All Forum Posts by: Jeff Keller

Sorry I can't offer advice but I was caught by the difference in requirements. In California you can be licensed as a sales agent or a broker. Whether you are an associate broker or a managing broker depends upon how you fit into the brokerage you work at.

Getting a 6% response is very good. Getting 3% closed deals from a mailing is even better! Congratulations.

Getting the best price for your home doesn't just happen because it is listed on the MLS. Top agents are hired because they can most often increase the sales price by more than their commission.

A sales agent may not be able to list it for a flat fee depending upon which broker she works for.

One of the first things a buyer asks is usually "how long has the house been for sale?" If it's been for sale very long they start thinking offer less... When you put it up for sale doing it right at the beginning almost always gets the best price.

Hi @Anise Fargesia. You don't want to try to work for two brokers at the same time. Both could be sued for any legal problems that might happen and probably would have different ideas how they should be handled. It is easy to change brokers if you don't have any claims brought against you.

Most brokers have a few mandatory legal training meetings each year but nothing else is required. Generally you won't get leads from a broker. Depending upon the agents in the office, you may be able to hold homes open for listing agents but many like to hold their own homes open.

Fees vary from office to office and may not be negotiable. Commission split is almost always negotiable within guidelines set by the franchise. Generally a successful agent has more negotiating power but some offices use the split as a way to get new agents into the office.

I would agree with @Patrisha Leybovich that Keller Williams is a good brokerage: lots of freedom and lots of opportunity to learn.

If you do the work you are responsible for meeting local building codes. Instructions don't count for anything. I'm pretty sure our local building codes specify that screws be used and probably how long they have to be. 

Best bet would probably be to get a licensed contractor to attach the cabinets you have to the wall according to the local building code. Your tenant will probably be happy and you will be safer from being held responsible for improper work.

 Don't rely on a verbal disclosure. Imagine your tenant gets upset and looks for any way possible to put pressure on you. Not only do you want to disclose that you are a licensed agent, you probably want to have them sign a disclosure stating that you are not representing them.

You can't deduct an expense paid by insurance. You can only deduct expenses you pay. You can almost surely deduct the cost of insurance. Check with a tax consultant to be certain.

A purchase contract is an agreement between two (or more) people. If something makes it impossible for either person to fulfill their side of the agreement, the purchase contract is voided. Examples are a person dies, so does the purchase contract. The house is destroyed by a falling tree, the purchase contract is voided.

If husband and wife jointly sign the purchase contract and one of them dies that could still make it impossible to fulfill the contract terms. Most likely the remaining buyer would be entitled to get their earnest money back. Ask the seller, if the seller says no, ask an attorney.

It sounds as if the complaining neighbors have never talked to your tenants. If I thought a neighbor was a risk, I would probably try to talk to him face to face so that I could learn more about him.

You could talk to your tenants and ask them if they are happy with your home and the neighborhood. That could shed light onto what is going on. Don't suggest there is any problem, because that might create one.

@Michael Coxen, it's hard to believe your real estate market would be so different from Silicon Valley. Taking a listing that you know you can't sell so that you can put out a lot of signs and ultimately advertise that you can't sell homes is suicide. Neighbors always want to know what happened with the sale and watch it.

It's easy to see if an agent responds. Call them asking for information and see how long it takes for them to get back to you. Of course if you're looking for a listing agent, go to one of their open houses. Watch how often the house is held open.

One of the first things a new real estate agent is told is to advertise that they are a neighborhood specialist. Selling two houses in a small neighborhood does not make them more knowledgeable than an agent who sold 100 houses in the rest of the town. 

In Silicon Valley 75% of all agents who actually sell/buy a home close 5 or fewer sales in that year. Only about 7% sell at least 12+ homes a year. 

If you are wanting to hire someone to sell your home, finding someone who has sold a lot of homes is probably one of the best people you can find.