Navigating Commission & Contract Changes

When it comes to selling your home, you might be tempted by the allure of a cash offer. Companies promoting cash sales emphasize quick transactions and minimal hassle, but how does this compare to listing your home on the market? Let’s explore the advantages and disadvantages of both methods, with insights from Sarah Leonard of Legacy Properties. The Cash Offer: Speed and Simplicity Cash offers are often marketed as the ultimate convenience. Companies making cash offers boast about closing quickly and buying homes in "as-is" condition, which can be especially appealing if you're looking to avoid repairs or lengthy negotiations. Pros of Cash Offers: Speed: Cash buyers can often close in just days, bypassing the typical sale process. Convenience: No need for showings, staging, or extensive negotiations. No Repairs Needed: Cash offers are generally for homes in any condition. However, while the convenience of cash offers is undeniable, there are significant factors to weigh. Cons of Cash Offers: Lower Sale Price: Cash offers often come in below market value. Sarah Leonard recently shared a compelling case where a homeowner received a cash offer of $180,000 but sold the home for $242,000 after listing it traditionally. That’s a $62,000 difference that highlights the potential financial downside of accepting a cash offer. Less Flexibility: Cash buyers usually have strict timelines. If you need more time to move, you might find traditional buyers more accommodating. The Traditional Sale: Potential for Higher Profit Opting for a traditional sale might involve more effort, but it can often yield a higher sale price. This method includes preparing your home for market, staging, and working with a realtor to attract buyers. Pros of Traditional Sales: Higher Sale Price: Listing traditionally can result in a much higher sale price, as illustrated by Sarah Leonard’s recent transactions. Her team helped a homeowner secure a price $62,000 more than a cash offer. Flexibility: Traditional sales offer more room for negotiating closing dates and terms, which can include rent-back agreements if you need more time to move. Cons of Traditional Sales: Time and Effort: Preparing for sale involves cleaning, staging, and accommodating showings. Potential for Delays: Traditional sales can be lengthy, and mortgage approvals may sometimes fall through, causing delays. The Hidden Costs of Cash Offers Although cash buyers advertise "no commissions," this can be misleading. The lower sale price associated with cash offers often means a significantly smaller net profit. For example, if you sell your home for $180,000 with no commission but could have sold it for $240,000 with a $15,000 commission, you’re potentially losing out on $45,000 in profit. Why Consider a Real Estate Professional? Sarah Leonard emphasizes that many homeowners might think a cash offer is the only solution, especially if their home needs repairs. However, traditional sales can be just as straightforward. Her experience shows that even homes with issues can fetch higher prices when listed with a professional. For instance, despite a home's issues like mold and a sagging roof, Sarah Leonard’s team was able to achieve a much higher sale price than the initial cash offer. Conclusion: Making the Right Choice Choosing between a cash offer and a traditional sale depends on your priorities. If you value speed and convenience and are willing to accept a lower price, a cash offer might suit you. However, if maximizing your sale price is important and you have some time to prepare, listing your home traditionally could be more advantageous. For expert guidance tailored to your specific needs, consider reaching out to Sarah Leonard at Legacy Properties. With her deep understanding of the market and commitment to achieving the best outcomes for her clients, she can help you navigate these choices effectively. To learn more or to discuss your home selling options, contact Sarah Leonard at 224-239-3966 or visit sarahleonardsells.com.

Avoiding Home Transition Stress: Proven Strategies from Sarah Leonard and David Hochberg

Navigating the Real Estate Market: Expert Tips from Trusted Professionals In the ever-changing world of real estate, the decision to buy or sell a home can feel overwhelming. With so much at stake, many homeowners find themselves grappling with the fear of selling their current property before finding a new one. Fortunately, there are solutions available, and who better to guide you through the process than two of the most trusted names in the industry: Realtor Sarah Leonard from the Sarah Leonard Team and David Hochberg, your local lender and host of Home Sweet Home Chicago. Expert Guidance for a Seamless Transition When the real estate market is buzzing with activity, it’s essential to lean on professionals who can provide clarity and support. For many, the biggest concern is ensuring that they don’t end up without a home after selling their current property. This is where Sarah Leonard and David Hochberg come in, offering solutions that can make the process smooth and stress-free. Sarah Leonard’s Approach: Sarah Leonard has extensive experience helping clients navigate the complexities of buying and selling homes. One common scenario she encounters is clients who are hesitant to sell their home for fear of not securing a new one in time. Sarah’s strategy involves a meticulous approach to timing and coordination. The key is to align the sale of your current home with the purchase of your new one. For instance, Sarah recently assisted two listeners who were able to sell their current home in the morning and close on their new home in the afternoon. This seamless transition is a testament to the effectiveness of proper planning and coordination. As Sarah would emphasize, working with a knowledgeable real estate professional can help ensure that the timing of both transactions is perfectly synchronized. David Hochberg’s Financial Solutions: On the financial side, David Hochberg offers valuable solutions to address concerns about financing and cash flow. Here are a few strategies that David suggests: Cash-Out Refinance: If you have substantial equity in your current home, consider a cash-out refinance. This allows you to access cash for the purchase of a new home while retaining your existing property until you’re ready to transition. Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC): Another option is to use a HELOC as a bridge loan. This approach involves tapping into the equity of your current home to fund the purchase of a new one. Once your current home is sold, the HELOC is paid off, leaving you with a more manageable loan on your new property. David’s expertise in structuring these financial solutions ensures that homeowners can make informed decisions and ease the transition between properties. His approach helps to alleviate the financial stress that often accompanies buying and selling homes simultaneously. Experience You Can Trust With over 44 years of combined experience in the real estate and mortgage industries, Sarah Leonard and David Hochberg bring unparalleled expertise to the table. Their extensive knowledge and problem-solving skills are invaluable for anyone looking to navigate the real estate market with confidence. Whether you’re considering buying, selling, or both, reaching out to Sarah Leonard and David Hochberg can provide you with the guidance and support needed to make informed decisions and achieve your real estate goals. Get in Touch: Sarah Leonard: For expert real estate advice and to explore your options, visit sarahleonardsells.com or contact Sarah directly. David Hochberg: For financial solutions and mortgage advice, tune in to Home Sweet Home Chicago every Saturday morning or visit 56david.com for more information. In the complex world of real estate, having trusted professionals by your side can make all the difference. Don’t let the fear of the unknown hold you back—reach out to Sarah and David today and take the first step towards a smooth and successful real estate transaction.

Local Expertise: Avoid Risks with Online Lenders

Why You Should Trust Local Experts When Buying or Selling a Home When it comes to buying or selling a home, choosing the right professionals can make all the difference. I recently sat down in the studio with two trusted real estate experts: Sarah Leonard, a renowned realtor, and David Hochberg, the mortgage expert and host of Home Sweet Home Chicago. Together, they highlighted the importance of working with local professionals who are deeply rooted in their communities. A Cautionary Tale: The Perils of Online Lenders Sarah shared a story that perfectly illustrates the risks of relying on online lenders. She recently helped a friend sell her home in record time—just one week. However, the buyer made the fateful decision to use an online lender (who shall remain unnamed but whose name rhymes with a well-known mortgage company). The result? The buyer failed to show up for the closing, leaving Sarah’s friend in an incredibly stressful situation. This wasn't just a minor inconvenience. The sale of her home was crucial because she was set to purchase a new home just hours later. The failed closing caused a domino effect, leaving her temporarily without a place to live and in a bind that could have been avoided with the help of a local lender. The Value of Local Expertise David Hochberg was quick to point out the dangers of using online lenders. "If you want to see blood leave a realtor's face, tell them you're using an online lender," he joked, but the truth behind the humor is serious. When you're dealing with an online lender, it's often impossible to reach someone when you need them most. Calls go unanswered, and the lack of local presence can result in delays that jeopardize the entire transaction. On the other hand, working with local experts like Sarah Leonard and David Hochberg ensures that you're dealing with professionals who can take action. David emphasized the importance of having someone who can walk down to the underwriter's desk or who has direct control over the lending process. This local connection is key to ensuring a smooth transaction. A Track Record of Success David and Sarah's commitment to their clients is reflected in their track record. Out of the 100 or so transactions they've managed, none have gone sideways. In fact, they’ve got a closing set for 45 days out, and the buyer already has a conditional approval in place. That’s the kind of peace of mind that only comes with working with trusted local professionals. The Bottom Line If you're in the market to buy or sell a home, or if you just want to know what your current home is worth, make sure you’re working with experts who have a proven track record. Visit Sarah Leonard's website to learn more about how she can help you with your real estate needs. And if you need refinancing or financing, call David Hochberg's team at 855-56-DAVID or visit 56David.com. Remember, when it comes to real estate, there’s no substitute for local expertise.

Sarah Leonard & Christie Nyquist

WCKG · Sarah Leonard & Christie Nyquist ReMARKable Radio   "Sarah Leonard has been selling Real Estate for over 12 years in the Chicago Suburbs. As a native of the area, Sarah combines her knowledge of the local communities with her equally impressive experience!" A lifelong resident of the Chicagoland Suburbs, Sarah Leonard possesses an impeccable knowledge of the local market, its diverse neighborhoods, and everything in-between. Having been in the real estate business for over ten years and bringing a background as a loan processor to the table, Sarah’s expertise makes her the Realtor of choice to handle all your real estate needs. Christie Nyquist maintains the day to day team operations to ensure that things are running smoothly from all angles. She manages the marketing, oversees the staff and agents, and works to keep things organized at the office. To learn more about the Sarah Leonard team you can visit http://sarahleonardsells.com/