Coldwell Banker Islands Blog

Can a Realtor really help you sell your house more quickly? Is it worth paying the commission to have a Realtor sell your home? If you decide to use a Realtor how do you decide on the best one for you? Find out in this special report.

Selling your home can be one of the most profitable sales you ever make in your life. But one of the most important decisions can be deciding whether to sell the house yourself or use a realtor to help market the property for you.

Let’s take a look the main benefit of selling your house yourself: you don’t have to pay a realtor’s commission, which is usually between 6-8% of the sale price. This can be a huge chunk of money. On a $200,000 sale that comes out to $12,000 in a sale with a 6% commission rate.

The commission is usually split between two realtors and their brokers. Sellers’ agents list the property and get half the commission. The buyer’s agent also gets half of the commission. The seller of the property is actually paying both of these commissions out of the proceeds of the sale.

Keep in mind that most home buyers today use a buyer’s agent, so you will end up paying 3-4% of the sale price to the buyer’s realtor, even if you sell the house yourself without an agent.

In addition to commission considerations, decide how much free time you have to show and market the property, and answer phone calls. Also, are you knowledgeable about selling houses and writing contracts and negotiating? You may enjoy the home selling process and want to take care of the sale yourself, but if you don’t have the time, energy, and expertise you should consider listing the house with a realtor.

Now, let’s discuss the main benefit from listing your house with a realtor: your property goes straight into the multiple listing service (MLS). The MLS is the resource that every Realtor in the nation uses first to find properties for sale.

Once a property is listed in the MLS, every buyer’s agent has access to the information. Most buyers agents check the MLS at least daily, to keep current on properties that may fit their client’s needs.

Other benefits of using a realtor include better negotiating skills, knowledge of the local real estate laws, and experience both in writing contracts and following an escrow through to closing. Most realtors also are marketing experts, and can make suggestions to increase the desirability of your house or some ways to increase the value.

If you decide to use a realtor, there are some important questions to ask when interviewing agents for the job. Remember that although they are the professional, you are still the one hiring them and paying their “salary.” Make sure you get all your questions answered to your satisfaction before signing the listing contract.

Ask how many houses they have sold in the past 12 months. Find out how long they have been an agent. Find out what they generally charge for commission. Ask for a copy of their marketing plan. What web sites do they have? How do they attract buyers? More than 75% of all buyers use the internet for their home search.

Weigh the pros and cons. It’s one of the most important decisions you will make in your investment portfolio during your lifetime. Be honest with yourself about how much time you can spend and the level of your expertise. If you decide to list with a realtor, find one you trust who will work hard for you, be ethical, and honest with all parties in the sale.

Give one of our Coldwell Banker agents a call today.

Can a Realtor really help you sell your house more quickly? Is it worth paying the commission to have a Realtor sell your home? If you decide to use a Realtor how do you decide on the best one for you? Find out in this special report.

Selling your home can be one of the most profitable sales you ever make in your life. But one of the most important decisions can be deciding whether to sell the house yourself or use a realtor to help market the property for you.

Let’s take a look the main benefit of selling your house yourself: you don’t have to pay a realtor’s commission, which is usually between 6-8% of the sale price. This can be a huge chunk of money. On a $200,000 sale that comes out to $12,000 in a sale with a 6% commission rate.

The commission is usually split between two realtors and their brokers. Sellers’ agents list the property and get half the commission. The buyer’s agent also gets half of the commission. The seller of the property is actually paying both of these commissions out of the proceeds of the sale.

Keep in mind that most home buyers today use a buyer’s agent, so you will end up paying 3-4% of the sale price to the buyer’s realtor, even if you sell the house yourself without an agent.

In addition to commission considerations, decide how much free time you have to show and market the property, and answer phone calls. Also, are you knowledgeable about selling houses and writing contracts and negotiating? You may enjoy the home selling process and want to take care of the sale yourself, but if you don’t have the time, energy, and expertise you should consider listing the house with a realtor.

Now, let’s discuss the main benefit from listing your house with a realtor: your property goes straight into the multiple listing service (MLS). The MLS is the resource that every Realtor in the nation uses first to find properties for sale.

Once a property is listed in the MLS, every buyer’s agent has access to the information. Most buyers agents check the MLS at least daily, to keep current on properties that may fit their client’s needs.

Other benefits of using a realtor include better negotiating skills, knowledge of the local real estate laws, and experience both in writing contracts and following an escrow through to closing. Most realtors also are marketing experts, and can make suggestions to increase the desirability of your house or some ways to increase the value.

If you decide to use a realtor, there are some important questions to ask when interviewing agents for the job. Remember that although they are the professional, you are still the one hiring them and paying their “salary.” Make sure you get all your questions answered to your satisfaction before signing the listing contract.

Ask how many houses they have sold in the past 12 months. Find out how long they have been an agent. Find out what they generally charge for commission. Ask for a copy of their marketing plan. What web sites do they have? How do they attract buyers? More than 75% of all buyers use the internet for their home search.

Weigh the pros and cons. It’s one of the most important decisions you will make in your investment portfolio during your lifetime. Be honest with yourself about how much time you can spend and the level of your expertise. If you decide to list with a realtor, find one you trust who will work hard for you, be ethical, and honest with all parties in the sale.

Give one of our Coldwell Banker agents a call today.

Can a Realtor really help you sell your house more quickly? Is it worth paying the commission to have a Realtor sell your home? If you decide to use a Realtor how do you decide on the best one for you? Find out in this special report.

Selling your home can be one of the most profitable sales you ever make in your life. But one of the most important decisions can be deciding whether to sell the house yourself or use a realtor to help market the property for you.

Let’s take a look the main benefit of selling your house yourself: you don’t have to pay a realtor’s commission, which is usually between 6-8% of the sale price. This can be a huge chunk of money. On a $200,000 sale that comes out to $12,000 in a sale with a 6% commission rate.

The commission is usually split between two realtors and their brokers. Sellers’ agents list the property and get half the commission. The buyer’s agent also gets half of the commission. The seller of the property is actually paying both of these commissions out of the proceeds of the sale.

Keep in mind that most home buyers today use a buyer’s agent, so you will end up paying 3-4% of the sale price to the buyer’s realtor, even if you sell the house yourself without an agent.

In addition to commission considerations, decide how much free time you have to show and market the property, and answer phone calls. Also, are you knowledgeable about selling houses and writing contracts and negotiating? You may enjoy the home selling process and want to take care of the sale yourself, but if you don’t have the time, energy, and expertise you should consider listing the house with a realtor.

Now, let’s discuss the main benefit from listing your house with a realtor: your property goes straight into the multiple listing service (MLS). The MLS is the resource that every Realtor in the nation uses first to find properties for sale.

Once a property is listed in the MLS, every buyer’s agent has access to the information. Most buyers agents check the MLS at least daily, to keep current on properties that may fit their client’s needs.

Other benefits of using a realtor include better negotiating skills, knowledge of the local real estate laws, and experience both in writing contracts and following an escrow through to closing. Most realtors also are marketing experts, and can make suggestions to increase the desirability of your house or some ways to increase the value.

If you decide to use a realtor, there are some important questions to ask when interviewing agents for the job. Remember that although they are the professional, you are still the one hiring them and paying their “salary.” Make sure you get all your questions answered to your satisfaction before signing the listing contract.

Ask how many houses they have sold in the past 12 months. Find out how long they have been an agent. Find out what they generally charge for commission. Ask for a copy of their marketing plan. What web sites do they have? How do they attract buyers? More than 75% of all buyers use the internet for their home search.

Weigh the pros and cons. It’s one of the most important decisions you will make in your investment portfolio during your lifetime. Be honest with yourself about how much time you can spend and the level of your expertise. If you decide to list with a realtor, find one you trust who will work hard for you, be ethical, and honest with all parties in the sale.

Give one of our Coldwell Banker agents a call today.

Can a Realtor really help you sell your house more quickly? Is it worth paying the commission to have a Realtor sell your home? If you decide to use a Realtor how do you decide on the best one for you? Find out in this special report.

Selling your home can be one of the most profitable sales you ever make in your life. But one of the most important decisions can be deciding whether to sell the house yourself or use a realtor to help market the property for you.

Let’s take a look the main benefit of selling your house yourself: you don’t have to pay a realtor’s commission, which is usually between 6-8% of the sale price. This can be a huge chunk of money. On a $200,000 sale that comes out to $12,000 in a sale with a 6% commission rate.

The commission is usually split between two realtors and their brokers. Sellers’ agents list the property and get half the commission. The buyer’s agent also gets half of the commission. The seller of the property is actually paying both of these commissions out of the proceeds of the sale.

Keep in mind that most home buyers today use a buyer’s agent, so you will end up paying 3-4% of the sale price to the buyer’s realtor, even if you sell the house yourself without an agent.

In addition to commission considerations, decide how much free time you have to show and market the property, and answer phone calls. Also, are you knowledgeable about selling houses and writing contracts and negotiating? You may enjoy the home selling process and want to take care of the sale yourself, but if you don’t have the time, energy, and expertise you should consider listing the house with a realtor.

Now, let’s discuss the main benefit from listing your house with a realtor: your property goes straight into the multiple listing service (MLS). The MLS is the resource that every Realtor in the nation uses first to find properties for sale.

Once a property is listed in the MLS, every buyer’s agent has access to the information. Most buyers agents check the MLS at least daily, to keep current on properties that may fit their client’s needs.

Other benefits of using a realtor include better negotiating skills, knowledge of the local real estate laws, and experience both in writing contracts and following an escrow through to closing. Most realtors also are marketing experts, and can make suggestions to increase the desirability of your house or some ways to increase the value.

If you decide to use a realtor, there are some important questions to ask when interviewing agents for the job. Remember that although they are the professional, you are still the one hiring them and paying their “salary.” Make sure you get all your questions answered to your satisfaction before signing the listing contract.

Ask how many houses they have sold in the past 12 months. Find out how long they have been an agent. Find out what they generally charge for commission. Ask for a copy of their marketing plan. What web sites do they have? How do they attract buyers? More than 75% of all buyers use the internet for their home search.

Weigh the pros and cons. It’s one of the most important decisions you will make in your investment portfolio during your lifetime. Be honest with yourself about how much time you can spend and the level of your expertise. If you decide to list with a realtor, find one you trust who will work hard for you, be ethical, and honest with all parties in the sale.

Give one of our Coldwell Banker agents a call today.

The Sandals Foundation – the resort chain’s charitable arm –has launched the inaugural ‘Pictures of Paradise’ amateur photography contest, to feature the beauty of Turks and Caicos islands. The nonprofit hopes to raise cash for community initiatives throughout the islands.

A Sandals spokesperson said, “Islanders are invited to seize their cameras to capture images of the TCI’s natural beauty for an amateur photography competition.”

Organisers hope to raise cash for much needed community initiatives across the Islands.

A spokeswoman said: “Pictures of Paradise will give the people of the Turks and Caicos the opportunity to share their own vision of their nation’s environmental beauty with the world as well as the chance to win some money-can’t-buy prizes.”

The competition is split into three categories – primary school, high school and general – with different awards and prizes for the winners and runners-up of each. Winners will be selected from a panel of local judges.

The winner of the general category will receive an exclusive spa treatment and a day pass to Beaches resort for themselves and three guests. Their winning image will be published in Times of the Island.

Winners of the primary and high school awards will each receive a trophy, a digital camera, a day pass to Beaches for themselves and three friends along with a snorkelling trip for their class. Second and third place runners-up in all three categories will be presented with trophies on the night, while non-winning shortlisted entries will receive a framed certificate honouring their achievement.

A selection of images will also be chosen to feature in a 2011 calendar, the proceeds of which will be donated to the Sandals Foundation and put to use in the local community.

Email btcpr@grp.sandals.com or call Elisha Jennings on 946 8000 for more information.

Pebble Beach Cottage is a desirable waterfront property located at the West End of Tortola with a private dock that is capable of accommodating boats up to 15Ft. The property extends to 0.6 acres and overlooks Frenchman’s Cay, Sopers Hole and the clear water of the Sir Francis Drake Channel. Built in 1962, the house features 2 bedrooms/1 bathroom and has been renovated over the last few years. Asking $1,950,000.

Visit our ColdwellBanker Listing page for photos and details.

My home won’t sell!
We’ve heard that complaint from more than one Bahamas real estate owner over the years as they’ve come to us for help in selling their home.
The answer is usually simple.
The most common reason why real estate doesn’t sell in the Bahamas or elsewhere is because it’s overpriced.
All too frequently, an owner will cling to an unrealistic price, determined that “the right person” is out there ^ it’s just a matter of finding them.
In the meantime, the grass grows around the For Sale sign, the home becomes worn and the price inevitably is going to drop ^ perhaps below what it would have sold for if it was priced correctly in the first place.
The truth is, it’s the buyers and not the sellers who will determine the market value of a home.
And while a seller may initially dismiss a professional appraiser’s value as being too low, ask yourself this?
Would you pay more for a house than the appraised value?
Now, bear in mind that most Bahamas real estate agents and buyers will view the new listing within the first month.
If it’s overpriced, interest in the property will die quickly. And so buyers will look elsewhere, narrowing the number of people you can appeal to.
Let’s say someone did agree to an inflated purchase price. Once the appraisal comes in, do you think the bank will lend the money?
Another concern is this; if a real estate agent agrees to take on an overpriced house because they want the listing, will other agents use your property as a means of selling their own listings? A barometer against to measure other homes priced more realistically?
Buyers are smart and will shop around and make their own comparisons.
So, it’s really no use trying to push off a $500,000 home for $600,000. Buyers viewing homes priced correctly at $600,000 will note the difference in the properties.
Save yourself the grief. Let one of our experienced Bahamas real estate agents walk you through the process.

Well maintained property with apartment and carport located in Pavia. This house features a multi car garage, back porch, good size kitchen area, large living space, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, back yard and apartment/office. The total constructed area is 274m2 /2949 sq/ft on 473 m2 / 5091 sq/ft of long lease land. Asking $267,000 US.

Visit our Coldwell Banker Listing page for photos and details.

My home won’t sell!
We’ve heard that complaint from more than one Bahamas real estate owner over the years as they’ve come to us for help in selling their home.
The answer is usually simple.
The most common reason why real estate doesn’t sell in the Bahamas or elsewhere is because it’s overpriced.
All too frequently, an owner will cling to an unrealistic price, determined that “the right person” is out there ^ it’s just a matter of finding them.
In the meantime, the grass grows around the For Sale sign, the home becomes worn and the price inevitably is going to drop ^ perhaps below what it would have sold for if it was priced correctly in the first place.
The truth is, it’s the buyers and not the sellers who will determine the market value of a home.
And while a seller may initially dismiss a professional appraiser’s value as being too low, ask yourself this?
Would you pay more for a house than the appraised value?
Now, bear in mind that most Bahamas real estate agents and buyers will view the new listing within the first month.
If it’s overpriced, interest in the property will die quickly. And so buyers will look elsewhere, narrowing the number of people you can appeal to.
Let’s say someone did agree to an inflated purchase price. Once the appraisal comes in, do you think the bank will lend the money?
Another concern is this; if a real estate agent agrees to take on an overpriced house because they want the listing, will other agents use your property as a means of selling their own listings? A barometer against to measure other homes priced more realistically?
Buyers are smart and will shop around and make their own comparisons.
So, it’s really no use trying to push off a $500,000 home for $600,000. Buyers viewing homes priced correctly at $600,000 will note the difference in the properties.
Save yourself the grief. Let one of our experienced Bahamas real estate agents walk you through the process.

Here is a good value in a homesite on Grand Cayman of 0.28 acres. It is the easternmost half of .57 acre lot with excellent seaview. Land rises to as much as 16 ft above sea level. Purchaser expected to pay cost of subdivision. Owners negotiable and may consider selling entire parcel. The property is in Bodden Town, asking $115,900.

Visit our Coldwell Banker Listing page for more information.