Seller Services

As a Seller, we share your goal to get your home sold for the highest possible price in the shortest period of time. Interviewing Agents to list your home?  Be sure you're getting the very best representation and ask tough questions like:

• What was your past year's average list to sales price ratio for all listings sold? In 2009, our Mother/Daughter team had an average of 99% with some homes selling for 100% of list price. Netting so close to list price demonstrates knowledge of the market and top notch negotiation skills.
• Will you spend money professionally staging my home (costing hundreds of dollars) if necessary?  Our professional stager is certified by the American Society of Home Stagers & Redesigners. A 2008 study by the Real Estate Staging Association showed that staged homes had 85% - 89% less days on market than non-staged homes.
• Are you experienced selling homes in my area? Tammy & Judy have sold property in Lakeway, Pflugerville, Tarrytown, Legend Oaks, Wells Branch, Milwood, Northwest Hills, Scofield Farms, Canyon Creek, Round Rock, Leander, North Austin, Central Austin, South Austin, and everywhere in between plus we have 27 years combined real estate experience and have been Austin residents since 1978.
• What happens if my home does not generate frequent showings? Tammy & Judy have a robust & proven marketing plan.
• Are you on top of the latest marketing technology that today's Buyers are using? We blog, tweet, and always stay ahead of the curve giving you a competitive advantage.
• Can you provide me with references? We're happy to let you speak with past clients.
• Do you only sell single family homes?  No, we are a full-service Realtor team with experience selling all types of real estate. In addition to single family homes, we have also sold lots, duplexes, townhomes and condominiums.

If you are being promised a price, ask the Agent what happens when you don't get an offer within a reasonable timeframe. Be sure to also ask how many expired listings (listings that did not sell within the list timeframe) the Agent had. In 2009, Tammy and Judy had 0 expired listings.

Make sure the Agent you choose can back up their promises with a solid performance history demonstrating they can achieive those results. Our full-service strategy ensures we put in the necessary working hours and spend the necessary amount on marketing expenses to get your home sold! Don't miss our FREE Reports section where you'll find great information like this handy checklist of critial questions to ask before hiring a real estate agent.

Why should you list with us?

1. Your best interests drive all we do. As a Seller's Agent we are acting completely in your best interests. Though we know how to work effectively with Buyers, we will never share confidential information such as the lowest price you would accept on your home or the date you must sell by.
2. Proven marketing plan: Our marketing plan includes a professional virtual tour & high quality pictures, home posted to over 30 Buyer-searching websites on listhub, Twitter/blog promotion, premium Realtor.com promotion (most Agents don't pay extra for this giving your home only 1 picture), color flyers inside & out, Agent neighborhood tour, open house, follow-up & feedback on Agent showings, social network promotion, Just listed postcards, and much more.  In a nutshell, we know how to get homes SOLD!
3. We put your home's best foot forward: A comfortable home to live in is totally different from a home that is put on the market to sell. We know how to stage & prepare a home to net the highest possible sales price.  Our clients have received offers in only a few days or weeks! Our home enhancement skills mean your house will appeal to the widest array of Buyers and we can save you money by avoiding expenses on unimportant home preparation tasks.
4. Frequent communication: You will hear from us on a frequent basis and we'll continually make recommendations on necessary changes in our marketing plan to get your home sold within your timeframe.  We've had clients come to us after being frustrated with other Agents who did not respond to their calls and emails. This does not happen with us.
5. We put in the necessary working hours and marketing expenses: Since 88% of For Sale By Owner homes eventually list, putting a sign in your yard is not enough. Listing with a limited-service company also leaves you with little or no marketing plan. Our comprehensive marketing plan is a successful blueprint for selling a home. If you're committed to selling, we're committed to doing whatever it takes to get your home sold!

Why should I pay commission to sell my house?

Since recent statistics show 88% of people who try to sell their homes For Sale by Owner eventually end up listing with an Agent, it’s clear that an incredible amount of work goes into selling a home. Some of the many benefits to you in having an expert sell your home are listed below:

1. Expert knowledge: we have the most up-to-date information on pricing your home and know about competing properties in your area.  We also are aware of anything happening in the current local market that may impact your home value. For example, For example, the Austin city council recently passed a new ordinance requiring certain homes in the city of Austin to get an energy audit. We will know if your home needs it and all up to date information affecting you. Not being aware of important issues like this could delay and complicate your home sale.

2. Top notch negotiation: there are many complex stages of negotiation in a real estate transaction from the sales price to the closing date to the repairs.  We have all the expertise and training you need to objectively evaluate offers received and give you the best advice. In addition, we know how to effectively work with Buyer's Agents to get the deal done while still serving your ultimate best interests.

3. Time savings: In today's busy world, who has any extra time?  It is extremely time-consuming to try and sell your house on your own. You must be available to show the property whenever potential Buyers want to see it. You must educate yourself on real estate law, home inspections & appraisals, complex real estate contracts, and much more.  Is it possible to piece together the information necessary to get a home sold?  Yes, but for most people, it makes more sense to hire an expert.

4. Effective marketing: the typical For Sale By Owner Seller simply is not a home marketing expert. Pictures may not highlight the home's best features or be taken from the correct angles.  The marketing flyer may leave out important selling features that today's Buyers want to know. Not being listed on 30+ home-searching sites means your home is essentially out of the game when Buyers do their online searches.  We'll give you a proven and effective marketing plan from start to finish and make sure you home is sold for top dollar.

5. Pre-qualified Buyers: one of the biggest benefits to listing with us is that you won't waste your time showing your home to curious neighbors, people who cannot afford it, people with bad credit, or people who may have to sell their home first.  When the home is listed, it will be shown only through a lockbox by Buyer's Agents (a much safer way as well) and most require their clients are pre-qualified before they start showing them homes.  Please review this free questions to asking before showing report, one of the many reports you can find on the FREE reports page.

Every Seller who hires us wants the most money they can get for their home and that is always our shared goal.  Keep in mind if you are reviewing limited service companies that charge a reduced commission, be sure you read all the fine print.  Many of these Agents only put your house in the MLS database and a sign in your yard with little or no marketing.

Ask what happens if your house doesn’t sell and needs more marketing to get it noticed? What if additional working hours are required if a serious problem comes up during your home’s inspection? Wouldn't you like to get feedback on all your showings, so you know what Buyers think and can make adjustments if necesssary (follow-up on every single showing is always part of our marketing plan)?

Listing with our full-service Mother/Daughter team means we will provide top notch customer service, frequent communication updates, a robust marketing plan, and assistance through every step of the real estate process from listing to marketing to closing your home. You won't have to worry as we do all the work.  Unfortunately no one works for free and a reduced fee equals reduced service.

Horizon Realty is a dynamic and established real estate company made up of experienced-only Agents. You'll find some of the top Agents in Austin in this large office of over 70 Agents. If you are looking to lease your home, we'd be happy to refer you to a Horizon Realty Agent who specializes in leasing. We have Agents who work in all areas of the city and would be happy to get your home rented for top dollar.