Is Buying an Older Home a Good Idea?

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There’s a certain feeling to older homes, and it’s one that can’t be replicated. The sense of history, the character, the craftsmanship — stepping into old homes is like stepping into another time. 

While we relish in that sense of wonder, there’s a lot to consider from a homeowner perspective. As great as it is to visit a Victorian manor or beautiful house built 100+ years ago, is buying really worth it?

Buying an Older Home: Pros

Unparalleled Character

Like we said, it’s pretty spectacular to walk through an older home. For Victorian-style houses that are at least a century old, there’s something awe-inspiring in walking through a home that’s survived so much history. 

People feel a deeper connection to the past and, to some degree, probably feel hopeful for the future. If this house can stand for so long, so can we. It’s hard to put this exact feeling into words, but anyone who has felt it understands why people love old homes. Their magic is absolutely a draw.

Incredible Craftsmanship

“They don’t make homes like they used to” isn’t just a saying, it’s kind of true. Victorian homes often have details that blow newer houses out of the water. And as we’ve said in past blogs, the devil is always in the details when it comes to how valuable a house is.

Old homes also have features that keep on pace with modern trends. Hardwood floors, unique tile, huge clawfoot tubs (if you’re lucky) — people are renovating their new homes to match these vintage styles!

Potential Value

From the character and craftsmanship to the historic value, old homes could be worth more than newer homes in the area (such as these homes in Wisconsin). This is also due to size — Victorian houses are typically bigger — and the need to preserve the property. Older houses in historic districts tend to fetch higher prices — great news for you when you’re looking to sell.

Buying an Older Home: Cons

Higher Price = Less Buyers?

When the price matches the condition, older, run-down homes are quick to sell. Houses in great condition (even if modernized) can sometimes struggle to find a buyer since their price is inevitably higher.

However, that’s not to say you’ll never sell if your old house is in tip-top shape. Some people even buy older houses to renovate them into commercial spaces. All the same, it’s good to note that an old house (especially a bigger one) may struggle to find the right buyer.

More Upkeep & Renovation

Lead pipes, asbestos, a crumbling foundation — these are the not-so-great parts of owning an old house. There’s a solid chance you’ll need to update the home with everything from light fixtures and wall sockets to adding air conditioning. 

These renovations are both time-consuming and expensive. It’s worth noting that some cities provide grant money to restore a historic home. But if you want a no-muss, no-fuss home, an older property is not for you.

Have an older home that’s in great shape, but not selling? Feeling like your Queen Anne house has lost too much of its regality? Searching for a Victorian house with lots of potentials? You can have it all with RealtyHive. 

We’ll happily list your home through a time-limited event and have tons of properties for you to sift through. Look through our listings or get started on selling with RH!

Real Estate Investing & Non-Conforming Properties: What to Know

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A rundown, seemingly vacant house doesn’t excite most people. Unless they’re real estate investors, in which case it feels like finding buried treasure. 

Property investors are always on the lookout for a great deal that they can flip or rent out. While this strategy can increase their ROI, it can backfire. Like anything else in life, there’s no such thing as a perfect system. In this instance, troubles ensue when a good deal turns out to be a non-conforming property.

What is a non-conforming property?

A non-conforming property is a property that followed zoning laws at the time it was built, but not currently. This often happens if a property is not used for what it was built for over an extended period of time (anywhere from 6 months to a year). Here’s an example:

Elenita finds an incredible building that used to be a store. She wants to rent out this commercial property and knows a lot of people in her area are trying to start a business but need the space. It needs a ton of repair after sitting vacant for just over a year. 

Elenita gets a great deal on the property, but as soon as she turns on the utilities, she hears from code enforcement: this property can only be used as a single-family home now.

This is a massive setback for Elenita, who now either needs to pay even more to turn it into a residential rental property or find another buyer. This is also why as a property investor, you have to be on the lookout for non-conforming properties.

What are some signs that a property is non-conforming?

The biggest thing to look out for is the amount of time a property has sat empty, or how long it has gone without fulfilling its original, intended use.

As another example, say Joe finds an incredible four-plex that’s a bank foreclosure. It has sat vacant for a year. Joe’s expecting some amazing cash flow, thinking of how he can rent it out to multiple renters, and instead experiences the same thing as Elenita: it’s a non-conforming property.

This four-plex can now only exist as a single family home. At best, Joe is only going to make one-fourth of his predicted revenue stream. At worst, this property could prove difficult to rent out and he might not make anything.

Why do these rules exist?

Most cities have real estate zoning rules that place limits on what can be built, and where it can be built. These rules are all around us — in newer subdivisions, it’s why you don’t see any commercial buildings (such as grocery stores) being built near houses.

But as we know, there are plenty of times when this isn’t the case — one walk around a downtown area or older city and you’ll see countless apartments and houses coexisting right next to each other. 

Cities don’t want to close businesses just because their rules have changed. They’ll allow building owners to have what’s called legal non-conforming use, allowing business to continue as usual — even when those buildings are not up to current code.

This all changes if:

  • The building isn’t used for its original purpose for a period of time OR
  • The building was completely or partially destroyed (such as from a fire)

If you think this is unfair or strange, look through some photos of Houston, a city without real estate zoning. Not to hate on Houston, but zoning laws do offer a sense of organization and provide some method to what would otherwise be madness.

How can you safely avoid buying a non-conforming property?

Pay attention to the time a property has sat unused (whether in general or for its original purpose). But what if you’re new to an area and don’t know? Or what if you want to branch outside of where you’re living?

That’s where RealtyHive comes in. We have an expansive database of residential and commercial properties for sale, and can provide you the details so that you don’t end up in a trap. Look through our listings to help grow your portfolio!

Tax Incentives for Homeowners

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We all know buying and owning a house is expensive. But many first-time homeowners (or soon-to-be homeowners) don’t realize all the ways they can save. Even if it’s not tax season, it’s great to keep in mind all the tax incentives for homeowners that exist.

Property Tax Deductions

Property taxes can cost homeowners an arm and a leg. Fortunately, you can deduct up to $10,000 in property taxes on your return or, if you’re married but filing separately, up to $5,000. This includes the potential to deduct on multiple properties, such as vacation homes, land, and in some instances, even RVs!

One thing to keep in mind: you can only deduct on property taxes you’ve already paid.

Working From Home

There are a number of ways you can save if you work from home. In-home daycare providers, self-employed freelancers or independent contractors, and even those who rent out a room for others can all benefit from this tax deduction! 

Here are some important things to note:

  • For home offices, you can only deduct if you use this part of your house exclusively, regularly, and as a primary place of business.
  • You’ll need to record any expenses that went towards maintaining the office space throughout the year.
  • If you’re working from home for another company, this tax incentive for homeowners does not apply to you.

Read up on Publication 587 for all the details.

Home Equity Loan Interest

Took out a home equity loan this year? You can deduct the interest as long as the loan was used appropriately. In other words, as long as it was used to improve your home. If the loan wasn’t used for those exact purposes, that interest can’t be deducted.

Mortgage Interest

Depending on when you bought your home (only works for homes bought after 12/15/2017) and how much you borrowed, there’s a good chance the you can write off some of your mortgage interest. Use NerdWallet’s mortgage interest deduction calculator to see how much you can save.

Renewable Energy

Have you made the switch to solar panels this year? Good for you. The other great news is that renewable energy earns you a huge tax deduction. You can deduct 26% of your installation costs for solar panels.

Do some research into other tax breaks as well — there are even tax incentives for homeowners with solar water heaters and geothermal heating. 

Don’t let the expense of buying a home hold you back

If you’ve held off on buying a house because of the expenses, remember that there are plenty of ways you can save. It’s not just tax incentives that can help, either. You can find some incredible listings through RealtyHive, and since they’re time-limited events, you might save more than you thought. Check out our homes for sale today!

Home Ownership & Taxes: What You Need to Know

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Just like marriage, word on the street is that there are tax benefits to owning a home. But how do real estate incentives work? How does this vary in different states? When it comes to taxes and home ownership, what do you need to know?

A Few Tax Breaks for Homeowners

We’re kicking off this blog to cover the basics: As a homeowner, you’re eligible for several tax benefits. We’ll dive deeper into this in a later blog, but here are some initial things to keep in mind:

Tax IncentiveDescription
Mortgage interest reductionDeducts interest paid (if this number is at least $600) on a mortgage.
Property tax reductionIf filing jointly, you can claim up to $10,000 in property taxes.
Home equity debtDeducts interest paid on a home equity loan.

There are a ton more real estate tax incentives — so many that we’re saving them for a separate blog — but it’s good to think about now! Why wait until tax season to know how you as a homeowner can save?

Home Ownership And Taxes: FAQ

Buying a house is such an extensive process, full of information and details that take awhile to understand. Many first-time homeowners get so caught up in the house-buying process that they don’t realize how tax codes affect them. 

If this sounds familiar, don’t panic — finding answers to common tax questions is truly a “better late than never” scenario. In fact, much (if not all) of this info can save you thousands.

How does owning a home change your tax filings?

Homeowners fill out Form 1098 using information sent to them by their lender. If you paid at least $600 in interest on your mortgage, your lender will send you the proper documents to file for a tax break.

How do homeowner taxes change from state to state?

The biggest difference between states is property taxes. There is no state that doesn’t have property taxes, but there are huge differences across the map. Homeowners pay a percentage of their home’s value for property taxes (collected by their lender), and these taxes go towards schools, roads, and other state/city needs.

However, we should take this time to mention that state taxes vary drastically. Use this info as a starting point, but always talk to a tax consultant and do your research to know what’s what.

Which states have the highest and lowest property taxes?

States With the HIGHEST TaxesTax Rate
New Jersey1.89%
New Hampshire1.86%
Texas1.81%
States With the LOWEST TaxesTax Rate
Louisiana.18%
Hawaii.26%
Alabama.33%

*As of 2019.

It’s good to know what your state’s taxes are before you buy a home. If you’re as open to living in Texas as you are to living in Alabama, you could save thousands a year.

How are international properties affected?

International properties and taxes from country to country are an extremely murky area. It’s best to consult with a tax expert who’s familiar with the country where you own (or hope to own) property.

However, there is the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA) to content with. As Forbes reports, “FIRPTA is unusual in that it places a withholding requirement on buyers, as opposed to sellers, who purchase U.S. real property interests worth more than $300,000 from non-U.S. owners.”

As of 2016, this withholding requirement of the total purchase price is now 15% — up from 10% in years prior. This is good to keep in mind as you peruse any international listings.

How does tax filing work for rental property owners?

There are tons of deductions that landlords can take into account. Interest on loans, property depreciation, repairs, and travel expenses are some of the biggest deductibles. If you’re a rental property owner, make sure you keep track of every mile traveled between properties as well as a record of all repairs.

What should all homeowners do to prepare for tax season?

Our best advice is to keep records and do your research. If you’re not yet a homeowner but see this on the horizon, continue to research while you’re looking for the perfect home. A perfect home is a little less perfect if you haven’t properly taken taxes into account.

The amount to know about taxes is almost infinite — it’s likely well worth your while to consult a tax expert who can help you get the best real estate tax incentives. Just make sure you book an appointment before March or April!

What Makes a House “Sellable?”

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We know when a person is fashionable and we know when a topic is debatable. But what makes a property sellable? If you’re worried about why your house isn’t selling, read on to see if it checks all the sellable property boxes.

Is your property listed at the right price?

Here’s the thing: every property is sellable if it’s at the right price. By “right price,” we don’t necessarily mean the exact value of your home but more so the price that buyers are willing to pay for.

Here’s an example: a beautiful mansion located in an area where there’s no demand for that kind of luxury will likely sell below its worth. You can sit and wait for the right buyer but you might end up waiting forever. Otherwise, you can keep lowering the price until someone bites. This isn’t ideal, but we have some other solutions we’ll mention towards the end of the blog.

Is your property in a good location?

This is a tough one, because you obviously can’t just up and move your house to a more desirable location. But we all know how powerful location is — people will pay a premium price for even the most rundown of homes as long as it’s in a good spot.

Do whatever you can to sell up the location you’re in. In a super remote location? Hype up the peace and quiet. Near an industrial site or an airport? Talk about being close to a lot of jobs (or consider if you’re located in a place that might one day be up and coming — it’s a trend we see with many industrial locales). 

If none of that seems to work, find a platform (such as RealtyHive) that targets a larger audience. Expanding the location of the people who see your property creates more potential to find a buyer and, ultimately, a sale.

Do you have good curb appeal?

Around the corner from where I (the writer) live is a house that used to be a Pizza Hut. The once-parking lot is now a lawn but nothing has changed the fact that when you look at it, it’s clearly a Pizza Hut. I’ve heard the interior is really modern, but I’m still not convinced that it doesn’t smell like greasy, cheesy pizza inside.

That tells you pretty much all you need to know about curb appeal. While the Pizza Hut house isn’t a lost cause, it’s undoubtedly lacking in sellability. Countless buyers looking for homes will feel the exact same way that I do, which limits maximum potential.

If the Pizza Hut house had some beautiful trees, shrubs, and other landscaping, you truly couldn’t even tell it was once a restaurant. First impressions are important, which is why it’s essential you examine your home’s exterior when trying to sell.

Does your house make foundational sense?

A house on stilts makes sense in Florida or the Caribbean — not so much in the frozen tundra that is Wisconsin. Houses without basements aren’t uncommon in warmer, drier states. In tornado country, a house lacking a basement is kind of scary.

If your house is structurally sensible for the region, you have an asset(s) that you should absolutely highlight. For all you know, a buyer from Arizona might be shocked at your green lawn or unfinished basement — what’s common for you could very well be a novelty for others.

If your house lacks structure, curb appeal, location, or any other sellable factor, don’t despair. Don’t let it sit for months on end without an offer in sight — sell with RealtyHive instead! We’ve got the exclusive marketing you need to help your home go to the right buyer. Find out today how a time-limited event can help your house for sale.

Why You Need Digital Marketing to Sell Your House

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Need to buy a present for your dad’s birthday? Go on Amazon! Trying to watch a movie? Digitally stream it through Netflix or Hulu. Shopping for a new car? Check out your local car dealer’s website. Ready to sell your house? It’s time to take that online as well.

We’re living in an age where practically everything we do relates back to the internet. This holds true for selling your house. While posting listings in the paper worked wonders for previous generations, you’ve got to get online, and you’ve got to have a strategy.

Marketing online > listing alone.

These days, even posting your listing on MLS or Zillow doesn’t guarantee a successful home sale. Real estate marketing attempts to reach as many interested buyers as possible — not just the buyers who are close to your property. Here are a few reasons why listing without marketing might not cut it:

Exposure for Your Domestic Property

If your property is unique, luxury, or in the middle of nowhere, people in your neighborhood or immediate circle are likely the first to know about it and the last to go for it. Potential buyers often move into the area for a specific reason and need a house to complement their lifestyle. Your neighbors likely aren’t looking to move to your property, they have one of their own.

Exposure for Your International Property

Did you know that Zillow doesn’t list international properties? Your Bahamian beach condo or Spanish apartment need to reach a global audience in order to sell. Without the right marketing team, your international listing will sit on the market for months or longer.

Exposure for Faraway Buyers

Think the only interested buyers are the ones within a 30-mile radius? Think again. Buyers come from all over the country and even the world!

Especially if you’re in a bigger city or near a high-profile company (particularly a tech company), properly marketing your property is crucial. Global or out-of-state buyers won’t drive by your property and know it’s for sale — marketing reaches buyers where they’re at.

But what if I’m selling in a highly desirable neighborhood?

Sure, you might be able to simply list on Zillow or MLS and hear from a number of buyers. You might even get a number of offers. But what sounds better: 5 offers and the highest number is $10k above your listing price, or 15 offers and the highest number is $20k above?

Marketing reaches a wider audience, giving you the greatest chance for the greatest ROI. And who couldn’t stand to pocket an extra $10k from a home sale?

RealtyHive does it all!

International properties, vacant land, residential homes, commercial buildings — we list it all. We take on properties that sites like Zillow can’t. But our services don’t end with listing. We have a premier marketing team in place to help get your property the exposure it deserves by offering a variety of plans. In other words, you cannot pay until your house sells.

So before you try to become a marketing expert or resign to a life of little to no offers, let our team help. List with RealtyHive today!

Real Estate Investing Resources

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When it comes to real estate investing, are you:

a. A complete novice who wants to get started but doesn’t know where to begin
b. A rookie who’s getting ready to buy their first investment property
c. An investment property owner who wants to grow their wealth even more
d. A seasoned vet who thinks they know it all

No matter what you answered, we guarantee this blog will help you on your property investing journey. Here’s a list of real estate investment resources to help any investor stay up to date.

YouTube Channels

Did you know that in 2019, YouTube was the most visited site on the Internet? Most people won’t be surprised by that stat, but it just goes to show how YouTube has evolved from a place of viral videos to a truly resourceful tool. Here are some of the best YouTube channels to help your real estate portfolio:

Graham Stephan

“Here’s my story of skipping college, pursuing [sic] real estate sales at 18 years old, and becoming a millionaire by the time I turned 26.” Graham Stephan’s YouTube bio says it all. While Stephan diverts his attention from real estate investing to millennials (and lots of avocado toast mentions, for whatever reason) to other financial topics from time to time, his transparency as a whole is inspiring and insightful.

Mark Ferguson

A true flip king (often balancing 15-20 property flips at a time), Mark Ferguson documents every part of his real estate investment process. Ferguson shows before and after footage, spreadsheets and other financial info, and even whether a property was ultimately worth it. 

BiggerPockets

As one BP fan writes, “BiggerPockets forum is the single greatest resource for real estate investors.” While BP also has a blog, forum, website, and podcast, their YouTube channel is perhaps a perfect compilation of each resource.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

  • Meet Kevin
  • Flipping Mastery TV
  • Max Maxwell
  • The Financial Diet (not real estate, but an excellent financial video channel)

Podcasts

Put these on during your commute, take a walk and plug in your earphones, or even just make cleaning the house a little more interesting with a good real estate investing podcast. Many of the channels listed (and sites below) also have their own podcast, but here are some lesser-known podcasts to check out.

Apartment Building Investing With Michael Blank

On top of writing for BiggerPockets, Michael Blank’s podcast has unique perspectives regarding multifamily complexes. Blank dives deep on this somewhat niche form of property investing through conversations and intriguing interviews.

The Real Estate Guys

One of iTunes’ most popular podcasts, the Real Estate Guys were once a radio show and got their start in 1997. Fast-paced and fun, you won’t start snoozing with this podcast.

Rental Rookie

Teacher-turned-investor Emily Du Plessis explains how she finessed her transition into property investing. But with more than 160 episodes as of January, 2020, this podcast title is a misnomer — Du Plessis certainly knows her stuff. This is a great podcast in general, but the fact that it’s run by a teacher means you know you’ll learn a ton.

Blogs, Sites, & Forums

REtipster

REtipster stands apart from many other blogs because it gives a lot of attention to land sales and how to sell land. Blogs, podcasts, reviews, and interviews make this an extraordinarily comprehensive site.

Afford Anything

Afford Anything tells a fascinating story of a woman, Paula, who has done it all in the pursuit of financial freedom. Paula has a podcast, a blog, a consulting service, and even a course to help investors get on their feet. Even if you’re just learning about how she scraped up $25k on a $21k salary, you’re bound to be captivated by her story.

Connected Investors

Connected Investors is almost like the Reddit of property investing. You can find topics to read up on or contribute to, or even start your own. Plus, these forums are a great way for people to network, which can absolutely help you grow your portfolio.

RealtyHive

Countless cruise through Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com and the like. What many people don’t realize is that RealtyHive is an untapped source of potential. 

We are an exclusive resource for learning about purchasing property through time-limited events, our blog is a resource for real estate buyers and sellers, and we feature listings that other sites might not show. We know that knowledge is power, and we’re more than happy to share our knowledge with you!

New Psychology Tricks to Help Sell Your Home

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Words, colors, sounds, timing, shapes — each of these things affect us on a subconscious level, and each of these things are used constantly by advertisers and businesses alike.

Psychology plays a huge role in attracting more clients and customers. But can you use psychology tricks in a similar manner to help sell your house? Try these tricks (and check out a previous psychology in real estate blog we’ve posted) to see for yourself.

Psychology Trick #1: Create FOMO.

Otherwise known as the fear of missing out, FOMO doesn’t solely exist in terms of weekend plans and brunch dates. Creating FOMO for your property is a great tip for selling your home. 

The way to do it is pretty simple: sell through a RealtyHive time-limited event. Creating FOMO is just in the nature of our auctions. In fact, the FOMO is so real that as we talked about in a previous blog, many properties listed with us actually sell before the event. 

Many times, a buyer who was only mildly interested in a property is suddenly chomping at the bit when they know it could go to auction. They don’t want to lose out on the current deal, knowing that the price could go up, so they act now instead of waiting.

Point being, you don’t have to jump through hoops to make your property highly desirable and FOMO-inducing. Just list with RealtyHive and we’ll handle the rest.

Psychology Trick #2: Play to the senses.

Playing to the senses is especially relevant if you’re in a buyer’s market (aka it’s highly competitive, the houses are similar, and your property needs to stand out). Read the following listing descriptions and see which appeals to you more:

Example 1:

Spacious 3-bedroom, 1-bath house with a yard. Close to grocery store and park. Kitchen was renovated in 2019.

Example 2:

This spacious 3-bedroom, 1-bath house has it all, and we’ll miss it dearly! Take in the sunlight in the newly renovated kitchen and watch the hummingbirds flit around the backyard. 

The mud room will come in handy as you come back from running errands (we’re just a block away from the grocery store) or the park around the corner.

It’s pretty clear which listing description stands out. While you don’t want to overwhelm potential buyers and write a novel, there are simple ways to appeal to the senses, paint a picture, and keep people interested.

Psychology Trick #3: Try your hand at price perceptions.

Nearly everything you buy ends in 99 cents. Why don’t businesses just round up the dollar? It’s because of an important psychology trick that you should absolutely apply to selling your house.

When people see a pack of Oreos in the checkout line at the grocery store is $1.99, the 1 is the first number they see. We have a habit of subconsciously ending our thought process there — most of us think “well, it’s under $2” instead of the fact that it’s basically $2. 

If your current house is listed at $250,000, it could honestly make a difference to list as $249,000 or $249,999. Plus, listing at a slightly lower rate might include your house in a higher number of searches — buyers looking solely for houses below $250,000 might miss out on your property.

Secondly, weird or random prices might get more buyers’ attention. If you list at a random price like $194,722.78, it will likely catch buyers’ eyes and help your property stand out.

Psychology Trick #4: Remember that “perfect” doesn’t exist.

To be clear: staging your house and taking photos are times where your home should look as spotless as possible. But oftentimes, people become paralyzed in the process of selling their house. They’re trying to fix too many things or write the absolute perfect listing description before taking their listing live. 

Two things to keep in mind, the first being the Pratfall Effect. People tend to like people who aren’t perfect, who make mistakes and who are genuine humans. The same can apply to houses. Remember the old adage, “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is?” Buyers are sometimes wary when a house seems *too* perfect. This is good news for anyone who has a cringe-y wallpapered room they’ve just never had time to fix.

Plus, in the era of fixer uppers, a lot of buyers like looking for potential. They like the idea of tackling on a home project. Suffice to say, don’t wait for your house to be perfect before selling — in some instances, your attempts could actually backfire.

The second thing to keep in mind: If you’re worried about your house never selling on Zillow or Trulia because of its imperfections, sell with RealtyHive instead! We’ll happily take it to a time-limited event and in the event it doesn’t sell, you don’t pay. Our real estate psychologists, erm, team is standing by.

What to Look for in a Realtor

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Just as no one wants to end up marrying a malicious Malfoy or a crazy Carrie Bradshaw (sorry Carrie, we still love you), choosing the right Realtor is as crucial as choosing the right significant other. In order to avoid mishaps and desperately wanting to back out once things are “steady” and underway, you want to make sure your agent is up for the task. But what should you look for in a Realtor?

You’ll find that the characteristics of a good Realtor aren’t all that different from that of a good partner. Let the love doctors at RealtyHive give you the proper coaching to find a match made in real estate heaven.

Someone With Experience

Of course, most of us are first-timers at relationships at some point or another, and that’s OK. Just because your Realtor is fresher on the market doesn’t mean they won’t do a fabulous job. That being said, your Realtor should definitely have experience in the following areas:

  • Location: Agents should be well-versed and in-the-know when it comes to selling in your area. An agent who doesn’t know the area raises some red flags — look for someone who has lived in or near your city/neighborhood and can speak to the buyer’s market and demographic.
  • Property Type: Selling a house is very different than selling a commercial property. Make sure your agent has experience that aligns with the type of property you’re selling.
  • Licensed: This should go without saying, but do not go with a Realtor who isn’t licensed. Going with your neighbor’s friend who “knows a guy” who sold a house for someone “on the cheap” sounds about as successful as a blind date with someone 40 years your senior.

Someone Who Isn’t Afraid to Show You Off

No one puts Baby in the corner! It’s a massive red flag to date someone who won’t take you around to their family or friends, or who barely acknowledges you exist in public. You deserve more, honey!

The right Realtor has the marketing skills to make sure your house gets the traction it needs. They probably won’t just put a sign out in front of your house — they’ll likely post listings online and garner web traffic for your home. Ask your Realtor about their marketing strategy before crossing any Ts or dotting any Is.

Someone Who’s a Good Communicator

Ahh, communication. The backbone of every healthy, thriving relationship! Everyone has different needs, so it’s important you establish what you expect from a Realtor before signing a contract with one.

For example, if you prefer minimal contact, you should look for a Realtor who is compatible (or someone who is flexible and can adapt to your needs). If you need to hear daily updates, that’s also something to communicate to your Realtor. Being frank from the get-go is essential to making sure your Realtor is a good fit.

Someone Who’s the Complete Package

A kind person who makes you laugh, happens to be a great cook, is an exceptional listener, and they also serenade you with a heart-wrenching rendition of “Wonderwall?” Yes please! A Realtor who has more to offer than the bare minimum? Sign us up!

While this might not exist everywhere, it’s definitely a plus when your Realtor includes things like free staging or professional photos. However, it’s a good reminder that the extra bells and whistles aren’t as important as the foundational skills. In other words, what’s more important: a partner who plays acoustic guitar or a partner who is extremely loyal?

PS: Don’t Shy Away From Matchmaking Sites

It can be a tough world out there when you’re trying to find the One. But RealtyHive is the answer you’re looking for. We have the means to help you connect with the perfect Realtor! Find out more about Cashifyd and how you can find the perfect agent to sell your house — and even get cash back at closing. Tell us a dating site that offers that!

Can You Fire a Realtor?

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When you hire a realtor to help sell your property, you expect and hope things will go smoothly. But what if that’s not the case? If something’s not working out with your Realtor, are you allowed to let them go?

When to Fire a Realtor

Before we dive into contracts and the like, it’s good to know the instances where firing a Realtor makes sense. Firing a Realtor is sometimes tricky — you want to have really good reasons to let yours go.

Poor Marketing & Photography

A Realtor needs impeccable marketing skills. If the photos of your home aren’t enough to make you want to live there, your house isn’t getting the traction it needs. 

Unethical

Did you find out your Realtor has put money in trust into their personal account? Has your Realtor shown open discrimination towards you or others? Either of these are fireable offenses. Read up on the code of ethics to see if your Realtor is upholding their responsibilities as they should.

Lack of Knowledge

If your Realtor says they’re an expert in your neighborhood but evidence points to the contrary, this is good to take note of. An example is if a Realtor says your house will sell in ___ days/weeks and things go on for much longer, or if they seem to lack the knowledge they claim.

Unprofessional

Does your Realtor consistently show up late? Are they unpleasant and/or apathetic? Are they massively uncommunicative? First off, we’re sorry that’s the case, but secondly, document any instances of unprofessionalism that show a pattern. This is good to bring up when you try to terminate the contract.

Realtor Contracts: What You Need to Know

Letting go of a Realtor is not as simple as switching to a different landscaping company or hairstylist. Sellers sign contracts with Realtors which legally bind them to work together.

However, there are some instances where you won’t have to work with them, unsatisfied, for months on end:

Protection Periods 

Most Realtor contracts have a protection period. These clauses give the Realtor a set amount of time to sell your home. If your home doesn’t sell by the end of the protection period, you should be able to back out of your contract without issue.

Contract Expiration

Whether your contract is for three, six, twelve, or another number of months, it might be in your best interest to just let the contract expire before trying to hire someone else.

Termination Fees 

Sometimes you can get out of a contract by agreeing to pay termination fees. Remember, however, that you will likely have to pay another Realtor and spend even more time trying to sell your house. Termination fees are a financial loss, but might be worth it if you’re severely displeased with your Realtor.

Contract Release 

If your contract expiration is a ways out and you’ve felt unhappy for awhile (and expressed this to your agent, talk to your agent about an amicable release. They might not go for it, but it’s worth a shot — particularly if this isn’t the first time they’re hearing about your dissatisfaction.

Something else to keep in mind: Are you severely frustrated by your Realtor? If so, consider contacting your Realtor’s broker — they could push for an amicable contract release. At the very least, they’ll probably allow you to pick a different agent in their company.

You’re No Longer With Your Realtor, What Next?

You have a couple options at this point. You can sell FSBO, but this will easily add work onto your plate. You can take on a new Realtor, but your wounds might feel too fresh — and keep in mind that a listing under your old Realtor’s name/a contract that’s not properly terminated means that Realtor will take commission when your house sells. You’ll owe the commission even if you sell the house to yourself or a family member.

The other option is working with RealtyHive. We can find you an agent (and even get cash back through Cashifyd) or help you list on your own. Whatever you need, we’ve got you covered — our time-limited events are a proven selling method to help you out.