MoneyPress

Get the most $ out of your agent & your property!   

1. Choice of Agent

2. Price

3. Marketing

Choice Of Agent Is Important

•  Do you feel comfortable with the person you have chosen?
•  Is he or she doing everything to the best of his or her ability?
•  Do you want a different perspective?
•  Did you interview one agent or many when you started your selling process?

If you have answered: yes, no, yes, no to the above, then it is time to re-think your choice!

Find an agent that represents your thoughts about how you want to sell your home. Do you want a lockbox on your property? If not, find an agent that will show the property herself for all showings. Do you want an agent that will provide feedback for every showing? Then advise the agent you are interviewing of your needs and wants. If the agent disagrees, then she may not be the agent for you. Your property is the biggest investment you have probably ever made. Don’t you want someone who respects your property and your input?

Price is critical

Just as you would wish the agent respects you and listens to your needs and requirements, you in-turn should listen to her professional advice on the listing price. The agent is a professional and knows the market place. She can tell you what the list price should be to get the property sold quickly. Your input is very relevant here, based on the amount you owe on the property and the amount you wish to walk away with at the end of the sale. However, please keep in mind the right agent will produce a “cost to sell” analysis for you. This will provide you with the approximate total cost to sell and your profit margin after the property is sold. The analysis will help you together with your agent decide on the list price. There are also additional price testing that an agent can do for you. Ask your agent if they know about intelligent price testing in the market place. If she does not, maybe she is not the agent for you.

Marketing is imperative

Marketing in today’s real estate environment is not just adding a sign to the front lawn or balcony and putting the property on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service). Marketing takes skill, knowhow, and social media savvy these days. If your property goes to market without at least 10 professional pictures and a marketing plan that the agent has provided to you, then maybe that agent is not for you.

Please keep in mind there are many choices for an agent to sell your property. Choose one that you like overall; not just for the professionalism, but also for her personality, her skills, her marketing plan, communication, and attention to detail.

-Michelle Chicago