Do Home Sellers need a Realtor?

 Does a Home Seller need a Realtor?

                  brought to you by: 1Simple Realty 540.445.1296

Given we live in a 'Tech World' where home buyers shop 'online,' and everyone is talking about 'Limited Inventory, do you benefit from a Listing Agent?

1. Ask yourself: How many times in your life are you going to Buy or Sell Real Estate?

2. 
   

Henry Ford once said, ‘that when you hire people who are smarter than you are, it proves you are smarter than they are.’ 

“Good real estate agents are like conductors, guiding you through the myriad of options and helping you arrive at your final destination.” – Chris Heller

Keep in mind, a Realtor comes with Education and Experience in sales, state and federal laws pertaining to real estate and marketing expertise you may not have.  

2. Agents act as a Buffer.  Their job is to look out for your best interest. They may have suggestions to help you sell quickly.  They are not emotionally connected to the property as you may be.  By placing an Electronic Lockbox on the door they provide you a level of protection.  A Listing Agent Negotiates the transaction on your behalf.  Your agent looks out for you in all inspections.  Their experience and observations may catch something you overlooked. They understand the meaning of Disclaimer/Disclosure.  Ie:  you may believe disclosing your house is haunted will help sell your home, your agent may ask if it is relevant?  If you are in an unknown flood zone, and have painted over flood lines, your agent must disclose this information if they know of it, even though you do not disclose.

3. Neighborhood Knowledge.  An experienced Local Realtor can identify comparable homes you may not be aware of.  They guide you to price your property competitively to sell in a timely fashion.  Over pricing may cause a property to languish on the market.  Your castle may not be the biggest or newest in the neighborhood, a Realtor should have unbiased eye to help you reach your goal.

4.  Keep in mind, Agents do not select the price.  A Realtor will guide you to make the best choice for themselves.  Realtors present the market supply, demand, and conditions, they may provide the seller a range for the seller to set a price.  A Realtor provides negotiation strategies to assist the Seller.

        5. Realtors are part of Professional Networking with a wide range of professionals.  Many of                     whom could provide you with needed services.  They usually have a list of vendors they have                 positive experience using in the past.

     6. Experienced Realtors have Negotiation Skills & Confidentially.  They are able to remove                        themselves from the emotional aspects of the transaction.  They are trained to communicate and             provide you with offers, and suggest counter-offers in the best possible light.  This is more than a

            messenger between two sides.

        There is a reason The National Association of Realtors was founded on May               12th, 1908.  Even then people realized the importance of this long standing,            worldwide profession as a needed service.  It's up to you to make an informed         decision, and realize there are a lot of options out there.  TC Cooksley has                worked with several Flat Fee Real Estate Companies.  They get your property

        in the MLS.  Beyond that you must be prepared to be your own advertiser to

        get your property sold.  You need to ask for a Comparative Market Analysis 

        to be certain you have priced your home competitively.  You generally need to 

        be your own stager inside and out.  You need to arrange for your own 

        professional photos when you're doing a flat fee.  You may need to pay extra

        for a sign, a flat fee lister may not even offer an 'Electronic Lockbox.'  They

        may only offer the combo box you can purchase from Lowes or Home Depot. 

        Keep in mind such combo boxes do not offer any real security as these combos

        do not change with each user, day nor are they trackable.