Your Real Estate Is Your Single Most Valuable Asset….

How you go about selling or buying your real estate can make it an amazing accomplishment or a nightmare that costs your thousands of dollars and a mountain of stress. Understanding how the process works and some key nuances will make you an expert before you embark on this journey.

How Agents Work

Every real estate transaction has two sides, the seller of a property and the buyer. Most often there is an agent (or Realtor) that represents the parties on each side of a transfer of ownership.

A home seller hires an agent, what we refer to as a Listing Agent, to best prepare a home for sale to maximize profit, manage the mountains of legal paperwork, limit legal liability, draw prospective buyers in and negotiate all terms of the sale.

Most buyers, but not all (mistake) have an agent of their own. A buyers agent helps you with access to properties on (and off) the market, determine values, draft competitive offers and manage inspections and negotiations throughout the sale.

Every transaction should have two agents. Otherwise there is no way for the agent to fairly represent the needs of either party. It is akin to getting divorced, you would not want the same lawyer as your soon-to-be ex-spouse, you want your own representation. Be wary of an agent that wants to “double end” a deal.

Personally, I have taken a vow to never double-end a deal, and I work for a brokerage that also frowns upon Dual-Agency transactions.

Choices Could Cost You $$$$

“This could equate to thousands of dollars in the final price.”

Southern California real estate is a wild market these days. A severe lack on inventory, a large buyer pool and prices in flux.

Pricing

Sellers need to price strategically and not over price to draw in offers. Buyers need to be smart about the future potential value of home or risk overpaying wildly. Determining a strategic price goes well beyond a homes “estimated value” on Zillow, Redfin or Realtor.com. You need to price with buyer attraction in mind. This takes research based on appraisal and neighborhood competition weighed against the condition of your home. I do deep dive into analytics to determine a listing price or offer price.

CONDITION

The condition of a home is a major factor for sellers and buyers. Sellers should run inspections to tackle simple imperfections and take on some basic presentation changes to “neutralize” the home for buyers. Buyers need to think about the status of the main mechanical systems of a home; roof, foundation, HVAC, plumbing and wiring before getting into escrow. The older Pre-War and Mid-Century homes that I specialize in are often fraught with mechanical issues that to a trained eye are apparent during a walk through. I share this insight with the sellers and buyers I work with on a daily basis.

Finding a Great Agent

The agent client relationship is that of a long term relationship.

I am always happy to hear from past clients when they have a home improvement question or a friend that is in need of my specialized services.

Asking friends and family who they recommend will always bubble up a wide variety of options, but they may not be a fit for you.

My advice is always to interview a couple agents. Recommended ones and ones that you know specialize in and area or type of home you are looking to sell or buy.

Note: Hiring an acquaintance or family member to be your agent is one of the most costly mistakes a seller or buyer could make. While you have a personal relationship already, you do not have a professional relationship and that is where things can go awry.

My work with Pre-War and Mid-Century homes takes me to the areas where these homes are; Pasadena, Altadena, Monrovia, Alhambra, Hollywood Hills and even Palm Springs. I know the nuance of many neighborhoods and the construction challenges of all homes.

A great agent is part General Contractor, part Consigliare who will research construction permits, prior transactions for said property and point out possible challenges before you are weeks into escrow.

How Agents Are Paid

'“A Buyer’s Agent actually costs you nothing”

Those looking to sell a home with sign an agreement to confirm a percentage of sale. This is usually between four and six percent. My rate has and always will be 5%.

Buyers do not pay an agent for their work on a transaction. A Buyer’s Agent is compensated by splitting the commission the Listing Agent is getting from the person selling the property.

There is an endless list of nuances to home shopping and buying, having an advocate with your best interests first in mind is the best move you could make.

I have been very fortunate to have past clients share their accolades in the form of Yelp and ZIllow reviews and welcome the challenge representing homebuyers entails.

If you would like to set a time to have a chat about your personal journey to homeownership, just fill out the form and I will promptly be in touch. You will never beNot an underling, just me and my twenty years of helping people make their dreams come true.

Michael Robleto

REALTOR®-Compass Real Estate

213-595-4720

michael.robleto@compass.com

Michael Robleto is a Los Angeles based REALTOR® that specializes in Historic Pre-War residential properties and those with architectural merit in Pasadena, Los Feliz, SIlverlake, Eagle Rock, and Mount Washington. Michael uses his vast knowledge of historic homes, residential construction, and modern-day marketing to predict and solve the many problems that arise in real estate transactions. His client accolades of insight, prompt communication, integrity, and hard work support the fact that he is not your average agent.

Michael leverages his personal passion for historic architecture to provide his clients with the unknown insight into the pros and cons of older homes. Michael, the son of a contractor, a California native, grew up in an older Bungalow home and has spent 23 years in Southern California admiring the unique architecture of the region. Michael brings 20+ years of negotiation and sales experience to his seven-year career in residential real estate. He often writes on homeownership strategy, historic residential architecture, and related topics that can be found on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram under the common profile name of his blog; BungalowAgent.

Michael is a committee member and frequent volunteer for the preservation efforts of Pasadena Heritage and the LA Conservancy. When not working you can find Michael on hiking trails statewide with his faithful German Shepherd Axel.