| real estate | agents and sellers
How can work together
Selling a home can be stressful . Despite this , 5.51 million existing U . S . homes were sold in 2017 , according to data from the National Association of REALTORS ® . In many cases , homeowners choose to work with real estate agents to facilitate the process of listing , showing and selling their homes .
Real estate agents are valuable assets . Agents have neighborhood knowledge , are educated in pricing trends , can filter phone calls or emails from buyers who aren ’ t serious , and can organize all of the people necessary for a closing . Real estate agents provide many services that the average person may not have the time nor the experience to handle .
When selecting an agent to sell a home , homeowners may not understand that the terms real estate agent and REALTOR ® are not interchangeable . Although both must be licensed to sell real estate , the main difference between a real estate agent and a REALTOR ® is the latter is a member of the National Association of REALTORS ® . NAR ensures that members subscribe to a certain code of ethics .
There are many qualified agents , but an agent cannot do his or her job well without some help on the part of the homeowner . These tips can make the process of selling a home go smoothly .
• Price the home correctly . Homeowners should trust the agent ’ s ability to price a home for the market . Everyone wants to get the most money possible , but listing the home for more than it ’ s worth may cause it to sit unnecessarily for several weeks or months , which could raise red flags among potential buyers .
• Market the home . A real estate agent will list the home via a multiple listing service ( MLS ) on a private website , in newspapers , and wherever else he or she feels is pertinent . Homeowners can share the listing via social media and word of mouth to help increase the chances of selling the home .
• Be available . Limiting the time an agent can show the house to potential buyers is in no one ’ s best interest . Sellers should be ready and willing to open their homes , which is the best way to make a sale . An agent may suggest a lock box so the home can be shown when homeowners are not on the property .
• Make suggested renovations . Agents know which features can make or break a sale . Homeowners should be amenable to certain suggestions , such as neutral paint colors , removing personal effects and clearing clutter .
• Give recommendations . Real estate is a commission-based industry . Agents often tirelessly put in hours and only reap rewards if the house is sold . A homeowner who was satisfied with an agent can then recommend that person to friends or family .
By working with real estate professionals , homeowners can sell their homes quickly . n
32 June | July 2022 Thomasville Scene