Should You Use An Estate Agent To Sell Your Home?
Posted on Apr 04, 2010 under Sell Time Share | 7 Comments
Do you know that you can use a real estate agent to buy a home?
(there is a free ebook: 101 Tips For Selling Your House,for you to download,if you would like to sell your own house, from a link at the bottom of this page).
Many people think real estate agents only sell homes, but nothing could be further from the truth.
If you are in the market for a new home you may want to get a real estate agent on your side.
You may think that this is not necessary, but all in all a real estate agent can help you to find the home of your dreams. Many people pass this option by, but you should at least look into it if you are in the market for a new home.
So what can a real estate agent do for you if you are buying a home? First off, they have access to every property that is available in your area.
This means that all you have to do is tell them what you are looking for, and in turn, they will be able to show you many different homes that suit your needs.
This sure beats having to search through the newspaper for homes, or drive around neighborhoods that you think may suit your needs.
Another huge benefit of using a real estate agent to buy a home is that you do not have to pay them a dime.
That is right; you can get the help of a real estate agent without having to pay out any money. So how does the real estate agent get paid then?
Simply put the agent that they refer you to will share their commission with your real estate agent.
This means that you get the help of a real estate agent, the agent gets paid, and the seller finds a buyer. Talk about the perfect set up for everybody involved.
Overall, a real estate agent can help you to buy a home just like they can help you to sell a home.
Or if you would like to sell your own home please see the link at the bottom of the page to download a free ebook, that gives you 101 tips for selling your home.
Geri Mason
http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/should-you-use-an-estate-agent-to-sell-your-home-96635.html
April 4th, 2010 at 5:41 am
What is the very best way to find a real estate agent to sell your home?
We are getting ready to move and there are so many agents to choose from. Should we call a few agents and then "try" them out? I dunno……
Also, we are looking to change out blinds and do some work on the home (OUr house was built about 4 years ago) and should we wait until we talk to the reator to see if she or he has more insight into what would be more beneficial? Thanks for your help…
April 4th, 2010 at 10:43 am
Ask friends, family & neighbors for a referral. A lot of brokers work with realtors also, so you may want to consider that.
References :
April 4th, 2010 at 10:45 am
Definitely get a referral – some agents work harder than others, and when you pick one you will be stuck for a few months. One site I would suggest is daveramsey.com and look for the ELP (Endorsed Local Provider). These are screened and more trustworthy.
And yes – wait to get a Realtor before you do any work. I don’t think anyone will care about blinds since they will want to do their own window dressing. But curb appeal is important – so some landscaping might be a better investment.
References :
April 4th, 2010 at 10:47 am
Try the website Active Rain, search your area and you will find Realtors profiles, blogs and areas they best cover.
References :
http://www.activerain.com
April 4th, 2010 at 10:49 am
I would certainly obtain the services of a REALTOR.
In some states, any one can get a Real Estate Salesperson’s License after some schooling and passing tests.
However, becoming a REALTOR brings one to a higher level of professionalism, ehtics, integrity and honesty. They belong to the National Association of Realtors, their state association of REALTORS, their local association of REALTORS.
I’m certainly not implying that all licensed real estate agents do anything illegal but it certainly helps potential clients to check the real estate agent through the public website of their state’s real estate board for any complaints, legal actions against him/her, board reprimands, etc.
Some agents who have lost their licenses even continue to operate as such.
Do your home work….
References :
April 4th, 2010 at 10:51 am
You should seek a referral from trusted family and or friends, if possible. Otherwise interview a minimum of three real estate agents. Not all real estate agents are REALTORs, who must abide by a prescribed code of ethics.
The agent(s) will make a presentation of how they plan to market your home. The presentation should include a market analysis of homes similar to yours located within the immediate area. This analysis should contain homes that have sold, gone under contract and are currently listed, but no more than 90-days old. You will need this information to determine the best list price for your home. Be wary of the agent who agrees to overpricing you home, just to get you to list with him/her.
You did not identify your location, but in today’s national marketplace, overpriced homes do not sell. You will want to price your home to reflect value compared to similar homes in your neighborhood. Also, you should be prepared for the possibility that today’s home value might be below the price that you paid 4 years ago.
Equally important is having your agent to be internet savvy. You home should appear on every major real estate site, including Realtor.com, Trulia.com, Frontdoor.com, to name a few. I would be happy to refer you to an e-PRO certified REALTOR near you.
By all means, seek the advice of a REALTOR before doing any upgrades or remodeling. A 4 year old home probabaly needs little, if any, work. As mentioned in another reply, curb appeal is important. In addition to price and in general, fresh paint, de-cluttering and clean-clean-clean will go a long way in atrracting a potential buyer.
Best of luck to you.
Michael Adams, Realtor®, e-PRO certified
References :
For more tips on selling your home, I invite you to visit my Blog at: http://www.realtown.com/mjadamssellshomes/blog/home-sellers
REALTOR code of ethics: http://www.realtor.org/MemPolWeb.nsf/pages/COde
Why use an e-PRO REALTOR? http://www.epronar.com/whyuseepro.htm
April 4th, 2010 at 10:53 am
Asking friends and family members who they have used in the passed is a great idea.
How I found my first Realtor was at an open house. I had been going to many open houses (this was back in the early 90′s, no visual tours or multiple MLS photos), and very few of the Realtors spoke to me beyond hello and handing me a flyer. This Realtor asked what I was looking for, called me, followed up on what he said he was going to do, and I eventually bought from him. I called him to sell my house later because every few months I would get a card from him and at Christmas, he sent a small gift.
He is part of the reason I got into this business.
Once you secure a Realtor, ask them what things you can do to make the home more saleable.
References :
Oregon Realtor