Why Do Some Agents Ask for Exclusivity?

Why do some agents demand a buyer’s exclusivity? Well, most agents don’t want to put in their time and effort without being certain of a buyer’s loyalty.

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When are you committed to a real estate agent, why do agents demand exclusivity?

Well, unlike most professionals who receive a steady paycheck, agents usually work on a commission.

Buyer agents who are showing you properties and negotiating on your behalf are basically working for free. So in order for them to devote this kind of time and energy, they’ll want to know you aren’t going to switch to another agent once you get closer to closing.

In order for an agent to devote their time and energy to you, they’ll want to know you aren’t going to switch to another agent once you get closer to closing.

Some agents will ask you to sign a buyer’s rep agreement. This contract binds you and the agent to each other in a mutual working relationship for a given period of time.

Once you sign this agreement, you are legally obligated to work with that specific agent. For this reason, it’s always important to read the contract carefully.

If you sign the agreement and are happy with the agent, you should stick with the contract. However, you can ask the agent to cancel the contract if you are unhappy and don’t want to continue.

Generally speaking, agents won’t want to continue working with a disgruntled client anyway. If you haven’t signed a buyer’s agent agreement, you aren’t legally tied to an agent and can move on whenever you please.

But even if you aren’t technically exclusive with a single agent, people will tend to assume you are working together if you carry out a number of consecutive tasks with that same agent. Voice your expectations from the start to avoid any awkward misunderstandings.

If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Staging Tips for Selling Your Home During the Holidays

If you plan on selling your home during the holidays, I have four tips to help you stage and decorate your home without overwhelming potential buyers.

Selling in the greater Houston area? Get a market analysis report

Purchasing in the greater Houston area? Get full MLS access

This time of year, the calendar is packed with holiday parties and budgets are strained by gift giving. A lot of people think that now is not the season for real estate.

The good news is that there are still plenty of brave house hunters out there who do venture out during the holiday season in serious pursuit of buying a house. The right decor and stylish trimmings can make them want to celebrate the holidays in your home.

If you are selling during the holiday season, try these tips to get buyers in the right spirit:

1. Clean and stage before you decorate your home. Your home needs to be staged. If your home is already piled high with clutter, adding ceramic holiday decorations will only increase the sense of overcrowding. Limit yourself to a few items of holiday flair and stash the rest in the basement for now. A few decorations can stir the holiday spirit, but don’t feel obligated to hang every last ornament.

Make sure your decorations are in tune with the feel of your house.

2. Compliment your palette. Before you start untangling cobwebs or tinsel, make sure your holiday decor matches your current decor. If you have an earthy color scheme, focus on decorative accents with rich tones like pumpkins, cranberries, and forest greens and golds. Keep your decorations in tune with the feel of your house.

3. Accentuate the positive. Too many decorations may distract buyers but the right accessories can draw attention to your home’s best features. Hang ghoulish ghosts or dangle a mistletoe in archways or display your menorah in front of bay windows. Don’t block the view with sticky holiday decals or clutter the elegant fireplace with too many personal, seasonal items. We know you love them but not everyone will.

4. Go light on the lights. Step away from the inflatable snowman! Remember, one man’s light is another man’s tacky, so tone down any over-the-top displays while your home is on the market. (No, your neighbors didn’t pay us to say that!) Instead, use simple string lighting to play up your home’s architecture.

I hope these tips help you prepare your home for the market this holiday season. If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I would be happy to help you!