REALTORS Add Real Value
247 Reasons why it's worth working with a Realtor.® 

1. Give an overview of current market conditions and projections.

2. Review and explain transaction/ agency brokerage relationships.

3. Explain working relationships based on state law, the Realtor® Code of Ethics and the brokerage’s business policies.

4. Explain Federal and State Fair Housing [...]

As a home seller, you have a wide range of choices when deciding how to market your property. This includes whether you'd like to offer-or authorize your agent to offer-compensation to a buyer's agent as a way to attract potential buyers. Here's what you need to know as you consider your options related to offering compensation:

1. What is an offer of compensation and why make one? An offer of compensation is when you­the seller-or your agent compensate another agent for bringing a buyer to successfully close the transaction. Offers of compensation help reduce out-of-pocket costs for prospective buyers, which in turn may bring more potential buyers for the transaction. These costs can be especially significant for first-time buyers, lower- to middle-income buyers, or those from underserved communities.
2. Are offers of compensation mandatory? No. It is up to you to determine if making an offer of compensation is the best approach for selling your property. Agents who are REALTORS® are here to help answer your questions and guide you to make a decision that works for you.
3. As a seller, does my agent need my permission to offer compensation to a buyer's agent? Yes. Your agent can only offer compensation or make a payment to a buyer's agent if they have your written approval and signoff on the amount.
4. What types of compensation can I offer? There are many options available to you as a seller to discuss with your agent. These could include a flat fee paid directly to the buyer's agent or allowing your agent to share a part of their compensation with the buyer's agent. Beyond compensation, you could also consider offering a buyer certain concessions, such as covering closing costs, to make the total home purchase more affordable for them.
5. How will a buyer's agent know if there is an offer of compensation? Offers of compensation can be advertised in many ways. If you approve an offer of compensation, it can be shared through common marketing methods such as flyers, signs, brokerage websites, social media posts, or simply through a phone call or email. Offers of compensation cannot be listed on Multiple Listing Services (MLSs), on line platforms that compile home listings from many different sources.
6. Do I have to advertise an offer of compensation if I decide to make one? No, it's up to you to decide. Advertising can help get the word out to bring more buyers to the table, but you can also choose not to advertise and instead negotiate the offer in a purchase agreement.
7. You mention concessions-what does that mean? A seller concession is different than an offer of compensation. It is when a seller covers certain costs associated with purchasing a home for the buyer. Concessions can make home ownership more accessible for buyers by reducing upfront expenses. These can cover things like some transaction costs or property repairs.
8. How do I know what option is best for me? When you work with an agent who is a REALTOR®, you are working with a professional guided by ethical duties under the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, including the pledge to protect and promote the interests of their clients. Your agent will work with you to weigh your options, answer questions, and develop a strategy you are confident in. You can read more about REALTORS'® duty to put client interests above their own here.

Practices may vary based on state and local law. Consult your real estate professional and/or consult an attorney for details about state law where you are purchasing a home. Please visit facts.reg/tor for more information and resources.

CONSUMER GUIDE: FAIR HOUSING

Buying or selling a home is more than a transaction-it's fundamental to your long-term goals and financial future. Consumers and agents all have rights and responsibilities to promote a home buying or selling process free from discrimination. Here's what you need to know:

What is "fair housing" and how does it help me? The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing and housing-related transactions based on race, color, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, religion, disability, or familial status. Local and state fair housing laws may prohibit discrimination on additional protected classes. The bottom line is that discrimination hurts all sides of a home transaction, closes the door on the American dream of homeownership, and perpetuates economic inequality. Homebuyers, home sellers and real estate professionals depend on strong fair housing laws and practices for our communities and economy to thrive.

How do fair housing laws apply to me as a buyer? You should expect to receive the same professional service in the homebuying process regardless of any protected characteristic. This includes equitable treatment by your agent, the seller, the seller's agent, appraisers, lenders, and others involved in your home search and purchase. You should also expect your agent to provide you with home options in your price range regardless of the racial or ethnic composition of neighborhoods.

How do fair housing laws apply to me as a seller? You cannot discriminate when selling your home based on the buyer's race, color, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, religion, disability, or familial status. You also cannot instruct your agent to conduct a sale any differently based on these prohibited reasons. That means you cannot advertise your home to just one or to a limited number of groups.

How does working with an agent who is a REALTOR® help ensure fair housing practices are followed? In addition to an obligation to comply with applicable fair housing laws, REALTORS® adhere to the highest ethical standards. the REALTOR® Code of Ethics obligates REALTORS® to provide equal professional services to all consumers. Among other ethical duties, REALTORS® must not discuss the demographic composition of a neighborhood, advertise a property in a way that indicates any preference, limitations, or discrimination for a prohibited reason. Read more about REALTORS'® duty to put client interests above their own here.

Where can I report suspected discrimination in the homebuying or selling process? Report housing discrimination to the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and ethical violations to your agent's state or local REALTOR® Association (find an association here). You can also report concerns to a local nonprofit fair housing organization (find by ZIP code here). Fair housing laws prohibit harassment or intimidation if you report discriminatory behavior.

The Fair Housing Act is a federal law; many state and local laws provide additional protections. Consult your real estate professional, an attorney, and your state's housing authority for details about applicable fair housing laws where you are selling or purchasing a home. Please visit facts.realtor for more information and resources.

CONSUMER GUIDE: LISTING AGREEMENTS 
If you choose to work with a real estate professional to sell your home, one of the first things you'll do is negotiate and sign a listing agreement with the agent you've selected. Here's what you need to [...]

CONSUMER GUIDE: MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICES (MLSs) 
When buying or selling a home, your real estate professional may use a Multiple Listing Service (MLS) to find homes for sale or market your property. Here is what you need to [...]

CONSUMER GUIDE: SELLER CONCESSIONS

As a home seller, you have choices when deciding how to market your property, including whether you'd like to offer concessions to attract buyers or close a deal. Here's what you need to know as you consider whether this approach is right for [...]

Storm Recovery Update

MSD, Water, Buncombe County, Asheville City, HCA, Tourism Development, and APD. #ashevillestrong #ashevillenc #asheville

MSD Update (from MSD Director Tom Hartye)

-The treatment plant was operational and treating sewage during the entire weather event.

-Back-up power was used for a while, but the plant is now on utility power.

-The plant did not flood.

-All major lines are working. 38 out of 40 pump stations are working, half of them are on back-up power with staff ferrying fuel to the generators. Two remaining smaller pump stations were totally inundated but should be online soon.

-Toilets may be flushed, but residents should check their own plumbing lines for damage.

-MSD crews assisted Woodfin Water by building a road to their treatment plant and fixing 3 leaks on the interceptor. Water is currently filling up the system and Woodfin Water folks are flushing and looking for leaks.

Water update (from Ben Woody, Assistant City Manager)

-On week 2 of restoration.

-Working on re-construction of the by-pass line into the North Fork treatment plant. Tennoca Construction and T&K Utilities working tirelessly 24 hours per day on the project.

-25 feet remains in order to complete the line on this part of the connection - hopefully done in 72 hours.

-Too much turbidity in the reservoir water to go through the treatment process currently. Sediment must settle.

-FEMA and EPA engineers are on site assisting the construction.

-Additional water lines will have to be replaced throughout the system which will show up as the system is pressurized again.

-Mills River Treatment plant is fully operational, and lines are pressurized. Please conserve the water!

-Still talking weeks for restoration – not days.

Buncombe County Update (from various sources)

-Waste Pro will begin normal pick-up routes beginning on Tuesday (10/8/24) where roadways/homes are accessible. The landfill is open 6 am to 6 pm M-F and 8 am to 3 pm on Saturday to accept trash.

-Buncombe County and City of Asheville permit fees will be waived and expedited for storm repair and recovery efforts.

-The general election will occur on schedule. Plans are being reviewed for precincts and volunteers.

-Well water should be disinfected and tested if the well was breached by flooding.

-Environmental Health is visiting food service establishments to ensure safe operations.

-67,000 Buncombe County residents still remain without power.

City of Asheville Updates (from various sources)

-Solid Waste: trash pickup will resume in targeted areas on Monday (today). Routes are based on road accessibility. There will be no recycling pick-up, it will be collected as trash at this time. Will not pick up flood debris.

-Transit: The City of Asheville’s transit will provide limited fare free transit 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting on Monday to accessible routes.

HCA Mission Hospital (from Greg Lowe, CEO)

-The hospital has been operational through the entirety of the storm. It has stable power and is without municipal water, but it has pressurized, potable water within the facility. This requires 40-50 tanks of wter feeding the hospital system. Outpatient clinics and care settings are opening as power is being restored and as they are deemed safe.

Tourism Development (from Vic Isley, CEO)

-Thanked hotel owners for housing first responders who have come into our community to help.

-TDA has suspended all advertising campaigns and is asking visitors to delay visiting.

-Small business assistance center opened at the Asheville Area Chamber.

-Setting up donation and assistance funds for recovery.

-Water is critical for businesses in order to begin recovery.

Asheville Police Department (from Chief Mike Lamb)

-APD is at full patrol and detective staffing.

-Getting assistance from outside agencies (Greensboro, Holly Springs, New Jersey, and New York).

-FBI and Homeland Security are assisting with identifying deceased persons.

-APD is...arresting looters, looking for missing persons, performing search and rescue, preventing theft and burglary, and using specialized drone teams to aid in the recovery efforts.

-Warned of scammers coming into the area. Beware!

-Reminded everyone that a 7:30 pm to 7:30 am curfew is still in effect. Please observe.