If you’re looking to buy or sell a home in the near future, then you’ll want to work closely with a Realtor service every step of the way. This way, you can ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible and enjoy professional guidance from your Realtor as needed. Before you select a Realtor to work with, however there are some questions worth asking in an initial consultation that will help you find the right fit for your needs.

“Will You Handle Every Aspect?”

When you work with a Realtor, it’s beneficial if you can have one point of contact throughout your entire buying or selling process. Some Realtors, however, may have assistants or other agents that they will delegate certain tasks to. If this is something that would bother you, consider asking a prospective Realtor whether he or she will handle every aspect of your real estate transaction. This will help give you a better idea of what to expect.

“How Many Buyers/Sellers Are You Working With Right Now?”

Another good question to ask a prospective Realtor is how many clients he or she is working with at this point in time. Generally, the most successful Realtors also tend to be the busiest, but it’s important to make sure that a Realtor isn’t so busy that he or she won’t have enough time to dedicate to you. If your Realtor is working with a lot of clients right now, be sure to ask about what you can expect in terms of communication; how often will you hear from him or her, and how long should you expect to wait for a response to an e-mail or message?

“Is Your License in Good Standing?”

Last but not least, it’s important to ensure that the Realtor’s license is in good standing. In most cases, it will be, and this is not something you will have to worry much about. However, it never hurts to double check by checking the Realtor’s name through your state’s Department of Real Estate. This will help give you added peace of mind in making a decision.

Choosing the right Realtor can make all the difference in your real estate experience. If you’re looking for a team that’s dedicated, experienced, and knowledgeable, be sure to contact us today.

The seller’s agent works for the home seller. When you are ready to have a professional put a shingle into your front yard and advertise your home, you rely on this expert. While everyone knows that the real estate professional will be on hand to schedule appointments to show your property to interested buyers, there is a lot more that goes on behind the scenes.

What should you expect from an excellent sellers’ agent?

• Market analysis. The price of your home is a touchy subject. To you, it holds so many memories and firsts that you want to get top dollar for the property. To your selling agent, there are no emotional ties. Instead, the professional will prepare a comparative market analysis that shows you what similar homes in your area sell for and how much you can increase this price because of residential remodeling or custom millwork.
• Staging. Your agent should have a professional relationship with a staging expert in your area. If you decide that you do not want to go this route, the agent will give you advice on how to present your home to its fullest advantage. Examples include landscaping suggestions for great curb appeal and ideas for your interior presentation.
• Marketing. Hanging up a shingle is not enough. Your agent puts the property on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), creates fliers that list amenities and feature photos, engages in direct-mail flyer distribution and actively goes after showings.
• Coordination of services. There is no need to spend countless hours on the phone. Let your seller’s agent do the work! Not only does the expert negotiate with potential buyers on your behalf, but the pro also verifies that these folks have the funds needed to buy the home. Coordinating closings is part of this deal.

When you are ready to get the most from the sale of your home, entrust your sale to J. Schmidt Homes’ realtor services. Local professionals who know the market, they are licensed and certified. In addition, they are members of the Warren County Board of Realtors as well as the National Association of Realtors. Contact us today for more information.

When you are in the market to buy a home, most folks drive around and look for properties they like. Others scour the Internet for listings that meet all of their criteria. Next, these folks contact the real estate professional handling this listing. Although this may seem like standard practice, you may be able to do better with your own buyer’s agent.

There are five reasons to work with this type of professional.

1. Expert input. If you are a first-time home buyer, there is a good chance that the process of buying a property seems daunting. A buyers’ agent is on your side. This professional walks you through the process step by step.
2. A second set of eyes. Accompanying you on appointments to look at properties is one of the things a good agent does. This expert helps you to look at the home through the eyes of an educated consumer who sees not just the beautiful landscaping and staging but also learns how to interpret wall cracks and other possible shortcomings a property might have.
3. Property locator. When the homes that you found are not completely to your liking, the buying agent can help you find other properties that meet your budgetary constraints and feature your must-haves. It is always a good idea to be very clear about what you need, what you want and where you want to find it.
4. Industry insider. Do you need a reputable mortgage broker? How about finding someone to do the landscaping after your buy the property? Working with a local buying agent puts you in touch with an expert who can help you find vetted professionals to assist with the home purchase and those who can afterward serve the new homeowner’s needs.
5. It is free! That is correct. The seller pays the commission that the buyer’s agent charges. When you go it alone, the seller still pays this amount – only the listing agent gets it all. Why not take advantage of this service since it is already going to be paid for?

J. Schmidt Homes’ realtor services put you in touch with professionals who are certified as well as licensed in Ohio. In addition, these experts are members of the National Association of Realtors as well as the Warren County Board of Realtors. Contact us today to learn more about our buyers’ agent services.

Are you at the point in your life where you’ve settled in with your job and are lucky enough financially to begin to invest? Then a good place to start is with an investment in real estate. Keep reading to learn why purchasing a home is great for your investment portfolio.

Less Volatile Than Stocks

Having money in the stock market is great when you’re in a bull market. However, things can quickly get ugly once there’s a stock market correction. So to hedge against the volatility of the stock market, it’s best to invest in something that’s more stable in prices like a new construction home. Plus, the fact that real estate prices aren’t directly affected by the stock market makes it an even better cushion to have once you’re faced with a bear market.

You Can Live in It

Stocks and bonds are assets that are only valuable because of the amount of money they’re worth. Meanwhile, a house can actually be lived in. Thus, even while you’re waiting for your house to increase in value, you’re still able to make great use of it. Also,  if you live in a house that you own, you can forgo renting a place. Then the rent money that you save can go towards even more investments.

Allows You to Become a Landlord

Some people shy away from buying a house because they’re afraid that they might not end up living in the house for long. However, even if you don’t live in the house, you can still profit from it. Just rent it out and become a landlord. You’ll gain equity while someone else helps to pay for your mortgage.

Contact us to learn even more reasons for why it’s smart to invest in real estate.