Picking the right agent is just like picking the right doctor.

How to choose the right agent

For most families, selling their home is one of the biggest emotional decisions they will ever make. If the move is voluntary, you will be questioning whether or not you are doing the right thing. If the move is being mandated by a relocation, you will be separated from things that are special and dear to you. The right agent will be empathetic to your needs and thoroughly competent in the financial aspects of the sale. Choosing the best real estate agent to market and sell your home can make all the difference, turning an otherwise difficult, stressful process into a comfortable, informed experience that you are in control of.

You should choose an agent as carefully as you choose a doctor since you will be discussing highly emotional issues over what could be weeks or months. Make sure you trust what the agent says. Many times people who are having trouble selling continue to switch agents over and over hoping to find the one with the "silver bullet" that says their extensive marketing will get you an above market price for your home. False!

Trying to sell an overpriced house is like trying to sell out of date food

Now why would I say something like this? Because there is not a market for either. Try telling this to a frustrated homeowner who has his/her mind set on the price that their special house should really command. THE BUYERS SET THE PRICE! Further, no lender will lend money for an above the market price. Period!

Should you list with a major franchised company?

Your selection of a Realtor to work with should be based on the agent themselves not the company. You will never meet any of the company officers unless you go to court.

Don’t they have a secret cache of buyers?

No.

Don’t they have special advertising that attracts buyers?

No.

Agents may tell you that their “strong marketing” will get your house sold.

Yet, the fact is only about 8% of houses are sold by the listing agent. If there was a "secret marketing plan", every real estate company would know about it and be using it. If you want to know the real reason houses are sold, send me an email.

What's the secret?

I use statistical, dynamdic modeling to price your property. This is the same methodology used by certified, residential appraisers. You will not get a "feel good" price that could never be justified by a certified, residential appraiser. Many transactions fail to close because the agent improperly priced the house. Why pricing is important to an appraiser.

The residential market is fluid and you have to maintain your position to aggressively attract buyers. Usually a small change is all that is required to get your home sold.

ALL AGENTS ARE NOT THE SAME: SOME CASE STUDIES

Certifications alone do not make all agents the same. In fact, there is an entire cottage industry built on selling more and more certifications to agents. Next time you look in the newspapers, notice the alphabet soup some agents have after their name. Do you know what it means? Is it relevant? But just like doctors, all agents are not the same.

Recently, I went on two listing appointments. Here's the summary:

Case Study 1: Seller bought home 3 1/2 years ago at the exact top of the market. When they decided to sell 500+ days ago, they picked an agent who listed the house at more than they paid for it. Everyone knows the market has declined so why do this? The seller is now facing a much larger loss (how far did the house decline in value over the last year and a half ?) of several hundred thousand dollars more than if he had priced it correctly from the start...PICK THE RIGHT AGENT!

Outcome: Seller listed with another agent at almost his purchase price of 3 1/2 years ago.

Case Study 2: Seller called for appointment. Seeing the house was currently listed as Active, I thought this was odd. When meeting with the Seller, he explained the listing expired November 30 and could not understand why it was in the MLS. And, although the property was vacant, it required special appointments to show on the weekends...PICK THE RIGHT AGENT.

Find out more at my Coastal Florida Lifestyle blog or my You Tube Channel.

HOPE IS NOT AN EFFECTIVE SELLING STRATEGY!

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