|
Selling Your Home? Here Are 8 Tips to Choosing a Realtor |
|
Written by Marc Rasmussen
|
|
Sunday, 14 March 2010 09:32 |
|
Are you thinking about selling your home? The sale of your home may be one of your largest transactions. Make sure you don't leave it in the hands of an amateur. Here are 8 tips to picking a good Realtor.
by MarcRasmussen
Are you thinking about selling your home? The sale of your home may be one of your largest transactions. Make sure you don't leave it in the hands of an amateur. Here are 8 tips to picking a good Realtor.
1. Business decision, not a personal one
This is a buyers market and it is not easy to be a seller. A professional Realtor can make the sales process much easier than someone who just got their license or who does not work full time. This is a big transaction so make a smart choice, not an emotional one.
2. Get referrals
You probably have a friend or relative that can recommend a good Realtor. Ask around for names. Chances are you can find the name of someone good to use or even someone not to use.
3. Interview Realtors
It is good to get different points of view. Talk to two or three agents if you can. Make a list of important questions before you meet. Don't choose a Realtor based on the expected sales price that they give you. The agent might be trying to 'buy' your listing. Remember, the market determines the value of your home. Not you or the Realtor you hire.
4. Is the biggest producer the best?
Don't assume that the highest producer is the best Realtor or gives the best service. Would you rather work with a good Realtor who has forty listings or a good Realtor that has ten? You probably will end up with better service with the Realtor that spread between only 10 listings. That is not always the case but this is what you can uncover when you interview them. The larger producer may sell ten homes between $2 million and $3 million a year. If your home is worth $300,000 would you rather use that Realtor or one who sells twenty homes a year priced between $300,000 and $400,000?
5. Discount broker?
Have you ever noticed how many discount broker start up and then fail? That business model generally does not work. The market decides what is a fair commission. If it was unfair the general public would not use Realtors.
Most of the generally public would be surprised to see how many expenses are involved in running a real estate company. The commission you pay is sliced by many people and goes to pay many expenses. Most Realtors are not rolling in cash.
6. Don't decide on a Realtor based on the asking price
This is fairly common occurrence. Realtors are fighting to get listings and they could tell you an unrealistic price for your home just so they list with you. Realtors either know that they are doing this or they are just horrible at pricing property. Make any agent you interview substantiate their valuation with market facts, data and trends. Often times, the Realtor with the lowest valuation is your best choice because they are most honest or most in tune with the market.
7. Interview a Realtor that specializes in your area
You may want to speak with an agent that works only in your area or neighborhood. Depending on where you live your property might be unique and need a unique Realtor. During a contract negotiation it is good to have a Realtor on your side that has sold many of the homes in your area. However, the process of valuing and selling real estate is essentially the same in all segments of market with slight variations. You don't have to hire a specialist or niche Realtor.
8. Be Leery
Some agents tell you everything you want to hear only to get a different story after you list with them. When interviewing a Realtor ask them to be brutally honest. Most sellers need that. It may sting initially but you will be better off in the long run.
Hopefully, you will find these eight tips helpful. Time is money in real estate. Generally, the longer it takes to sell your home the less you will put in your pocket. A good Realtor can get your home sold quickly and headache free.
About the Author:
Marc Rasmussen helping people buy or sell Sarasota Florida real estate. |
