How homes get sold in Bluffton for highest possible price

By Larry Stoller CONTRIBUTOR

Here’s how homes get sold in a traditional real estate business transaction:

1. The home gets listed by a real estate brokerage, wherein the seller pays a total commission to that brokerage to list, market and sell that home.

2. The total commission, which is negotiable, is a percentage of the sale price, and the breakdown of that commission is usually 50% to the listing brokerage and 50% to the selling brokerage (the buyer’s agent).

3. The listing brokerage lists that home in their local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and indicates what percentage of the total commission (called the coop commission) that will be paid to the brokerage that brings in the buyer.

4. Once listed in the local area MLS, that listing is then syndicated to Zillow, Realtor. com, Trulia and hundreds – maybe thou- sands – of other real estate websites for buyers to see when they search for their dream homes.

5. With more than 2,100 real estate agents in our local area MLS, more than 90% of the time, it’s the buyer’s agent who brings in the buyer (makes sense by the numbers and moreso since the listing agent represents the seller).

6. The buyer’s agent submits the offer to the listing agent, who submits the offer to their sellers, who decide to accept, reject or counter and back and forth until buyers and sellers agree to all terms of the contract.

So when selling your home, how do you know which company and agent will sell your home fast and for the highest possible price? The answer is: Since the internet gives the same advantages to all real estate companies, whether big or small, choose the agent who best knows how to price and market your home so that it will sell at the highest possible price.

Here’s what to look for when choosing your listing agent:

1. Does the listing agent have a proven track record in selling local area homes?

2. Does the listing agent utilize enhanced marketing methods in addition to traditional real estate marketing?

3. Does the listing agent add value to your home by adding updates, upgrades and special features in the MLS?

4. Does the listing agent add value to your home by adding compelling captions to property photos in the MLS?

5. Does the listing agent also utilize exclusive property websites that effectively market your home 24/7?

6. Does the listing agent have excellent negotiating skills and incentives that will give you the competitive edge?

Email me with any questions or visit our website.

Larry Stoller is a broker and Realtor with Real Estate Five of the Lowcountry. Larry@ RealEstateFive.com, RealEstateFive.com

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT IN BLUFFTON as of July 1: 23 Plantation Drive, Suite 202, 1,300 sq. ft., five offices, waiting room, bathroom, lots of parking. $3,100/month. Contact Larry at 843-290-5101

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Through May 28

Sondheim’s “Company,” Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island, tickets 843-8422787 or artshhi.org.

Through May 28

“May River Magic,” art by John Kenney, featured at Society of Bluffton Artists (SOBA), 6 Church St., Old Town Bluffton. Opening reception 5-7 p.m. May 6. Gallery hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. sobagallery.com or 843-757-6586

May 5

SOBA 2nd annual Art Auction Fundraiser, in partnership with Bluffton Soup Kitchen, 5:30-9:30 p.m. at Bostwick Pavilion at Moss Creek. Tickets $100. Proceeds benefit both nonprofits. sobagallery.com

May 5-6

Taste of Beaufort Culture, Music and Food Festival, Henry Chambers Waterfront Park, Beaufort. Free admission, $1 food tickets. 5-10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Art vendors noon-6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. Music by Deaz Guys, Dirty Boots Brass Band and others. Beaufortsc.org/atasteofbeaufort

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Bluffton 8th Grade Juried Art Show, featuring student art from Bluffton schools, on exhibit at Bluffton Library. People’s Choice voting through April 29. Artist Awards reception May 4.

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“The Rise and Fall of Little Voice,” May River Theatre at Ulmer Auditorium, 20 Bridge St., Bluffton. Performances 7:30 p.m. May 5-6; 2 p.m. May 7. Tickets $26 at mayrivertheatre.com.

May 11

25th anniversary celebration, 4-8 p.m. at Four Corners Fine Art & Framing, 1263-B May River Rd. in Old Town Bluffton. Kick off for year-long anniversary events. 843-757-8185 or fourcornersgallerybluffton.com

May 12

Fei-Fei in Concert, Finale of 2022-23 Recital Series, Hilton Head International Piano Competition, at SoundWaves, 7 Lagoon Road, Hilton Head Island. Tickets $30 at hhipc.org or 843-842-2055.

May 12 Scott Cook and Pamela Mae at Music on Malphrus, 7 p.m. 110 Malphrus Road, Bluffton, at Unitarian Universalist Congregation. General admission

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“Art That Makes You Smile: The Gently Surreal Art of John K. Crum,” at Art League of Hilton Head, 14 Shelter Cove Lane. Gallery hours 10 am.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-4 p.m. Sunday, and 90 minutes before every Arts Center perfor- mance. artleaguehhi.org or 843-681-5060

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May 20

“The Torching,” by local author Kerry Peresta, book signing, 11 a.m.-3 pm., Barnes & Noble, 20 Hatton Place, Hilton Head Island. kerryperesta.net

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Art by Susan Patton, at Island Rec Center gallery, 20 Wilborn Road, Hilton Head Island. Current works on display, 6 a.m.-9 p.m. daily.

May 28

“America Sings!,” annual patriotic concert, by Hilton Head choral Society, 7 p.m. First Presbyterian Church, 540 William Hilton Parkway. Features Savannah Brass Quartet and special guest speaker Gen. Lloyd W. “Fig” Newton, USAF (ret.) Tickets at hiltonheadchoralsociety.org or 843-341-3818.

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