Selling For More
There are many excellent reasons why you should use a real estate professional when selling your home. Most importantly, homes sold by agents typically sell for more than homes sold by the homeowners on their own. In 2019, for example, for sale by owner homes sold at a median price of $217,900, significantly lower than the agent-assisted median sales price of $242,300. It may be for this reason that 89% of home sellers work with a real estate agent, and it is worth noting that 9 out of 10 buyers would use their agent again and/or refer their agent to others.*
Realtors ensure that you maximize your opportunities in the current market. Real estate agents are trained and have the experience to effectively price and market your property. 97% of homebuyers use the internet to search for homes, and professional agents can assist you in reaching those buyers.
What To Look For In An Agent
Selling your home is one of the most important monetary decisions a person can make. Knowing how best to market your home to maximize interest is key, and even small upgrades and minor repairs can pay large dividends. When choosing an agent to advise you on these and related issues, you should consider the following:
- Does your agent have experience with similar properties? Experience with similarly priced properties and properties in your area enables agents to better determine the value of your home.
- What are the agent’s credentials? Consider whether the agent has the necessary level of expertise to sell your property for top dollar.
- How does the agent plan to market your property? To sell, your house must be seen by interested buyers.
- Is the agent responsive? Select an agent that you are able to reach on the phone and who returns your messages promptly.
- How many properties has the agent listed? Experience matters.
- Does the agent listen attentively to you? Every property is different, and to effectively market your property, your agent must have a comprehensive understanding of both your property and your needs.
What Is Your Property Worth?
Many things affect your home’s value. For instance, square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, location, other sales in your neighborhood, the quality of neighborhood schools, proximity to retail and employment providers, the age and condition of your property, upgrades, updates, interest rates, and the local economy are just some of the factors affecting your home’s value. Homeowners tend to overestimate the value of their properties when selling on their own. Consulting with an experienced agent will help you avoid this pitfall and determine your property’s correct value.