“Who, exactly, sold my home?” is a question many sellers have asked. There are probably two people both claiming to have sold the house: the listing agent (who worked with the sellers) and the selling agent (who worked with the buyers).

Technically speaking, the selling agent sold the house as they wrote the purchase agreement and it was their clients who submitted the accepted offer. The listing agent worked with the sellers who signed the listing agreement. Two separate actions, two separate contracts.

In the real estate agent world, both sides will claim to have sold the property. The statistics compiled by our Iowa City local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) give credit to both sides for the sale of home. So if a home sells for $350,000, the listing agent as well as the selling agent will both receive $350,000 credit when the statistics are compiled for the listing and selling volume.

Personally, however, I tend to draw the line regarding bragging rights. I think listing agents shouldn’t claim that “they sold” the home when referring to that house. They should say they were the listing agent – which as any listing agent can attest – is no small feat. There is so much work that goes into listing a property to market it to its full advantage: from staging to pictures, to text descriptions, to promotional materials, to open houses, to providing neighborhood covenants, to having complete paperwork, to negotiations, to getting everything done in order to bring the transaction to a successful close. It’s a lot of work to list a home. And if it’s not done well, the sale of the home is hampered. So a good listing agent will take care of so many details (that no one is really aware of) so the home will be positioned to sell.

The selling agent, however, has often worked with his/her buyers extensively, having shown them many. many homes. The selling agent should be listening to their buyers, trying to find just the right home – the agent should have no personal agenda. Many hours can be spent trying to sort through the homes on the market in order to find the right fit. After the contract is written and accepted, the agent guides the process through inspections and financing. There is a considerable amount of work that the agent must perform to make sure the buyer is protected and their interests are represented and negotiated.

Knowing the housing territory in and around the Iowa City area is the job of both real estate agents. In order to properly list a home, the listing agent should know what the heck is going on. In order to advise the buyer correctly, the selling agent needs to know what the heck is going on. That’s the agent’s job – to keep the train on the right track, making sure that there are no derailments.

If you have any questions, please let me know. We real estate agents learn something new every day, as no two homes or home sales are ever the same. That’s the beauty and complexity of our world – and we love it!

With the new year just beginning, many are gearing up to buy and/or list this spring of 2016. And now is the time to start preparing! Getting ready to sell a home is, for most, a royal pain. We do not live in our homes in the condition they need to be in when we sell our homes. While the Iowa City market is strong, it is still a competitive selling market – you will have competition for buyers.

Here are some helpful hints to get your home ready to sell.
1. Clean, clean, clean. This includes closets, inside cupboards, cold air returns, the tracks of sliding doors, the caulk around tubs and showers. Every little nook and cranny will be noticed.
2. Make sure your home is in good repair. If you’re selling because you think you need a new roof, then the buyer and their lender will also wonder about your roof. Most every buyer has a home inspection. So head off the issue with a roof inspection of your own first. If the roofer says you need a new roof, get a second opinion. If the second roofer says you need a new roof, ask how much life is left on your roof. If the life span is less than 3 years, any buyer’s lender will also ask for a new roof to be put on before the buyer is allowed to buy. Every lenders major premise is that the buyer will default and they’ll get the home back. They do not want a home back which needs a new roof.
3. If you have a wood burning fireplace, get it cleaned and inspected. If you haven’t had your furnace and cooling systems recently serviced, get that done. These are simple maintenance items every home owner should be checking. With regular maintenance, most HVAC systems (heating and cooling) can last a long time.
4. Touch up paint, or repaint. Grab a recent copy of a Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel, or Better Homes and Gardens. Look at what color schemes are current. Buyers like “fresh.”

The above are a start – I could go on and on about what buyers are looking for. If you’d like me to continue and help you get your home ready for the spring market – give me a call or message me.

If you’re a buyer looking to purchase a home in 2016, there are some things you can also do to make the process as smooth as possible.
1. Visit with a lender and get pre-approved. If you’re not sure who to use, send me an email at stlarson77@gmail.com and I’ll see where you currently bank and make a recommendation. My first advice will be to use a local lender – you’ll find other interest rate deals out there, but high closing costs will eat up the difference between internet financing and local financing. I’ve never had a client say, “I wish I hadn’t gone local.” but I have had many wish they had.
2. Start to think about your wish list for a home, and divide your thoughts into what you “need” and what you “want.” There is a difference. smile emoticon
3. When the world is your oyster, it’s hard to make a decision. When you don’t have to move but think you might want to move, it’s hard to make a decision. One simple rule I believe in when it comes to home buying is: if you feel like you’re hitting your head against a brick wall trying to make something happen, you’re hitting your head against a brick wall and should stop. When everything just seems to be falling into place, and you’re nervous and not sure why, go with the flow. I guess I’m a bit of a fatalist, but my 20 years of experience has proven this philosophy over and over again.
4. It won’t make any difference to me what home you buy – I have no agenda other than … it needs to be the right house for YOU. The more you say, the more I’ll hear what it is that you want. Sometimes buyers aren’t sure what they want. They think they know, but after listening to them, I find out what it really is that they want. Read my reviews on Zillow.com.

I work very hard in this real estate profession, because I really love what I do. I’ve met some of the most amazing people and have helped them either sell their homes and move forward, or buy a home and settle down. When you’re ready, I’ll do the same for you.

Take care,

Terri