GEneral - Frequently Asked Questions

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Geena Fie has over 20 years of experience in Real Estate, helping buyers and sellers navigate the unpredictable and complex real estate process with a proven track record of successful sales and satisfied clients. Geena has  served in many leadership positions over the years with  the local, state, and National Association of Realtors®

Geena Fie believes in: 

• Ensuring no one is "just another transcation", often experienced with "volume-based" and "team" business models. 

• Educating clients so they are more informed and can make their best decisions for themselves.

• Being honest with her clients, even though it may differ from what they want to hear. 

Geena offers a flat fee, á la carte, full service brokerage for both buyers and sellers. This allows clients to understand what they are paying for and budget more efficiently. It also ensures that all required services and disclosures are provided within a clear framework required by law. 

For most people, buying a home is the largest financial transaction. The process from start to finish is overwhelming and complicated. Geena helps minimize risks and financial loss

À la carte service breaks down the comprehensive service package into individual components, allowing you to choose specific services as needed. Each service has its own fee, independent of the property's sale. Our fee structure offers our standard full-service, flat fee service with options of á la carte services tailored to your needs, helping you save as much money as possible.

Yes, we can charge by the hour or offer a traditional commission model

All real estate commissions are fully negotiable and not set by law. Due to our hybrid fee structure, many may consider us a discount broker.  I prefer the term " non-traditional". 

Geena Fie stands out by combining the 'flat fee' and 'à la carte service' models, creating a unique hybrid offering for both buyers and sellers. We've crafted a highly competitive package available in a 'no haggle' environment. Unlike traditional real estate, you won't need to negotiate to get an excellent rate with us! 

Geena Fie also still operates as a traditional brokerage so clients have additional options. 

Sitzer-Burnett is a class-action lawsuit that was filed in Missouri federal court by a group of home sellers in the state against NAR and other defendants, including Anywhere, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Keller Williams and RE/MAX.  The settlement agreement led to practice changes nationwide. 

Practice Changes Effective August 1, 2024

Compensation 

• ALL compensation fields will be removed from Canopy Multiple Listing Service (MLS) on August 1, 2024:  Buyer Agent/Sub Agent Comp; Comp Remarks; Bonus fields. 
• References to “compensation” or “commission” in any “Remarks” field is strictly prohibited. 
• Ageents may not upload documents offering compensation into the MLS.

Buyer Agreements and Required Disclosures

As of August 1, you must enter into a written buyer agreement with a potential buyer prior to touring a home. 

Geena Fie will assist you with  a comparative market anylisis,  research, purchase agreement, inspections, negotiations, and all the steps from offer to Closing. 

Whether you are located in North Carolina or South Carolina, there are a myriad of disclosures and forms that need to be completed on every transaction. We make sure these are filled out appropriately to ensure your Closing goes smoothly.  

We will negotiate the contract with expertise fully on your behalf as we do not practice dual agency. We leverage over 20 years of real estate experience and continually enhance our skills ongoing education to provide you with top-notch service.

While each transaction is unique to the buyer's and seller's needs, for example, a listing agent could spend weeks or months helping a seller prepare and update their home for the market, or a buyer agent could spend months or years showing 50, 60, or more homes to a buyer, which increases the number of hours an agent spends working for thier client. 

Last year, the average seller spent approximately 6 months preparing their home for sale, and a buyer spent approximately 10 weeks looking for a home. 

If your transaction is smooth and easy, an agent will, on average, spend approximately 80-100 hours working for you, between education, research, advertising, email, phone calls, text messages, showings, reports, inspections, negotiations, and contract-to-close duties.

The  Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is the most comprehensive online database of homes for sale, with verified data imputed by Listing Agents. This database is used by real estate agents to market and promote their own listings and cooperate with other real estate agents.  

Most real estate transactions are a direct result of MLS exposure. Having your home listed in the MLS will expose it to over 20,000 local Canopy real estate agents and their clients.

The MLS® syndicates listings to other real estate websites, such as REALTOR.COM, Zillow.com, Homes.com, Trulia.com, and hundreds of other public-facing websites, where thousands of consumers view listings. 

The  Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is the most comprehensive online database of homes for sale, with verified data imputed by Listing Agents. This database is used by real estate agents to market and promote their own listings and cooperate with other real estate agents.  

Most real estate transactions are a direct result of MLS exposure. Having your home listed in the MLS will expose it to over 20,000 local Canopy real estate agents and their clients.

The MLS® syndicates listings to other real estate websites, such as REALTOR.COM, Zillow.com, Homes.com, Trulia.com, and hundreds of other public-facing websites, where thousands of consumers view listings. 

Appraisals are required by lenders when a buyer is obtaining a mortgage loan. The buyer pays the lender to hire a non-biased, third-party state-licensed appraiser to perform a detailed formal report comparing similar homes to determine fair market value. This ensures that the bank will lend only what is necessary. 

Dual Agency occurs when one agent or firm represents the buyer and seller equally. This creates a potential conflict of interest for the firm representing you, as loyalty is divided between you and the other client. It also makes advising the buyer or seller challenging since the agent is NOT supposed to favor one client over the other. Dual Agency is a top reason for real estate lawsuits. 

Geena Fie does not participate in Dual Agency.