Why Hire a Listing Agent?
Your goal is to end the transaction with the most money in your pocket possible, right?
Sometimes people get hung up on paying a commission without realizing the expertise of a good agent can bring a higher price for their home and save money on repairs etc – making the seller more money in the end.
Less Stress
The things that push sellers over the edge are everyday occurrences for the agent – let the agent minimize your stress.
The Network
A good Listing Agent is connected in the Real Estate community and can do a lot of the legwork of selling your home before showings even begin.
Fewer Days on Market
Doing all the right work BEFORE your home goes on the market, and pricing it correctly the first time, results in a quicker sale and less stress for the seller. A good Listing Agent knows how to get your property ready.
Getting sued is scary
Just because you “didn’t know better” doesn’t mean you’re not responsible for handling all the details of your sale correctly. A Realtor will help make sure everything is done above board.
The buyer will most likely have an agent that you’re expected to pay
So you’re going to be paying the Buyer’s Agent to work against your favor. If you’re paying for someone else to have a professional in their corner, why wouldn’t you have one too?
Why Sold By Starkey as your Listing Agent?
Team
Time and expertise of 7 professionals
Expertise
11 years working full-time in Residential Real Estate; volume earning a seat on the Triangle Top Producers Council;
Track Record
Low Days On Market (DOM) (avg. of 16 days) & high List Price to Sales Price ratio (avg. of 99%). Why does it matter? D-O-M costs you M-O-N-E-Y.
Leader in the Realtor Community
NC Association of Realtors Board of Directors Member; Raleigh Regional Association of Realtors Board of Directors Member; Former Dean of RRAR Leadership Academy; Former President of NCR Young Professionals Network
Happy Clients
Check reviews from Realtor.com or Zillow; Realtor.com is rated in the Top 5 agents in Fuquay-Varina (#1), Raleigh, Cary, Holly Springs, & Apex based on client experience.
Service after the sale
We’re ALWAYS your resource for all things home & real estate
Class
Count on quick, polite, reliable customer service when we’re representing your property. The way an experience makes you feel matters.
Community
A portion of each closing goes to your agent’s chosen 501c3 charitable organization. Sold By Starkey actively supports various Triangle charitable organizations including Cannonball Kids cancer, Note in the Pocket, The Travis Manion Foundation, Abby’s Army, Hopeline, Triangle Down Syndrome Network, Triangle Young Non-Profit Professionals, and more.
What’s included in the Commission?
Payment
Payment to both the Listing Agent and the Buyer’s Agent. This comes out of the proceeds of the home. There is no up-front expense to the seller.
Pre-listing consultation
We’ll talk as much as you want/need about the best strategy for getting your home sold for top dollar.
Staging
Including Professional Staging if necessary
Desktop Appraisal
Desktop Appraisal to help value your home if it’s a tricky property
Professional Measurements
Professional Measurements and home sketch. This means there are no surprises regarding square footage once you’re Under Contract
Professional, high-quality photographs and Virtual Tour
Not only do we insist on high-quality professional photos, but we also go to great lengths to help get your house perfectly “photo ready” first. In the day and age when over 90% of people start their house hunt online, your photos are essentially the first showing… and you don’t get a do-over on a first impression. The photos MUST be perfect.
Property Specific Web Address
If you live at 123 Maple Ln, folks will go to www.123maple.com to see information about your home… no need for potential buyers to have to sift through other properties to learn about yours.
Constant Communication!
A survey from the National Association of Realtors revealed that consumers’ biggest problem with agents is a lack of communication. They certainly didn’t survey Sold By Starkey clients because we keep everyone informed every step of the way.
Stationary and Takeaway Marketing Materials at home
Stationary and Takeaway Marketing Materials at home
Wooden-post yard sign
Social Media
Paid Advertising
Open Houses
as requested
Preferred Vendors
Access to preferred vendors for quicker turnaround
What are the basic steps of the selling process?
Agent Home Visit & Listing Paperwork
This is where we’ll talk about getting your home photo-ready. We’ll also outline what you stand to make on your house at different sale prices after all expenses are paid. The buyer pays most of them, but in NC there are a few seller-paid costs.
Measurements and Desktop Appraisal, if necessary
Agent Walkthrough of Home
To make sure the home looks perfect for photos and showings
Professional Photographs
Disclosures & Listing Worksheet
Agent Enters Listing into MLS
Showings Begin
Once we’re listed, what is expected of the Seller?
Make your home available
Make your home available for showings as often as possible. Buyer’s often don’t resurface. DO NOT stay home for showings!
Keep your house tidy & organized.
During showings, the home should feel more like a model home, and less like your own.
Turn on Lights
Turn on all lights before showings.
Reasonable During Repair Negotiations
Remain reasonable during repair negotiations. Pretend you’re on the buying side – what is reasonable vs. excessive?
Answer questions!
If potential buyers bring me questions I can’t answer, please put forth your best effort to answer.
What comes with an offer?
Purchase Price
Due Diligence Date and Amount
Take your home off the market for Buyer inspections etc. They may walk away for any reason during this time, and you keep this amount.
Earnest Money Amount
This money comes into play if they walk away AFTER the –Due Diligence Date