The economy is forcing many of us to make some tough choices. We’ve been trimming luxuries from the budget and adjusting our lifestyles to conserve funds. Many people are relocating for a much needed job. Most of us are cutting costs wherever we can. Some home sellers have chosen to forgo the call to their Summit NJ realtor in favor of listing the home as for sale by owner (FSBO) in order to save money. Others question whether or not this move is wise considering the current market trends. In today’s market is a FSBO a good idea?

The answer is a definite maybe. Selling as a FSBO is doable, no matter the market. However, it is not an easy task and it’s never as simple as it seems. It takes a great deal of work to market and show a home, find the right buyer and negotiate a selling price. A Summit NJ real estate agent doesn’t make a commission for doing nothing. If you are considering a FSBO, carefully consider the pro and cons of doing so and the personal commitment you will have to make to do it. Be sure that you are ready and able to take on the responsibilities that selling a home demands.

Pros
The biggest plus to putting your home in the Summit NJ listings as a FSBO is of course money. You will not have to pay a seller’s agent a commission. Thus, your net profit on the home will be a bit larger. This is the sticking point for most home sellers who choose FSBO transactions. You also won’t have to go through the hassle of interviewing and choosing the right real estate agent. You won’t have to wonder what is being done to market your home or if it is getting the proper attention from you agency. You’ll have more control over the entire process, including when your home is shown and when or if you hold an open house.

Cons
For many Summit NJ real estate sellers, the biggest deterrent to a FSBO is the time commitment required. You will spend a large amount of time researching prices, creating a marketing plan and implementing your strategies. You will also have to field all the calls and deal with all the potential buyers. This will include the hopelessly unqualified, the looky lous and the bargain hunters. You will have to sift through a lot of undesirable buyers before you find the right one.

You’ll be showing your home to strangers in the evening and on weekends. You may even have to take time off work to accommodate a potential buyer. Not everyone can afford to miss work, even to sell their home. Be sure that you are able to schedule the time to do the legwork.

Another major con is the potential for error in a FSBO. If you have never sold a home or are unfamiliar with the process there are any number of place where a mistake can cost you more that you would save in commission. Pricing, for example, is a common place for mistakes. Many sellers simply overestimate the value of their home because they are unable to be objective.

If you choose to list as a FSBO, take advantage of the wealth of information available to you online. There are support groups, informational websites and even realtor sites containing excellent advice. This site has a section devoted to helping FSBO sellers, too. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Changing Realtors

Many relationships, both business and personal, fail.  It’s an unfortunate fact that not every pairing is made in heaven, whether it’s a friendship, a marriage or a business partnership.  You may find yourself wondering whether it is time to “break up” with your Summit NJ realtor and find a better match.

Why would I change real estate agents?
People switch agents for any number of reasons.  They may not feel that their Summit NJ real estate agent is aggressive enough.  They might not like his marketing techniques or there could be a personality clash.  It could even be a matter of ethics.

Can I legally change realtors?
The answer to this question depends on whether or not you have signed a buyer’s or seller’s representation contract.  If you have, you are obligated to stick with your agent till the contract ends.  Then you are both free to do what you like.  If you have not made any contractual agreements, then you are free to choose another agent at any time.

Is it a good idea to switch realtors?
This point is not as clear as the legal conundrum.  When you are buying or selling Summit NJ real estate, you should try not to bounce from agent to agent because word gets around.  You won’t want to be seen as a problem client.  Change agents only if you feel the work is truly not being done.  Before you make the switch, carefully consider your expectations and determine if they are reasonable.  You may want to talk to a friend or colleague to see if you could be in the wrong.

When should I make the change?
If you have signed a contract, you cannot legally switch realtors till the contract has elapsed.  On a more person note, you should not feel badly about switching agents if they are not doing the work.  Marketing a home is hard work and it takes a lot of effort.  Combing the Summit NJ listings for the right home for someone else is just as hard.  Your realtor should be working hard for you and if he isn’t, it’s OK to find someone who will.

Is there a proper etiquette for this situation?
There is no official policy for dropping a realtor but basic etiquette applies.  A brief note, written with kindness, stating your reasons for changing would be appropriate.  A realtor cannot improve if he does not know what he is doing wrong.  You might even be able to salvage the relationship with a dose of honest communication.

It’s not healthy to stay in a bad relationship and that includes business partnerships.  If your partnership with your realtor has failed, assess your goals and your expectations and move on to a healthier relationship.

Once seen as a movement on the fringe, “going green” has gone mainstream. Increasing energy costs and the public’s growing concern for the environment are fueling a market based on products that are easier on the planet. Making eco-friendly choices when you’re buying or selling Summit NJ real estate has never before been so important.

There are many ways to go green when you’re looking to buy a home. When you are searching the Summit NJ listings, you can look for green choices like Energy Star rated appliances and furnaces. This widely recognized program from the EPA gives it seal to energy efficient products in 38 categories. If you are buying a newly constructed home, look for neighborhoods where the developer has sought to maintain some of the land’s original character and plant life. Leaving older trees in place will cut down on soil erosion and conserves water. Since they already have established root systems, you won’t have to water them nearly as much as a freshly planted sapling. Check out a builder’s options. See if they use recycled or renewable resources products in their homes. Your Summit NJ realtor can point you to builders who used green construction techniques and renewable resources.

Your Summit NJ real estate agent can also help you make eco-friendly choices when you are selling your property. Choose renewable products like bamboo when you update your flooring. You can recycle that old carpeting you’ve pulled up, too. If you are updating the appliances, look for Energy Star rated brands. Think about making your HVAC system go green as well. The potential savings in the monthly bills can be a deal-making selling point for your potential buyers. Be responsible to the planet when you being to declutter and stage your home. Use low VOC paints to freshen up without the new-paint smell. Give you belongings another life by donating anything usable and recycling as much as possible. Even your cleaning products can be green. Many brand-name cleansers have a green product line. You’ll save money and produce less waste if you use cloth cleaning rags instead of paper towels. Make your curb appeal ecologically sound by using native plants and shrubs. They have lower water requirements, need less chemical pest-control and are beautiful additions to your landscaping.

Even little changes can add up to a big difference for our environment. Switching out just one 60-watt incandescent light bulb to a compact florescent bulb can save around $32 dollars a year in NJ. With all these advantages, why not go green?