| Are you looking for a Realtor to represent you in the | | | | you think. That commission is usually split between |
| sale of your home? Here are 8 tips that will help you | | | | the listing agent and selling agent. The Realtors have |
| make a good decision on choosing a Realtor. | | | | to split with their brokers. Brokers have to pay their |
| 1. Business decision, not a personal one | | | | staff, rent, advertising, light bill, utilities, etc. Promoting |
| Selling your home is not an easy task in today's | | | | your listing to find a buyer costs money so there are |
| market. It is challenging and you need someone that | | | | expenses like photography, advertising, direct mailers, |
| is up to the task. Use a full time real estate | | | | signs, websites etc. The agents belong to one or |
| professional with a proven track record. Think twice | | | | several Realtor Associations. We have to pay dues |
| before using a family member or friend who has not | | | | to all of those Associations. To promote the listing on |
| sold a home since 2005. This may be the largest | | | | the Sarasota MLS we have to pay dues to access |
| transaction of your life so make it a business decision. | | | | the MLS. The expenses go on. Realtors probably |
| It is best to hire good representation from day one. | | | | don't make as much money as you think. |
| 2. Ask for a referral | | | | I have a friend in the business who says, "If you |
| Ask your friends and family members to refer you | | | | want to pay peanuts you end up working with |
| to a good Realtor. Someone you know has probably | | | | monkeys." |
| used a good real estate agent. Ask around and get a | | | | |
| list of good Realtors to interview. They will probably | | | | 6) Don't let the Realtor buy your listing |
| tell you a few not to use. | | | | This is fairly common occurrence. Realtors are fighting |
| | | | to get listings and they could tell you an unrealistic |
| 3. Interview Realtors | | | | price for your home just so they list with you. |
| Most Realtors hate this tip. Meet with more than one | | | | Realtors either know that they are doing this or they |
| agent and have them do a listing presentation for | | | | are just horrible at pricing property. Make any agent |
| you. This usually consists of their marketing plan, | | | | you interview substantiate their valuation with market |
| backgrounds, background on their brokerage and a | | | | facts, data and trends. Often times, the Realtor with |
| valuation of your property. | | | | the lowest valuation is your best choice because |
| | | | they are most honest or most in tune with the |
| 4. Hire the biggest producer? | | | | market. |
| Don't assume that the highest producer is the best | | | | 7) Interview a Realtor that specializes in your area |
| Realtor or gives the best service. Would you rather | | | | Some Realtors only work a small niche. Those agents |
| work with a good Realtor who has forty listings or a | | | | typically know their niche or market area more than |
| good Realtor that has ten? You probably will end up | | | | their competitors. They are good to have on your |
| with better service with the Realtor that spread | | | | side. However, the process of valuing and selling real |
| between only 10 listings. That is not always the case | | | | estate is essentially the same in all segments of |
| but this is what you can uncover when you interview | | | | market with slight variations. You don't have to hire a |
| them. The larger producer may sell ten homes | | | | specialist or niche Realtor. |
| between $2 million and $3 million a year. If your home | | | | 8) Be Leery |
| is worth $300,000 would you rather use that Realtor | | | | Be cautious of Realtors who tell you everything you |
| or one who sells twenty homes a year priced | | | | want to hear. I would rather be told the truth versus |
| between $300,000 and $400,000? | | | | what I wanted to hear only to find out the truth |
| 5) You get what you pay for | | | | later. Some Realtors are total "yes" people and lead |
| I am just as frugal as the next guy. However, often | | | | you believe what you want to believe just to get |
| times you get what you pay for. The market | | | | your listing. |
| dictates what Realtors charge for services. It is a | | | | Keep these tips in mind and they will help you make |
| negotiable item and there are discount brokerages | | | | a wise choice in hiring a Realtor. Selling a home is not |
| out there. From the outside it appears that Realtor | | | | rocket science but you can waste a lot of time hiring |
| make way too much money. 6% of $400,000 is | | | | the wrong agent. The way home prices have been |
| $24,000. That is a lot of money. However, when you | | | | falling listing with the wrong agent can cost you a |
| break it down and spread it around it isn't as much as | | | | large amount of money. |