The non-exclusive buyer-broker agreement lists down the broker or the agent’s duties to the buyer, scope of duty, agency relationships, and the buyer’s obligations. It also provides for compensation and removes the buyer’s obligation to give a commission if the broker or agent is paid by a third party such as the seller. The buyer is allowed to buy a property through another agent or broker as long as this property was not introduced by the first broker. The buyer also has the right to single agency. Finally, the broker or the agent can get a commission higher than the negotiable fee in the agreement if the seller agrees to pay more and if the amount is disclosed.
Today, foreclosures are happening at an all-time high, and the mortgage crisis makes it even more difficult to obtain financing. With all this happening, people wonder when the best time to buy or sell a home is.
The truth is that the best time to buy or sell a home is whenever it’s right for you. It isn’t based on market factors like the number of credit worthy buyers or the number of houses for sale. The only thing that you should really consider is whether you have adequate finances to buy a home in the near future.
If you are unhappy with your home or cannot afford to keep it, then it might be the right time to sell. Whether or not you are downsizing or upsizing, don’t let the market dictate your timing. While considering your finances is very important, let your situation be the main factor for deciding to buy or sell.
To make sure you get the maximum value out of your house before you sell it, you need to treat your home as if it were any other consumer product. Here are some things you can do to put yourself in control of the selling process.
Walk through your home, look at it objectively, and see what needs improvement. Look for defects buyers might not like, such as stains, peeling paint, or cracks on the wall.
Fix any cracks in your tiles or walls and put on a new coat of paint – you’ll be amazed at what a dramatic change new paint can do. Pay special attention to the kitchen and bathrooms as buyers are very particular about them.
Depersonalize your home. Removing all personal effects will make it easier for buyers to imagine themselves living in your home.
Rearrange your furniture to make your house look bigger. The less clutter there is, the better everything will look.
When there’s a slow down in the market and a decline in home sales, anxious property sellers slash their prices just to make a sale. You probably don’t want to sell your property at a lower value, but if yo keep your price high your property won’t budge. Offering incentives is something that you can do to stay ahead of the competition and get the asking price you want.
Some incentives you can include are high-end appliances, free security systems, granite kitchen counters, an in-ground swimming pool and free pool maintenance, or a prepaid loan on a vehicle. If you don’t want to do this, you can also give financing incentives by buying down the interest rate for the potential buyer or offering your own financing program, which will give a lot of benefits to both you and your potential buyer.
If you’re a landlord, here’s a simple way you can earn a little more income from your tenants. If your tenant wants to buy new furniture, a plasma TV, or a new laptop, they’re probably going to charge it to their credit card or have the store finance the purchase with an interest rate. Why not offer to finance their purchase and collect the interest? For instance, one of your best tenants wants a TV that costs $1,000. They won’t be able to save up $1,000 but they can make payments slowly. Find out what TV they want, and try to negotiate a 10% discount before having it delivered to your tenant. Then charge your tenant $1,000 plus a processing fee, and have them sign a contract where they pay $50 a month for 24 months. This will earn you around 20%.
