You read and followed the best advice for getting your home prepared for sale. You removed negatives by painting, upgrading flooring and counter tops. You have wonderful curb appeal, you had a landscaper come in and make yours the nicest looking yard on the block. After reading and watching cable TV you even had your home professionally staged. So far so good.
Man your home is looking so good. It is looking so good that you are sure it will sell for more than the others in your area. Earth to seller you are leaving the path.
Until now you were doing well. Here is the problem, if you are in one of the areas that has a lot of inventory, your home will not sell if it is over priced. You will compete with many desperate sellers that will do almost anything to sell.
Ok we may be off the path a little, but there is time to save you.
Hire a top of the line professional Realtor to market your home. What are we looking for?
- An agent with a track record in the community or subdivision, who has a record for selling homes and not just taking listings.
- An agent who came prepared for your interview with market data and a marketing plan to get your home sold.
- An agent who spends time and money marketing homes and not just themselves.
- Look for professional designations and licenses. This is a clue to whether they invest time and money in training and whether they take their business serious.
- Be sure they do this full time and are not hobbyist.
When considering your Realtor, remember this is a relationship that will tie up your property A Realtor who charges the lowest fee is rarely the highest value. They usually give the least amount of service. You will continue paying mortgage while your home is on the market. All of your plans will be on hold. Time is money!
Look for an agent who tells you the truth and not what you want to hear. Months from now when your home hasn't sold you will wish you followed this piece of advice.
As many real estate markets cool, it is not time to bring in the amateurs. You will meet many desperate agents who will tell you anything to get your business. They may offer discounts on their fees, they may promise you the moon, the sky and stars. But in the end, will they sell your home?
As a home owner you need to do your due diligence in preparing your home and selecting a real estate agent. Good Luck and good home selling!
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Randy L. Prothero, REALTOR®, ABR, AHWD, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR
Century 21 Liberty Homes
Randy Prothero is well established as an expert in working with military / VA clients and first time home buyers. His home seller's (listing) campaign is one of the most aggressive marketing programs in the area.
Based out of Mililani, Hawaii. Randy services the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and the Leeward Regional Chairman of the Honolulu Board of Realtors. To improve overall professionalism in his area Randy also offers classes for real estate agents.
www.HawaiiRandy.com * Oahu (Honolulu County) Property Search * Hawaii Military Relocations
Look for an agent who tells you the truth and not what you want to hear. This is the most important advise a seller needs to hear...and take to heart. Or they will lose out.
I don't play this word game but this is the second time in the last half hour I got.....NERVOSA....I have a feeling it isn't a fruit lol.
Price and condition along with a Real Estate professional with a good markeing plan...not one who just practices the 3 P's.
"It is looking so good that you are sure it will sell for more than the others in your area."
Yes! If only Sellers would accept the shortened version:
"It is looking so good that you are sure it will sell."
Randy.... so true in regards to if your house is looking good, but if over priced in an area with lots of inventory, it still won't sell..... usually... People will slightly overlook the house if they can get a deal. It's just human nature.
Renee - That makes a big difference.
Mike - It is sometimes a hard sell.
Randy - you're too young to be so wise! You are 100% correct. In my market there are too many agents who want to "brand" themselves to get the most listings. These agents are not taking care of their listings because they're too busy trying to get more listings. The consumers in our area are getting frustrated!
I say "let's do all we can to get your home sold!" If an agent takes care of that, then the listings and money will come in. People want results....not just a pretty business card with all the fluff.
The market is slow and people want a professional who can get the job done!
Randy,
Same story of my life everyday I go on the listing call...tell it like it is...no sugar coating from ...I am tired of taking unsellable inventory.
Linda - You are right on the money. I met a real estate agent last year while in Wisconsin. He said he had 40 active listings in the Green Bay area and not one closing in months. He was a dealing cards in the casino to pay his bills.
How would you like to be his client? I wonder what his sales pitch would be to get number 41? Signs and lock boxes must be getting awful expensive. Instead of dealing cards he should consider getting in the sign making business.
Randy,
What a great piece for consumers, this is a winner! :)
Very well done, Randy. I like your opening setup and reality check.
Linda- That is sad. Her clients I am sure are not going to give her many referrals.
Gary - Absolutely
Suzanne - Thank you
Great information to consumers with a great Realtor, it is like 1,2, 3 right ? :) keep the good blog !
Ray Saenz
George - Absolutely appies to loan officers.
Irina - Thank you
David - We all get a little wiser as we get older.
Neal - That sounds about right.
If the seller is not willing to be reasonable during the listing appointment, don't bet on them changing later.
and what does it mean Mahi Mahi ? does it have a meaning ? let me know :) there is a plate in mexico that they put that name.
Ray Saenz
Lysa- Thank you
Ray - Mahi Mahi is a good eating fish. I have heard it called blue dolphin or Dorado in other places.
Randy,
see ? I was figuring out that thing but I was not sure at all, thanks for the answer Mahi Mahi !!!
Ray Saenz