Thinking of selling, but don't know where to start? Recently I've been asked by a number of potential sellers, "How do I choose a REALTOR®?" Here is what I recommend in a step by step process:
1. Choose up to 3 REALTORS® to interview. The most common way to pick is by referral from a friend or family member. If you don't have a referral you can choose based on online reviews and profiles.
2. Set up appointments with the REALTORS® to come out and give you a Comparable Market Analysis (CMA) on your home and present a Marketing Plan, this may be a 2 step process. They may need to view your home and go back to do research and prepare the CMA.
3. Review their Comparable Market Analysis. Upon the REALTOR® viewing your home they should provide you with a written CMA which shows you what comparable homes to yours have sold for in the past 6-12 months and what is currently on the market, which will be your competition. Pricing is the single largest factor in selling your home, so pricing it right and not over pricing is extremely important. One of the most common misconceptions is that you should choose the REALTOR® that tells you the highest price your home will sell for. Do not do that!
4. Choose based on qualifications. Make sure they are licensed, full-time, a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and a member of the MLS. Ask how many years of experience they have and how many homes they have sold. This is important because some REALTORS® have all these qualifications but only sell a couple homes per year.
5. Ask how they will market your home. A good REALTOR® will have a Marketing Plan prepared for you that lays out where they advertise and what marketing activities they will be doing to get your home sold!
6. Choose a REALTOR® who listens and understands your needs and desires. This person will be assisting you with possibly one of your largest financial transactions of your life so you should enjoy working with them and trust them.
Any further questions or comments? Don't be afraid to ask!
Showing posts with label how to sell your home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label how to sell your home. Show all posts
Friday, May 16, 2014
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Get more for your home in less time
When you list your home for sale the last thing you want is for it to sit on the market for a year and then end up taking a lower offer than you had hoped. Here is some advice on how to get your home to sell faster for closer to list price!
1. De-clutter. Remove and pack away any clutter in your home. You can store it in the garage or rent a storage unit for a short period if needed. Too many knick-knacks or toys can be distracting to buyers.
2. De-personalize. Take down any excessive amounts of personal items or pictures that would potentially distract buyers from the real reason they are there...to look at your home, not your stuff! Also, neutralize any wild paint colors.
3. Deep Clean. Take extra time to wipe down all surfaces, especially the ones that are used the most, like light switches, doors and door knobs. Dust the ceiling fans and blinds and wash the windows. If this task seems daunting, I'd be happy to refer you to a trusted professional.
4. Curb Appeal. During the winter, make sure your driveway is plowed, your sidewalks are shoveled and the surfaces are free of ice. In the summer, make sure your lawn is cut and trimmed. Look at your home with a buyers eye, next time you drive up to your house look at the details. Make your front door appealing by freshening up the paint, add new house numbers, or a new light fixture to welcome buyers.
5. Repair. Fix any nagging repairs that need to be done. Broken door knobs or leaky faucets can lead buyers to think that the home was not well cared for. Repair any holes in the walls and touch up paint.
6. Animals. This is a tough subject for many because pets are like family. If you have pets, make sure they are either kenneled for showings, taken with you or to a neighbors. Pick up any doggy doo-doo in your yard, make sure litter boxes are fresh and animal hair is vacuumed.
7. Sparkle. Make your home sparkle and shine! Use light bulbs that make your home feel warm and inviting. If your bulbs take too long to get bright consider replacing them. Get rid of any unwanted odors. Studies show that most people cannot smell odors in their own home. My tip is to go outside for a while then enter your home with a fresh nose to see if you can detect any odors. Use an air freshener but don't over freshen! There is such a thing as too much of a good thing!
These tips in conjunction with pricing your home correctly by getting a Comparable Market Analysis from your favorite Realtor will help you obtain the best price in the shortest amount of time!
1. De-clutter. Remove and pack away any clutter in your home. You can store it in the garage or rent a storage unit for a short period if needed. Too many knick-knacks or toys can be distracting to buyers.
2. De-personalize. Take down any excessive amounts of personal items or pictures that would potentially distract buyers from the real reason they are there...to look at your home, not your stuff! Also, neutralize any wild paint colors.
3. Deep Clean. Take extra time to wipe down all surfaces, especially the ones that are used the most, like light switches, doors and door knobs. Dust the ceiling fans and blinds and wash the windows. If this task seems daunting, I'd be happy to refer you to a trusted professional.
4. Curb Appeal. During the winter, make sure your driveway is plowed, your sidewalks are shoveled and the surfaces are free of ice. In the summer, make sure your lawn is cut and trimmed. Look at your home with a buyers eye, next time you drive up to your house look at the details. Make your front door appealing by freshening up the paint, add new house numbers, or a new light fixture to welcome buyers.
5. Repair. Fix any nagging repairs that need to be done. Broken door knobs or leaky faucets can lead buyers to think that the home was not well cared for. Repair any holes in the walls and touch up paint.
6. Animals. This is a tough subject for many because pets are like family. If you have pets, make sure they are either kenneled for showings, taken with you or to a neighbors. Pick up any doggy doo-doo in your yard, make sure litter boxes are fresh and animal hair is vacuumed.
7. Sparkle. Make your home sparkle and shine! Use light bulbs that make your home feel warm and inviting. If your bulbs take too long to get bright consider replacing them. Get rid of any unwanted odors. Studies show that most people cannot smell odors in their own home. My tip is to go outside for a while then enter your home with a fresh nose to see if you can detect any odors. Use an air freshener but don't over freshen! There is such a thing as too much of a good thing!
These tips in conjunction with pricing your home correctly by getting a Comparable Market Analysis from your favorite Realtor will help you obtain the best price in the shortest amount of time!
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