Choosing a Realtor when Selling Your House

You have decided to sell your house. It's a big decision. People sell their houses for many reasons. Some are good; like buying a bigger house, or needing more room for a new baby. And some are not as good; like going through a divorce or a major illness. Whatever the case, this may be a stressful time. You will want to make sure that the sale of your house is handled by a professional. In addition, your home is most likely your biggest asset. You will want to make sure that its sale is handled by someone who will make the most of it.

Choosing a Realtor

When choosing a Realtor, there are a few important things that you should keep in mind. You will want to make sure that he or she has the knowledge and time to make the most of your house. In many areas, the real estate market is slowing down, so it is more important than ever to choose the right person for the job.

Get a Few Opinions

First, you will want to interview a few Realtors. Most people interview about three Realtors to find the best fit and hire the person who will do the job best. If you have seen a name over and over in your community, that is probably a great place to start. Maybe you have seen the name on For Sale signs, or maybe you have gotten mailings announcing that this person has listed or sold a house in your area. Give him or her a call and schedule an appointment.

You can also call some local real estate offices. Take a look online or in the local newspaper. Is there an office which seems to have many of the ads four houses for sale? Give those offices a call. You will likely find a Realtor who is very familiar with your neighborhood and its recent sales.

What to Look For

When interviewing Realtors, you will want to ask about several things:

• How long have you been a Realtor?
• What will you do to market my house?
• Do you work full-time?
• Can I reach you after normal business hours and on the weekends?
• How long has your company been in business?
• What do you think my house will sell for?
• Do you have an assistant?
• Do you do open houses?
• Where will my house be on the internet?
• What is your fee?

About the Realtor

You will want to make sure that you hire an experienced, full-time Realtor to sell your house. If your Realtor only works part-time, how will you reach her if you are in the middle of a negotiation? Will he really be familiar with the local inventory and therefore be able to position your house properly? What about open houses? It is imperative that your Realtor dedicates time to your sale and can be reached when necessary.

About the Real Estate Agency

You will also want to know about the company that he or she works for. Make sure that it is a reputable real estate agency. Ask how long it has been in operation. You may also want to ask some friends or neighbors if they are familiar with its reputation.

You will need to find out if the agency has the financial backing to be able to properly market your house. If it is a small company, are they willing to place ads in local newspapers?

Marketing Your House

Marketing a house is very important to get the maximum exposure. If you don't get exposure, you won't get buyers to see your house. If you won't get buyers to see your house, you won't get any offers.

Again, ask questions. Find out where ads will be placed. Does it seem like this is where the bulk of advertising is done for houses for sale in your neighborhood? Also find out what websites your house will be on. The internet is probably the largest source of buyers right now, so be sure that it will be seen.

Pricing your House

Pricing your house correctly is the most important thing you can do to. If it is priced too high, it will sit on the market without being seen. If it is priced too low, you may not get the most money that you should for its sale.

Get a few opinions. If one seems much higher than the rest, you may want to think about whether or not it is realistic. Don't choose a Realtor because he or she gives you a high price evaluation. This may not be anywhere near market value.

Finding the Right Fit

You may interview the most experienced Realtor in your community and find that you can not stand her. Don't feel that you must hire her just because she has sold many houses in the area. If she makes you cringe, then you will not want to communicate closely with her and that is not going to help your sale.

On the flip side, you may meet a Realtor who is extremely enthusiastic, personable and hungry for business. Perhaps he does not have quite the amount of experience that you would have preferred. You may have to trust your gut on this one. He may be a great choice.

Commission

All commissions are negotiable. Realtors and real estate agencies are not allowed to set a fee in stone due to anti-trust laws. However, that does not mean that you want to hire a real estate agent who lowers his or her commission upon asking. If the agent can not negotiate his or her own salary, how will he or she negotiate your offers to your best advantage?

You will probably want to find a real estate agent who agrees to do the job at a fair and reasonable price. This is not the time to bargain hunt. It could cost you several thousand dollars, or more.

Making the Decision

Now that you know what to look for, you can make an educated decision and hire a fantastic real estate agent. As previously mentioned, you may have to trust your instincts a bit here. You can also ask for references. Making the best choice will put the sale of your house in the hands of a competent professional who will sell it for the best price and the best terms. Good luck with your sale.