When you list your home for sale, the objective is to get the most money in your pocket as possible. It seems intuitive that you would get the most money by paying the least money to get it sold. The reality, however, is that you get what you pay for.

Your listing options run the gamut from putting a "for sale by owner" sign in your front yard to signing with an agent who will list your home in the Multiple Listing Service and possibly on-line to choosing a Realtor who will market your home. Any of these approaches can get your home sold, but how quickly it sells and how much you ultimately receive for the sale of your home can vary widely.

I used to have an income tax preparer named John who had been doing taxes for individuals and businesses for many years. In other words, John had a lot of experience. Best of all, John was cheap, and I enjoyed the value I thought I was getting every year when he did my taxes, particularly since I have a fairly complicated tax situation with two businesses, employees, retirement accounts, etc.

One year I happened to take a tax planning seminar that gave a lot of advice in those areas. When I asked John about some strategies recommended at the seminar, he told me that those strategies really wouldn't save me any money in the long run. I decided I should get a second opinion on my overall tax situation, so I had my return processed by both John and a local accounting firm. John processed pretty much the same return he had done for me for years.

The accounting firm, however, had me bring in a lot more information than John ever had requested. I had several meetings with a CPA for my businesses, a tax attorney for my retirement accounts, and their respective assistants. Needless to say, when I got their bill I wasn't happy (they bill by the hour)..... until I saw the tax return they prepared for me. To my delight they found several areas where I was overpaying. They were able to save me so much money that all of a sudden their fee seemed reasonable.

At first I was upset with my old friend John. But then I realized that I pretty much got what I paid for. John was doing the best he could with his available resources and charged me accordingly. My new accounting firm, however, had a vast amount of resources and were able to really spend the time my situation demanded. In the end, yes, they cost me more to prepare my taxes, but they also saved me money.

I mention my tax experience because selling a home has many similarities to preparing a tax return. Marketing a home involves so much more than just picking a price and sticking a sign in the front yard. The more resources employed in marketing the home, the faster it will sell.

When a home sells faster the owner almost always gets a better price since the market has not had a chance to beat that price down. The owner does not get worn out after months of showings, nor is the owner paying interest, taxes, insurance, and utilities for this home month after month waiting for the sale.

So what is the difference between one real estate firm and another and what is the difference between one agent and another?

Do some research and interviews regarding the agents experience, resources, marketing plans, technical expertise, local community knowledge, and references from the Realtors that you interview.

Do not rely on just the name of a large well known brokerage, all agents are independant contractors, and sales volume, ability, resources, contacts, marketing skills and expertise will vary widely from agent to agent.

Its the agent that makes the difference...not necessarily the brokerage.

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For more information on properties in the Orlando Area, call us.

Kevin and Stephanie Borland
Venture I Properties
675 Douglas Avenue
Altamonte Springs, Fl 32714
Phone: 386-848-4341
Cell: 386-848-4361
Fax: 386-232-7086
Email: theborlandteam@cfl.rr.com
Website: http://www.theborlandteam.com/