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Frequently Asked Questions About Our Services
Q: The economy and the housing market seem to be depressed right now. Won’t my house sit on the market
for a long time?
A: If you look at statistics for recent home sales in West Michigan, the numbers have stayed fairly
even over the last several years. On average, homes are sold within 100 days of their listing. What’s different is that
there are more houses on the market than ever before. It’s definitely a buyer’s market right now, and houses priced
appropriately are selling.
Q: Why would I want to sell a house and buy another when the housing market seems
so soft?
A: Actually, it’s financially smarter to buy a house when prices are down. Here’s why: Your
current home may sell at a lower price than it would in a better market. However, the home you want to buy is also selling
at a lower price. You can buy a more house with fewer dollars. You’re buying up and paying less for it. Selling yours
at a competitive price will bring buyers who are looking to do the same thing you are.
Q: How can you charge
so much less than other real estate companies?
A: Real estate agents usually justify charging a significantly larger
amount for their services for two reasons: 1) Most agents invest their personal time and money finding sellers to list their
homes; 2) Agents make a sizable investment advertising the properties they sell. Their time and money is spent whether or
not a home sells. Dollars lost on unproductive listings must be made up from those that do sell. With our business model,
home sellers contact us first, which saves our agents thousands of dollars in personal marketing costs. These savings are
passed onto you. Secondly, homeowners and agents together build a successful marketing plan to sell the home. Homeowners decide
which functions they will perform themselves and which ones they will assign to their agent. This way costs are pre-determined
and home sellers pay only for the services they desire.
Q: Do I need to work with a licensed real estate
agent?
A: Yes. Per the State of Michigan’s Occupational Code, any person performing acts of real estate transaction
(including buying, selling, listing, leasing, and negotiating) for another person with intent to collect compensation must
be licensed in the State of Michigan.
Q: How many agents do you have, and what area do you cover?
A: JT Henderson & Associates is based in Grand Rapids, MI. We manage around 15 licensed real estate agents who are located
throughout West Michigan. These local agents will handle the marketing, negotiating and closing of your property.
Q: Will the JT Henderson & Associates agent come to my property?
A: Yes. Your agent will meet with
you at the property you intend to sell. They will cover the subjects you need to know about selling a property, as well as
give you insight about your property’s value and current market conditions.
Q: How do I sign up to
use your program?
A: First, complete the sign-up form found on this website. When completed, it will be forwarded
to a participating agent who will call you to schedule an appointment. The initial appointment will likely last 30 minutes.
However, your agent will give you as much time as you need to answer any questions you might have.
Q: Will
I need to pay for services when I sign up?
A: At the conclusion of your initial meeting with a JT Henderson agent,
you will be given the opportunity to participate in our program. If you chose not to participate, there is no fee for your
consultation. Payment for services will only be required when you decide to participate. You can pay with check, cash, Visa
or Master Charge.
Q: What will my listing look like on the Internet?
A: There is no distinction
on the MLS between full-service and discount brokers. Your listing will look like any other property on the MLS board. It
will include several exterior and interior photos of your home, as well as a list of the important details about your home
such as price, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, school district and square footage.
Q: How many photo uploads
may I make to the MLS?
A: Currently you may submit up to six digital photos. We recommend that you use images that
best capture the beauty of your property (interior and exterior). Seasonal photos and interior highlights will help attract
buyers. Your agent will do all the work uploading photos to the MLS.
Q: I don’t own a digital
camera; can you help me?
A: Yes. Your agent will be equipped with a digital camera during your initial consultation.
Q: What kind of advertising does the basic plan include?
A: First, your home will appear on the local
real estate MLS website. That website is GRAR.com for Kent County and SWMRIC.com for Muskegon, Ottawa, Allegan and Kalamazoo
counties. Next, it will automatically upload to REALTOR.com, the nation’s #1 real estate website. And lastly, it will
automatically download to several local real estate websites using IDX technology. (See the section on Advertising Package
for more details.)
Q: Why is the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) so important?
A: The MLS is identified
as the primary medium that connects buyers and sellers. A recent survey by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) found
that over 80 percent of homebuyers used the Internet frequently as part of their home search. The local MLS website automatically
searches its database daily to match prospective homebuyers with homes for sale matching specific search criteria. These listings
are then sent via e-mail to every person on each real estate agent’s buying list. Our Company's Story When John Henderson graduated from Cornerstone University with a degree in Accounting, he began buying
investment properties as a hobby. He developed a strong business and marketing strategy as he sold these investment properties,
and his career turned toward full-time real estate work as a result. He began as most real estate agents – using a high-percentage,
commission-based real estate program. He learned how the system worked, but also discovered that the business could support
a new model.
He started JT Henderson & Associates in 2004 with one agent: himself. Now the company has about
20 agents, many of whom transferred from the most well known real estate companies in the area. Like John, they recognized
that the real estate industry is changing. The discount program JT Henderson & Associates offers is the new business model.
When you meet with a JT Henderson & Associates agent, he or she will clearly identify an effective marketing plan
to sell your home. We encourage you to participate in the home selling process at any level you prefer. Whether you are a
hands-on seller or prefer to hand the task over to a professional agent, we have a flexible plan that’s right for you.
We make it pretty plain: For as low as $499, you can sell your home through a JT Henderson & Associates agent.
Some companies may charge you more, but none will offer a better, more comprehensive selling program than us. We dare any
real estate office in West Michigan to match our prices and services. |
