Being the Quarterback

Nothing is more American than the spirit of self-reliance but trying to quarterback the largest transaction of your life can actually find you throwing passes right into the hands of the opposing team. Statistics show that you can cost yourself time, effort, and certainly money by attempting to do so.

Going Pro

The majority of homes sold are still listed with an agent, especially here in Hawai`i. With so many buyers from off-island, it’s unrealistic to believe buyers have time, patience or motivation to drive miles and miles of roads scouting “For Sale” signs. With a limited amount of time in which to conclude their purchase, they want to make wise use of their time. After one disappointing experience visiting a home listed in the newspaper or posted on Craigslist (watch out for scammers), most buyers flock right back to an agent.

Motivation alone should leave buyers and sellers with serious doubts about proceeding without professional assistance. Keep in mind:

• Sellers normally desire to “save” the commission or worse, they may be attempting to hide defects, or get around the State owner-builder regulations.
• Buyers are looking for sellers representing themselves because they generally feel it’s a good way to get a bargain basement price. They are looking for a “deal”. In other words, there is simply no common ground from which to achieve a “meeting of the minds”. 
• Sellers normally find themselves wasting precious marketing time placing ineffective advertising and showing the home to unqualified buyers.
• Interested buyers usually find themselves unable to interact honestly with a seller about their property or are so unsure of themselves that they back away. 

The MVP

Interestingly, two of my favorite magazines are the Elk’s and AARP. A recent issue (I believe AARP) spoke to just this issue (being our own Quarterback). Guess how the sellers determined how much their home was worth? They asked an agent or agents.

Hopefully, they were kind enough to pay the agent for their time and expertise (and access to the appropriate data). Part of the value proposition a licensed real estate agent brings to the table is taking attributes of a property into consideration in order to arrive at a reasonable value. Attorneys don’t work for free, and neither should real estate professionals. Shame on a seller who expects us to do so.

So, if getting across the “sold” line is your goal, hire a professional quarterback. Just like the big guys, we’re extremely motivated for you to win in the biggest of all financial transactions!