real estate agent to show your home without you being present. The agent is better able to demonstrate your home's features and benefits, painting a realistic picture for the buyers to envision themselves living there. Your absence will also allow your prospective buyers to focus on the house and its attributes – rather than on being polite to you.

Q. What is an Agency Disclosure?

A. An Agency Disclosure is required by state law. It is a document that tells you whom the agent(s) represent. A state's Agency Disclosure document is simply a notification of your state's real estate agency laws; it does not obligate you to work with any particular agent or broker.

Q. What is the MLS and how does it benefit me?

A. A Multiple Listing Service or MLS is a database that makes it easier to reach a large number of buyers and increase your property's exposure. It's a system in which participating brokers at the real estate board agree to share commission on the sale of houses listed by any one of them. For example, if your house is listed with one broker and another finds the buyer who purchases it, they split the commission. Your benefit is twofold – (1) because more agents will be interested in selling your house and (2) because your home is exposed to more buyers since Realtors have access to the MLS.

Q. Is Real Living a member of the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)?

A. Yes. In every market we serve, Real Living associates are members of the local MLS, as well as being members of the national, state and local Associations/Boards of Realtors®.

Q. Do Real Living agents cooperate with other companies' real estate agents?

A. Our agents work according to specific laws, regulations and customs in their respective market areas. In all the markets that Real Living serves, brokers and agents from different companies work cooperatively, showing and selling each other's listed properties.

Q. Should I buy or sell first?

A. It depends. Do you need the equity you've built up in your present house in order to complete the purchase of your new home? If so, you will either need to sell first, get a bridge loan or ask for a house sale contingency. If not, it may simply be a matter of personal preference. In any event, we highly recommend partnering with a qualified real estate agent who can discuss this question in light of your particular set of circumstances. Keep in mind, too, that the Real Living listing agent who's selling your present home can easily become your buyer's agent for your next home. Learn more about buying first or selling first.

Q. How can I prepare my house for sale?

A. The selling process can start months before a property is actually put on the market. It's a good idea to begin by looking at your home through the eyes of a potential buyer. This will help you decide what needs to be cleaned, painted, repaired or tossed out. Your Real Living agent can help you make these decisions then, when you're ready, list your home at a fair price. Your agent will also help you stage your home to maximize its appeal to buyers. It's extremely important to view your home as a potential buyer would. Professional staging shows your home in its best light, therefore increasing its marketability.

Q. How can I find out what my home is worth?

A. Your Real Living agent has a thorough knowledge of the current real estate market and will prepare a comparative market analysis (or CMA) for your home to help you set a competitive price. Click here to find out how much your home is worth.

Q. What must I disclose about the condition of my property?

A. The best policy is truth when it comes to disclosing the condition of your property; but you absolutely must communicate all known material defects of the property. Normally, these are noted on a Seller Disclosure Form (SDF). Your agent will work with you to complete this. If an item is not covered on the SDF, you must still make disclosures about known material defects. Even if a matter has been repaired, you should still disclose the previous defect and provide a report of the repairs completed. By disclosing all problems up front, you can avoid any surprises that may provoke a lawsuit.

Q. When is the best time to put my home on the market?

A. Believe it or not, peak selling seasons change from year-to-year and market to market. Often, though, weather has a lot to do with it. Early spring and early fall are prime listing seasons nearly every year because houses typically show better in those months than they do in the heat of summer or the cold of winter. Keep in mind there are more houses on the market during the prime seasons, so you will have more competition. Don't base your decision to sell on the season; each selling situation is unique. Talk to your Realtor before deciding on the timing of the sale of your home.

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Cleveland Ohio's preferred Realtors with the Youshouldown.com team and Realty One Real Living are ready to help you with any real estate service or questions in Cleveland or in Parma Heights, Euclid, Parma, Seven Hills, Brook Park, Middleburg, Berea, Olmsted, Olmsted Falls, Westlake, Columbus, Youngstown, Warren Ohio, North Royalton, Strongsville, Broadview Heights, Avon, Avon Lake, Lorain County, Medina County, Lakewood, Rocky River, Bay Village, Fairview Park, North Ridgeville, Sandusky and neighboring communities, for the zip codes 44145 44111 44107 44102 44135 44070 etc.