Your Questions Answered:
Discover the Maggie Ding Team
EXPERIENCE AND TRACK RECORD
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How long have you been in real estate, and how many homes have you sold?
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I’ve been doing this since 2004, and I’ve loved every minute of it. As of September 30, 2025, my team and I have helped 46 clients close successfully this year, with 7 more homes currently in escrow. Over my career, that’s $600M+ in sales—but what I’m most proud of is the repeat and referral business from people who trust us with their friends and family.
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Can you provide references or testimonials from past clients?
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Absolutely! We have hundreds of five-star reviews from clients who’ve bought and sold with us over the years. People love our responsiveness, strategy, and the fact that we just get it done. You can check us out on Yelp or ask me directly for specific references—our clients are always happy to share their experiences.
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MARKETING STRATEGY
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How will you determine the right listing price for my home?
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Pricing is part art, part science—and I take it seriously. We’ll start with a detailed Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) based on your home’s size, features, location, and condition. Then we roll it out strategically through three key phases:
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Compass Private Exclusive: Quietly test price and gather feedback without going public.
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Coming Soon: Build buzz, create anticipation, and line up serious buyers.
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Live on Market: Hit MLS, open houses, and full-scale digital exposure.
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This phased approach gives us real-time data to make smart pricing adjustments and attract
strong offers quickly.
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Can you provide a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)?
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Yes, of course. I’ll prepare an in-depth CMA at the start and continue refining it as we prep and list. Markets shift fast, and my goal is to keep you ahead of the curve—not chasing it.
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PRICING AND MARKET KNOWLEDGE
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How will you determine the right listing price for my home?
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My approach to the listing price is very collaborative and many times the price is fluid with each stage: Compass Private Exclusive to Coming soon to Live on the Market. A Compass Private Exclusive listing is perfect for sellers who value privacy. It’s shared only within the Compass network, giving you the opportunity to test the waters, gauge interest, and get feedback—all before going public. Then, during the Coming Soon phase, we build excitement by marketing your property ahead of showings. This early exposure creates buzz and could lead to a quicker sale once the home officially hits the market. Finally, when your property goes Live, it’s fully listed and marketed to the public. We’ll leverage MLS, online platforms, open houses, and more to maximize visibility and attract offers. This phased approach ensures your marketing strategy is tailored to your goals and preferences, every step of the way.​
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Can you provide a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to support the recommended price?
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Of course. We will provide a CMA based on the location, size, condition, age and feature of the property initially then we will continue to monitor the market as we are preparing your house, to going on the market to actual close to determine the best price during each phase of our sale.
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COMMUNICATION AND SUPPORT
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How often will you update me on progress, feedback, and market activity?
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You’ll never have to wonder what’s going on. You’ll get real-time showing notifications and feedback through our app, ShowingTime, plus detailed updates on market activity and online engagement through Compass Insights. If something changes—good, bad, or otherwise—you’ll hear it directly from me, fast.
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Will I be working directly with you, or with your team too?
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You’ll always have me as your main point of contact. But I have an incredible team who helps everything run seamlessly:
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Stefanie, our operations manager, handles contracts, disclosures, and logistics.
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CJ, our assistant, keeps communication and scheduling tight.
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Jaime, our property presentation specialist, oversees staging, vendors, and prep.
You get me plus a full support team that makes sure every detail is handled at a high level.
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What’s your preferred mode of communication, and are you available after hours?
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I’m flexible—text for quick things, email for details, and calls/Zoom for strategy. During active listings, I’m available when you need me. My clients know I’m responsive, straightforward, and committed to keeping things moving.
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LOGISTICS AND NEGOTIATION
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What advice do you have for preparing my home for sale (repairs, staging, etc.)?
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My prep playbook (fast + effective):
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Walk-through & punch list (Day 0–2): I tour with a “buyer’s eyes” checklist—paint touch-ups, caulk, grout, lightbulbs, hardware, landscaping edges, door alignment, squeaks, smell.
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Triage repairs (Day 2–5): We only do what moves the needle: paint, lighting, curb appeal, minor handyman fixes, deep clean, window wash. Skip vanity remodels; they rarely return 1:1.
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Disclosures & docs (parallel): I’ll quarterback prelim, reports we choose to run (roof/termite if strategic), permits, HOA docs, and seller disclosures so nothing surprises us in escrow.
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Staging plan: Full, partial, or “edit + layer.” If you’re living there, we curate; if vacant, we stage to the buyer profile. Always a floor plan and pro photography.
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Final polish (48 hrs before photos): Style surfaces, hide cords, neutral scents, fresh greenery, crisp linens, exterior dusk check.
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Quick wins that always play: warm white bulbs, fresh mulch, front door paint, new doormat/house numbers, swapped knobs, magic-eraser walls, power-wash paths.
Common money pits to avoid: new countertops just to “match,” full bath gut, replacing all floors last-minute, exotic landscaping.
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How will you handle multiple offers or difficult negotiations?
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I run a tight, transparent process that protects your leverage and keeps buyers competing, not wandering.
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Offer matrix: Side-by-side comparison of price, cash to close, appraisal terms, inspection scope, loan type, contingencies, rent-back, special asks, lender quality, and proof-of-funds verification.
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Structured timelines: Clear offer deadline, buyer/agent updates, and a defined counter round so no one “games” us.
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Counter strategy: I use targeted counters (or a multiple-counter round) to pull up price and terms—appraisal gap coverage, shortened contingency periods, stronger earnest money, rent-back, and repair caps/credits.
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Lender calls: I speak directly with lenders to confirm underwriting path, reserves, and close timeline.
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If it gets hard: I stay calm, factual, and firm. I separate emotion from outcome, use data and precedent, and always keep a viable Plan B buyer warm so we never negotiate from fear
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What is your plan for open houses and private showings?
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Open houses: Launch weekend is about momentum. We capture every attendee at the public open house so we can follow up with the Buyer and their Agent - but also for safety reasons. Clear sign strategy, digital/print flyers, and point out special features for the property
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Private showings: Controlled calendar via ShowingTime, qualified buyers only, smart lockbox, ID-verified agents, lights-on/show-ready checklist.
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Feedback loop: You’ll see live feedback, weekly analytics (views, saves, inquiries), and my recommendation: hold price, adjust, or press harder—backed by data.
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COMMISSION AND CONTRACT
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What is your commission structure, and are there any additional fees I should be aware of?
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My fee ranges from 2.5-3% and is straightforward and fully transparent—and always negotiable as required by law. No upfront fees. We’ll outline exactly what’s included (prep guidance, staging plan, pro media, advertising, negotiation, escrow management). If we add optional services (e.g., specialty staging, pre-inspections), we’ll approve them together before spending a dollar. You’ll never be surprised by a fee.
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Can you walk me through the listing agreement and explain your terms in detail?
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Yes—line by line. Highlights you’ll care about:
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Listing term & price: Start/expiration dates, list price, and our built-in review points.
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Brokerage duties & marketing scope: Exactly what I’m doing and what’s included.
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Access & showings: How buyers/agents get in, notice required, and safety protocols.
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Disclosures: What you must disclose and how I help package it to protect you.
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Compensation: Total listing fee, how buyer-side compensation is addressed, and how it’s paid through escrow.
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Photography & marketing rights: So we can market everywhere without headaches.
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If something changes: How amendments, extensions, or price updates work.
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I’ll translate legalese into plain English and answer everything before you sign.
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What happens if I decide to take my home off the market or switch agents?
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You’re never “trapped.” Here’s the real talk:
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Withdraw vs. cancel: We can withdraw from MLS temporarily or cancel the listing entirely—both are paperwork, but cancellation fully ends the agreement.
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Costs to date: If we’ve already spent on staging, reports, or media you approved, those vendor costs still exist. I keep this lean and pre-agreed.
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Photos/marketing: Usage rights typically stay with the brokerage/photographer; if you relist with someone else, they may need to re-shoot.
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Switching agents: In California, the broker holds the listing; to move it, you usually need a written release. If you’re unhappy, talk to me. I solve problems quickly—and if a release is the right call, I won’t hold you hostage.
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