SELLING
WITH A REAL ESTATE REPRESENTATIVE
Real
estate sections of public libraries abound with books on selling you
home privately. In addition to pointers on sprucing up your home for
maximum sale ability, they provide homeowners with tips on the "psychology
of showing a house." Yet, most homeowners choose to sell through
a Realtor.
Selecting
a Realtor
Finding the right real estate representative takes some time and care.
A good place to start is in your neighbourhood. Check "For Sale"
signs to see which brokers are doing business in your area. Ask them
about their track record, their knowledge of selling prices in the area
and why you should list with them.
A
Realtor will give you a detailed comparative analysis of features and
prices of houses selling or sold nearby. This helps determine a realistic
price.
It's
important that you feel comfortable with your Realtor. This person will
probably become part of your life for a couple of months popping in
with clients or organizing open houses.
Developing
a Plan of Action
Once you've decided on a Realtor, you'll want to know what his or her
marketing plan will include. How often will there be open houses? Will
he or she be listing your property on a Multiple Listing Service? How
does he or she plan to advertise the house?
You'll
also need to decide whether to list exclusive with one firm or go with
the MLS? Generally, the more people that see your house, the likelier
it is to sell quickly at the price you want.
Many
sellers are anxious to sell their homes quickly. These sellers usually
choose the MLS system over an exclusive listing because the property
gets greater exposure.
Professional
real estate salespeople know how to separate the "lookers"
for the "buyers". They can determine a qualified buyer. A
couple's income, lifestyle and the date they must purchase helps establish
their housing requirements.
Whether
or not your home shows well to prospective buyers can make a difference
in terms of how long it stays on the market, and what it sells for.
Realtors can also give clients tips on how to improve their home to
create a good first impression. Fresh paint, new wallpaper and flowers
are all elements in the sales effort. Sometimes, rearranging the furniture
and taking out extra pieces is all that is needed.
Real
estate professionals are experienced in arranging financing and closing
deals. A Realtor can assist in negotiating a better offer act as a mediator
between buyer and seller and draw up a legally binding contract.
A
professionally trained Realtor may be able to sell your home quicker
at a better price than you could get privately because he or she has
greater access to potential clients. Furthermore, you'll be able to
go through the transition period with less worry and inconvenience.
Ontario
Real Estate Association