Common Questions or FAQ on Selling

Do I have to pay capital gains?

Current laws allow married couples to exclude from taxation up to $500,000 of capital gains from the sale of a home ($250,000 for singles), providing the sellers have owned and lived in the home for two of the previous five years. The exclusion can be taken once every two years. Consult a tax advisor for further details and to determine what your capital gain will be. We would be happy to take a look at your particular situation and help estimate your selling costs. Even better, we'll help you calculate how much money you'll net on the sale!

What is your fee? Everyone Charges 6%, right?

No, absolutely not! There is no set rate commission fee structure. That would be illegal. Each broker is free to set the fees charged by his or her firm, brokers may also set or negotiate the different fees for different levels of service charged by his or her firm. No matter what the fee is we will discuss the amount and split our commission with any Realtor who in return brings us a ready, willing, and able buyer.

What is the duration of a typical listing agreement?

Depending on the price and expected market conditions, our typical listing agreement is for six months, which is considered the standard. Shorter or longer durations could apply depending on current market conditions.

Why should I list with The Kui Team?

Above all, as a seller you are looking to receive top dollar for your home in the shortest amount of time without leaving anything on the table. Well, in order to do that we need to attract a frenzy of buyers. Buyers for real estate have become more internet savvy and, according to most reports, over 75% of buyers will look for property on the internet before contacting an agent. It is our job to make sure that your home is in front of every possible buyer looking for a home like yours, both online and off.

We will work like no other in getting your property sold. We are known and trusted by many Realtors, which can be key, especially when it comes to negotiations. We use the latest technology available to help you achieve a smooth transaction and sale of your home. Each home will have its own virtual tour, and buyers can contact us directly via the internet or phone to schedule a private showing of your home.

We know real estate law, and practice keeping you and ourselves out of trouble. We know real estate finance, and 1031 Tax Deferred Exchanges. We will work with you and take the time to price your home accurately, using a detailed price analysis including color pictures of sold properties comparable to yours. And once your property is priced properly, we will use our award winning marketing plan to be certain that it sells for top dollar quickly - possibly even more. Above all, we will never pressure you to accept anything less than your home is worth.

What is the difference between "listing agent" and "selling agent"?

A listing agent represents the seller of his/hers property. The listing agent is also the one who is responsible for the promotion and advertising of their property. The agent arranges showings, and represents the seller(s) during negotiations. On the other hand we have the selling agent, this is the person who is representing the buyer of the property.

What is a buyer's agent, and why should I pay one?

A real estate buyer's agent is someone who represents the buyer, not the seller. The reason you pay a buyers agent or more commonly known as the selling agent is due to the fact that although the listing agent advertises your home everywhere it is ultimately the buyers agent who brings that buyer to your home.

What is Dual Agency?

A Dual Agency is created when a real estate agent represents both the buyer and the seller in a transaction. The agent has therefore pledged a obligation of confidentiality, loyalty, and complete and full disclosure to all parties involved simultaneously, because a dual agent works for both the buyer and the seller.

How long does it normally take for a home to sell?

A properly priced home can be expected to sell within sixty-seventy days of listing the property. The time required to sell your home is dependent upon of the number of homebuyers looking for homes similar to yours in your neighborhood, and the number of similar homes for sale. When we list your house, we will provide you with market statistics on the number of homes for sale, and the rate at which homes are selling. We use these figures to determine a measurement refered to as "months of available inventory". A newly remodeled home that is highly upgraded and has a large flat lot and a view is likely to sell more quickly than a home that is the same as others for sale at the same time in the neighborhood.

Why list my home with a Realtor® instead of selling on my own?

1. Exposure

Recent statistics show us that 82% of first-time homebuyers used the Internet to search for homes compared with 78% of repeat homebuyers. Not to mention that over 24% of those buyers first found their home on the internet. What is comes down to is that the more homebuyers who are familiar with your home, the greater the likelihood is that someone would be willing to pay top dollar for your home. We expose your home to countless numbers of potential homebuyers than you would ever be able to by utilizing the use of the East Bay MLS system, superior web placement, direct mail, and advertisements, just to name a few.

2. Realtors have the best buyers

Typically, when a buyer has refused to enlist the help of a REALTOR®, more often than not means they are searching for a "bargain". This is the type of homebuyer who scours the market looking for a homeowner who has mistakenly priced their home below market value, or they haggle away the cost you thought that you were saving by trying to sell it yourself. Not to mention that we alone have a database with many subscribers who have already expressed interest in homes in this area

3. Access

Realtors are constantly available to answer and research any questions, have access to current interest rates, and show your home to the potential home buyers. Potential homebuyers are also more at ease working with a REALTOR® than the home seller, as they have the ability to speak their concerns and opposition without fear of offending the seller.

4. Liability

Unfortunately, residential real estate transactions have seen an startling increase in the amount of claims and lawsuits in this ever more litigious world. As your Realtor® we know what must be done to abide by with this ever changing law, we keep up with local government regulations, and we also speak regularly with our in-house attorneys to learn how to spot troublesome situations before they become serious. For example, were you aware that you are required to furnish a Transfer Property Disclosure even if you are selling a home on your own?

Statistics show that a lion's share of homeowners who survived selling their home themselves would solicit the help of a REALTOR® the next time they sold. Unfortunately, not all Realtors have the same qualities and ethics as we do, and a majority of us really do earn our commissions by working hard and getting you the exposure that you deserve which will in return bring you more potential buyers, and the likelihood of more money for your home in less time, and without all the headaches you would experience from selling it yourself.

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