Selling a home is filled with complexities that can be difficult to navigate, especially when going through the process for the first time. As a seller, you should always remember no question is stupid. Asking as many questions as possible can help you avoid costly mistakes, and your real estate agent is there to help educate you about the process.

To help put clients at ease, here is a quick list of common real estate questions sellers are often too afraid to ask:

• How Are Real Estate Agents Paid?
  Your real estate agent will do a lot of work upfront to help you sell your home and maximize your sale price. However, real estate agents are not paid upfront or hourly. They also do not receive a salary. A real estate agent is only paid when your home sells, and they receive a percentage of the home sale as a commission.Typically, the buyer’s agent and the seller’s agent both receive 3% of the sale price, and that commission is usually paid by the seller. Many times, real estate agents then split a portion of their commission with their broker as well.
• Do I Have To Relocate My Pets While My Home Is On The Market?
  Pets come with so much joy, but they can occasionally make the selling process a bit inconvenient. While many people love cats and dogs, some people do not. While relocating your pets may not be feasible, you should make every attempt to eliminate pet odors and put away toys or accessories. You don’t want visitors tripping over dog bowls when touring your listing!
• Do I Need Listing Photos?
  Staging your home and taking listing photos can be a bit inconvenient at times for sellers. It can be difficult to live in a staged home, and keeping things pristine at all times can be a lot of work. However, listing photos are essential for attracting buyers to your property. Most home shoppers browse listings online, so listing photos have never been more important. The manner in which you stage your home combined with your listing photos can have a major impact on your sale price.
• Can I Leave Something Out Of The Sale?
  While buyers typically don’t expect sellers to leave furniture, they do expect buyers to leave most appliances. As a seller, it’s your right to exclude anything you’d like from the home sale, but you must disclose what’s not included upfront. Your real estate agent will usually add notes to the MLS listing. Just keep in mind excluding major appliances, lighting fixtures, or anything else can negatively impact your listing and sale price.
• Can I Decorate For The Holidays?
  While agents usually advise clients to keep decorations to a minimum, decorating for the holidays is perfectly acceptable. Just do so tastefully and don’t go overboard. Too many lights or decorations can be distracting.

Selling your home can be a fast-paced, complicated process, and you’re sure to have tons of questions along the way. Even if something might seem obvious, don’t hesitate to double-check with your agent. Your agent’s job is to make your home sale as smooth as possible.

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