How to Pick a REALTOR® to Sell Your Home

1. When they are marketing is their marketing focused on getting you, the seller, or looking for buyers?
2. Never let the Realtor pick your price. They will always be low so they can sell it faster. It’s your property. IT IS YOUR PRICE. Have the Realtor give you all the information over the last 6 months from both the MLS and the tax records and determine at what price your home will probably sell. Also, ask the Realtor for market data as to how long it is taking to sell and how many other listing are out there.
   • If you have the time, pick a price between 3% and 7% higher than the last pending sale. If you have lots of time, pick whatever you want.
   • Never let your Realtor know what you will settle for.
   • Have a plan for reducing the price. I work usually start having long talks with my clients about price 60 days prior to when they want to move and we start making price adjustments until we have attracted an offer on the home.
3. Don’t pick your best friend or relative just because you might hurt their feelings. Interview them just like you would someone you don’t know. If you’re like most folks your home is the most valuable asset in your possession. Are you willing to risk this amount of money with your friend or relative? Lots of relationships have been wrecked this way.
4. Does the Realtor have a plan of attack for getting your property noticed? They should have a plan for each of these vehicles.
   • Internet
     
   • Marketing to other Realtors
   • Brokerage or office Marketing
   • Mailing
5. Commission serves three purposes.
   • Marketing to other Realtors
   • Is the commission you’re offering competitive with the other homes for sale in your neighborhood?
   • Covers the marketing services for your home
   • Compensates the Realtor/Realtors selling your home
6. Does the Realtor have a system for tracking and follow-up with potential buyers?
   • Can they give you numbers on how many people looked at your home on the Internet?
   • Can they give you feedback from Realtors and buyers who have actually toured your home?
7. Will the Realtor give you a tour of all the homes in your neighborhood that are currently listed, so you know exactly what your competition looks like?
8. Any Realtor who says he/she can sell you home is a week you should show the door.
   • If he/she can sell it in a week, you are probably losing money on the sale. It takes approximately 45 days for the entire market of buyers to become aware of your home of the home is marketed properly.

1. You are overpriced.
2. There is something wrong in the home that is turning buyers off.
   • Animal smells
   • Interesting paint colors
   • Looks run down
   • Etc.
3. There is something going on with the neighborhood.