The Mancuso-Clews Team - Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Weidel is a local company. Wouldn't the big national companies be better able to sell my house?

NO. First, those big companies usually have independently owned offices. That means you only have that single office working for you. Weidel has 17 offices in the central New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania area and we all work together. Wouldn't you rather have the power of an entire corporation behind you instead of just one office? Also, Weidel is a member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World. This association affiliates us with more realtors than ANY company in the world. That gives Weidel agents access to resources greater than any of the big companies.

But I see other Real Estate companies advertising on the television all the time. Won't their ads help sell my house?

The advertisements you see on TV are designed to keep those companies' names in front of the public which helps the local offices attract clients via name recognition. No homes are ever advertised (or sold) from these ads. Weidel does virtually no self-promotion advertising. So how can we compete with the national companies with huge advertising budgets? By word of mouth advertising. Satisfied clients are the only advertising Weidel has ever used or needed. Weidel has been in business for almost 100 years and still competes with (and often beats) the national companies with the big advertising budgets. Our advertising dollars go where it does the most good - advertising our properties for sale.

So where do you advertise my house?

We advertise in the standard print media (newspapers, home books, etc.) as well as other traditional media such as direct mail, but the bulk of our advertising today is on the internet. Statistics indicate that the vast majority of buyers today use the internet as a major part of their home search. Our homes are listed in the local MLS (Multiple Listing Service) and from there get distributed to many websites which use the data from the MLS's such as Realtor.com. Weidel also is affiliated with many other websites and search engines to give our listings the maximum exposure possible.

If I ask 3 agents to give me a price on my house, should I pick the agent who gives me the highest price?

Not necessarily. Don't base your decision about who will sell your house on who gives you the highest price. First, you don't know if that highest price is realistic. It is possible that the agent who gave it is not very adept at pricing a home. Ask each of the agents for documentation and a verbal explanation justifying their price. Several factors need to go into developing a price. The home's condition, number of bedrooms and baths, whether it has other amenities like a fireplace, garage or dining room, the lot size and of course its location are just some of the criteria that need to be factored into the equation. All that being said, choose your agent based on who you like and want to work with, not on the price. All you have to do is discuss the price if there is a discrepancy. Most agents will be flexible about their price if given the opportunity. When the Mancuso-Clews Team gives you a price, we always supply detailed documentation to support our price. Don't trust a price if the agent can't justify it with facts.

I'm intimidated by all that needs to be done in a real estate transaction. Can you do it for me?

Absolutely. We are trained professionals in real estate and can handle all of the details. Not only that, the Mancuso-Clews team goes above and beyond what people normally expect from an agent. You will never hear from us "That's not our job". If it has to do with your deal and we can help, we will. Our goal is to get you through the transaction with a smile on your face. Also, Weidel is a full service company. Not only can we find you a house, we can get you a mortgage (assuming you qualify of course) and have the title work done too.

I had a bad experience with my last real estate agent. Can you guarantee that I'll be happy with you?

YES! The Weidel 5 Star Service Guarantee is the ONLY guarantee among local realtors with real teeth to its promise. We'll be happy to go over the details with you. Also, Weidel is a family owned and run business. There really is a Mr. Weidel and he takes customer satisfaction very seriously. Plus, when you use the Mancuso-Clews Team, we treat you like family and we'll do everything in our power to make you happy.

Do you have any statistics to back up your claims of customer satisfaction?

Yes we do. Surveys rate Weidel's customers as 95% Extremely Satisfied and 99% would recommend Weidel to a friend. You can't get much better than that!

What about Weidel makes them different from any other agency?

Because of Weidel's reputation in the industry, real estate agents from other companies look for our listings to sell. They know that with a Weidel listing they will get a reputable and cooperative agent, and a good paycheck when the deal closes. From the seller's point of view, that means greater exposure of their house to buyers which in turn means the fastest possible sale for the highest possible amount. There is a well worn expression in real estate circles: "Everyone loves to sell Weidel "

What about the Mancuso-Clews team makes you different from other agents?

First and foremost is our dedication to customer satisfaction. No one gives better service than we do. If you have a problem, we make sure it gets resolved. When you call us, you get us, and when we can't answer the phone, we return all phone messages as soon as possible. Second, we are a team in the truest sense of the word. We work together with all of our clients, not independently. Most other "teams" out there are not teams at all but just a collection of agents each working independently under one umbrella. Third, we are not high-powered, slick salespeople who get your name on a contract and then you deal with their assistant the rest of the way. You deal with us from beginning to end. Fourth, we know marketing. We understand how to market your home - the technologies and strategies that work best. Fifth, we are skilled negotiators. We'll get the most for your house possible. We understand the current status of the market and the psychology of the buyers in the various market conditions. This is a key point - Find out from any prospective agent what their average selling price is compared to their asking price. Skilled negotiators will get a higher percentage just about every time.

Couldn't I make more money if I didn't pay a Realtor and sell the home myself?

Probably not. Statistics have shown that the overwhelming majority of homeowners who try to sell on their own (FSBO - For Sale By Owner) on average end up with much less money in their pocket at the end of the deal than if they had hired a Realtor. There are several factors that come into play here. First, you need to think of the commission you pay in two parts. Generally, a full commission sale pays the listing broker 3% and the selling broker 3%. Think of the listing broker's commission as the cost you pay to sell your house and handle the transaction details. The selling broker's commission should be thought of as a marketing tool. Offering a commission to selling brokers is how you attract other agents to show your home to prospective buyers. If you don't offer a commission, no agents will show your home, which greatly limits your exposure to buyers. Also, a good real estate agent has the training and experience to negotiate the highest possible price for your home. Most homeowners are not skilled negotiators and ill-prepared to get the best price. Lastly, don't forget the old saying - It takes money to make money. Using a professional to sell your home and paying their fee will almost always result in more money for you in the end.