Category: Buyers

Happy Clients Realty Group - Ali Palacios > Buyers

To sign or not to sign…

Posted on by Ali Palacios - Broker

Why to real agents ask you to sign a buyer representation agreement?

In Texas all real estate agents represent the seller unless we have a buyer’s representation agreement with the buyer. What does that mean? It means that legally we are obligated to look out for the seller’s best interest unless we are contractually linked to the buyer.

But here’s the deal. (And the “deal” is as lopsided as a table with a short leg…)

You get to sign this agreement and cancel at any time if you aren’t happy with me.

Think about that—I literally have to make sure you’re happy throughout this entire process, or you can just cancel this contract. No strings attached. No cost to you.

Don’t get me wrong…I do this willingly.

I do it because it keeps me on my toes and ensures that I’m always doing the best job possible for my clients.

Just do me a favor…

If at any point you aren’t happy, give me a heads up, and a chance to make things right. I’m here when you are ready 🙂

 

In defense of a real estate agent

Posted on by Ali Palacios - Broker

Real estates agents get a very bad rap. We are right there with car salesmen.

I feel the rejection as soon as I greet an open house guest. I’m just trying to tell you more about the house! I promise that it’s not a sale pitch…You can’t force someone to love the home. It seems like a few bad apples in a group will give the entire group a bad reputation.

No one likes a pushy salesmen. I personally don’t like it. I feel a sales pitch coming my way and I RUN. I understand. In defense of my peeps, most real estate agents love what they do and truly have your best interest in mind.

I get asked a lot why real estate? This question is usually followed by pursed lips. ugh.

I absolutely love what I do. Let me tell you why:

  1. I feel like I make a difference in someones life. I’m there when someone purchases their first home; I’m there when the same family needs more space for their growing family; I’m there when the kids have left and they have an empty nest.
  2. Real estate is so much more than buying and selling a home. Typically when someone needs to buy or sell, there is an issue. Every issue is unique and every solution is unique. I’m present to console a surviving spouse or a divorcee during a trying time. I have helped many out of a financial burden when the mortgage payment is overwhelming. Not every situation is happy but I’m still there for my clients.
  3. I love working with buyers that are not qualified for a loan. With a few changes most people can qualify for a loan within a few months. Guiding someone through credit repair, down payment assistance programs and overall mortgage education can make their dream for home ownership a reality.
  4. I love to educate. Buying and selling a home is complicated. I want my clients to understand the process and not feel lost. I love collaborating with my clients to obtain their ultimate goal.
  5. I love building new friendships. I can honestly say that if it was up to me, I’d be BFFs with all my clients. I love to stay in touch and see how our lives unfold. The beauty of this profession is that I can work with those I want to work with. I refuse to work with as&$%les.
  6. We all strive for that work/life balance. This profession gives me flexibly. Because I love what I do, I find myself working all the time. If it doesn’t feel like work, you tend to over do it. That said, when I need to I can turn it off and enjoy life.

This career is not for all. We invest many many many hours with our clients. Don’t believe what you see on TV. Shocker! Reality TV is not reality.

A good agent is compassionate and patient.

So next time an agent approaches you, don’t run in the other direction. Give them a chance and get to know the agent, more than likely they will become your new BFF. 🙂

 

We are hiring smiling faces

Posted on by Ali Palacios - Broker

 

Are you looking for change? Are you a new agent that would like to be part of a group that supports and helps each other prosper?

We are a group of agents that strive to share knowledge and help each other grow. Education is key.

We are seeking like minded agents that would like to be part of our team.

For more information contact Ali Palacios, Broker/Owner at ali@happyclientsrealtygroup.com, 832-418-0670.

Our  VISION

At Happy Clients Realty Group our goal is to serve each client with utmost professionalism, integrity, and outstanding customer service. Our fiduciary relationship with our clients is the highest priority. We work diligently to help them achieve their dreams. We educate and simplify the many challenges of buying and/or selling a home. We provide consistent communication and prompt follow-thru from the beginning of the transaction to the end, and beyond. We utilize our outstanding negotiating skills and vast knowledge of the Houston metro area to the benefit of our clients. We are a team of talented professionals devoted to clients.

Thinking about purchasing a home?

Posted on by Ali Palacios - Broker

Are you ready to buy a home but don’t know where to start? I know it can be overwhelming. Here are a few tips to get you started.

  1. Let’s chat. The best way to help you through the process is to talk about your goals and timing. Let’s meet and discuss your goals and plans. It’s never to early to start this process. In fact, it’s better to start up to a year before you’d actually like to move. This will allow you time to make corrections and get financially prepared for the move.
  2. How much can you afford? There is no point going to go see homes without knowing your budget. Take some time to review your income vs. debt and come up with a comfortable number. Keep in mind that most lender prefer that you payment amount to no more than 30% of your income.
  3. Get pre-qualified. This is the most important step. Speak to a lender about qualifying. The lender will review your finances and credit to determine your ideal sales price. The lender will also review loan options and interest rates. Don’t forget to ask about down payment assistance programs. If you’d like a referral I’d be happy to provide a list of great lenders.
  4. Let’s go home shopping! Once you are pre-qualified we can go look for a home. No home is perfect but typically if it meets 80% of your wants, you’re on a good track.
  5. Make an Offer. Once we have found the right home I will run numbers for the area and we will come up with an offer together. The offer encompasses several factors. We will go through them one by one. It’s important you feel comfortable with the offer presented.
  6. Once you offer is accepted I will them guide you through the rest of the sales process; which includes inspections, negotiating repairs or credits, appraisals, financing, final walk through, closing, etc.

The overall process can take a few months and as your agents I’d be with you during the entire process.If you have any questions please feel free to contact me anytime.

 

 

 

For sale by owner

Posted on by Ali Palacios - Broker

Since you are selling your home by owner, you’re probably getting swamped by calls, letters, and even some knocks on your door.

But, does it seem like most of them are from real estate agents?

Unfortunately, that’s the way it goes for many people who try to sell on their own.

Also, most of the agents you hear from are trying to convince you…

  • To list with them
  • That you’re going to lose money
  • That they can get you more money
  • That they can sell it quickly
  • Yada, yada, yada…

I’m not touching base to say any of that. In fact, I wish you the best of luck!

The reason I am reaching out is to see if you’re looking to buy a house.

If you are, I would love the chance to work with you on your purchase.

I understand trying to save money when you’re selling a house. I truly do. But on your purchase, the cost of a buyer’s agent is part of the price you’re paying for the house. So, you might as well work with an agent…and the best one you can find, at that.

So, I’d love to chat or meet and give you a feel for why I am the best one for the job.

Just give me a ring. I’m looking forward to hearing from you!

P.S.: Would you like a free estimated market analysis on your home and comps. Now, keep in mind, it is an estimate since I’ve never toured your home to get a true insight. This will be a little more insightful than a “Zestimate” however, those buggers can be pretty off the track sometime. I’ve also attached a disclosure form. You’re going to need one of these to keep you protected after a sale, to ensure the buyer doesn’t come back and try to say you hid anything.

You will also find a FSBO guide. I hope you find it helpful

seller disclosures – FSBO

The Ultimate Guide for FSBOs

Let’s find your dream home

Posted on by Ali Palacios - Broker

Can you afford to flush away 12,000+ dollars every year? Maybe you can, but it certainly isn’t something I could afford to do. And if you can’t afford it either. My name is Ali Palacios and I’m a real estate broker with Happy Clients Realty Group. I’ve been working in the Richmond area for 11  years now and have had the pleasure of getting to work with our neighbors in finding them their dream home. Usually, these buyers started off with me as renters. They were incredibly shocked to see how much of a difference renting vs. buying could afford them in our neighborhoods. Some of our clients could own a bigger home with a beautiful backyard for less or equal to the money they were tossing into their apartment complex.

Let me ask you something, when you pay rent, did you know you’re paying a mortgage? But you see, the loss is that you aren’t paying your own mortgage. You’re paying someone else’s. Not only are you paying off their mortgage, you’re also giving them a profit. They actually make money off of you. Now, after a year of paying your monthly rent, you never get to see that money again. It’s gone. The difference with owning a home? The money you put into the home builds equity. The home is yours. You’re putting money into something you OWN., so you’re not flushing away money.

I get it, you might be locked in a contract for a few months longer, but let’s get in touch anyways. It’s never too early to start planning out your future, and I’d love to be the guiding hand in helping you get your action plan started in the right direction. You deserve a dream home. You deserve to OWN the things you spend your hard-earned money on. If you’re tired of wasting money, give me a call, shoot me an email, or even a text.

Real estate isn’t a job, it’s become a passion. I have had the pleasure of changing lives, and I’d love to help change yours – for the better, of course. And if you’re worried about your credit or about down payments, don’t worry! There are lots of programs out there that can help. We can’t plan your next step, however, without taking the very first step. And your first step is to connect with me, because I’ll handle the rest. Talk to you soon!

Have you ever thought about a career in real estate?

Posted on by Ali Palacios - Broker

Have you ever thought about a career in real estate? Would you like to chat about the possibility?

I won’t say it’s easy but it will give you work/life balance if done right…”

“The greatest thing about being in real estate is that you decide when, and how much, you work…”

How many times have you heard someone in this business say that you should have, or can have, a nice balance between work and life in this business?! It’s almost like a joke…if only it were actually funny.

I set out to do something about it for myself and other agents. I’d love for you to be one of those agents.

If you’re struggling to find the “life” in work / life balance, I’d love to help you find it.

Can you spare some time soon?

Join our Team!

Posted on by Ali Palacios - Broker

There’s a lot of agents who stay at the same company, year after year, even if they’re unhappy.

Why?!

Because they’re kind’ve stuck! It’s not their fault…

The way things work in this business, once you’ve got your “pipeline” filled, it’s really tough to make a move from one company to another. There’s always a deal or two (or more!) in process, and if the agent tries to move, they often have to leave some (or even all) of their clients, deals, and commissions behind.

That’s a great way for a company to retain their agents…

…but an awful way to retain and maintain happy agents.

Which is why I allow any agent who joins our company to change companies at any time, and take all of their clients with them. We want our agents to be here because they want to be, not because they feel they can’t move. And we constantly strive to keep them happy.

If you feel like you can’t make a smooth move and transition over to another company because your pipeline is filled with business…then I want to meet with you and show you how I can help you unclog that pipeline and get it flowing smoothly over to our company (so you don’t miss a beat or lose a penny).

If you’re totally happy where you are, that’s great. If not, give me a call!

 

Our  VISION 

At Happy Clients Realty Group our goal is to serve each client with utmost professionalism, integrity, and outstanding customer service. Our fiduciary relationship with our clients is the highest priority. We work diligently to help them achieve their dreams. We educate and simplify the many challenges of buying and/or selling a home. We provide consistent communication and prompt follow-thru from the beginning of the transaction to the end, and beyond. We utilize our outstanding negotiating skills and vast knowledge of the Houston metro area to the benefit of our clients. We are a team of talented professionals devoted to clients.

What’s Included in the Sales of a House?

Posted on by Ali Palacios - Broker

Did you ever wonder is that beautiful chandelier in the foyer is included in the sale of the property? What about the beautiful potted plants that accent the garden?

Contracts commonly used in Texas home sales state that the house, fixtures, improvements, and accessories are part of the sale. Here are examples of what stays and goes

Vocabulary: Agency & Agency Relationships

Posted on by Ali Palacios - Broker

The term “agency” is used in real estate to help determine what legal responsibilities your real estate professional owes to you and other parties in the transaction.

The seller’s representative (also known as a listing agent or seller’s agent) is hired by and represents the seller. All fiduciary duties are owed to the seller, meaning this person’s job is to get the best price and terms for the seller. The agency relationship usually is created by a signed listing contract.

The buyer’s representative (also known as a buyer’s agent) is hired by prospective buyers to and works in the buyer’s best interest throughout the transaction. The buyer can pay the agent directly through a negotiated fee, or the buyer’s rep may be paid by the seller or through a commission split with the seller’s agent.

A subagent owes the same fiduciary duties to the agent’s customer as the agent does. Subagency usually arises when a cooperating sales associate from another brokerage, who is not the buyer’s agent, shows property to a buyer. The subagent works with the buyer to show the property but owes fiduciary duties to the listing broker and the seller. Although a subagent cannot assist the buyer in any way that would be detrimental to the seller, a buyer customer can expect to be treated honestly by the subagent.

A disclosed dual agent represents both the buyer and the seller in the same real estate transaction. In such relationships, dual agents owe limited fiduciary duties to both buyer and seller clients. Because of the potential for conflicts of interest in a dual-agency relationship, all parties must give their informed consent. Disclosed dual agency is legal in most states, but often requires written consent from all parties.

Designated agents (also called appointed agents) are chosen by a managing broker to act as an exclusive agent of the seller or buyer. This allows the brokerage to avoid problems arising from dual-agency relationships for licensees at the brokerage. The designated agents give their clients full representation, with all of the attendant fiduciary duties.

A transaction broker (sometimes referred to as a facilitator) is permitted in states where nonagency relationships are allowed. These relationships vary considerably from state to state. Generally, the duties owed to the consumer in a nonagency relationship are less than the complete, traditional fiduciary duties of an agency relationship.

Source: Realtor.com

Texas Real Estate Commission Consumer Protection Notice Texas Real Estate Commission Consumer Protection Notice