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There are NO stupid questions, just frequently asked questions.  Below are some of the more common questions we get.  Don't see yours?  Send us your specific question below and we will get back to you with some answers.

  • Why should I hire a Realtor?
    The National Association of Realtors recently released a detailed list of 179 reasons why hiring a Realtor is worth every penny to a Seller. You can go over all 179 reasons by clicking HERE. For specific reasons why hiring Designated Pro Realty is the smart choice, please allow us to communicate our value based on your specific needs by meeting with a Designated Pro. You can request more info on our Contact Us page, or the Home page of this website.
  • What can I expect to pay in commission?
    Commission is always negotiable. Sellers negotiate what they will pay to their agent, if applicable. Buyers negotiate what they will pay to their agent, if applicable. There may be situations where a Buyer will ask a Seller to pay the Buyer Broker's commission. This is called a concession. It is also negotiated, typically on, or before the time of offer submission. A Seller can choose to accept the requested concession, reject the concession request altogether, or negotiate a middle ground. However, it is ALL negotiable. This is why it is so crucial to have a negotiation expert in your corner. Something to think about when considering commission concession requests is that it may be requested as part of a Buyer strategy to cut down on the required cash to close. It is entirely possible that a Buyer values your property at a lower amount, but increased the offer price in order to account for the requested concession. So, rather than taking an upfront stance on whether you are willing to pay concessions, or not, perhaps a better mindset would be to focus on the NET to you after all is said and done. If the net being presented is acceptable to you, then what difference is it to you whether it came as a lower offer price, or a higher offer price with concession requests? A Designated Pro will be an asset in helping you calculate your estimated net for each offer you are presented, and can develop a counter offer strategy for minimizing the effects of concession requests on your net.
  • FSBO - Can I pay to just have you write the contract for me?
    No. Under Article 26 of the Arizona Constitution, a real estate licensee acting as a broker or agent in the transaction can draft documents relating to the sale or leasing of real property. However, the real estate licensee cannot charge specifically for the drafting of these documents.
  • How much is my home worth?
    Determining the value of your home is crucial for a successful sale, and Designated PRO Realty is here to help you every step of the way. We use a combination of cutting-edge technology, detailed market analysis, and our extensive industry experience to give you the most accurate home valuation possible. Our seasoned Designated Pros consider factors such as location, market trends, comparable property sales, and unique features of your home to provide a precise estimate. By choosing Designated PRO Realty, you can sell smarter, faster, and for more. Contact us today to get a comprehensive free home valuation and unlock your property's full potential.
  • What is the difference between a Real Estate agent and an attorney when it comes to writing contracts?
    In many states, attorneys are used and/or required to draft, and negotiate legal Real Estate contracts. However, in Arizona, Real Estate agents are given the right to draft and negotiate legal contracts related to a transaction where the agent represents either party in the transaction. This right is in the Arizona Constitution under Article 26.
  • Why do I need an agent to represent me? Can't the Listing Agent write the contract?
    Yes. The Seller's agent can facilitate the contract documents as a representative of the Seller. However, there are many reasons why you should consider hiring an agent to represent you in a Real Estate transaction. In fact, the National Association of Realtors released 105 reasons why having a competent Realtor in your corner is a value to you. You can read through them by clicking HERE.
  • How much money do I need to buy a home?
    Your cash to close amount really depends on ALOT of variables. However, this is an important first question to ask when you are considering a home purchase. So, let's break down some of the basics, and some that you may not have thought about. Down Payment - The difference between the purchase price and the amount of your new loan is the down payment that you will be responsible for at the closing. So, for example, if your Lender offers you a 95% LTV (Loan To Value), you would be responsible for the remaining 5%. With a purchase price of $100,000 (as an example), that would be $95,000 the Lender provides through a new loan, and $5,000 due from you at the closing. Lenders have many different loan programs ranging on the low end from 3-5%, and go up from there, depending on the loan program you are eligible for, and the interest rate you have chosen. Often times, your interest rate is lower the more money you put down. So, make sure you ask your Lender for available options. There may even be a program available to you that helps contribute toward your down payment. So, having a competent Lender who is knowledgeable in different loan options is vital. Inspection Fees - As a Buyer, you have the opportunity to complete inspections on the property in order to determine if you want to move forward. Some common inspections are general home inspection, termite and Lead Based Paint (for homes built prior to 1978). You may also hire specific trades to get a more detailed look at something like the roof, the HVAC, the plumbing or electrical. Then there are specialty inspections based on applicable items like wells, septic, gas, and so forth. It is hard to determine an exact amount because there are so many variables as mentioned already. However, you can expect to spend anywhere from a few hundred dollars at the low end to several thousand at the high end, dependent on what you need inspected. Appraisal Fee - The appraisal is completed to confirm the value of the property for not only you, but the Lender. It is used to establish the loan to value in cases where the appraisal is lower than the purchase price. There is a range in expense for this, however, you can expect to pay an average of $500-$800 for a basic appraisal. Some Lenders allow you to pay this at the closing, but most require you to pay the cost of the appraisal before it can be ordered. Closing Costs - These are fees due at the closing. These funds required are NOT to be confused with your down payment. These are the costs associated with the transfer of the property from the Seller to you. They include, but are not limited to loan origination and processing fees, title charges, recording fees, home warranty if applicable, and more. Closing costs also include pre-paid expenses. An example of some of these expenses would be property taxes, insurance, HOA dues and pre-paid interest if applicable. While closing costs can vary greatly, a good rule of thumb is anywhere from 2-4% of the purchase price. Cash purchases will have significantly lower closing costs as they are absent all loan costs. Also, the higher the purchase price, usually the lower percentage of closing costs are required as many fees are flat fees and not percentages that increase with the purchase price. Closing costs are also something you can negotiate with the Seller to pay on your behalf. It is not a guaranteed concession, but it is something you can negotiate in your offer to help minimize your cash to close. Reserves - Some Lenders require you to have seasoned funds beyond your down payment. These funds aren't typically required to be used for your purchase, but do need to be verified as being held and accessible by you. Examples of reserve funds that can typically be used to satisfy a reserve requirement include a 401K account with withdrawal options, a savings account, an IRA or CD, stocks, or any other accounts that could be liquidated if necessary. Real Estate Commission - Before looking at any homes, you can hire a Real Estate agent to represent you in the transaction. Real Estate agents are paid by commission. ALL commission is negotiable. So the amount that you pay your agent will be between you and the agent you hire. Additionally, this is an expense that you can negotiate with the Seller to pay on your behalf. It is not a guaranteed concession, so make sure that you are prepared to pay your agent in the event the Seller does not agree to pay them on your behalf. The best way to determine what you will need to make your purchase is to contact a Lender and complete a loan application to determine what loan programs you might be eligible for, what down payment assistance programs might be available, and receive a good faith estimate of expenses that you can use to estimate your cash to close. Need a Lender referral? We have some great suggestions. Just Ask!
  • Why don't you have a home search available on your website?
    Any site with an IDX agreement with the local MLS can publish listings on their site allowing anyone to conduct broad searches on any number of sites to view listings second hand. At Designated Pro Realty, we choose instead to offer Buyer clients an exclusive online portal customized with more specific searches, tailored to their exact needs, that we call a Buyer Box. From target price range, bedroom count, and interior levels, to wish list items like pool, garage, and school district, your Designated Pro can drill down on specifics, not just ranges, in order to send you customized listings directly to your portal inbox that meet your Buyer Box. This is just one more way that Designated Pro Realty is set apart from the traditional Real Estate model.
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Questions?

Didn't see the answer to your question above?  Send us your specific questions, and we will reach out with answers. Can't wait?  Give us a call directly below.

Phone

480.735.1382

That's a Good Question! We will be back in touch shortly with an answer for you.

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Cara Lonsdale, PLLC
Designated Broker

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480.735.1382
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