Realtors help buyers sell old home to move into new one

Current homeowners who are interested in buying a new home sometimes balk when they worry about selling their current home and “if it will sell.”

Several programs help homeowners sell their current home while they buy a new one, including the locally operated Nevada Builder Trade In Program, which since 2014 has helped hundreds of homeowners purchase a new home on contingency while Smith Team of Keller Williams Las Vegas sells their current residence. Other programs have popped up with the same goal for the homeowner: Sell my home.

Robin Smith of Keller Williams Las Vegas dares homeowners to compare their options when choosing a Realtor or program to sell their current home as they buy a new one because thousands of dollars are on the line.

In June, the Nevada Builder Trade In Program expanded to Reno, where it follows the same strategy as in Southern Nevada.

“When buying a home, people usually take a lot of time to carefully compare homes and their amenities, neighborhood perks and different sales prices with the goal of buying the perfect home for the lowest price possible. The same care should be taken when selecting who sells your current home,” said Robin Smith, who operates the Keller Williams contingency program in Southern Nevada with her brother, Robert Smith.

“The Nevada Builder Trade In Program’s strategic approach is straight forward. We price your home at a competitive price based on Las Vegas’ current sellers’ market, offer advice on how to prep your home to get a higher sales price, and then list and sell your home while you’re buying a brand-new home on contingency from a builder. Our ultimate goal is to sell your home for the highest price possible,” she said.

She said the program has achieved a 97 percent success rate in selling homes at the projected price within the designated time frame as agreed upon with the builder constructing the client’s new home.

Other programs cater to this seller-buyer demographic with different terms.

“A few programs are offering a flat amount to buy your home sight unseen. The ease of this process may sound tempting, but choosing this approach without doing your homework can cost you if the offer is under market value. We dare you to compare programs and projected sales prices while keeping your eye on the ultimate goal: Sell your home for the highest price possible,” Robin Smith said. The first step to comparing options: Request a projected sales price from different programs and Realtors, which Smith says should be offered at no cost. The Nevada Builder Trade In Program offers a projected listing price after visiting your home, assessing its condition and completing a comparative market analysis of what similar homes in nearby neighborhoods have recently sold.

“Compare the different projected sales prices and different approaches to selling your home before choosing a program or Realtor. More times than not, you’ll find that Nevada Builder Trade In Program projects a significantly higher sales price than programs that don’t set foot in your home, which are sometimes run by companies planning to resell your home down the road for profit. Taking the time to compare can lead to literally tens of thousands of dollars more profit for your family,” Robin Smith said.

If a homeowner chooses Nevada Builder Trade In Program to buy and sell their home on contingency, the Smith Team will suggest minor improvements or staging and then list, market and sell the client’s home at a reduced commission while offering the buyers’ agent the standard 3 percent commission. According to Robin Smith, homes typically sell in 30 to 60 days through the program.

Also, the Smith Team will help arrange for moving services or help locate a temporary rental, if needed, between the sale of the current home and the completion of the new home.

Nevada Builder Trade In Program is offered at more than 50 Las Vegas Valley neighborhoods constructed by builder-partners Beazer Homes, CalAtlantic Homes, Century Communities, Pulte Homes and Woodside Homes, as well as Sun City Mesquite by Del Webb. Some neighborhoods sell standing inventory homes on contingency.

Homeowners interested in buying a home on contingency at a non-builder-partner neighborhood and receive benefits similar to the Nevada Builder Trade In Program should contact the Smith Team before starting their home search.

For additional information and to request a complimentary comparative market analysis for what your current home might be worth, contact the Smith Team at 702-460-5080 or visit www.ISellLasVegas.com.