How to get your 2% rebate

First, a buyer’s agency agreement must be signed. Secondly, you will provide us with the type of home and area criteria and the search will begin, simple. All MLS listed properties are available for public viewing on various MLS websites and the links we have available on our Property Search page. Not only can you be completely self-efficient in your search by utilizing the tools on the internet, but you have a better idea of what you want than the typical agent selecting properties for you, this will save time. Once a property is chosen we write and present the offer and handle all the negotiations, schedules and paperwork thru the day of closing

Yes. Getting your 2% rebate when buying a new home is the easiest of all. All the major builders welcome agents, and there are never any discount if buyers purchase directly from builders, so getting the rebate makes perfect sense.

Is the Rebate Always 2%?

Our personal service fee is always a minimum 1% of the transaction or $3000 whichever is higher. If there is 3% paid to the buyer’s agent, your rebate will be 2%, if the commission is 2.5% your rebate would be 1.5%. The terms of the rebate are spelled out in our Buyer Representation Agreement.  The maximum of your rebate is 2%.

Is the Rebate Taxable?

The Rebate is a large sum of money. In August 2010, we closed a home at $860,000 and gave the buyer $16,500 rebate. If the rebate is taxable, that reduce the benefit significantly. Please ask your accountant for your final answer. However, we did our own research. Please read this blog on IRS rulling for real estate buyer rebates.

 Reator Blog: Is Buyer Rebate Taxable?

....A payment or credit at closing from [E-Brokers] represents an adjustment to the purchase price of the home,” the IRS ruled, “and generally is not includible in a purchaser’s gross income.” The IRS cited its own history of letting car-buyers keep rebates, and of providing relief to home-buyers. ... March 2007, Blog By Redfin

How can you search for & find your perfect home?

Search for properties online using Realtor.com. Custom property search allows you to save the results of your searches and pick up where you left off, simply by logging in. You can also program it to send you automatic email alerts for new listings that match your criteria. We will also set up automatic alerts depending on your home criteria on the MLS site(s). You will review and only select the ones of interest, this will also save time.

Can I lose the rebate?

Yes. We will not be able to represent you until you have signed a Buyer Representation Agreement (you may cancel this agreement anytime). The Buyer Representation Agreement will protect and guarantee the rebate at closing and our services during the entire transaction. Once you sign a buyer’s agreement with us, you must disclose, let other parties know you are being represented. If you are asked if you have an agent, the most appropriate response is YES, I/ we have an agent at this time. Never mis-represent yourself to a realtor and/or homeowner or trick him/her into showing you the property, then switch agencies, it’s unethical. We will not be able to represent you if that occurs and you will lose out on the rebate.

After you sign the agreement, I will represent you as your buyers’ agent, I will provide you with my business cards, and you can use them to show agents and/or give them out at public open houses to inform other parties you’re being represented. If when driving thru neighborhoods you see a home of interest, call me right away I will check for availability. Only if I am not available and if the home owner(s) are outside, introduce yourself to them and provide them with my business card, ask them to give it to their agent, if any, so an appointment can be made, also ask them when is the next open house, so we can arrange to be there if necessary. You must disclose our relationship to protect yourself. We strongly advise you not to knock on peoples doors. We also advise that you sign in at any open houses you attend and leave my business card to the listing agents.

What if there's just no way for me to get inside to see a particular house, I must have Realmart Agent to show me the home, Can I still get a cash rebate?

YES! There is always a way to see the home, as long as it is available. If the listing agent is not having any open houses, we will assign you a Realmart agent to show you the home by appointment. You will drive by homes of interest to make sure that the exterior of the home is appealing to you. When you are ready to view the interior of a home, contact your assigned Realmart agent and he/she will arrange the appointment. Operating this way eliminates time wasted by our agents showing homes that are undesirable from the outside. Because you are helping us work more efficiently, we can afford to reward your a portion of our commission in the form of a rebate at closing. The rebate to our Buyer Client varies depending on the number of homes physically visited by our agent (see schedule below). The maximum rebate is 50% of our commission or 1.5% of sales price (whichever is lower).