Sellers
Home shopping has evolved. Real estate commissions should too.
We did something about it.
Changing Times In Real Estate
Thanks to online tools available for buyers, sellers and real estate agents the cost of selling a home in the Seattle area has gone down substantially.
Print advertising is no longer the most cost effective way to reach buyers (was it ever?). Buyers can easily locate homes for sale with a quick web search. Full color photos and virtual walk-thrus help accurately display a home’s features.
So why are traditional real estate agents still getting paid 6% on the sale price of a home? We think there’s a better way. At VerraTerra Real Estate, we feel sellers should pay one fair, fixed rate to sell their home.
Sell Your House with VerraTerra
We recognize the role of Seattle area agents has changed, yet traditional real estate practices aren’t keeping up with the times. At VerraTerra, we find it difficult to justify the traditional percentage based costs associated with selling real estate in the Seattle area. This is why we do business differently.
Our sellSmart! listing plan represents our answer to the flaws we found within the real estate industry.
sellSmart! Listing vs. Traditional Listings
VerraTerra sellSmart! Listing Plan – designed for any home seller who wants first class end-to-end service and support, high quality and effective marketing for a fair and justifiable cost that isn’t based on the value of your house. Afterall, a reputable agent should deliver the same level of service and complete the same tasks whether its a multi-million dollar home or one that’s a few hundred thousand. Our listing plan is most comparable to a traditional listing service, except we’ve made expensive and ineffective services (like print marketing) optional.
- VerraTerra uses an easy fixed fee, not a commission based on the sale price of your home.
- With VerraTerra, all critical services are included. You’ll pay less without sacrificing all the services you’d expect from a traditional agent.
- Services like print advertising, are optional and priced separately.
- The sellSmart! listing plan doesn’t apply to short sales, bank owned or new construction developments.
What’s Included?
Everything you need to sell your home quickly at the best price!
Setup Services
- Listing Published in NWMLS and syndicated to all major realty websites
- Key box lease for the life of listing
- In-depth pricing and market analysis
- Professional photography session
- Online advertising
- Unlimited client support and pre-listing consultation
Monthly Services
- Customer service for seller, prospective buyers and their agents
- Generate and provide competition status reports
- Showing feedback from agents/buyers
- Renew online advertising as needed to ensure constant exposure
- Monthly review of market/competition with seller to discuss pricing and/or marketing strategy
Closing Services
- Review, analyze and negotiate all offers received
- Manage the closing process and all parties involved to ensure a smooth-as-possible closing
- Arrange for any repairs or maintenance items as needed prior to closing (costs billed to seller)
- Coordinate with sellers/buyers/buyer’s agent on closing process, key exchange, etc.
Open Houses
Open houses can be arranged and staffed. Please contact us for more.
sellSmart! Listing Plan Costs
We perform the same set of services for all Seattle area houses for sale. It only makes sense that our fixed fee is the same for every house.
Does the buySmart! Buyer Plan apply to any house?
In short…yes. It doesn’t really have to do with the house, but more to do with the work and time involved in finding the house.
When is the retainer fee due?
It is due when you hire us.
Is the retainer fee refundable?
In most cases no. There are some exceptions to this rule. Contact us if you would like to discuss your situation.
What’s the difference between the showing agent and the buySmart! buyer agent?
When considering if the buySmart! plan is for you, please remember this plan is targeting a very specific type of buyer. This type of buyer doesn’t need the agent to consult them on the pros and cons of every house they look at or need the agent to do thorough market analyses. A well experienced buyer may simply need to look at houses in order to eliminate them from consideration. A showing agent is a licensed real estate agent employed by VerraTerra for the express purpose of getting you into houses. Their time is billed on an hourly basis whereas the buySmart! buyer agent relies on a successful closing to earn any money. A showing agent’s responsibility to the client is just getting them in to see homes. The buySmart! buyer agent is responsible for writing the offer, negotiating on behalf of the client, inspections, etc.
What happens if the commission offered by the seller isn’t enough to cover the buySmart! closing fee?
The buySmart! closing fee is a flat fee and is collected regardless of the amount of commission being offered to the buyer’s agent. If there is not enough commission to deduct our fee from, then the buyer will need to cover the remaining balance out of pocket. To put it into perspective, at a typical 3% buyer agent commission, .. to fall under our $4500 closing fee, the property would be less than $150,000. If you are considering a property in that price range, you might as well hire us under the traditional buyer plan.