What are Agency Relationships?

There is a term in real estate that describes what type of relationship a buyer or seller could have with an agent.  This term is agency.  Each state has different agency relationships, and Minnesota state law requires us to disclose the types of agency relationships that usually occur in our state.  This agency relationship form should be presented to you upon substantive contact with an agent.  You can download a copy in PDF format by clicking on the image to the right.

Staging Your Home to Sell

There are many things a seller can do to facilitate the sale of his/her home, many of which the savvy seller already knows.  In fact, anyone who has sold a home or is thinking of selling a home can probably list ten right off the top of the head.  Make sure the kids pick up the toys; make sure there are no pervasive odors or visible dirt/grime/clutter; put an apple pie in the kitchen to add a homey aroma; add flowers to the kitchen table to brighten up the room; and so on.  However, there is one thing that many sellers don’t consider, or may not know exists.  What is that, you ask? 

Home staging.  It sounds like a strange idea at first.  Why would you hire someone else to put furniture that isn’t yours in your house?  When you think about what it takes to sell your home, however, it starts to make sense to have an expert see your house through buyers’ eyes.  You have lived in your house and made it a home.  You may not be able to be objective about its assets and its flaws.  Even if you do have an accurate idea of the strengths and weaknesses of your house, you may not know the ideal way to highlight the former and take attention away from the latter.  In addition, it’s a buyer’s market right now with many houses waiting to be sold.  You need to make your house stand out from all the others with similar specs so buyers will be drawn to your house first and foremost.  Read more