If you’ve read the papers or listened to the news over the past year, it will come as no surprise that home prices have fallen and the rate of foreclosure is up. With all the unrest in the market, you might not think it’s a good time to sell—after all, it’s a buyer’s market out there, right?
Wrong. However, in a market like we see today, it takes more than a for sale sign and homebaked cookies at an open house to get a property sold. With the increased complexity of buying or selling properties that are in foreclosure, short sale or bank-owned, as well as the competition due to the inventory of “regular properties” out there, now more than ever, it’s important to have someone to guide you through the process.
Top 10 Reasons You Need A Realtor
• The business of Real Estate has become heavily laden with contracts, disclosures and in-depth inspections. You should have a true professional guide you through it all, and advocate for your interests along the way.
• Pricing a home is complicated. Price too high and your house will sit on the market with no offers, price too low and people may think your desperate and low-ball you. A house priced at, or a little below, market value is your best bet.
• Realtors can provide an up-to-date Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to inform you of recent sales and how those properties compare with yours. They will inform you of “the competition” and help you highlight your home’s unique strengths to attract the right buyer.
• A good Realtor will not only work towards getting your home sold, but have the intuitive sense to anticipate potential problems and work proactively and colaboratively for you, closing loopholes that could affect escrow and closing.
• A huge part of selling in a buyer’s market is effective marketing. You need to employ various marketing strategies—not just an open house—to help you create an individualized plan, netting the highest purchase price in the timeframe most comfortable for you.
• Qualified buyers have become increasingly savvy about the market over the past couple of years. They are doing there own research and are aware that they are in a position of power when it comes to negotiating. A Realtor will make sure your interests are represented when discussing terms and offers.
• Buyers are more particular about what they are looking for and less willing to compromise when it comes to small fixes, escrow times, paying for closing costs or negotiating the terms of sale. A Realtor will make sure you know what’s acceptable for a buyer to require you do, and what’s not.
• If your home is in great shape, you may want to play up the selling features and consider “staging” your home. Increasingly Realtors are recommending this service and finding that it goes a long way towards making your house seem the most attractive one on the market.
• If your home needs improving, you would be well served to clean it up really well befor putting it on the market. Realtors will tell you where to invest your money to get the “best bang for your buck”.
• Financing a home is complicated. Realtors have trusted advisors, mortgage brokers, lenders and escrow officers will work with qualified buyers, bringing peace of mind and a smooth closing. This is particularly important if you are selling a probate or short-sale property.
Keep in mind, not all realtors are alike. Look for a Realtor who will give you personalized, professional service and who’s not just looking for the commission. Selling a house is hard work and you’ll want someone on your side. A great Realtor will have you posting a SOLD sign before you know it.
To find out more about selling your house, or for help with other Real Estate questions, visit www.HeartRealtors.com.
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