8 really good reasons for hiring a real estate agent to sell your house!
1. Pricing. The most important component to selling your home is proper pricing. Just because your neighbor’s house sold 2 years ago for X amount, but yours is a lot nicer, doesn’t mean that your home should automatically sell for more. Not in 2010. In a changing market it can be pretty difficult to nail down an appropriate range. Many for-sale-by-owner (FSBO’s) homes are priced on the basis of hearsay and eventually take less, since the buyer is often in a better position to negotiate. I base my pricing on recent comparable sales, my neighborhood knowledge, the condition of your house and the current state of the market. Period. Furthermore, I bring an office full of agents by to help zero in on an appropriate price, representing hundreds of combined years selling real estate. Do you have the market data to justify your price?
2. Do-it-Yourself firms aren’t so hot. You’ve got one shot at making a good first impression. DIY firms might deliver when it comes to getting your house on the internet, but when buyers take a look at those depressing and washed out photos on the web, are you really convincing them to take a look at your house? My job entails not only marketing your home to it’s fullest potential, but presenting you with market comparables and pricing advice, staging, professional photography, web presentation, print advertising, contract expertise, and some. Most DIY firms get your listing on the internet, and that’s about it.
3. Commissions. Most qualified buyers turn to an agent to help them with the logistics of buying a home. These agents won’t show your home if you’re not offering them a commission. Are you prepared to market your home only to the small group of buyers without agents?
4. Good Faith Deposits. When I write an offer for a client, it is accompanied by what we call a “good faith deposit”. In the event that my buyer decides to walk away from the purchase, most of the deposit would be available to the seller (you). I’ve got a good number in mind. What’s yours?
5. Is your buyer qualified? The buyer might be reluctant about discussing his/her financial status with you, and you might not know what questions to ask. Many would-be sales are lost because the buyer is unable to qualify for a loan. Do you know how to distinguish between a qualified buyer and a non-qualified buyer?
6. Are you available 24/7? Can you show your house with 15 minutes notice? Are you comfortable with strangers in your home? What if you need to be out of town for a few days, or a couple of weeks?
7. Documentation/Disclosures. In the District and Montgomery County there is a plethora of paperwork to fill out and distribute to would-be buyers. The forms can be long and seemingly unnavigable. An agent can help you out.
8. Repairs. If a buyer comes to you with a long list of items they would like repaired/replaced before settlement, do you know what items you need to fix? The answer might surprise you.
Placing the sale of your home in the hands of a good, locally knowledgeable real estate agent can be a wise investment. We can advise you on proper pricing which in the long run should reduce the number of days you spend on the market. We know how to pinpoint trouble spots in an offer, and get them corrected in your favor. We can effectively qualify potential buyers to make sure they can complete the purchase of your home. We’ve got sufficient office back up to provide callers with knowledge of your home, and opportunities to connect with us after hours. If you do go the DIY route, and you wisely choose to offer a commission to the buyer’s agent, then the buyer will have the vast majority of the advantages, because he/she will be represented by a seasoned real estate agent… looking out for the well being of their client, the buyer. Who is looking out for your best interests?
Mistakes in the early days of listing your property for sale can cost you thousands and thousands of dollars. An experienced agent can save you time, energy and a lot of money.
Comments(6)