Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How can I prepare my house for sale?

A. Start by imagining you're a potential buyer looking at your home for the first time. This will help you decide what needs to be cleaned, painted or repaired. A professional eSellHouse agent can help you make these decisions and, when you're ready, list your home at a fair price. Your eSellHouse agent will also help you present your home in its best light, maximizing its appeal to buyers.

Q. How can I find out what my home is worth?

A. Your eSellHouse agent knows the current real estate market well and will help you set a competitive price. Click here for a form to help you estimate what your home is worth.

Q. When is the best time to put my home on the market?

A. Peak selling seasons change from year to year and market to market. Typically, houses show better in early spring and early fall than they do in the heat of summer or the cold of winter. The drawback to putting your home up for sale at these times is that you will have more competition from all the other houses on the market. Each selling situation, however, is unique. It is best to talk to your eSellHouse agent before deciding on the timing of the sale of your home.

Q. What is a listing agreement?

A. Basically, the listing agreement consists of your legal instructions to the real estate company who will market your home and represent you in the sale. The listing agreement must include beginning and ending dates for the term of the listing; the conditions to which you, the listing agent and the real estate company agree; and a price (usually a percentage of the eventual sale price) you'll pay for their services involved in the sale.

Q. How important is the condition of my property to its sale?

A. If you hope to receive the maximum sale price, your home must look its best. If not, you may wish to sell your home in "as is" condition. This allows the buyer to repair/replace items as s/he sees fit. It means less work for you but also less money, since your sale price will be less than one for a mint-condition home.

Q. Should we leave home during showings (tours) or open houses?

A. Yes, if possible. Prospective buyers can focus on the home's features and better envision themselves living there without being distracted by your presence. A professional eSellHouse agent will make sure your home is presented in the best manner possible.

Q. What is an Agency Disclosure?

A. This state-required document tells you whom the agent(s) represents in a real estate transaction. A state's Agency Disclosure document does not obligate you to work with any particular agent or broker; it simply notifies you of your state's real estate agency laws.

Q. What is the MLS?

A. MLS stands for Multiple Listing Service, a database that makes it easier to reach a large number of prospective buyers. Under MLS, participating brokers at the real estate board agree to share the commission on the sale of houses listed by any one of them. For example, if one broker lists your house and another finds the actual buyer, they split the commission. As a result of MLS, more agents will be interested in selling your house, improving the odds of a quick sale.

Q. Is eSellHouse a MLS member?

A. Yes. Our professional eSellHouse agents are members of the local MLS in every market we serve. Our agents are also members of the national, state and local Associations/Boards of Realtors®.

Q. Do your agents cooperate with other companies' real estate agents?

A. In all the markets we serve, agents and brokers from different companies work cooperatively, showing and selling each other's listed properties. eSellHouse agents work according to specific laws and regulations in their areas.

Q. Should I buy or sell first?

A. A difficult question. Buy first, and you might get stuck with two mortgages for a while. Sell first, and you might be rushed to find a new place. Generally, if you need the equity built up in your present house in order to complete the purchase of your new home, you will need to sell first, secure a bridge loan or ask for a house-sale contingency. If you don't need the equity, the choice is up to you. In any event, you should partner with a professional eSellHouse agent who can recommend the best course of action for you based on your specific circumstances. Also, don't forget that the eSellHouse agent who helps you sell your present home may be your buyer's agent on the next house.

Q. What must I disclose about the condition of my property?

A. You must reveal all known material problems with your home, as well as any former problems and repairs completed on them. By making full disclosure up front, you avoid any surprises for the buyer that could result in a lawsuit. Your professional eSellHouse agent will work with you to complete a Seller Disclosure Form (SDF), which covers most of these matters.

Q. What do those abbreviations behind my agent's name mean?

A. Those abbreviations are acronyms indicating that different agents have specialized knowledge about a certain topic (say, relocation) and/or is a member of that association. An agent is required to take continuing education classes to maintain or upgrade his license. Here are some of the most common designations: