Last spring, realtor.com published an informative web series call “So you wanna sell your home?” Over the next couple of weeks we’ll be sharing our take on some of their tips.
So we’ll start with part 2 of their series. While they recommend “whipping your house into shape” as a first step, we beg to differ by advising you choose your realtor first. Having the right real estate expert on your side means you’ll have the advice of someone who knows the market and what it will require of your home to get you the most amount of money in the least amount of time with the least stress possible. The right realtor will guide you in decisions for upgrades and improvements. Did you know that there isn’t a single upgrade you can make to your home that will give you a full return on your investment? And the improvements with the highest return on investment are definitely not the most exciting and glamorous. The right realtor will also know the right people. Need to replace some carpeting before listing your home? Your realtor probably has a resource for wholesale carpet and installation! Enlisting the services of a quality realtor before you tackle “get ready to sell” projects can save you blood, sweat, and tears AND CASH in the long run.
How do you choose a realtor? You’ll find lots of advice on this and criteria may differ for each individual. Here are some questions to ask when you’re interviewing:
How long has the realtor been in the business? Being an expert in real estate does not come from passing the license exam. It takes experience, time, and self-driven education. That’s not to say that newer agents aren’t absolutely capable of providing an amazing real estate experience.
Is real estate their full-time job? Real estate transactions occur at all hours any day of the week. If you’re okay with your agent being available part-time, then this might not be a big deal.
What’s the breakdown on the houses they sold in the last year? It’s not just the number of houses sold that speaks to an agent’s experience and expertise. Of the houses the agent listed, what percentage sold? You’ll also want to take into account the list price versus the sale price.
What is their marketing strategy? Do they offer professional staging services? Do they shoot the photos with their cell phone or hire a professional photographer? Simply submitting a listing to the MLS or posting it on Facebook is not a marketing strategy. How will that agent work to get your house sold for the most amount of money in the least amount of time?
How much do they charge? The cost of a realtor’s services is typically summed up in a commission percentage. There’s a common phrase in real estate – “everything’s negotiable” – and it can apply to an agent’s commission. Some agents will stick to their stated commission percentage. Some offer an a la carte menu of services. Some offer a sliding scale of rates if they will also be your agent for the purchase of your next home or if they end up representing the buyer of your home. The costs of selling your home can add up quickly and going with a discount brokerage or agent may be financially appealing. keep this in mind: if an agent will easily give up their own money in a commission reduction, how easy do you think it will be for them to give up your money in the process of selling your home?
If you’re thinking about selling your home, we’d love the opportunity to talk to you about how our experience and expertise in real estate can help you sell your home for the most money in the least amount of time with as little stress as possible! Contact us now!
Catch Part 2: Spruce Things Up here!
