There are a lot of Realtors out there. How can you distinguish between them? Which one is best for you? These are not easy questions, but we at Tauber Real Estate Services believe that experience and success count. You need a Realtor who can guide you effortlessly through all of the stages of selling your home from beginning to end. Someone who has been through the process many times, has encountered all of the typical problems that can arise, and knows all of the right answers to smooth over the bumps that will inevitably occur. We suggest you interview several agents and ask them each the following questions:
What is your pricing strategy?
There are many facets to home evaluation. In order to determine the best possible asking price for your home, your agent will need to take into consideration things such as the state of the local market, interest rates and how they might fluctuate over time, the condition of your home, and sales of comparable homes in your neighborhood and in neighborhoods close by.
What should we do to prepare our home for the market?
Most of us don’t keep our homes in “marketable” condition. Often, a fresh coat of paint, exterior clean up and some minor repairs will help to make a good first impression on potential buyers. An experienced agent can tell you what needs to be done and also give you a cost-benefit analysis as to what buyers expect and what they do not.
What is your marketing plan?
An experienced agent knows how to get a home sold quickly. Ask your agent what media and other means he or she intends to use -- MLS, newspapers, magazines, the Internet, open houses, networking, video tours, professional photography, brochures, direct mail are just a few -- to get the word out that your home is for sale. And how does he or she intend to stage the marketing. The first few weeks your home is on the market should be the busiest.
How will you help us when we receive offers?
An experienced agent will know how to qualify a buyer and how to negotiate the best terms and price for your home. He or she will also be sensitive to whether an offer is fair and how to structure a counter offer.
Will you continue to help us after we accept an offer?
A good and experienced agent will not drop you once you have an executed contract. Rather, he or she will guide you through all of the items that need to be completed pre-closing.
Will you be at closing?
It seems like a silly question to ask, but a knowledgeable agent is a great asset at closing. He or she can answer questions on documents and make sure the deal ends smoothly.