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Massachusetts Real Estate, Worcester County Ma
FAQs
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Are you selling homes?
How do I get started?
What are Modular Homes?
What if I want to use my own sign?
What is included in my Internet listing?
who to ask for recommendation for inspectors?
What about buying forclosures or through auctions?
How much much do I pay an MLS Realtor who brings me the buyer?
Why would buyer agent try to get ME the best price?
What does a full service listing offer that this doesn’t?
What is a fiduciary?
Do you work with buyers under an exclusive contract?
Can I advertise on Realtor.com without the MLS?
I don't want to be commited to working with one buyer agent, what are my options?
How does having your For Sale sign in my yard help you?
What are my options if I started the buying without a real estate agent?
Don't traditional agents work for free
How much will it cost me to list with a full service broker?
What’s this money back guarantee?
Tell me again, What do I get for the $695?
Q: Are you selling homes?
I thought you were a Buyer Brokerage firm. Are you taking listings now?
A:
Home Team AdvantEdge is a full service company. We are able to assist home buyers and home sellers. But we refuse to have a conflict of interest and will not represent buyers and sellers in the same transaction. Even though this policy limits our earning potential, we feel that keeping our ethics is more important than making money.
That said, we prefer to work with home buyers and occasionally will work with sellers.
We offer several flat fee and no fee options to consumers who wish to sell the property on their own. We can advertise for sale by owner properties on our web site and will help those sellers by placing "for sale" yard signs. We have an MLS inclusion service for a fee and a home staging service that is absolutely free of charge. In these instances the Home Team AdvantEdge Company does not represent the seller's interests and is merely advertising a for sale by owner listing for free with the seller's permission and/or providing services a la carte. This is in compliance with both MLS rules and guidelines and our own policies and protocols.
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Q: How do I get started?
What should be my first step in the home search process?
A:
The very first steps for home buyers is to identify how much they can comfortably afford for a home and to be sure that their credit rating allows for this amount of borrowing. Consumers can spend valuable time looking around in a wrong price range or shopping for a home without realizing that the bank will not be authorizing a loan at a particular interest rate because of poor credit. Home buyers should get their financial affairs in order before looking for a mortgage lender. Shop around programs, companies and interest rates. Become aware of drawbacks and benefits of different programs such as conventional, VA and FHA mortgages. Education is the key to avoiding problems in the future.
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Q: What are Modular Homes?
What is the difference between Modular Homes and other type of construction?
A:
Modular homes have been constructed in a factory and then brought to the home site in pieces and put together on site. "Stick built" is the traditional way of building a house from the ground up. Each method has benefits and liabilities. Stick built allows more options in a floor plan and the home construction can be montitored at each phase. On the other hand, modular homes are constructed in a controlled environment and weather conditions are generally not as important as with a stick built home. Many builders also consider a modular home to be a stronger construction since it has to be built to withstand travel to the home site. When intially looking at a modular home, the cost seems less that other construction. Keep in mind, however, that often the cost of the land, septic system and connection, plumbing and electrical connection and foundation may not be included in the advertised price.
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Q: What if I want to use my own sign?
What if I want to use my own sign?
A:
That’s not a problem. However, the professional signs supplied by Home Team AdvantEdge Co. will include both your number if you wish and ours. We have our number so that real estate agents don't try to market to you and your number will be there so that potential buyers can obtain information about your home directly from you.
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Q: What is included in my Internet listing?
What do you mean when you say you’ll be mentioned in my MLS listing?
A:
It’s another way of saying we will be mentioned on Realtor.com where a potential buyer will primarily see your name and phone number, but the listing will also say, “for help from a Buyer’s Agent call Home Team AdvantEdge Co."
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Q: who to ask for recommendation for inspectors?
Who should I ask for a recommendation of a licensed home inspector?
A:
It is important to know that by law in Massachusetts traditional real estate agents are not allowed to recommend specific home inspectors. Only a Buyer Agent can offer recommendations for specific home inspectors. Traditional agents are only allowed to pass on a complete list of all home inspectors in the state with no personal recommendations. This is the State Law!
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Q: What about buying forclosures or through auctions?
Do you recommend looking into purchasing foreclosed property either through a bank or Auction?
A:
These types of properties will not necessarily be undervalued. They will however be more difficult to purchase especially if you need conventional financing. Many times a buyer will not have an opportunity to see the home on the inside, let alone have the opportunity for a full home inspection. Before attending a foreclosure auction, the buyer would need to do preliminary research including a Title Search. Many properties will have liens that need to be paid off to obtain a clean Title. Without a clean title the home will not be sellable. Also, many auctions require a significant down payment at the time of an accepted bid and the balance to be due within 30 days. Purchasing foreclosed property in this manner is risky and entails a great deal of extra effort and risk on the part of a buyer.
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Q: How much much do I pay an MLS Realtor who brings me the buyer?
How much must I agree to pay an MLS Realtor who brings me the buyer?
A:
That’s entirely up to you as a seller. The greater the percentage you offer, the greater is the enticement to brokers to bring home buyers to your property. Home sellers in the past have offered 2% to 3%.
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Q: Why would buyer agent try to get ME the best price?
If a Buyer Agent is working on a commission basis, why would that buyer agent try to get me the best (lowest) price?
A:
For every $1,000.00 of purchase price, a typical buyer agent might receive a commission of $20-$40. For every $1,000.00 that an agent saves the buyer, the agent "loses" $20-$40. Logically, if an agent saves a buyer thousands of dollars on the price of a home (and "loses" one or two hundred in commission), the buyer would be very happy and would be glad to recommend that agent to their friends and relatives. True Buyer Agents have created a niche market in real estate. They are offering professional service to the buyer. It would make no sense to do a less than exemplary job if the agent wants to have a long lasting relationship with the buyer for repeat and referral business.
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Q: What does a full service listing offer that this doesn’t?
What does a full service listing offer that this (merely listing a home on the MLS) doesn’t?
A:
A full-service listing broker should come out to the seller's home, advice on the optimum way to market the home, do a price analysis, show the property to prospective buyers, negotiate on behalf of the seller (at the seller's direction), and handle all offers. The broker will supervise any inspections, handle all paperwork, and be the fiduciary. When you decide to work with a listing agent, you hire a real estate professional to represent your interest. You are primarily paying for experience and expertise.
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Q: What is a fiduciary?
What is a fiduciary?
A:
A person in a position of trust who looks out for the best interests of another. Fiduciary duties include loyalty, confidentiality, reasonable care and diligence, accountability, full disclosure, and obedience. When a buyer or seller enters into a contract with a real estate broker, the licensee often has certain fiduciary responsibilties to his/her client. One finds fiduciary relationship in professions of trust such as a doctor or a lawyer.
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Q: Do you work with buyers under an exclusive contract?
Do you work with buyers under an exclusive contract? Why and what are the terms?
A:
At the Home Team AdvantEdge Co. we work with all of our clients under and exclusive employment agreement that includes a nominal retainer fee, refunded to the buyer as soon as they buy a home. The duration of the contract is generally 90 or 180 days. The contract includes a clause that allows for termination of the agreement by either party if they feel that this contractual relationship is not in their best interests; the
only stipulation being standard language allowing the broker to get paid if the buyer decides to buy one of the homes that the broker has presented to the buyer during the contracted period .
The Home Team AdvantEdge Co. typically works with buyers in the central third of Massachusetts. We have had clients buy homes from the
New Hampshire border to the Connecticut and Rhode Island borders and from the route 495 arc to the western edges of Worcester County. Obviously we don't recommend that any single client drive all over central Mass. in their home search!
At our first meeting we can work to narrow the focus to those areas that seem to best fit the buyer's criteria. In the past when our clients have shifted their home search outside of this area we have referred them to exclusive buyer agents, when possible, in their new area(s) of interest.
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Q: Can I advertise on Realtor.com without the MLS?
Can I just have my home advertised on Realtor.com without listing it in the MLS?
A:
No, having a listing in the MLS is a prerequisite to be on Realtor.com. www.Realtor.com draws all of the listings from various MLS services.
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Q: I don't want to be commited to working with one buyer agent, what are my options?
I have had bad experiences in the past and I just don't trust the process. Is there a way for me to try out a service without having a buyer agent involved in the full process and have the option of continuing the relationship? Is there a charge and what would it be?
A:
On occasion, we have home buyers ask us if we would agree to do only a certain part of a service. For example, would we consider offering only the access to the information of homes for sale or just the negotiating and writing up offers? We have implemented a fee for service structure, in which consumers can choose the service or a bundle of services they require and pay the fee for the service upfront. The buyer always has the option to upgrade to a full service option wich will enable him/or her to recieve a refund after the purchase is complete. After a successful closing and if the buyer agent was compensated from the transaction, much of the upfront cost would be refunded to the buyer. Choosing this option, will allow the consumer to "Test Drive" the service before he/she buys.
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Q: How does having your For Sale sign in my yard help you?
How does having your For Sale sign in my yard help you?
A:
We need the exposure and name recognition. Most real estate companies take listings and place hundreds of signs that, not only advertise the home for sale but also, give them name recognition. It’s like having mini billboards throughout the area.
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Q: What are my options if I started the buying without a real estate agent?
I just found a home with an agent who does not represent me, what do I do now?
A:
Using a buyer agent will cost you no more than the price of the home because much of the time, the real estate fee is built into the price. The agent who shows you the home, wether representing you or the seller typically splits the fee with the listing agent. If you decide to use the services of a buyer agent after the fact, the buyer agent will most likely not be able to step in, unless you have agreed on a fee.
With Home Team AdvantEdge Co. you can sample individual services or hire us by different packages we offer, depending on what services you need. We offer a flat fee menu of services so that you can still have the advocacy for your home buying process.
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Q: Don't traditional agents work for free
If I work with a traditional agent to find a home, aren't these services done for free?
A:
Whether you realize it or not - when you use a traditional Realtor to find a home for you - it isn't "free." They get paid a commission from the seller with money that you - the buyer provides for the transaction. When you think about it - the buyer is really the one that is paying all of the Real Estate commissions. The seller typically wants to achieve a certain bottom-line Net. The seller bases what kind of offer they will accept based on what they will Net.
You have always paid it based on the final sale price of the home that the seller is willing to accept. You just haven't received representation for your money. Isn't it about time that you did? The cost-of-transaction for the purchase has always been taken from the money you paid the seller. It was just labeled differently at the closing. The seller called it their expense and deducted it from their asset basis when figuring taxes but the money always came from you - didn't it? It was your savings or the amount you borrowed in the mortgage, and was part of the sale price of the home.
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Q: How much will it cost me to list with a full service broker?
How much will it cost me to list with a full service broker?
A:
By law, all real estate fees are negotiable. To standardize them would be a restraint of trade. Many home owners in the past have decided to list their home at 5% to 7% of the sale price; their negotiated comission was often dictated by their particlular home and the current real estate market.
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Q: What’s this money back guarantee?
What’s this money back guarantee?
A:
As a consumer selling a property on your own, you are taking on some financial risk. You experiment with what works and what doesn't and you pay as you go. When a consumer lists the home with a traditional agent, typically, you only pay your agent when and if the agent sells your home.
With Home Team AdvantEdge Co., you can purchase only the services you feel you need and sell your house on your own. It is our firm belief that the most important service you acquire from a listing agent is experience and expertise through representation. This we only offer when you decide to list with us and is not part of the a la carte services.
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Q: Tell me again, What do I get for the $695?
Tell me again, What do I get for the $695?
A:
The Home Team AdvantEdge Co. has no fiduciary relationship with a home seller whatsoever. Home sellers pay $695 instead of a percentage commission and get the following:
The home is listed on Realtor.com where buyers will find the listing and will call the seller directly. If they decide they want to hire a Buyer’s Agent they may contact one, but usually they will call the seller directly.
The home is listed on the state-wide MLS (Multiple Listing Service) – 80% of all homes sold in Massachusetts are sold through the MLS.
The seller gets photos and advertising on two web sites advertisement on www.hometeamadvantedge.com and www.fsboadvantEdge.com as well as www.landvoice.com.
Home sellers get the advantage of the MLS and still maintain the right to sell their property as a For Sale By Owner.
Any buyers working with Realtors will know about this property because Realtors give their buyers the information about relevant properties found on the MLS.
The home seller may get buyers calling from Realtor.com along with other ads posted by Home Team AdvantEdge Co.
Home sellers are free to set whatever asking price they wish with no pressure from a listing agent. Home sellers are free to show their home when and how they choose.
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Servicing the towns of Central Massachusetts: Acton, Ashburnham, Ashland, Athol, Auburn, Ayer, Barre, Bellingham, Berlin, Blackstone, Bolton, Boylston, Brimfield, Brookfield, Charlton,
Clinton, Concord, Douglas, Dudley, East Brookfield, Fitchburg, Framingham, Franklin, Gardner, Grafton, Groton, Hardwick, Harvard, Holden, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Hubbardston, Hudson
Lancaster, Leicester, Leominster, Lexington, Lincoln, Littleton, Lunenburg, Marlborough, Maynard, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, Natick, North Brookfield, Northborough, Northbridge,
Oakham, Oxford, Paxton, Pepperellm, Petersham, Phillipston, Princeton, Royalston, Rutland, Shirley, Shrewsbury, Southborough, Southbridge, Spencer, Sterling, Stow, Sturbridge,
Sudbury, Sutton Templeton, Townsend, Upton, Uxbridge, Warren, Webster, West Boylston, West Brookfield, Westborough, Westminster, Winchendon, and Worcester
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