Seller's Resources
The Three Keys to Selling Your Home
Home Condition- YOU CONTROL
You would not walk into an interview for your dream job with a dirty t-shirt, flip flops, and uncombed hair; expecting the employer to use their imagination and look past your appearance, would you? Of course not!!! I am always surprised that people proudly display their home, their most valuable asset where they hope to make a great return to thousands of potential buyers in this same manner. You need to put your best foot forward and make your home shine, so that buyers can see all the great features and imagine themselves living there. In general you want to tidy up, neutralize, de-clutter, and make sure everything is in working order and doesn't look old and tired. An experienced Realtor, like me, can give you invaluable advice to put your home into the best showing condition possible.
Exposure to the Market- I CONTROL
My job, as your listing agent, is to expose your home to as many qualified buyers and Realtors working with qualified buyers as possible. I do this by taking professional photos of your home and surrounding neighborhood, and copious notes about all your home's bells and whistles that matter to buyers. I then make sure all this information is displayed on a variety of websites where Watson Realty ensures that our listings appear higher on searches. I also do target mailings, create beautiful flyers, business cards for you to pass out, contact agents who sell homes in your area, and put your listing on Home Connect TV! I constantly monitor internet and phone inquiries from agents and buyers, provide quick answers to questions, and make sure we don't miss anyone who may be interested in your home. Watson's Ebusiness division mines internet leads from sunrise to sunset, and my office has live agents answering our phones 7 days per week, 363 days per year, arranging showings on your home, and qualifying potential buyers.
The Price - THE MARKET CONTROLS
We can set any list price you want. However, any buyer who is qualified to buy your home is internet savvy, has been perusing the market of offerings for some time before even contacting a Realtor to start their search. They are very familiar with what is being sold in your area, and they will want to pay market price or less for your home. Both the buyer and their Realtor is going to look at this same market data when they decide what to offer you for your home, and later on the appraiser is going to use this same data to determine the appraised value needed to approve the buyer's financing. With very minor exceptions like a cash purchase buyer, who has a special interest in your home, the market data of recent sales in your area will set the sale price.
WHAT DOES THE REALTOR DO FOR YOU?
Selling a house is a very difficult job. You want to sell your home as quickly as possible and at its full value. You must also be aware of state & federal laws and how they affect your sale.
This involves a lot of time, effort, and patience, as well as specialized skills and knowledge. That is why most people turn to a Real Estate Agent for help.
When you sell your home, the Real Estate Agent will work for you as a client. You sign a contract with the agent, called a listing contract. The agent then works for you and receives an agreed commission when the house is sold.
In a seller/client relationship, the agent guides you throughout the real estate transaction, providing information on such issues as pricing your home, which purchase offers are fair, and how to structure a purchase contract to your advantage. It is the business of the Real Estate Agent to help you sell your home with minimum delay and to help you realize every dollar it is worth.
Although the Real Estate Agent works for you and owes you additional services, the Real Estate Agent must also treat his or her buyer customers fairly. The buyer is generally the customer. There is no contract between the buyer and the Real Estate Agent.
Today, however, many home buyers use a buyer's agent, a specialized Real Estate Agent who is the home buyer's client and works for the interests of the buyer. This makes it even more important for you to have an expert on your side looking out for your best interests.
