Why Working With a Real Estate Agents BENEFITS YOU!
Buying and selling a home can be a daunting task for anyone, especially when it is your first time. But, it’s a process you don’t have to go through alone – that’s where a real estate agent earns their weight in gold. When homebuyers and sellers work with an agent, the entire process runs smoother and is a lot less stressful than if buyers or sellers did everything on their own. Here are reasons why working with an agent matters.
First, when looking at statistics (see the infographic below), most buyers and sellers rely on an agent. In fact, 87 percent of buyers bought their home using a real estate agent, and 88 percent of those buyers would use their agent again or recommend them to someone else. On the flip side, 89 percent of home sellers used an agent to sell their home, and in 2015, only 8 percent of homes were sold by owner, making that year the lowest share of For Sale by Owner (FSBO) sales recorded since 1981. The proof is in the pudding. Statistics also say that 48 percent of sellers who don’t use an agent will end up with a lower-than-expected selling price. On the flip side, homes listed by an agent will sell for an average of 18 percent more than if the owner sold it. READ MORE
10 Benefits of Using a Real Estate Agent to Buy a Home
In tough times, most people are looking to cut costs any way they can. And in a home purchase, who wouldn’t want to save that extra 3 percent — an extra $3,000 per $100,000 of the sale price? That’s typically what buyer’s agents make on real estate transactions, and most experts think it’s money well spent.
It’s true that anyone can shop for a house, and even get a peek inside, without formally signing on with a real estate agent. But unless you have time to make home shopping a part-time job, an agent might be able to match you with the perfect property much faster.
Say you want a swimming pool. Or don’t want a swimming pool. Or maybe you want a fenced-in yard for the dog or a basement playroom for the kids. If you’re looking for something specific, a real estate agent is the person whose job it is to know if there’s a house out there to fit your needs, and he or she will hold your hand through the deal to boot. Let’s look at some of the top benefits of using an agent to buy a home. READ MORE
8 Reasons to Choose a Real Estate Agent Over “For Sale By Owner”
When you sell your home yourself—also known as “for sale by owner” (FSBO)—it may seem like a great way to save thousands of dollars. After all, the standard real estate agent’s commission is 5% to 6%—that’s $12,500 to $15,000 on a $250,000 home.
Given the size of this fee, you may think that acting as your own seller’s agent will surely be worth the savings. Here are eight reasons why you may want to reconsider.
Key Takeaways
- You might be tempted to avoid a real estate agent, save the commission, and just sell your home yourself—also known as “for sale by owner” (FSBO).
- While tempting, in most cases the risks of going it alone likely outweigh the benefits.
- Risks include having few potential buyers (let alone qualified buyers), making emotional decisions, not knowing how to negotiate properly, and not having enough free time to dedicate to finding a buyer.
- One of the biggest risks of FSBO is not having the experience or expertise to navigate all of the legal and regulatory requirements that come with selling a home.
Ralene Nelson, REALTOR®
FOR SALE – 181 Cedar Ridge Dr. Rio Vista
2 bed/2 bath/1,433sqft
New Price $519,500 – Look no further!! This Clipper model is like a new home, completely renovated, from new sheet rock to all new cabinets throughout, new baths, laminate flooring, quartz counters, appliances, and new interior & exterior paint. Located on the 11th fairway, bring some patio furniture & enjoy the scenery. This model provides a living room/dining room & a nook/great room. Trilogy provides so many amenities, including 2 swimming pools/spas, bocce courts, billiards, tennis courts, pickleball, gym & more. READ MORE
PENDING – 348 Kestrel Way, Rio Vista
2bed/2bath/1463sf
Step into this Savita floor plan & you will know this is your new home. This 2 bedroom 2 bath home offers you the great room concept with tile floors and carpet in the bedrooms. GE profile stainless appliances in the kitchen with granite slab counters & beech sierra natural cabinetry. Pantry closet & counter that accommodates bar stools for extra seating. Dining space has a bay window that provides that extra space for larger table. Primary bedroom has slider to the patio & walk in closet. Bath has double sinks & upgraded walk in shower. The 2nd bath has tub with shower over & linen cabinet. Backyard with patio is private with beautiful roses in bloom now. Low maintenance landscaping with automated sprinkler system. Trilogy, the active adult community offers so many activities that include golf, tennis bocce/pickle ball, billiards, gym & pools/spas. There is even a playground for your visiting grandchildren & dog park for your fur baby. There are over 40 plus clubs, from card groups, dancing & theater. Move in ready, so just bring your furniture. The bonus is prepaid solar lease, this provides a more economical PGE bill. MORE INFO
PENDING – 731 Turnberry Ter Rio Vista
2 bed/2 bath/1410 sqft
$405,000 – NO BONDS-Spinnaker model with private backyard. This 2 bedroom, 2 bath home feels like a very relaxing cottage for a retirement home. The patio provides a quiet place for morning coffee & afternoon beverage. Den has built-in book/curio shelves & bay window. The Master bedroom has a bay window, which creates room for a sitting area. New hot water heater. Enjoy amenities such as golf, tennis, bocce, pools/spas & a new gym, and more. READ MORE
SOLD – 649 Pinehurst Dr, Rio Vista
$405,000 – Stop the car Honey!! This gorgeous home is move in ready, just bring your clothes & toys to start living an active retirement life. You step into this home located on a corner lot, and beautifully landscaped and know this is the one. Two bedroom & two bath home has tile flooring with carpet in the bedrooms. Kicthen looks fresh with white painted cabinets & granite counters with all newer stainless appliances & tiled backsplash. Counter provides a bar for entertainment/dining. Primary bedroom has wall to wall closet & bay window that makes a spacious room. The upgraded bath has granite counters, sink & a barn door for privacy. Seller is using the 2nd bedroom as a den with mounted TV & hideaway couch for your guests. Stepping out to the patio area provides you additional space for entertaining & is fully fenced for your pets. Laundry is in the garage, & the garage is deeper than most. Furniture is optional & can be purchase with exception of bed. The Trilogy development offers homeowners 2 swimming pools/spas (1 indoor), bocce ball & tennis courts, full gym, billiards, computer room, golf course, restaurant/cafe & over 40 clubs to join. Whats keeping you from making this your next home? READ MORE
Pending Sale – 295 Sage Meadows Drio Vista
3bed/3.5bath/2,367sqft/6,669sqft lot
NEW PRICE $549,000 – Calistoga model, with private courtyard, located on a corner lot. New interior paint (including garage) & tile/grout cleaned, gives this home a fresh look. Island kitchen with granite tile, black appliances, w/5 burner gas stove top & maple cabinets. Open floor plan makes this a great home for entertaining & the fireplace makes it cozy. Large master bedroom has bay window, upgraded tile in bath (walk in shower & tub). Den has been enclosed as well as another room, so this could be 4 bedrooms. One can be your den, other can be your craft/sewing room. 2nd bedroom has full bath, with courtyard entrance. Laundry room has sink, cabinets & folding space. Full patio & fencing secures this backyard for your family pet. Trilogy offers many amenities, from tennis, bocce, billards, pickle ball, golf, 2 pools & spas and even playground for grandchildren. Just bring your furniture & make new friends.READ MORE
SOLD – 1392 Lichen Ct, Concord
Look no further, as you enter this beautiful move-in ready home, you know this is the one, & it is located in a well-established neighborhood & close to shopping. Double front doors welcome you to this cheerful home that includes 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, and features a bedroom & bath on the main floor. This is perfect for a nanny or family member living with you. The home has new interior paint and new LVT plank flooring/carpet throughout. The kitchen was refreshed with open space with newer cabinets, granite tile counters, a sink, a built-in oven/electric cooktop, a garden window & sliding door to the patio. The chef will be delighted with the walk-in pantry. The kitchen/den features a mobile prepping block with storage. Also, the upstairs hall bath was remodeled to include a new tub/shower & tile floor. The majority of light fixtures are new & fireplace has a pellet stove insert. RV/boat parking, storage shed & backyard can accommodate a swimming pool/spa. The backyard has a few fruit trees & room for a garden/play area. Room for a large BBQ with all your family & friends. This home has so much potential for the next homeowner. Solar leased 3/2020 for 25 yrs. Don’t miss out!! READ MORE
Events in Northern California this Weekend
May 13th Rockin’ The River Summer Concert Series at
Brannan Island State Park
Saturday at 2 PM – 7:30 PM
17645 CA-160, Rio Vista
Coming May 13th, the Grand Opening Celebration for Brannan Island State Recreation Area…. The ROCKIN’ the RIVER Summer FREE Concert Series on the Starlight Stage Shows stage will feature The Grinders Band (2pm to 4:30) and the oh so popular LunaFish Band (5pm to 7:30).
The setting is absolutely beautiful, it’s right on along the river’s edge!!! lush grass, plenty of trees combined with some AMAZING music!!!! We’ll have food trucks and Beer & Wine! You can also bring your own food and drinks, just bring chairs. $10 parking goes to our state park! Parking is right next to the event!
This event is sponsored by the Rio Vista Chamber of Commerce! READ MORE
Vacaville Museum Garden Tour
Sat, May 13, 9 AM – 4 PM
Vacaville Museum, 213 Buck Ave, Vacaville
The Vacaville Museum Guild announces its up-coming garden tour on May 13th, 2023. Seven lovely gardens will be featured this year—from downtown to away from town, from intimate to grandiose, and from low-water to lush. This year’s tour will run from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00pm, giving garden lovers plenty of opportunity to see all the gardens. Tour participants may pick up their garden guide brochure beginning at 8:30 that morning in the Vacaville Museum courtyard, 213 Buck Avenue. READ MORE
Journey Revisited + Def Leppard Revisited
Sun, May 14, 2 PM, Sat, May 13, 3 – 7 PM
Windmill Cove Bar & Grill, 7600 Windmill Cove Rd, Stockton
Journey Revisited dedicates themselves to replicating the sound of classic Journey through their spectacular live performances. These exceptional musicians cover all of the fan favorites from Don’t Stop Believin’ and Wheel in the Sky to Any Way You Want It, Lights and many more — and they do it without pre-recorded backing tracks or digital vocal enhancements. Journey Revisited delivers the organic live sound of the album-oriented rock era, just the way you remember it.
Windmill Cove has always been known for the biggest and best shows on the California Delta Do not miss these two monsters of rock… READ MORE
Hot Concord Nights
Sat, May 13, 6 – 10 PM
Los Tacos De Pancho, 2699 Clayton Rd, Concord
Bring your family, friends & appetite, and let’s support the locals..!! The Hot Concord Nights Cruise-In is every Saturday evening at 6pm at Los Tacos de Pancho, 2699 Clayton Road.
HOT Concord Nights
Our pre cruise meet up spot is at Pancho’s @ 2699 Clayton Road in Concord
Meet up time is Still 6:00!
Bring your family, friends & appetite and let’s support the locals..!! READ MORE