Are you thinking of selling your house? Are you dreading having to deal with strangers walking through the house? Are you concerned about getting the paperwork correct?
Hiring a professional real estate agent/team can take away most of the challenges of selling. A great agent/team is always worth more than the commission they charge; just like a great doctor or great accountant.
You want to deal with one of the best agents/teams in your marketplace. To do this, you must be able to distinguish the average agent/team from the great one.
Here are the top 5 demands to make of your Real Estate Agent/Team when selling your house:
1. Tell the truth about the price
Too many agents/teams just take the listing at any price and then try to the ‘work the seller’ for a price correction later. Demand that the agent/team prove to you that they have a belief in the price they are suggesting. Make them show you their plan to sell the house at that price – TWICE! Every house in today’s market must be sold two times – first to a buyer and then to the bank.
The second sale may be more difficult than the first. The residential appraisal process has gotten tougher. A survey showed that there was a challenge with the appraisal on 24% of all residential real estate transactions. It has become more difficult to get the banks to agree on the contract price. A red flag should be raised if your agent/team is not discussing this with you at the time of the listing.
2. Understand your transition
Most agents/teams view your listing as a transaction, make sure they understand you and your family are going through a life transition.
You will be moving your family to a new home. Whether the move revolves around the start of a new school year or the start of a new job or the opportunity ti be closer to family or something else, you will be making a major transition.
This can be very emotionally draining. Demand from your agent/team an appreciation for your transition and the timetables you are setting. Your agent/team cannot pick the exact date of your move, but they should exert any influence they can, to make it work.
3. Remove as many of the challenges as possible
It is imperative that your agent/team knows how to handle the challenges that will arise. An agent’s ability to negotiate is critical in this market.
Remember: If you have an agent who was weak negotiating with you on the parts of the listing contract that were most important to them and their family (commission, length, etc.), don’t expect them to turn into a super hero when they are negotiating for you and your family with the buyer.
4. Help with the relocation
If you haven’t yet picked your new home, make sure the agent/team is capable and willing to help you. The coordination of the move is crucial. You don’t want to be without a roof over your head the night of the closing. Likewise, you don’t want to end up paying two housing expenses (whether it is rent or mortgage). You should, in most cases, be able to close on your current home and immediately move into your new residence.
5. Get the house SOLD!
There is a reason you are putting yourself and your family through the process of moving.
You are moving on with your life in some way. The reason is important or you wouldn’t be dealing with the headaches and challenges that come along with selling. Do not allow your agent/team to forget these motivations. Constantly remind them that selling the house is why you hired them. Make sure that they don’t worry about your feelings more than they worry about your family. If they discover something needs to be done to attain your goal (i.e. price correction, repair, removing clutter), insist they have the courage to inform you.
