Answers by Sasha Lerner

Hi Farrah, First, take a deep breath — it’s very common right now for homes to take longer to sell because of higher mortgage rates and affordability challenges. One month on the market is not a long time, even if it feels stressful. Here’s what I’d recommend: 1. Review your pricing – Sometimes a small adjustment to align with current market conditions can generate interest. 2. Evaluate your marketing – High-quality photos, virtual tours, and strong online exposure make a big difference. 3. Check your presentation – Make sure your home shows well: clean, decluttered, and welcoming. 4. Be patient, but proactive – Don’t panic and make drastic changes without understanding why buyers haven’t acted. Sudden deep price cuts can backfire. Instead, strategically adjust your approach. 5. Stay in touch with your agent – Ask for their feedback on showings and market activity. They can give you insight on what buyers are thinking. Bottom line: stay calm, but act strategically. One month without an offer is normal in today’s market; rushing into drastic measures often leads to regrets. Focus on optimizing price, presentation, and exposure rather than panicking.

⸻ 1. Make your offer clean and simple • Minimize contingencies. For example, if you can, consider: • Shortening inspection or appraisal contingencies • Offering a quick close • Sellers love certainty. A clean, easy-to-close offer often beats a slightly higher offer with lots of conditions. 2. Show your seriousness • Include a personal letter introducing yourself and your situation. Sellers often have an emotional connection to their home — a letter can make them feel good about selling to you. • Include pre-approval proof from a reputable lender. Being financially ready reduces the seller’s risk. 3. Flexible terms • Offer flexibility with closing dates or rent-back options if they need time to move. • Sometimes non-monetary concessions (e.g., agreeing to take the home “as-is”) make a huge difference. 4. Escalation clauses (carefully) • If you’re limited on budget, an escalation clause can let you compete without overspending. • Example: “I’ll beat any competing offer by $1,000 up to $X max.” • It signals competitiveness but keeps you in control financially

1. How to see a house • Open houses: You can go on your own—just show up. No agent required. • Private showings: You can call the listing agent (the agent representing the seller) and request a showing. Again, no agent needed, but the listing agent represents the seller, not you. ⸻ 2. Why having your own agent is smart Even though it’s not required: • Your agent represents your interests, not the seller’s. • They can help you understand pricing, disclosures, and potential issues. • They handle negotiations and paperwork if you decide to make an offer. ⸻ 3. Do you pay your agent? • Typically no direct cost to you. In most markets, the seller pays the commission for both agents (listing agent + buyer’s agent). • That means you can have full representation without paying out of pocket, but you get the benefit of someone looking out for you.

Yes — you legally need to disclose it. Even if it’s only in the garage, most states require sellers to report any known defects that could affect the value or safety of the home. Hiding it could lead to serious legal trouble later. Here’s how to handle it professionally: ⸻ 1. Be honest on your disclosure form • Most states have a seller disclosure statement that asks about leaks, roof issues, or structural problems. • You should indicate the roof is old and may have a leak in the garage. 2. Get a professional opinion (optional but helpful) • Having a roofer inspect and provide a quote or report can: • Give buyers confidence that you’re transparent • Show exactly what repair or replacement may cost • Prevent surprise negotiation drama later 3. You don’t have to fix it before selling • Disclosure is enough — you can sell “as-is.” • Buyers may request a repair credit or negotiate based on the inspection findings, but that’s better than hiding it. 4. Why disclosure helps you • Avoids lawsuits or renegotiations after closing • Builds trust with the buyer — buyers are less likely to walk away if they feel you were upfront • Makes your transaction smoother overall