What to Ask Before Listing your Home

How do you know which realtor is the right realtor for you? They’re not all the same and failing to find the right realtor could cost you thousands of dollars when it comes time to list and sell your home. If you’re looking to sell your home fast and make as much as possible when you do sell it, there are several steps you must take to ensure you are using the right agent.

First, spend some time looking around your neighborhood. Chances are you’ll notice more signs from one or two companies than any other. Think back to homes that have sold recently in your area. Which ones sold the fastest and which real estate companies were they listed with?

After to you have narrowed down the list of candidates to a few possibilities start contacting them and asking questions. First, ask to see their promotional materials and find out exactly what kind of marketing campaign they utilize to sell homes listed with them. The best way to handle this is to ask them to send you some material. Immediately rule out any agents who do not follow up quickly. If they’re slow to respond to your request, you can imagine how they might respond to buyers interested in your home.

Find out how many homes they have listed and how many homes they’ve sold in the last six months. If your home falls into a special category, such as beach front, lake front, executive or luxury, look for agents who have successfully handled similar properties in the recent past. Remember it doesn’t matter how many homes an agent has listed in the end it’s the number of homes they actually sell.

Ask potential agents about the average length of times homes listed with them are on the market. Be aware that homes that sell very quickly could be selling below their market value. On the other hand you don’t want an agent who allows homes to languish on the market for months, either. Your best bet is an agent who sells homes relatively close to the asking price within a short period of time.

Find out as much as you can about the agent, their office and their professional affiliations. Remember that just because an agent has a lot of experience does not necessarily mean they will be the best agent for you. Sometimes less experienced agents are more motivated to sell your home than someone with a lot of experience under their belt. Look for agencies that have sufficient support staff to ensure your needs are met. Agencies without support staff frequently tend to be overwhelmed and may not be able to provide the service you and your home deserve. Finally, remember that professional associations can help to increase exposure for your home and that can mean a faster sell.

 
Site Locale: What to Ask Before Listing your Home

 
Our Network: Debt-Consolidation-Resource, FreeMedGloss, LoveYourBaby