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Questions to Ask Before Listing Your Home with a Real Estate Agent

By Tina Merritt

Real Estate Agent with Nest Realty

March 11, 2010 03:13 AM

for sale sign It's common knowledge that today, 87% of buyers are searching for homes on the internet. They are still using real estate agents to buy the homes; however, buyers are going to the internet before and during their home search in greater numbers each day.

Now, let's say 87% of all buyers were searching in your local newspaper for a home. Would you hire an agent who ran 1 ad a month in the newspaper or would you prefer to go with the real estate agent who ran an ad everyday? Dumb question, huh? But it's not...many sellers are still not asking the right questions regarding the internet presence of their real estate agent in marketing their property. "My agent has a website and my property is on the site" is not an acceptable online marketing strategy for your property.

To read more and see the list of questions to ask, click on this link.

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Ken's Home Team LLC. | 360.609.0226 | Portland, OR & Vancouver, WA Real Estate Team

Ken's Home Team LLC. - Vancouver, WA

- SOLD IS OUR FAVORITE 4 LETTER WORD -

good job question, that is the biggest question I get is will i be in the newspaper or re magazines? That is not where peopel are looking its all about the internet

Mar 11, 2010 03:16 AM

William James Walton Sr.

WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Briotti Group - Waterbury, CT

Greater Waterbury Real Estate

Loved the list, Tina.

In fact, it gives me an idea - be proactive when approaching sellers about how you will market their home, with the marketing piece coming ahead of the pricing discussion.

Mar 11, 2010 03:19 AM

Jason Feinman

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - River Vale, NJ

Bergen County Real Estate Expert, ABR, CNE, e-PRO

Fantastic article Tina. As a Realtor who has the #1 ranked real estate web site in the Poconos based on a combined ranking of the major search engines, I can document each of the 15 points you have made as far as both individual and company internet presence. Also the quality of photographs is something I pride myself on. It is so important for home sellers to interview and see the difference for themselves. Property description is also an area which should be addressed. Command of the English language and the use of descriptive text and call to action phrases also separate me from the rest.

Mar 11, 2010 03:23 AM

Tom Davis

Harrington ERA,DE Homes For Sale, $$ Save $$ Buy Today ! - Dover, DE

FREE Delaware Homes Search!, $$ Save $$ - Find Homes! Delaware Realtor

Correct,

I usually tell them what to expect and what I will not do and the reasons why.

It is in their best interest to realize that we know how to market the home to get it sold... that's what we are trained to do! We sell homes everyday, they sell maybe 1,2, or 3 homes in their entire life!

Thanks,

Mar 11, 2010 03:31 AM

The Somers Team

The Somers Team at KW Philadelphia - Philadelphia, PA

Delivering Real Estate Happiness

Tina - So true ! Slowly, sellers are catching up the importance of Internet Marketing. Many of them will still go through with the "neighborhood Realtor" or the company that has had a stronger presence in the past, not realizing what they are missing with the lack of intensive Internet Marketing. But as the years go on, more and more are realizing the difference. And the agents that are ahead of the curve now will benefit greatly !

On a side note, I think we recently connected on 4-square which is cool. And am heading to outside of Richmond now on an Amtrak train to visit some relatives ! I miss Va Beach where I grew up : )

Mar 12, 2010 02:34 AM

Tina Merritt

Nest Realty - Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Real Estate

@somers team - have a great time travelling in Virginia! you should have nice weather this weekend.

@tom - you are absolutely right

@jason - you are so right - the quality pictures and command of the english language are essential

@william - i think that is a good idea - or a checklist of what you do vs. "the other guys"

@ken - my experience has been if they are sellers looking to only advertising in a newspaper or magazine then they should list with an agent who will give them that (and only that!)

Mar 12, 2010 03:01 AM

Questions to Ask Before Listing Your Home with a Real Estate Agent

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