Owning a home is more than having a permanent address. By investing in a home, you build financial stability, gain the freedom to create a home that fits your lifestyle, and play a role in strengthening your community!

Considering the changes to business caused by the Coronavirus, the multiple listing service (MLS) has decided to implement new status definitions ahead of schedule, effective 4/1/2020. 

Ironically known as the "Clear Cooperative Policy," this is now implemented to comply with National Association of REALTORS standards.  Home sellers now have the choices of marketing their home under Active, Coming Soon, Withheld, Hold, Withdrawn, or Cancelled statuses.  These listings must be available in the local multiple listing service (MLS) within five (5) business days of the seller signing a listing contract with a real estate broker.

Within one (1) business day of marketing a property to the public, the listing broker must submit the listing to the MLS for cooperation with other MLS participants.  Public marketing includes, but is not limited to, flyers displayed in windows, yard signs, digital marketing on public facing websites, brokerage website displays (including IDX and VOW), digital communications marketing (email blasts), multi-brokerage listing sharing networks, and applications available to the general public.

You can call the selling agent to setup an appointment to view a home, but not having your own representation could be tricky...

Many buyers wonder if the listing agent of a home they are interested in will show the home to them. The answer is "yes", as the listing agent is obligated to show his or her client’s home. A listing agent is hired by the seller to work 100% for the seller’s best interests.  

Additionally some buyers wonder if they can save some money by going directly to that seller's agent to buy the home. On the surface, the thought of cutting out the "middleman (a buyer's agent)" may sound like a way to save time and money. While it may save time, the buyer will NOT save money on that specific purchase transaction.  

Interviewing potential real estate agents before deciding on whom to hire is a good idea. It’s in your best interest to ask them some or all of the following questions to gauge their knowledge and fit with your needs. Take a look below, and let us know if there are any other questions you’ve found valuable when interviewing agents.

Buying a home is a big deal - so while it may be tempting to go with the first word-of-mouth recommendation you get, when it comes to choosing a real estate agent, it pays to do a bit more research. A real estate pro will be responsible for determining a good purchase price, coordinating conversations with sellers and seller agents, and ultimately, walking you through the entire buying process.  To make an informed choice take the time to interview several of the best candidates before making a decision. Here are 14 questions to ask potential real estate agents.

Never miss the perfect home again!

Here are a few quick ALERT tips that can make your home search much more intuitive. All you have to do is login to HomeScout and the red arrows highlighted in the images below will help you unlock these powerful features. Make sure to refine and save your Search Criteria and then turn on New Listing and Open House Email Alerts so you don't miss out when properties become available.