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I was at a training session this last week and an agent in the area stood up and told how she gets lots of business by showing up for appointments in a new Mercedes Benz and a $3,000 custom suit. It's an interesting marketing plan, if not one that provides a whole lot of benefits to the customer/client!
If you're wondering, I'm never showing up at your house in a $3,000 suit, even if I'm the richest woman on earth! My frugal ancestors would roll over in their graves! I was definitely not raised for conspicuous consumption!
But I did think that this might be an opportune time to talk about how you should go about choosing a real estate agent. I would argue for substance over style in this choice, although who you feel comfortable with is also a large consideration. After all, you may be spending a lot of time with this person and you'll certainly be trusting them for advice with one of your largest financial transactions.
So, here are some other criteria you might think about when choosing a realtor.
1. Is this your full time business?
2. Do you have references available?
3. How long have you been in the business?
4. Are you a REALTOR, bound by the NAR code of ethics?
5. What additional designations, certifications do you have and what do those mean for me?
6. What is your communication plan for working with me?
7. What benefits does your firm offer to buyers/sellers?
These are questions that will apply whether you are buying or selling a home. There are also questions that will be specific to if you're buying or selling. In this blog, we'll talk about some of the sellers questions. I'll leave the buyers questions for another day.
1. What is your list price to sales price ratio?
2. What is your average DOM for your listings?
3. What is your marketing plan for my home?
4. What will you do to market my home on the internet where most buyers now start their home search?
5. What else do you do for me besides market my home?
6. Will you represent only our interests or do you do dual agency?
7. What happens if I am unhappy with your services?
And, here's one question you should not base your decision on:
How much will you list my home for?
Anyone can give you a number that will make you happy! But if your home won't actually sell for that amount, you're just buying trouble for yourself. And you will ultimately net much less by overpricing your home at the beginning.
As always, comments regarding these suggestions are welcomed! Do you have questions you've used with agents that have gotten you vital information that helped you make a wise decision? Share them with us!
And, if you'd like to ask me these questions, get in touch! Julie@JulieEmery.com is my e-mail address and you can find out more about me at http://www.JulieEmery.com
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