A real estate agent helps you understand everything you need to know about selling

The selling process generally begins with a determination of a reasonable asking price. Your real estate agent or REALTOR® can give you up-to-date information on what is happening in the marketplace and the price, financing, terms and condition of competing properties. These are key factors in getting your property sold at the best price, quickly and with minimum hassle.

1. Marketing

The next step is a marketing plan. Often, your agent can recommend repairs or cosmetic work that will significantly enhance the salability of the property. Marketing includes the exposure of your property to other real estate agents and the public. In many markets across the country, more than 50 percent of real estate sales are cooperative sales; that is, a real estate agent other than yours brings in the buyer.

Your agent acts as the marketing coordinator, disbursing information about your property to other real estate agents through a Multiple Listing Service or other cooperative marketing networks, open houses for agents, etc. The REALTOR® Code of Ethics requires REALTORS® to utilize these cooperative relationships when they benefit their clients.
Advertising is part of marketing. The choice of media and frequency of advertising depends a lot on the property and specific market. For example, in some areas, newspaper advertising generates phone calls to the real estate office but statistically has minimum effectiveness in selling a specific property. Overexposure of a property in any media may give a buyer the impression the property is distressed or the seller is desperate. Your real estate agent will know when, where and how to advertise your property. There is a misconception that advertising sells real estate. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® studies show that 82 percent of real estate sales are the result of agent contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends, family and personal contacts.

2. Security

When a property is marketed with an agent’s help, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Agents will generally pre-screen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.

3. Negotiating

The negotiation process deals with much the same issues for both buyers and sellers, as noted above under the buying process. Your agent can help you objectively evaluate every buyer’s proposal without compromising your marketing position. This initial agreement is only the beginning of a process of appraisals, inspections and financing — a lot of possible pitfalls. Your agent can help you write a legally binding, win-win agreement that will be more likely to make it through the process.
Monitoring, renegotiating and closing
Between the initial sales agreement and closing (or settlement), questions may arise. For example, unexpected repairs are required to obtain financing or a cloud in the title is discovered. The required paperwork alone is overwhelming for most sellers. Your agent is the best person to objectively help you resolve these issues and move the transaction to closing (or settlement).

4. Why use a REALTOR®?

All real estate licensees are not the same. Only real estate licensees who are members of the National Association of REALTORS® are propertly called REALTORS®. They proudly display the REALTOR® logo on the business card or other marketing and sales literature. REALTORS® are committed to treat all parties to a transaction honestly. REALTORS® subscribe to a strict code of ethics and are expected to maintain a higher level of knowledge of the process of buying and selling real estate. An independent survey reports that almost 85 percent of home buyers would use the same REALTOR® again.

5. You be the judge

Real estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments most people experience in their lifetime. Transactions today usually exceed $100,000. If you had a $100,000 income tax problem, would you attempt to deal with it without the help of a CPA? If you had a $100,000 legal question, would you deal with it without the help of an attorney? Considering the small upside cost and the large downside risk, it would be foolish to consider a deal in real estate without the professional assistance of a REALTOR®.

Schmeadick, Ron. “Why Use a REALTOR® When Selling.” Realtor.com. Copyright © by Move, Inc. Web.

Six tips that tell you it’s time

Figuring out whether you’re ready to buy a house, whether you’re a renter or are aiming to move up or size down, can be a daunting task. But there are signs that will indicate whether you’re ready to take the buying plunge.
If you are thinking about buying, you’re not alone. So are you ready to make the move?
You might be if you:

1. Are familiar with the market.

If you’ve been paying attention to how much houses are listed for in the neighborhoods you’re eyeing and have a realistic view of how much a house will cost you, you’re in good shape. But if you’re dreaming about that big corner house with no clue about it’s asking price, you may want to spend some more time becoming familiar with the market and how much houses are going for.

2. Have the money for a down payment and closing costs.

The down payment is a percentage of the value of the property. Freddie Mac says the percentage will be determined by the type of mortgage you select. Down payments usually range from 3 to 20 percent of the property value. Also, you may be required to have Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI or MI) if your down payment is less than 20 percent. Closing costs include points, taxes, title insurance, financing costs and items that must be prepaid or escrowed and other settlement costs. You can expect to pay between from 2 to 7 percent of the property value. Generally, buyers will receive an estimate of these costs from your lender after you apply for a mortgage.

3. Know how much you can afford.

Freddie Mac says that as a general guide, your monthly mortgage payment should be less than or equal to a percentage of your income, usually about a quarter of your gross monthly income. Also, your income, debt and credit history go into determining how much you can borrow. As a general rule, your debt -credit card bills, car loans, housing expenses, alimony and child support — should not be more than about 30 to 40 percent of your gross income.

4. Know what additional expenses will come with owning a home.

This includes homeowners insurance, utility bills, maintenance costs — roofing, plumbing, heating and cooling.

5. Have your credit in good shape and make sure your credit report is accurate.

Potential lenders will view your credit history — how much debt you’ve accrued, how many accounts you have open, whether your payments are made on time, etc. — to determine whether they’ll give you a loan. You should get a report from each of the three credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union.

6. You haven’t made any recent major purchases, particularly a vehicle.

If you do, you may have a harder time getting a loan — or it could potentially lower the amount you’ll be approved for.

Dawson, Michele. “Signs That You’re Ready to Buy.” Realtor.com. Copyright © by Realty Times, n.d. Web.

Simpson Real Estate has been active in the general brokerage business in Nacogdoches since 1962. LaDonna Simpson is the principal broker/Realtor and is partnered with Jennifer Simpson,Associate Realtor. The company has been involved in the community for 50 years in Nacogdoches TX. Our primary brokerage business employs eight Realtors with several years’ experience in the area. All are active in community service and service to the Board of Realtors. We help our clients sell and buy homes, farms, and commercial properties in Nacogdoches County as well as surrounding communities. We have a reputation for integrity and good work ethics in our profession. We subscribe to the ethics of the National, State, and local real estate boards and, as a result, have never been involved in any controversy involving our services to clients. Our agents are available every day and weekends until dark to serve clients.

The Simpson’s expanded the general real estate brokerage business by adding a property management division in 1966. Since then their management company has successfully managed as many as 6 multifamily complexes in Nacogdoches ranging from student rented apartment to elderly housing units.

Simpson Development Division has added millions to the tax rolls of Nacogdoches County by developing 4 residential subdivisions in the northeast “growth” areas of the city. The Kingwood, Baywood and Kingwood 1 and 2 developments are known for their respect of the Natural environment, wide,safe streets and protective covenants. Some of Nacogdoches finest homes are built in these developed areas.

LaDonna Simpson is the principal broker and managing partner of Simpson Real Estate. She is a founder of Nacogdoches County Board of Realtors and has served in every office of the board including President 6 times since it’s initiation in 1962. She is also a member of the National and Texas Boards of Realtors and was designated as Realtor Emeritus in 2012 by those organizations. She served on the Nacogdoches City Commission for 2 terms and was the first woman elected to that post. She also has served on the Historical Landmark Committee of Nacogdoches. Currently LaDonna is a member of CASA, a volunteer organization for foster children in the area. She was a founding member of the Women’s Shelter of Nacogdoches County in the 1970’s and still supports their efforts.

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Reason #1 Why You Should Hire me to Sell Your Home

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Reason #2 Why You Should Hire me to Sell Your Home

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Reason #3 Why You Should Hire me to Sell Your Home

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