-Drew Grossklaus – Sales Director / BIC
We have unlocked another year and welcomed 2017. Many people choose the New Year to start their resolutions. The word resolution is defined as “a firm decision to do or not do something.” If you are like me, you find yourself thinking that the word “firm” in that definition has some grey area. I won’t go into my resolutions, but would like to give you some resolution recommendations regarding real estate for the New Year.
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate this year, be resolute in doing your due diligence. Be sure that you find out about the company your agent works with. You may like an agent but when things get difficult, will a successful and ethical company be there to help you? There should be someone easily accessible in management to answer your questions about the company. I hold that role at William Means and I am happy to answer any all questions about the company and our agents. Every potential client I speak with has great questions that are necessary to put their mind at ease that they are working with the right company.
Make sure that you research your agent. Repeat after me “You DO NOT have to work with the first name you see or person you call.” I am shocked when people tell me they are not happy with the agent they used and they tell me they just used the first name they saw. Read about your potential agent on their website. After you find someone you are interested in call and talk to him or her about general real estate not a specific property. Refer to Choosing a Real Estate Agent for more information.
Finally, be resolute to find the truth in marketing and advertising. You will see and hear a lot of propaganda and the common phrase “too good to be true” usually is the truth. A company is offering to buy your house if they can’t sell it! I would be surprised if they would buy it at the same price for which you are willing to sell it. If a company claims someone famous endorses them, you may want to check if that celebrity makes their money through those endorsements. Their testimonial is likely due to money exchanged and not the quality of the company. If a company says they get outrageously close to the asking price on every one of their listings, make sure they give you all the facts. It is very different to get close to the asking price from the original listing price versus changing that price at or near the contract price at the end of the transaction.
If 2017 is your year for real estate decisions, make sure you have a resolution to do your due diligence. I am happy to help keep this resolution.
P.S. If you see me eating sweets, it may fall into my grey area.
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