Frequently Asked Questions about Buying and Selling a Home

A real estate agent is a professionally licensed individual with training and expertise in helping people to sell, buy, or rent real estate. They must operate under the umbrella of a brokerage firm or sponsoring broker. A Broker has completed additional training and requirements and can work independently. A Realtor is a licensed agent or broker who is also a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and must comply with the NAR Code of Ethics. Juli and Bret are both licensed Realtors with nearly two decades of experience in buying and selling real estate together. Keller Williams Realty is their sponsoring broker.

When you hire Juli and Brett Real Estate, you work with Juli, Brett, and Jonah. We are the team, and we don’t pass you off to other people. As licensed Realtors, we do have a network of real estate professionals that we work with to make sure you are getting the best service we can provide. We will personally assist you through every step of the process of selling or buying a home in Utah. You have direct access to our almost 40 years combined experience in selling real estate.

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Yes! Juli and Bret have assisted over 1,000 real estate clients since 2005. This includes a wide variety of clients such as first time home buyers, first time investors, and commercial clients. For more information, please visit our Commercial Properties page

In real estate, the agent is usually paid a commission fee by the seller. A typical real estate commission fee is between 5–6% of the home’s final sale price. In the event that the buyer and the seller have separate agents, the commission fee is split 50/50 between the two agents, each receiving 2.5–3%.

Yes! Because of our many years of experience, we can provide you with recommendations for many trusted real estate service providers for everything from appraisal and inspection to financial institutions. We want selling your home or your home buying journey to be as easy and frustration free as possible.

A mortgage is the loan used to finance the purchase of a home or other property. Most of us are unable to afford to purchase a house without a mortgage. The first step in the home buying process is to get approved for a mortgage from a reliable financial institution.

The mortgage provides a secure loan that comes with a fixed interest rate and is paid off in monthly mortgage payments over 15 or 30 years. Each monthly payment will be the same dollar amount and will pay off some of the home loan (principal) and some interest. The first mortgage payments are mostly interest, and the last few payments are mostly paying principal.

Paying earnest money is similar to paying a deposit before moving into a new rental. It is a payment made in good faith from a prospective homebuyer to the seller to legitimize the buyer’s offer. Earnest money is paid in the form of cash or a check, and is usually around 1-2% of the selling price. The amount agreed upon for earnest money is written into the offer and, once paid, takes the property off the market. This money is typically non-refundable, but not always.

If you have gone under contract with a home and have second thoughts or a change of circumstance, it is OK. You will forfeit the earnest money (around 1-2% of the home’s sale price). At Juli and Brett Real Estate, we strive to put you into the home of your dreams. Our experience in real estate reduces the risk of surprises or other concerns, however, life is unpredictable. As a home buyer in Utah it’s important to know that you can go in a different direction if needed.

If you are considering a move from one home to another, you may be wondering exactly how much equity you have in your current home. How much a home is worth varies greatly depending on the age of the home, location and neighborhood, condition of the home, zoning, square footage, and lot size. Additionally, the need for large projects or major updates may decrease the current market value.

Juli and Brett offer no obligation consultations and free market analysis services. A market analysis is the fastest way to get a feel for how much a home may sell for, because we use the current sale prices of comparable properties in the same neighborhood to determine a ballpark value of your home. Click here to request a free market analysis.

Many things in real estate transactions are negotiable. This is done on a case-by-case basis, and is another great reason to have an experienced Realtor in your corner. There is often a difference between the price the property lists for and what it sells for. This difference depends on the current real estate market conditions in your location or neighborhood. Other items can be negotiable including the timeline of the sale, the date you will move out or in, improvements, repairs based upon the inspection results, and even furniture or appliances to be included.

This question is very difficult to answer and changes with the changing market. This question is best asked directly during a free consultation. We will provide you with a market analysis and then meet with you to discuss your options. If you decide to work with us, we will provide suggestions for pricing, repairs or replacements, and staging. At Juli and Brett Real Estate we know the value of good visuals. We use professional photographs with all our listings and make every effort to provide you with the most up to date information to help your home sell in a timely manner.

This is also a question best answered in person, after we have seen your home. Some basic advice that always applies is that first impressions are vital. Good photographs for the listing are a must. Make sure to finish unfinished projects, such as patching any holes, touching up paint, and replacing or repairing any overt damage. Make sure that your basic systems including HVAC and plumbing are all in good working condition. Additionally, we recommend that your yard be clean and well maintained.

A home buyer needs to be able to picture themselves in your home, so proper staging can also speed up the process. Remove clutter from the home, garage, and yard. If you have outgrown your home, consider a storage unit and pack away anything that you can live without temporarily to help the home feel spacious, comfortable, and inviting. For more information specific to your situation, schedule a free consultation.

Obtaining a mortgage is not free, and closing costs are the fees and charges due at the closing of your real estate transaction. Because there are many closing charges, closing costs are the responsibility of both buyers and sellers.

Closing costs usually include fees tied to the origination and the underwriting of a mortgage loan, taxes, commissions, and insurance premiums, as well as title and record filings. The fees from the lender typically fall into the buyers realm of responsibility, and the seller pays the real estate commission. Closing costs are required by law to be disclosed in advance to both buyers and sellers. They also must be agreed upon before a real estate transaction can be completed. Closing costs are often based on the amount of the loan, not the value of the home.