| When selling your property, the costs of going | | | | de-personalize as much as possible. An agent can |
| through a real estate agent can be intimidating, | | | | help you pick and choose what changes to make, |
| and you may consider selling it on your own. Since | | | | as they know what buyers want, and they also |
| the advent of the internet, the world of real | | | | keep on top of current decorating and home |
| estate has been given a makeover, making it | | | | staging trends. |
| much more accessible to the public. Property | | | | A real estate agent can also give you some much |
| listings are available at the click of a mouse, and | | | | needed motivation to do small repairs and replace |
| articles dispensing real estate advice are all over | | | | outdated fixtures. |
| the internet. So while it is much easier these days | | | | Aside from setting a reasonable price and |
| to learn about real estate, the internet can give | | | | presenting your home in the best possible light, |
| sellers a false idea of how much work actually | | | | real estate agents also have years of experience |
| goes into selling a house. | | | | dealing with buyers that you do not have. |
| The biggest motivator when people decide to sell | | | | Marketing is one of your real estate agent's |
| their homes privately is the commission. When | | | | greatest weapons. They know how to get your |
| selling without an agent, you can save roughly 5 | | | | home the right kind of exposure, and how to |
| to 7% in commission fees. This can mean | | | | target the home to potential buyers. Signs, |
| thousands of dollars that stay in your pocket. This | | | | Internet ads, open houses; the real estate agent |
| money can either be used as leverage in terms | | | | has experience with all of these things. These |
| of your selling price, or kept as profit. If you don't | | | | marketing techniques have much more impact on |
| have to worry about the commission, you may | | | | buyers than a simple "For Sale By Owner". |
| have more flexibility with your asking price. | | | | Credibility is also a big issue. Buyers who see "For |
| So why bother hiring a seller's agent? | | | | Sale By Owner" signs are often leery to pursue |
| The biggest mistake that sellers make is setting | | | | the property. They know that with all the |
| too high a price for their home. Going by your | | | | negotiations and legalities that are involved in |
| own feelings as to how much your home is worth | | | | these transactions, that a real estate agent is able |
| can cost you a potential sale. You have emotions | | | | to make these steps much easier, and faster to |
| invested in your home, so you may not be able | | | | navigate. Many complications can arise when |
| to price your home objectively. Also, you need to | | | | uneducated sellers and buyers get together and |
| do a lot of homework to find out what | | | | try to negotiate a deal. |
| comparable properties in your area are going for. | | | | Acting as a screening agent, your real estate |
| A real estate agent can save you a great deal of | | | | agent can make sure that only serious buyers are |
| time and energy. He or she will be armed with | | | | taking up your time. Many people are curious to |
| knowledge about your area's real estate market. | | | | see your home, but aren't planning to actually buy |
| She can advise you on what properties are selling | | | | it. They can waste a great deal of your time and |
| for in the area, as well as how long it takes on | | | | energy, so having real estate agents around to |
| average to sell. She also does not have any | | | | screen these people out can be a big relief for |
| emotions invested in the sale, so can set a fair | | | | you during this stressful time. |
| price for both you and the buyer. | | | | Use your real estate agent as a resource. They |
| The experience of a qualified real estate agent | | | | have years of experience and know-how that |
| also comes in very handy when it comes to the | | | | you do not. When you find a qualified agent that |
| presentation of your home. When you have lived | | | | suits your needs, trust in them, and listen to their |
| in a house for a long time, you can become very | | | | advice. They know what buyers want, and will |
| attached to the property, as well as to your | | | | market your home accordingly, while keeping your |
| personal decor. Unfortunately, you can easily lose | | | | needs their number one priority. Again, a real |
| perspective in terms of how potential buyers will | | | | estate agent's objective viewpoint can be of |
| perceive your home. For instance, you may love | | | | great value when marketing your home. Real |
| floral wallpaper, but buyers will cringe at the | | | | estate agents also have a number of negotiating |
| thought of having to remove it. Having children's | | | | techniques up their sleeves. Selling techniques, legal |
| toys strewn about may give your home a lived-in | | | | issues, market conditions, and neighborhood |
| look, but the clutter may put off single | | | | information are all part of a real estate agent's |
| buyers.The buyer needs to imagine himself living in | | | | arsenal. Use their expertise to your advantage, |
| your house, so you need to clean and | | | | and get top-dollar for your property. |