So you can't put it off any longer. It is time to declutter, repaint, redo, clean like a crazy person, but Sellers, don't forget to Ask The Important Questions! I know the information is coming at you at the speed of thought, but few things are as crucial as the brief list below. When you meet with prospective Realtors make sure you get answers to the following:
1. How many listings do you have?Ok, (before listing gurus come to lynch me) having many listings IS NOT necessarily a bad thing; however, having too many for too long IS a bad thing. There are some Realtors who are listing junkies. They crave it, need it, can't wait to get it....then they forget it. Obviously the average days on the market has increased recently. Just ask. It won't kill you. It shouldn't kill them.
2. What marketing tool do you find to be the single most important? Every agent has their favorite tool, just as a carpenter. Yet, if you don't get a specific answer (more than one is perfectly fine), and the agent seems sort of confused, run don't walk.
3. Pay Close Attention to how they present themselves to you during the interview, If they can't sell themselves how on earth are they going to sell your home. Ask them to give you three recent references of seller clients. This is A MUST. Top Agents will most likely volunteer this right away, or even give you names and numbers as if rolling off the tongue. Then there is the hesitant Realtor, they may ask you if they can give it to you later..yada yada yada. NOT ACCEPTABLE. THIS IS YOUR MONEY.
4. How and how often can you (as the seller) expect communication regarding your home? Again, TOP agents will most likely cover this crucial aspect shortly after meeting you! Make sure you get specifics. What type of reports can you expect and at what frequency? How is feedback handled?
5. What type of Internet tools will be devoted to YOUR home? There are many tools of the trade. The best approach is often a holistic. Using each tool to compliment the other; yet, in my experience PROPERTY WEB PAGES/WEBSITES are an extremely effective method of introducing your home to the buying population. It is the gift that just keeps on giving. I could devote an entire post to the many benefits and uses of a single property website. It is NOT expensive for an agent. It does require a little extra effort. Demand it. Examples:
The list of important things to consider could go on forever. I can assure you, if your prospective Realtor answers the above without hesitation, with conviction, AND the track record to back it all...you are in good hands.
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