The Team

The Help Center

Common Questions

What percentage of the final home sale price does HillStar Realty charge?

This rate is negotiable, but industry standard is 6% of the negotiated sales price.   In most cases, half of that amount (3%) is set aside for the buyer's agent.

Do I need a real estate lawyer as well?

Whether to engage a separate lawyer is up to you.  Many real estate transactions take place without a lawyer involved. However, Texas laws restrict a typical Texas real estate agent or broker to only using standard forms as they are written (and promulgated by the Texas Real Estate Commission or TREC).  For example, a typical real estate agent cannot even add a "Special Provision" in the blank for special provisions unless they engage an attorney.   Many buyers/sellers think that paying 3% or 6% of a deal to an agent to simply fill out standard forms is excessive.

If you engage HillStar Realty, we have a Texas lawyer (Jason W. Deats) on staff to help navigate your real estate transaction, including any special provisions you may seek that are outside the standard TREC forms.

How will you find potential buyers/renters for my property?

Through local signs and online advertising.  For online advertising, we pay for the ability to list with MLS (Multiple Listing Service).  Further, we link our MLS listings to Zillow, so your property will also appear there in real time.  If you would like additional or targeted exposure for your listing, we can discuss engaging one of our Social Media partner(s) to target a Facebook ad to help get your property sold.

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Why should I hire an agent instead of handling the purchase/sale entirely by myself?

Selling:  In our experience, you are likely to net more money by listing through a brokerage like HillStar Realty than if you list using For Sale By Owner (FSBO).  Every deal is different, results vary, no guarantees, etc.  One factor is, for whatever reason(s), other buyers' agents tend to steer their clients clear of FSBOs (for fear they won't "earn" a commission?).  In contrast to this practice, HillStar Realty seeks FSBO properties for a buying client if the properties meet the client requirements.  However, even for real estate professionals, finding suitable FSBO properties can be difficult, for example because home owners do not have access to listing through MLS, which is what most real estate professionals use to find properties for their clients.  FSBO properties simply don't have the exposure that properties represented by a brokerage have.  So selling FSBO will typically expose you to fewer potential buyers, or may expose you buyer agents biased against having their client buy your property.

Buying:  There are many compelling reasons to engage a brokerage like HillStar Realty when purchasing a property.  First-it doesn't cost you anything.  The seller typicallly pays both sides' commission(s).  It is typically "baked into the cake" and viewed as a necessary transaction cost for a Seller.  Second, we (agents and brokers) have special Internet search tools to help find the perfect property for you.  Third, we have special electronic keys that get you into properties that you want to see.  The list goes on--we negotiate on your behalf, handle the paperwork, carry out your instructions, and go the extra mile on your behalf to make the home buying experience as stress-free for you as possible.  It is what we do.