House Selling Tips - Finding the Right Real Estate Agent
When it comes to house selling tips, the best advice I can give is on how to find a good real estate agent. Most house selling tips come from self-serving listing agents. Mine do not.
I wrote an extensive article on how NOT to choose an agent a year or so ago. I thought I’d revisit the topic from a positive perspective rather than the negative…and just hit the big points!
House Selling Tips
First of all, you’re looking for what the industry calls a listing agent. A name which comes from the fact they list your home on the Multi-Listing Service or MLS as the primary method of marketing your home. The service puts all buyer agents (called selling agents…I know, a bit confusing…) on notice your house is now on the market in the hopes they will bring buyers.
A good listing agent works full-time and has several years of experience selling more than the average 5 houses a year. You’re looking for a real pro…20-30 houses a year and 6-10 years doing just that.
You should interview at least three listing agents, all of whom should make a sales presentation including a comparative market analysis of local home prices in your area. Question them on their familiarity of your subdivision and neighborhood. They should be able to show you homes they have sold recently that are nearby.
Be sure to evaluate all aspects of the agent’s marketing plan. Confirm the MLS listing, the yard signage, any talking-house technology, fliers, open houses, advertisements in home magazines and newspapers and any online marketing. Don’t forget to assess just how well you think you can work with the individual. Personality clashes are unacceptable.
The right choice is NOT always the agent who proposes the highest listing price for your home.
The big con in listing homes is too over-inflate the sales price just to get the listing. Telling you what you want to hear instead of the truth about the condition of your home or it’s realistic market value, is really doing you a disservice. Agents that appeal to your greed are more interested in getting the listing rather than actually selling the home. If they do succeed in getting the listing, they will let the lack of showings be the bad guy proceeding to hammer you to lower the price. You don’t blame them for over pricing. It’s the market, right?
Don’t play that game of house over-pricing. Over-pricing your home from the beginning can set a tone and eventually lead to a lesser sales price as the home gets a stigma for being on the market forever.
My house selling tips ALWAYS irritate listing agents. Tough. The truth hurts.
Pick a pro who has a track record, a comprehensive marketing plan, a winning personality…and tells the truth. Your home will sell at the best net price and sell quickly even in the slow markets we are experiencing now. I realize some may see my home selling tips as a little dogmatic, but after 15 years in the industry I know of what I speak.
Good Luck!
Author: Rob K. Blake
Published January 17, 2008
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On the contrary… I completely support your rationale. As a listing agent, I despise overpriced listings. If I can avoid taking them, for the most part I will. It doesn’t do the seller any good, discredits their confidence in me, and it just proves to be a money drain for my advertising budget. I’m much more likely to advocate that the seller list the house right AT where it should sell, thereby increasing their odds for a quick, full priced offer! If only they were all easy to price, life would be so much easier.
January 7th, 2008 at 3:55 pmHey Sandi…thanks for stopping by.. and supporting this post.
I thought maybe I was being to hard on agents when I wrote it but I guess not.
I noticed on your about me page you are Chico Homes Top Listing Agent 2007…so if i didn’t offend a true professional…I’m in the clear!
RKB
January 7th, 2008 at 3:47 pmThis post is right on the money– I also advocate interviewing 3 agents, and caution against hiring the one that tells you your house is going to sell for more than everybody says it will. Hiring a Realtor to represent the largest transaction in your life should not e taken lightly! As the seller, you are responsible for who you hire! Make sure the individual has the track record to PROVE that they are the professional they claim to be.
January 7th, 2008 at 3:32 pmLeave a Comment