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How do you choose a REALTOR¨?
Whether you're a first-time seller or someone who has sold many homes, there are several ways to find a local REALTOR:
· Review marketing materials local agents mail to your home.
· Use the "Find a REALTOR" search engine on REALTOR.com to find individuals who actively sell in your community.
· Get recommendations from past sellers.
· Look for REALTOR signs in your community.
· Check the classifieds in local newspapers and "shopper" publications.
· Look at the listings in local real estate magazines.
In some cases, sellers elect to meet only with one REALTOR while other owners elect to meet with several. Whatever your preference, there will be a number of questions you will want to ask, including:
What services do you offer?
What type of representation do you provide? There are various forms of representation in different states. Some brokers represent buyers, some represent sellers, some facilitate transactions as a neutral party, and in some cases different salespeople in a single firm may represent different parties within a transaction.
What experience do you have in my immediate area?
How long are homes in this neighborhood on the market? Be aware that because all homes are unique, some will sell faster than others. Several factors can impact the amount of time a home remains on the market, including changing interest rates and local economic trends.
How would you price my home? Ask about recent home sales and comparable properties currently on the market. If you speak with several REALTORS and their price estimates differ, that's OK, but be sure to ask how their price opinions were determined and why they think your home would sell for a given value.
How will you market my home? At listing presentations, brokers will provide a detailed summary of how they market homes, what marketing strategies have worked in the past and which marketing efforts may be effective for your home.
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