FAQ
Deciding to buy or sell a home is arguably one of the biggest decisions you will make in your life. After all, there are so many factors to consider: Is it the right time to buy or sell my home? Am I getting a good value? How do I choose what agent will best look after my interests? The list goes on and on. We have created this FAQ to help you with this process. Do you have more questions for us? Give us a call and let us know.
FAQ About the Tarl Anderson Team
Find out what makes Tarl Anderson Properties one of the best real estate teams to work with in Houston.
How long has this company been around?
After being in the mortgage business for a few years our owner and broker became a licensed real estate agent in 2005 and obtained his Broker's license in 2007.
How much real estate did you sell this year?
Our team is on track to close over $9M in 2021.
Are you a full time agent?
Our company only hires full time agents. We feel it's important that our clients know that they are our number-one priority and that we are here to help when needed.
What educational designations has your team achieved?
Each of our agents work hard to further their professional education and here are some of the awards our team has earned: Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR), Graduate REALTORⓇ Institute (GRI), Accredited Luxury Home Specialist (ALHS), and Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES).
Do you have an assistant to help with details? What if you aren't available?
Yes, we have an awesome support team that assist each of our field agents and all of our clients.
May I see your personal brochure?
Of course! Visit Tarl's personal HAR page to see more of his reviews, qualifications, recently sold listings, and more.
Do you provide a written report to sellers?
We provide a Market Insight Weekly Summary Report which includes such information as; how many views your listing received, how many appointments were made and any market activity that occurs for homes similar to yours. You will also receive feedback from potential buyers that make appointments to tour your home.
Why Should I Hire A REALTORⓇ?
Sometimes people ask why RealtorsⓇ are even necessary in the internet age when so many tools are at your disposal. This list explains the benefits of having a Tarl Anderson Properties RealtorⓇ on your team, as they add value to the process and to your home. To learn more about our many talented RealtorsⓇ visit the Team page.
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Homes are bought by comparison. We have a large inventory at our disposal through MLS while you have an inventory of 1.
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We are very familiar with competitive houses so we can help you position your home well.
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It's hard to negotiate for yourself. We have lots of experience in writing contracts and we can negotiate aggressively on your behalf.
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Buyers are not always forthright about their financial situation. We insist on pre-qualifying before we even bring you an offer.
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Our lender contacts and mortgage experience help buyers get the financing they need.
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Most buyers don't want to tell the seller why they didn't make an offer. We can probe the buyer or their agent for that information.
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Any follow up you do with a buyer can be perceived as desperation. We follow up as part of our job so that you are not seen in a compromising light.
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We can showcase your improvements better so that you don't appear like you are "selling."
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Most sellers who spend their time as a For Sale By Owner end up listing with an agent in the end. A recent NAR survey found that only 11% of sellers, nationally, ended up successfully selling by owner. Hiring a REALTORⓇ to begin with will save you time, money, and frustration.
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Unqualified buyers can tie up your home and waste your time. We make sure that doesn't happen.
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Personal conflicts with a buyer can get in the way. We act as a moderator between buyer and seller so that personal conflicts won't arise.
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Most buyers use a REALTORⓇ, which increases the number of buyers who will see your home.
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We can mobilize our agents and other area REALTORSⓇ on your behalf.
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An NAR survey of recently closed sellers found that REALTORⓇ assisted sales brought in 20% higher sales prices than For Sale By Owner sales.
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A "For Sale By Owner" sign makes you vulnerable to any curiosity seeker or unsavory character. When you list, only serious buyers accompanied by a REALTORⓇ will have access to your home.
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Being accessible to show your home can occupy a lot of your time and also limit the amount of time your home is available to show. When you list, your property will be available during normal showing hours and the prospects will be accompanied by us or another REALTORⓇ.
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Additional exposure through MLS and the Internet brings you a higher price.
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We orchestrate the contract-to-closing process, including; the appraisal, buyer-loan process, title, inspections, pest control, survey, etc., taking this burden off of you and offering our expertise in this process.
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We make sure that your listing is compliant with all laws relating to the sale of your home, protecting you from any accidental infringement.
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We only get paid when we get the job done.
Is Now A Good Time To Sell My Home?
The market swings like a pendulum. Sometimes it's better to be a buyer and sometimes it's better to be a seller. This list helps you determine if now is the right time to list your home on the market. We have experience selling all kinds of homes at all kinds of price points. Check out our Sold Homes portfolio to see some examples of our expertise.
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Housing prices in Texas have been steadily rising at moderate pace for many years, even while other states have experienced wild price fluctuations. Chances are that your home is worth more than even a few years ago.
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Record low interest rates are motivating buyers to act on their desire to purchase a home and giving them more purchasing power.
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Unlike several other states that experience wild price fluctuations and skyrocketing foreclosure rates, Texas does not have a glut of unsold homes. According the the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M, the statewide supply of homes is at a level that leads to a fairly balanced market.
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Individuals and businesses continue to move to Texas, and this ongoing population growth feeds a strong demand for housing.
How Can I Decrease My Time on Market and Increase My Sales Price?
You already know that you should clean everything and clear away the clutter but, aside from that, how do you broaden the appeal of your house? We have worked directly with clients to help them accomplish exactly that. Learn more by clicking on our Property Improvements button.
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Walk through the house and prioritize things that, if changed, would increase the value of your home. For example, repainting a child's bubble-gum pink bedroom may attract more buyers than something not as apparent, such as replacing an old dishwasher.
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You can direct a potential buyer's eye away from something negative or towards something positive. Use artwork or a room's architectural features, such as a fireplace, to capture a buyers attention. However, there's a fine line. You want buyers to be able to appreciate a room and not just focus on the items in the room.
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Remove any furniture that tightens spaces. If a couch or chair makes you turn you body as you walk by or just makes a passage way look small, take it out. Larger, more open space always appeals to the buyer.
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Rid the house of personal effects and, don't forget simple things like magnets on the refrigerator. Small distractions to the buyer's eyes will distract them, preventing them from picturing the house as their own. While you want the room to look well-decorated and spacious, avoid turning the house into a perfect home. Try to balance the brand-new look with the warmth of a lived-in home.
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Potential buyers often feel uncomfortable in bedrooms and bathrooms because they are, by definition, personal and private places. To counter this reaction, arrange bedrooms and bathrooms to look like a model home (toss that lived-in feel out the bathroom window.) Clear off all surfaces in the bathroom, remove even simple things like tooth paste and soap. Put out nice, fresh towels instead. The goal is to make these rooms comfortable for buyers. When they're comfortable they'll linger and picture the house as their home.
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Consider hiring a professional to improve your home's visual appeal. The fee charge by a "stager" can be worth it if the changes bring a quicker offer or a higher sales price.