When you decide to sell your home you can call for a listing packet to look through before our meeting.  Other than the price of their home, most sellers next questions are around the listing contract itself.

1. How much is the commission?  Commission is 6% of the final sales price.  My broker will collect a 6% commission at closing.  The broker will then give 3% to any other broker that brings you a buyer.  I will be paid out of the 3% my broker keeps.  In addition to this 6% commission there is a $245.00 Broker Fee.  The Broker Fee goes toward covering administrative cost and the processing of the transaction.  All of these fees are paid when you close on your property.
2. How long is a typical listing period?  The listing period is 6 months.  
3. What is included in the Real Estate Sale?  No personal property need be included in the sale.  On page 5 of the Listing Contract is a list all fixtures included in a real estate sale.  If there is something not on that list that you would like to take with you, there is a place to list that as an exclusion. However, there are some things that are very difficult to remove (gas stove/oven as an example.)  It is probably better to just leave those with the home.  In addition the seller will agree not to enter a LISTING AGREEMENT with any other broker during the time of the listing contract.
4. Duties of Broker & Seller.  This section highlights the responsibilities of the broker and seller. We will market the property for you, and do our best to find you a buyer.  The seller will have the responsibility to refer any potential buyer that approaches them to the listing agent.  If your property or any portion of the property is rented please provide the agent with a copy of the lease.
5. Material Defects & The Sellers Disclosure.  It is very important that prior to putting your home on the market you complete the 10-page Sellers Disclosure.  This will ask you a list of yes/no questions about the condition of the property.  The seller must disclose any known defects in the home to the buyer.  This is the only information that the confidentiality clause between the seller and seller's agent does not protect.  I must reveal a known defect about the property to a buyer agent by law.
6. Homes Built Before 1978 & Lead Paint.  If your home was built prior to 1978 we will need to complete a Lead Based Paint Disclosure as well.  
7. Recording Devices.  As a seller you may certainly have both video and audio recording devices on your property.  When you list a property in Pennsylvania however; you must let any potential buyer who looks at the property to know that they are being recorded.

That is the basic highlights of a listing contract.  If you would like to see a copy of a PA Listing Contract I can provide you with a copy to read through.  Please contact me if you are interested.