New Year’s Resolution: Empty the Mailbag!

Here are some of the questions I didn’t have a chance to put in the paper this past year (in shortened versions). Please remember, if you have a question I’ll always respond promptly and thoroughly by phone.

Dear Pat: Do buyers ever pay the real estate commission to their agent? --Not eager to pay

Dear Not: Rarely in Minnesota. Although the state-mandated buyer’s agency agreement allows agents to charge buyers for their services, in nearly all cases they derive their income from a portion of the listing commission the seller has agreed to pay.

Dear Pat: I notice that you almost always talk about seller’s concerns, but rarely answer questions from buyers. What gives? ---Buyers need advice too

Dear Buyers: If you pay attention, you’ll notice that buyers’ and sellers’ concerns are very similar: fact is, sellers need to pay attention to what buyers want and need in order to attract the best price for their home. Yes, I am primarily a listing agent—that means my job is to help sellers market their homes—but I work very closely with the six great agents in my company who do specialize in helping buyers. Go to our website at www.riverrealty.net to learn more about them, or give me a call and I can refer you to an agent to fit your individual needs.

Dear Pat: Is January really a good time to sell a house?---Snowed Under

Dear Snowed: Don’t believe the nay-sayers. I have repeated for years, “the Spring market begins in January,” when buyers are looking, but sellers are few. And we all know what happens when demand exceeds supply, right?

Dear Pat: What is the most important thing to have ready when we sell?---Short List

Dear Short: All-time, most important feature: hardwood floors, preferably sanded and gleaming.

Dear Pat: Are neutral colors the best for our walls when we sell?---Want Some Pizzazz

Dear Pizzazz: Go for it. We used to say neutral, but buyers really respond to some of the smart decorator colors available nowadays. And a richer color palette often feels more “right” in our older houses.

Dear Pat: Do interest rates go up in the Spring? We want to…---Beat the Rush

Dear Beat: Yes, No, Maybe