Mistake 1 – Signing A Standard Agency Agreement
THE MOST DANGEROUS THING YOU CAN SIGN is a “standard” selling agreement. Thousands of sellers make this mistake – they signup with an agent without realising what they are doing. Once you sign, you are at the mercy of the agent. You have lost control. That’s why many agents describe sellers as being “controlled” – it means the agent has control.
Agents may say their agreement is “standard”. But it is designed to the agent’s standard, not to your standards. It totally protects agents. It barely protects you.
Be careful. An agent’s selling agreement is a legal contract. Treat it seriously.
YOUR SOLUTION…
DON’T SIGN ANY CONTRACT unless you are GUARANTEED that your basic rights are protected. Seek independent legal advice or use the Homesellers Protection Guarantee which has been designed in consultation with legal experts and consumer advocates.
This Guarantee is available to all homesellers at no charge and with no obligation. Despite what some agents may say, you can use it with any agent in any area.
This Guarantee has huge support from consumers, lawyers and consumer advocates. It has been described as a “lie detector” test for agents. The Guarantee prevents the agent from hurting you. If an agent does not want to sign it, do not hire the agent, no matter what you are told.
To receive a copy of the Real Estate Homesellers Protection Guarantee call 9600 7177
Mistake 2 – Not Trusting The Agent
IF YOU DON’T TRUST THE AGENT, DON’T HIRE THE AGENT.
The most important ingredient in any relationship, business or personal, is trust. Before you choose your agent, ask many questions, check references, insist on a GUARANTEE, test their negotiating skills and ask yourself a BIG question: Do I feel comfortable with this person handling the sale of my family home? If your answer is ‘no’, do not hire the agent.
YOUR SOLUTION…
FEELING GOOD IS NOT A GOOD ENOUGH REASON
to trust the agent. You need proof that the agent deserves your trust. And that’s easy – just make sure that anything you are told verbally is GUARANTEED in writing.
When the agent says something that sounds good, just say, that sounds good, would you give me that in writing?” This will really test whether or not the agent deserves to be trusted.
Mistake 3 – The Quote Trap
ONE OF THE MOST COMMON MISTAKES made by sellers is believing the price the agent quotes for the sale of their home.
Once you sign-up with the agent, if the selling price is less than the price you were quoted, too bad. There is nothing in the “standard” real estate agreements that compels agents to honour their quotes.
The ‘Quote Trap’ catches thousands of sellers who are told one price before they sign-up and another price after they have signed-up.
As absurd as it seems, if a home sells for any price, the agent still gets paid.
YOUR SOLUTION….
INSIST ON A WRITTEN QUOTE GUARANTEE, just as you would with any business. You should only pay the agent if you get the price you were quoted – or more. Don’t accept any excuses about “the market”. Granted, no one can know exactly what any home will sell for; but the agent can give you a price range ~ from a low point to a high point – and if your home sells below the lowest point of the price range, do not pay the agent.
An agent who is telling the truth about the price of your home will have no qualms about giving you a written commitment that the words you hear are the truth.
