Hold Your Agent Accountable When Selling Your Los Angeles Home
Whether selling in Los Angeles ... or elsewhere ... this timely and beneficial post written by Jane Peters, Power Brokers International, LA/Beverly Hills, CA ... provides great tips and directions as to what qualities and services to look for in your real estate agent when selling your home.
Not all Agents, Brokers (or Mortgage Lenders) are created equal. There are vast differences in the quality of the service and the magnitude of the experience and expertise you can find. Do yourself a huge favor prior to selecting the professionals you work with. Do you homework! Get referrals. Get testimonials. And then once you've made the selections, hold your professionals accountable. Communication is key ... and a 2-way street.
If in the Los Angeles area, there's no one better than Jane Peters to call when it comes time to sell your home. But if you're in the Chicagoland area and hoping to sell ... contact me. I'll be happy to offer you referrals to our area's best ...
Gene
Selling your Los Angeles home is not just about hiring a real estate agent, having them put up a sign and then forgetting it. If some home sellers new what went on in the background their hair might stand on end.
Let’s look at what you should be looking out for.
- When properties come on the market, unless otherwise requested by the seller, they must be entered into the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) within 3 days of the date of start of the listing, where other Realtors® and, through syndication, consumers can view them. Make sure you let your property reaches the general public before you accept any offers so that you get the most exposure. The more offers the higher the price you will receive.
- When a listing is entered into the MLS we expect to see photos accompanying them and a full description of the property. Check up on your listing to see that it meets your approval. Also check up on the description. You would be surprised at how many descriptions are either missing, incorrect, or full of bad grammar or typos. This is your home. You want the best presentation.
- There is also more that can be done to market your home in these days of social media. Does your agent have a website? Are they internet/tech savvy? Find out where else your listing will show up besides just the MLS.
- Put yourself in a buyer’s shoes. You find a home you would like to view and are unable to because your agent cannot get hold of the listing agent. They are either too busy or out of town and have no back up. Ask how available they are going to be to you while your home is on the market.
- Although this is starting to change, on the Westside of Los Angeles it is common practice for listing agents to be present at a showing. Who better to be available should the buyer have any questions, and also how comfortable would you feel letting strangers into your property? Do you care if a lockbox is installed at your home, especially a combination box where you have no idea who has entered, or would you rather have your agent present for security and to answer any buyers’ questions? There are electronic boxes which register who enters and is more secure, but again, be sure you are O.K. with that.
- How much communication do you want. Be clear up front how often you expect your agent to check in and what you expect to be information of.
- How tech savvy are you? Do you want everything to be handled electronically via email or digital signature? If so, make sure your agent has the knowledge and capability to comply.
- Above all, make sure your agent represents you in the way you would like to be seen. Sellers’ market or not there is no excuse for poor behavior or lack of respect and professionalism that has become rampant in this crazy real estate market.
When selling your Los Angeles home, hold your agent accountable.
For a free consult on your L.A. real estate needs, fill out the CONTACT FORM or call me at 310-473-6919
Jane Peters, connecting you to the L.A. real estate scene
Buying or selling real estate in Los Angeles can be an overwhelming process. Contact Jane Peters, Los Angeles realtor specializing in absentee owners, out of town buyers, and those who need that extra attention, in order to make the transaction a smooth, trouble-free, and fun experience.
Search Homes for Sale in Los Angeles
Search Homes for Sale in Beverly Hills
Search Homes for Sale in Brentwood
Search Homes for Sale in Culver City
Search Homes for Sale in Silver Lake-Echo Park
Search Homes for Sale in Santa Monica
Search Homes for Sale in Venice CA
Search Homes for Sale in Westwood-Century City
Other Los Angeles Communities
Comments(1)