Thinking of selling your house? Not looking forward to having strangers walk through your house? Are you concerned about getting the paperwork right? Hiring a realtor can remove most of the challenges that come with selling. A great real estate agent is always worth more than the commission, just like a great doctor or great accountant.
Ideally you’d like to work with one of the best agents in your marketplace. To do this, you’ve got to be able to distinguish average agents from the great ones.
Here are the top 5 expectations you should have for a realtor when selling your house:
- Be upfront about the price
Far too many agents will take the listing at any price and then try to ‘work the seller’ to correct the price at a later point. Ask the agent prove to you that they have a belief in the price they are suggesting. Ask them show you their plan to sell your home at that price. Every house in today’s market has to be sold twice – first to the buyer and then to the lender.
Many times, the second sale is harder than the first. The appraisal process has gotten harder as well. Surveys show that there are challenges with the appraisal on close to 20% of real estate transactions. It’s more difficult to get the bank to agree on the contract price.
- Understand the timetable you’ve set
You and your family will be moving to a new home. Weather that move revolves around the start of a new job or the start of a new school year, you will be trying plan out your move.
This can be very emotionally draining. You should ask your agent to show their understanding for the timetable you are setting. Your agent can’t pick your moving date, but they should exert any influence they can, to make it happen.
- Remove as many challenges as possible
It’s important that your agent knows how to handle the challenges that will arise. An agent’s ability to negotiate is critical in this market.
Remember: If you have an agent who was weak negotiating with you on the parts of the listing contract that were most important to them and their family (commission, length, etc.), don’t expect them to turn into a negotiation expert when they are negotiating for you and your family with the buyer.
- Help with the relocation
If you haven’t picked your new home yet, make sure the agent is willing and capable to help you. The coordination of the move is crucial. You don’t want to be without a roof over your head the night of the closing. But at the same time, you don’t want to end up paying two housing expenses simultaneously (whether it is rent or mortgage). You should, in most cases, be able to sell your current home and immediately move into your new residence.
- Getting the house SOLD!
There is a reason you are putting yourself and your family through the process of moving.
You are moving on with your life in some way. The reason is important or you wouldn’t be dealing with the challenges that come along with selling. Don’t allow your agent to forget these motivations. Remind them that selling the house is why you hired them. Make sure they don’t worry about your feelings more than they worry about your family. If they discover something needs to be done to attain your goal (i.e. price correction, repair, removing clutter), insist they have the courage to inform you.
Good agents know how to deliver good news. Great agents know how to deliver tough news. In today’s market, YOU NEED A GREAT AGENT!
Contact us for help with selling your home!
Debbie Woolard Group
(757) 288-0194
www.DebbieWoolard.com
Excellent Service – Excellent Results
Buyers Agent/Sellers Agent
Our focus is helping people find and exchange dream homes. We are seeking buyers and sellers that desire concierge level service including great communication, extraordinary representation and a continuing relationship for years to come.
You and your referrals will be provided with a great team of professionals to help with each step of the process. We are committed and passionate about negotiating the best possible terms and serving our clients at the highest level. Our goal is to create memorable real estate experiences where our clients become raving fans.
Realtors with the Debbie Woolard Group service Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Suffolk, Hampton, Newport News & Portsmouth with specialist in seller representation, buyer representation, military relocation, first time home buyers, short sales and real estate investment.