Generally, a real estate brokerage and an agent represent the property seller. The broker and agent are responsible for marketing and advertising the property and finding a qualified buyer. Sometimes, other agents from other brokerage firms present qualified buyers, too. The broker and agent act as mediators between the seller and the buyer to negotiate a contract of sale and help complete the transaction. The seller pays the brokerage firm a fee based on the final sale price of the home.

Although brokers and agents are contracted and paid by the seller, either can act as a buyer’s representative, or buyer’s agent, and work exclusively to represent a buyer. The agent helps the buyer browse properties for sale, takes the buyer on showings, and can negotiate a sales contract with the seller once the right property has been found. The agent then helps the buyer select an attorney to prepare the settlement documents, and the broker and agent work hand-in-hand with the attorney, financial institution, and other required agencies to be sure that the buyer contingencies are met in order to finalize the transaction at settlement. As a buyer, the services offered by your broker cost you absolutely nothing.

If You’re Selling…

Where should you begin? If you’re a seller, the place to begin is with Lester Realty. Your home is an investment, and it’s our responsibility to assure that you get the best return on your investment.

Give us a call and we’ll come to your home and provide a no-obligation comparative market analysis. We’ll take a tour of your home and compare it to others for sale or that have recently sold in the region. A report will be prepared for you so that you can see how your home’s features, size, location, and condition measure up to others. From there, your agent will work with you to construct a competitive sales price. These steps prevent you from "pricing yourself out of the market" by over-pricing, and it gives the prospective buyer justification to respect the total judgment of the broker. We’ll market your home in the Multiple Listing System for all of Sussex County so that all other agents and brokers will have access to your home’s information to show to their buyers, too. We can schedule open houses and advertise your property in other local publications as well. With over 30 years of experience, we can read if potential buyers are simply "window shopping" or if they have a genuine interest in purchasing your home.

If You’re Buying…

Sometimes it’s best, if you’re planning to buy a property, to know exactly what you’re qualified to buy. Not only should buyers consider the price of the home, but also should consider the settlement fees (transfer tax, loan fees, attorney expenses, inspection fees, etc.), monthly mortgage payments, and annual property taxes. If you’ve ever purchased a home, you’re familiar with the types of cost involved. If you’re a first time buyer, that’s where you’ll need to depend on Lester Realty to help you through.

If you’ve not been pre-qualified to buy a home, that’s okay. It’s not required, but purchasers should know their boundaries before they start looking. We’ve got lenders who are willing to help you get the financing you need. If you’ve ever been turned down for financing, you know that sometimes lenders can be less than helpful, and provide only an unexplained denial. With mortgage lending, however, banks and mortgage companies often provide guidelines and contingencies for loan approval. Lester Realty can help you meet those contingencies to get your financing approved. There are even local lenders available to help those with no-so-perfect credit.

You and your agent can start by browsing listings online. This will enable you to find exactly what you’re looking for and eliminate those which may be unsuited to your needs and budget. You can search for properties using important criteria like price range, bedrooms, and location. This can save you from hours of fruitless searching or disappointing let-downs. Once you and your agent have found properties that meet your requirements, your agent can take you to the property to walk through and see it for yourself. We’ll then bring you together with the seller and help negotiate an amicable contract of sale between both parties. We’ll hold your deposit in escrow and work with your attorney and lender to be sure that you have the appropriate surveys and inspections to facilitate a smooth settlement. We’ll even come to settlement to see you close the deal.

Lester Realty, Incorporated has been experienced in selling real estate in the Georgetown and surrounding areas for over 30 years, so you can be confident that we will provide for all of your real estate needs with the type of care and professionalism that only experience can bring.