However, when a property is so unique that pricing can be difficult, an appraisal can guide sellers towards proper pricing. We say, "guide" towards proper pricing, since we have seen many homes sell above as well below appraisal price. If you have a question on whether you should obtain an appraisal on your home, please feel free to contact us for counsel.

Q: How do you set the price for my home?
A: We will meet with you to review a proprietary sale value analysis of your home, evaluate supply and demand for the area, and examine property condition. At that point, we can guide you to the correct range of pricing, by using good reference points.

Q: There are a couple of people who are interested in buying my home. If they buy it, do I have to pay you a commission?
A: Absolutely not. There is no commission due for any buyer you find, before or while you have your home listed with us, as long as that buyer is not an Agent or working with an Agent. With most agents, if you have your home listed with them and find your own buyer, you owe them the full commission. How would you feel if this happened? With us, unless you want our assistance, there is no commission due.

Q: I'm out of town. Can you handle the transaction for me or will I need to come back to town?
A: We can take care of all the details from start to finish without you needing to come to town. We have handled sales with clients living as far away as Makinen and Fargo. We simply need a key and your fax number to get started.

Q: My home needs some repairs. Do you know any service people that can help?
A: We have a number of service people whom we have used in the past and are happy to recommend to you.

Q: I don't have any money to fix up my home. Can you still sell it in its current condition?
A: Absolutely! Just like any home, we will simply evaluate the condition issues, supply/demand in the neighborhood, and pricing relative to those factors. Our reference points will tell us how to price your home.

Q: How long is your listing agreement for?
A: For ease of paperwork, we typically use a four month period. But remember, unlike most agents, you are free to cancel anytime.

Q: I am currently listed with another agent and want to cancel. Can you get me out of my listing agreement with them?
A: Unfortunately, if you signed a listing agreement with another agent, you are bound by that agreement. You certainly can approach the broker or agent to address your unresolved issues. Our "cancel anytime" policy towards listings does not give us the authority to cancel other agents listings.

Q: What if my plans change and I don't need to sell my house?
A: You may cancel your listing at anytime. There is no charge and no hard feelings.

Q: Will you be representing me or the buyer?
A: We always represent the seller on any home we have listed for sale. The real question is whether we will be representing the buyer as well. In the event that we have a buyer for your home or another Keller Williams agent does, it would fall in the category of "Dual Agency". In that scenario, unless you have instructed us in writing otherwise, Keller Williams Classic Realty would represent both parties.

Q: Will you make a flyer for my house?
A: Yes. We prepare a professionally printed, multiple photo, full color flyer on your home. However, unlike most agents, we do not place flyers outside the home in a "take one" box. Statistically, flyers out front discourage buyers from calling. If we cannot directly speak to the buyer, it is nearly impossible to sell them your home. We always place the flyer inside the home to highlight the home's unique features and as a visual reminder for the buyer. Our Buyer Retrieval Program™ sign rider will hang from the bottom of your for sale sign, and acts as the best tool for gathering interested buyers of your home. We will show you how it works.

Q: Can I have my sign as well as yours on the property?
The only marketing right you give up when you list with us is your own for sale sign. Having another sign, besides our Keller Williams Classic Realty Sign, could potentially interfere with agent showings. In order to comply with Realtor rules, we can only have one sign on the property.

Q: If I list with you, can I still run an ad in the paper or hold an Open House?
Yes. The ONLY marketing right you give up when you list with us is your personal yard sign. If you find a Buyer who is not an agent, and who isn't working with an agent, you have the option of calling and letting us know you've sold the property. We will then cancel the listing at no charge to you. Or, if you would like us to represent you in the sale, we will write the contract and handle all the various details to ensure a successful closing. You pay just 2%!

Q: Can discount brokers do an adequate job of selling my home?
A: Promotional costs such as photo’s, brochures, ads, MLS inserting fee’s, printing, direct mail, Steve and Chris’s Professional Telemarketing Department , TV air time, yard signs, etc. are paid by Steve and Chris. Will the discount broker offer a complete market campaign? Does the discount broker have a staff to personally attend to your specific needs? Do they have a proven track record of success, or are they using the discounted commission to win your business? Do they have the expertise to guide you through problems that may develop during the closing process? Remember that you only pay for our service when your property sells successfully; you owe nothing if STEVE MCENELLY AND CHRIS OLSON do not get results. The supply of buyers through your home will be less if your home is listed with a discount broker, because marketing is limited.

Q: Steve McEnelly and Chris Olson sell a lot of real estate, are they too busy to pay attention to my listing?
A: Just as superior restaurants are busy at dinnertime, and superior doctors have a long patient list, Steve and Chris’s success in marketing homes has resulted in them being busy. Like good restaurants and doctors, Steve and Chris have assembled a top-flight team of specialists to assist them with the routine details and free them up to devote the time and attention YOU require to sell your property successfully. Steve and Chris have built their business one satisfied customer at a time. And their goal is for you to be another satisfied client who spreads the word about how well you were served. Who knows, your words may appear at the top of this very site!!

Q: Should I select the Realtor who says they can get me the highest price?
A: This is the oldest scam in real estate; tell the seller what they want to hear and compliment the home to get the listing, and then ask for a significant price reduction 30 days later. Instead, insist on a well-researched computerized market analysis, NOT LIMITED TO MLS INFO! What else can this realtor show you to determine what price your home will bear in today’s market? How many ways can they put their finger on price? Select your Realtor based on things like visibility, market share, area history, ambition, then ask them for their take on price. Keep in mind; we will give you a four-point price analysis, not matched in the marketplace!

Q: Is pricing a home for sale a mysterious process?
A: Your home will sell for whatever the market will bear. To determine that range of value, we must be very selective in comparing homes to yours in terms of sale price. Furthermore, because every home is unique, your home will sell for high or low range depending upon its condition (See questions below). Steve and Chris have a proprietary 4-step method to determine value, using "reference points". It is not an easy process, but not a mysterious one either.

Q: How important is property condition to buyers?
A: Very Important! A home in superior condition will sell faster and for more money than a home in average condition with a lower asking price. Many home sellers recognize this and re-paint, and re-carpet their homes in preparation for selling. These sellers know that home buyers purchase value and will perceive a clean, fresh home as more appealing than an average, lived in forgive the mess home.

Q: Do empty homes show as nicely as furnished ones?
A: The important consideration is not whether or not a home is staged, clean, in good repair and available to show. If you must move to your new home before your old home has sold, simply take measures to ensure it shows well empty; repair/replace worn carpeting, oil woodwork, wash windows and clean walls. In fact, if its spotless... it will appear larger without your furnishings and the buyers can envision their belongings in each room more easily.

Q: What is your marketing plan to sell my house?
A: Do you mean how did we sell over 100 homes last year? We use several marketing techniques that put our listed homes in the path of buyers. Some of which include direct mail, target telemarketing, high Internet traffic, our Buyer Retrieval System™ and television commercials. Each of the homes we sell is unique, and we do not believe in a "canned" marketing plan approach. However, certain things work time and time again, and we look forward to showing you our best kept secrets!

Q: How will I know when someone wants to see my house?
A: We have a full staff of professionals designed specifically to keep you informed. A request to see your home will originate in our office. Then, we will notify you of the request, and arrange for generally a 1-hour window for our prospects to arrive. These calls are generally made the day prior to the request for a showing. In rare cases, a short notice showing may be requested, and this would indicate a prospect would like to see your home in the next hour or two. A good rule of thumb is to leave your home each morning anticipating a showing while you are away. This way, we are always ready to sell!

Q: Is an open house the best way to sell my home?
A: Open houses can be useful at times. We feel there are much more useful ways to market your home, so we are very selective in using open houses. We would like to make a decision on holding open houses together. Generally, 3% of listed homes sell from an open house. However, this is a good way for newer Realtors to find buyers for the area in general, but certainly not the best use of our marketing dollars in terms of the sale of your home. Although, this is a good way to see how your neighbors have lived, and for them to see how you have lived!