|
|
 Location
The third reason a house may not sell in a timely manner is
location. Such things as schools, crime, neighborhood appearance,
traffic, etc. can be factors. If the location of your home is
affected by one or more of these issues, then a lower listing price
may be the only answer. However, favorable terms could also help
sell your home.
Listing agent
If the listing agent hasn't done their job (i.e . effectively market
the property, retuned all calls in a timely manner. followed up on
all leads, etc.), then maybe the listing agent could be the problem.
If an agent is difficult to work with, other REALTORS® may not want
to show his or her listings. Even though such behavior goes against
the REALTOR'S code of ethics, it is human nature not to want to work
with someone who is difficult to work with.
Marketing
If your house won’t sell but you feel the house is priced right, in
move-in condition, in a good location, and your agent is easy to
work with, then the marketing plan, or lack thereof, is probably the
problem. No longer can an agent take a listing, put a sign in the
yard, place the property in the MLS, put an ad in the paper and wait
for the offers to come pouring in. The effective agent will make
effective use of the latest technologies.
Ease of showing is
the area where you have the most impact on your properties
marketability. If you don't allow your agent to put a lock box on
your property, you will miss out on a huge part of the showing
market. Why is the lock box so important? Because when a buyer's
agent has a list of properties to show, they will show the
properties that are easiest to see first (with lockboxes) and
properties without lockboxes last. Their buyer may find their dream
home before ever seeing yours.
Don’t even think
about listing your home! Not until you ask 15 critical questions to
qualify your potential agent!
Just knowing what to
ask gives you the power to make an informed decision. And making an
informed decision now will save you valuable time and precious
equity. You may be surprised, even shocked, at the responses you
will get.
Put yourself in the best possible position to sell your home. Hire
the agent who will sell it, not just list it!
Are you a full-time realtor?
Do
you have an assistant or team of specialists working for you?
Do
you have a specific marketing plan that will put my property in
front of all prospective buyers?
Is
your marketing plan designed to create a competitive demand for my
property?
Does your marketing plan include extensive Internet exposure?
Does your marketing plan include 24-hour access to information about
my property for any prospective buyer?
Do
you have a real estate professional who is always available to
answer questions and show my property?
How often will I receive a comprehensive progress report that will
show me where my property is being marketed and shows me the
feedback from all the showings of my property?
Do
you have an effective system for following up on all the showings of
my property?
Do
you have an aggressive plan for attracting buyers to my property?
Do
you have an closing coordinator who will work on my file everyday
and keep me updated until closing?
Will you provide me with the names of at least three past clients?
What is your list-to-sale ratio?
How many properties did you sell in the past 12 months?
Do
you attend professional courses and seminars on a regular basis?
|
|
