Selling a home in Vancouver WA

You can sell it yourself.  I'm not going to help you with that - I'm a Realtor.

In support of using a Realtor I will say that most homeowners do not have the people skills to deal with the emotional aspects of selling their own home to a buyer looking out for his own interests and usually end up selling it for less than a Realtor sale would have netted them.

Choosing A Realtor. 

You need two things from a Realtor, competence and likeability.  Interview two or three who have come recommended to you or have experience and a history of sales in your geographic area or type of property.

Ask for the Realtor to provide a valuation of the property, usually called a CMA (Competitive Market Analysis) or BPO (Broker Price Opinion).  There will not normally be a cost to this.  Require that the Realtor provide the opinion in writing and leave a copy with you.  Make that clear at the time of making the appointment.  Allow the Realtor to make a pitch for his services at the time of providing the opinion.  Have him explain the terms of the listing agreement.

What are the specific questions you should ask?  What will be done to market my home?  What means do you have for informing me of actions taken and buyer feedback?  How many homes have you sold in this neighborhood?  What other resources can the Realtor provide access to - inspectors, repair people, mortgage brokers, short sale specialists, stagers etc.  You need to phone each Realtor several times to guage his response time.

Price, commission and length of listing.  You must listen very carefully to his price recommendation.  If it is too high or too low I guarantee you will lose money.  Ask questions about the comparison sales he has used.  Thorough knowledge of the comparables listings and sales should be a good indicator of competence.  Commission in the area at present runs 5 to 7% for a full service listing.  It can be less for a limited service listing but he will not market or provide help with processing offers.  I recommend that once you have found the Realtor you like and trust enter into a 6 to 12 month listing with him but have him give youa letter that you can cancel anytime without penalty.  This gives him a chance to fully invest his efforts in a slow market but be subject to your monitoring of his efforts.

My wife/partner Sara and I would be happy to do a marketing/price proposal to you in Clark County WA or recommend an experienced Realtor anywhere in the US or Canada.

Good Luck!