Bryan Vogt's Metro East Illinois Real Estate Blog

TIP# 10 -- RELY ON OTHER PEOPLE'S JUDGEMENT AS WELL AS YOUR OWN

The key to effective marketing is knowing your product's good and bad points. In the case of your home, accentuating the good can mean a faster sale for more money; failing to deal with the bad can mean months on the market and a lower-than-desired sales price.

The biggest mistake you can make at this point is to rely solely on your own judgement. Remember, this is your home, a place of fond memories. There are bound to be emotional issues that can impair your ability to make an honest assessment of your home's strenghts and weaknesses.

In evaluating what improvements you can make, don't be shy about asking others for their honest opinions, but make sure you are getting an honest answer. Some may try to spare your feelings, just what you don't need. Fortunately, your Realtor won't be shy in discussing what should be done to make a home more marketable.

Bryan Vogt
Strano & Associates, Realtors® - GMAC Real Estate
(618) 355-5824
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O'Fallon IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale
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Labels: home, marketing

TIP#7 FIND A GOOD REALTOR

Nearly two thirds of the people who sell their own home say they would not do it themselves again, according to research by the National association of Realtors. Sellers surveyed point to difficulties in setting price, marketing handicaps amd liability concerns among primary reasons they would turn to a Realtor next time. Selling a home yourself usually eats up more time and effort than you might initially expect.

Once you understand how much work it will be to sell it yourself, talk to a Realtor that you trust even if you decide to strike out on your own. Many top professionals are more than willing to help do-it-yourself sellers with the paperwork, contracts, etc. Plus you'll have a relationship with an agent if problems do arise that require professional help.

If you do decide to work with a Realtor, contact four or five - you probably met a few that you liked during your open house tour. Explain to each that you are thinking about putting your house on the market and you would like to talk about pricing and marketing. By having this group evaluation done, you should end up with a fairly tight price range to help guide your decision. Any Realtor that is substantially higher or lower than the group should be able to justify their estimate. Just as you should be concerned with too low a price, beware of an agent who gives you the highest price- they may be trying to buy your listing.

A good Realtor knows the market and your neighborhood in particular. They will supply you with information on past sales, current listings, a marketing plan, something of their own background, and references from past clients. Take the time to carefully evaluate candidates on the basis of their experience, qualifications, enthusiasm, and personality. Most importantly, make sure you choose someone who is going to put in a lot of hard work on your behalf.

Labels: evaluation, home, Realtor, selling