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Why
Use a REALTOR® When Selling
A real estate agent can help you understand
everything you need to know about the selling process.
By Ron Schmeadick
The
selling process generally begins with a determination of a reasonable
asking price. Your real estate agent or REALTOR® can give you
up-to-date information on what is happening in the marketplace and the
price, financing, terms and condition of competing properties. These
are key factors in getting your property sold at the best price,
quickly and with minimum hassle.
Marketing
The
next step is a marketing plan. Often, your agent can recommend repairs
or cosmetic work that will significantly enhance the salability of the
property. Marketing includes the exposure of your property to other
real estate agents and the public. In many markets across the country,
over 50% of real estate sales are cooperative sales; that is, a real
estate agent other than yours brings in the buyer. Your agent acts as
the marketing coordinator, disbursing information about your property
to other real estate agents through a Multiple
Listing Service or other cooperative marketing networks, open
houses for agents, etc. The REALTOR® Code of Ethics requires
REALTORS® to utilize these cooperative relationships when they
benefit their clients.
Advertising is
part of marketing. The choice of media and frequency of advertising
depends a lot on the property and specific market. For example, in some
areas, newspaper advertising generates phone calls to the real estate
office but statistically has minimum effectiveness in selling a
specific property. Overexposure of a property in any media may give a
buyer the impression the property is distressed or the seller is
desperate. Your real estate agent will know when, where and how to
advertise your property. There is a misconception that advertising
sells real estate. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® studies
show that 82% of real estate sales are the result of agent contacts
through previous clients, referrals, friends, family and personal
contacts.
Security
When
a property is marketed with an agent's help, you do not have to allow
strangers into your home. Agents will generally pre-screen and
accompany qualified prospects through your property.
Negotiating
The
negotiation process deals with much the same issues for both buyers and
sellers, as noted above under the buying process. Your agent can help
you objectively evaluate every buyer's proposal without compromising
your marketing position. This initial agreement is only the beginning
of a process of appraisals, inspections and financing -- a lot of
possible pitfalls. Your agent can help you write a legally binding,
win-win agreement that will be more likely to make it through the
process.
Monitoring,
renegotiating and closing
Between
the initial sales agreement and closing (or settlement), questions may
arise. For example, unexpected repairs are required to obtain financing
or a cloud in the title is discovered. The required paperwork alone is
overwhelming for most sellers. Your agent is the best person to
objectively help you resolve these issues and move the transaction to
closing (or settlement).
Why use a
REALTOR®?
All
real estate licensees are not the same. Only real estate licensees who
are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® are properly
called REALTORS®. They proudly display the REALTOR "®" logo on
the business card or other marketing and sales literature.
REALTORS® are committed to treat all parties to a transaction
honestly. REALTORS® subscribe to a strict code of ethics and are
expected to maintain a higher level of knowledge of the process of
buying and selling real estate. An independent survey reports that 84%
of home buyers would use the same REALTOR® again.
You
be the judge
Real
estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments
most people experience in their lifetime. Transactions today usually
exceed $100,000. If you had a $100,000 income tax problem, would you
attempt to deal with it without the help of a CPA? If you had a
$100,000 legal question, would you deal with it without the help of an
attorney? Considering the small upside cost and the large downside
risk, it would be foolish to consider a deal in real estate without the
professional assistance of a REALTOR®!
Ron
Schmeadick, CRB, is Co-Owner and Associate Broker at Realty Executives,
Eugene, Oregon.
Renee takes pride in her work and
always has her clients' wishes at heart. She gives the exact kind of
service she would want and expect from any professional.
If you want a REALTOR®
who knows
your area, and can get the job done -
Call Renee 'for that personal
service you deserve from start to finish'.
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Cook Real Estate Sales, Inc.
3340 South Atlantic Avenue,
Daytona Beach Shores, Florida 32127 |
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