Things Your Real Estate Agent Doesn't Tell You

1. Am I reputable?- Even if your agent has had their license for 10 years, your home might be the first one they've tried selling in years. Get all the facts before signing a Buyers Agent Agreement. Ask how many transactions they've completed last year, and make sure to do a quick internet search with their name to make sure they come up under real estate. 

2. That big commission check does not go right into the agents pocket. - Everyone thinks that real estateagents get a huge commission check for every sale. What many don't realize is that for every listing they close, there are expenses many don't notice. Agents divide the commission with their brokerage. A portion of the check goes to the sign they put outside your house, your lock box, hosting an open house, sending out flyers for your home, access to the MLS, association membership, advertising and more. So that $6000.00 commission checks that may believe goes right into the agents pocket? At the end of the day and after paying all the expenses it comes out to about $2500.

3. As an agent, their safety is compromised every single time they walk into an empty house. 

- Don't even make me tell you the things I've seen or walked in on. You don't want to know. 

4. I can't tell you the ethnic background of the people in the area, or the local crime rate, either. - I would be violating the Fair Housing Laws if i told you. The best thing to do is look it up yourself before committing. 

5. Wide Open is the way to go!- Clear bathroom countertops and kitchen spaces when selling your home. People love when they can walk into a room and see wide-open counter spaces. 

6. Don't skip the final walk-through of the home. -  I’ve seen washers, dryers, stoves, and chandeliers walk out the door when the agreement stated that they needed to stay there. The final walk through is your last chance to make sure that any repairs that needed to be made were completed and working properly, and that all the owners personal items are removed.

7. The open house helps me more than it helps you.- The majority of visitors at the open house are usually just nosy neighbors. Open houses give me the opportunity to hand out my business card and gain potential clients.

Your Local San Diego Real Estate Expert,