Sellers are Demanding More Services
With 40 to 50 homes being listed in a single neighborhood; sellers want to know what is being done to move their home in a down market. Promises are out the door and sellers want answers. Why would anyone list a property for 9 months if the agent is promising to sell the property in 30 days? Long listings, high commissions and unethical behavior do not have to be tolerated today.
Sellers and buyers want answers. Ask yourself if your are making the right move. Decisions should not be made instantly. You should interview several prospective agents, look at what they are going to offer you and then part of the equation should be based on gut feeling. What is the agent going to do to sell your home? A sign in the yard is not enough anymore.
Online Selling in a Down Market
Smart sellers and buyers are coming together on the internet. More and more sites are opening up featuring homes that are currently listed through the MLS or other realty avenues. Properties do not have to be sold exclusively online. Online listing is one avenue to help you sell your home in addition to the listing of your home locally.
In financing you are taught to diversify. By diversifying you do not invest all your money in one pot. Your agent or Realtor places your listing online, lists the property locally, televises the property through online media and then your home is sold. Online media outlets include UTube, Twitter and Face Book and Real Estate Websites. A Real Estate Portal is a gateway to the future. Real Estate trends have changed and you have the right to demand better service.
For Sale by Owner Free Websites
One of the worst inventions of this century is the so called free website to market your own home. The internet is viewed by millions worldwide and by telling everyone and their dog everything about your home, you are opening yourself up for harm and possible home invasions. The basic premise is to save you money, but how do you screen buyers? What does a rapist look like?
99% of sellers would not know how to write a contract, handle a loan or even know how to open escrow. If you think you have saved yourself a commission fee, think about the possible lawsuits down the road because you did not disclose faults of the home properly. Now you may be telling yourself that the broken oven in the kitchen is not a big deal being you discounted the home several thousands of dollars, but to a court you have indeed broken the law.
There are however some who can handle the entire transaction and there are some that will walk away feeling blessed for finding these websites, but as a former Broker I can you that the benefits are not worth the risks involved.
What Does Work
What does work is the use of multiple services including internet media, online listings on Real Estate Portals, local listings and mass selling of the home on local newspapers and magazines. Not one single avenue should be overlooked when selling a home. Sellers need to look for agents who are willing to put money into the selling of their home and have confidence that their expertise will be the key to a sold sign in the yard. Keep in mind:
- Desperate Agents should never be hired. Desperate agents are broke and have no revenue to promote or advertise your home.
- Price your home 10% below market price.
- Offer amenities on your home such as new carpeting, drapes or a commission bonus to the selling agent.
- Help with closing costs.
- Stage your home to be in the best shape possible.
- Use internet media to help sell your home.
In the end "destiny" plays a big part in the selling of your home. If you are financially broke then consider staging your home with what money you can afford. if there is no money for bonus commissions or extras then consider creative financing to help the buyer purchase your home easier.
Here is a great book on Creative Financing: A Guide to Creative Financing
Photo courtesy of Photobucket/sashamilitec
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