PhotobucketWhat Will You Do For Me and Selling Our Home? 
An Interview with Chuck Hilbert...


Are you a full-time professional real estate agent? How long have you worked full time in real estate? How long have you been representing buyers? What professional designations do you have?

After graduating from St. Bonaventure University in 1985, Chuck decided to venture into a real estate career.  Chuck has been selling real estate full time since 1987 and his passion for his industry is going strong.  Over the past 23 years, Chuck has represented many home sellers, buyers, builders, investors and land developers.  He is the Broker Owner of Keller Williams Realty Greater Rochester.  He also has the Realtor designation.  Currently Chuck is serving as the President of The Greater Rochester Association of Realtors. 

 (Knowing whether or not your agent practices full time can help you determine potential scheduling conflicts and his or her commitment to your transaction. As with any profession, the number of years a person has been in the business does not necessarily reflect the level of service you can expect, but it is a good starting point for your discussionPhotobucket. The same issue can apply to professional designations. )

 Do you have a personal assistant, team or staff to handle different parts of the purchase?   I have assembled a professional sales team that is ready to handle anything that comes their way.  Kevin Klem is the administrative and customer relations assistant. Tiffany Hilbert coordinates all marketing & internet presence of properties.  Kathleen Ralg is our buyer specialist, Karen Hilbert is our home buying and selling expert.  One phone call to 585-872-7510 and all your questions are answered. 
 
 
(It is not uncommon for agents who sell a lot of houses to hire people to work with them. As their businesses grow, they must be able to deliver the same or higher quality service to more people. )
Do you have a Website that will list my home? Can I have your URL address? Who responds to emails and how quickly? What's your email address?
TheHilbertGroup.com is your gateway to our real estate world.  Every home that we list to sell is promoted not only through our website but also it is listed on over 50 other sites.  To name just a few... KWROC.com, HOMESTEADNET.com, TRULIA,com, REALTOR.com, and the list goes on.  Ask Chuck for the most comprehensive list of sites.  Our team is staffed to answer all email inquiries and requests for property showings.  You can reach us by email at ChuckHIlbert@kw.com or KevinKlem@kw.com. 
(Many buyers prefer to search online for homes because it's available 24 hours a day and can be done at home. So you want to make sure your home is listed online, either on the agent's Website or on their company's site. By searching your agent's Website you will get a clear picture of how much information is available online.) 

How will you keep in contact with me during the selling process, and how often?
We are constant contact with each of our clients.  We email market reports and activity reports to each of our customers once a week.  It is an overview of what activity your home received from website views, showing updates, marketing updates, home sale closings in your area and more.  
 
What do you do that other agents don't that ensures I'm getting top dollar for my home? What is your average market time versus other agents' average market time?
The most important aspect to any home sale, is pricing correctly from the very beginning.  An experienced agent, such as Chuck, knows that homes that are overpriced will sit on the market and not move.  It is imperative to do a complete and comprehensive market analysis of home sales and listings that are in direct competition with a property.  Our real estate market is in a SHIFT, and it is important to remember what the main goal is of any listing.  To sell that home in the shortest time for the most money!!  
Chuck Hilbert
(Marketing skills are learned, and sometimes a real estate professional's unique method of research and delivery make the difference between whether or not a home sells quickly. For example, an agent might research the demographics of your neighborhood and present you a target market list for direct marketing purposes.)
 
Will you give me names of past clients?
We are happy to provide you with an extensive list of clients with whom we have worked with.  The list will include both home buyers and sellers. 

(Interviewing an agent can be similar to interviewing someone to work in your office. Contacting references can be a reliable way for you to understand how he or she works, and whether or not this style is compatible with your own. )
 
Do you have a performance guarantee? If I am not satisfied with your performance, can I terminate our listing agreement?
It is impossible to offer a performance guarantee.  What we do promise, is that we will make every effort to make your real estate transaction as smooth and easy as possible.  Our goal is to sell your home!  

(In the heavily regulated world of real estate, it can be difficult for an agent to offer a performance guarantee. If your agent does not have a guarantee, it does not mean they are not committed to high standards. Typically, he or she will verbally outline what you can expect from their performance. Keller Williams® Realty understands the importance of win-win business relationships: the agent does not benefit if the client does not also benefit.
 
How will you get paid? How are your fees structured? May I have that in writing?
The home seller pays our real estate commission.  Generally transactions are based on 6% of the sale price.  We do not charge you for any administrative or special fees.  The commission will be written and agreed upon in the listing contract. 

(In many areas, the seller pays all agent commissions. Sometimes, agents will have other small fees, such as administrative or special service fees, that are charged to clients, regardless of whether they are buying or selling. Be aware of the big picture before you sign any agreements. Ask for an estimate of costs from any agent you contemplate employing.)
 
How would you develop pricing strategies for our home?
Although location and condition affect the selling process, price is the primary factor in determining if a home sells quickly, or at all. Access to current property information is essential, and sometimes a pre-appraisal will help.   We make certain that our market analysis is complete and accurate and will explain each component.
 
 
What will you do to sell my home? Who determines where and when my home is marketed/ promoted? Who pays for your advertising?
All marketing and advertising costs are absorbed by our team.  We market your home through many different avenues... from printed media, direct postcard mailings, broker opens, open houses and internet marketing.  We are one of the only companies in Rochester to offer enhanced listings on REALTOR.com, Chuck Hilbertwhich is the #1 real estate website.  Just ask us for more details and information. 

(Ask your real estate agent to present to you a clear plan of how marketing and advertising dollars will be spent. If there are other forms of marketing available but not specified in the plan ask who pays for those. Request samples or case studies of the types of marketing strategies that your agent proposes (such as Internet Websites, print magazines, open houses, and local publications).

How to Price your home to Sell and Still Make a Profit

The asking price you set for your home significantly affects whether you will profit in the sale, how much you will profit and how long your home will sit on the market. Your real estate agent's knowledge of the overall market and what's selling - or not selling - will be invaluable in helping you determine the price. The objective is to find a price that the market will bear but won't leave money on the table.

Here are some points to consider: Time. Time is not on your side when it comes to real estate. Although many factors influence the outcome, perhaps time is the biggest determinant in whether or not you see a profit and how much you profit. Studies show that the longer a house stays on the market, the less likely it is to sell for the original asking price. Therefore, if your goal is to make money, think about a price that will encourage buyer activity (read: fair market value).

Value vs. Cost. Pricing your home to sell in a timely fashion requires some objectivity. It's important that you not confuse value with cost - in other words, how much you value your home versus what buyers are willing to pay for it. Don't place too much emphasis on home improvements when calculating your price, because buyers may not share your taste. For instance, not everyone wants hardwood floors or granite countertops.

Keep it simple. Because time is of the essence, make it easy for the buyers. Remain flexible on when your agent can schedule showings. Also, avoid putting contingencies on the sale. Though a desirable move-in date makes for a smoother transition between homes, it could cause you to lose the sale altogether.