As we are heading into “Season” here in Florida many of you are probably considering going the “For Sale By Owner” route; after all how hard can it be & I can save a bucket of money? Admitting to a professional bias- here are some facts that you should consider while evaluating your choices.
1. REALTORS (TM) are trained & are up to date in the most current regulations that apply to your transactions from the initial listing & realistic, comparable market value driven pricing of your home, the marketing of your home, to ultimately, the negotiating of offers, contingencies & concessions, to the drawing of the type of the Purchase Contract. (Here in Florida, REALTORS (TM) are authorized, trained & licensed to prepare contracts and the various other documents that cover the Sale & Purchase of your home.)
2, In today’s word-wide internet web-based world approximately 92% of all initial interest in your home will originate from the internet. To get the most from your listing you must be prepared to syndicate your listing across complex multiple websites & syndications. REALTORs (TM) will execute this but in addition will insure that the images & videos of your home will be professionally executed-this is not the time to rely on your cell phone! The photographs & images should be formatted not only to feature your home @ its best advantage, but should also be designed to reach the largest audience on an emotional level.
3. Your REALTOR (TM) will offer suggestions as to how best prepare, stage, & if necessary, make necessary repairs or cosmetic modifications to make your home attractive & desirable. Pet & smoke odors, lighting, decluttering of countertops & closets, & an over-abundance of Family photos all can lead to a negative “First Impression” or a psychological “Turn-Off” where the Buyer cannot envision their lives in the home you are trying to sell, & walk-out.
4. Your REALTOR(TM) will get the Buyers through your door by targeted marketing, advertising, conducting & following up on leads generated by “Open Houses”. Your REALTOR(TM) will also be your intermediary between you and potential Buyers when scheduling individual appointments. Your REALTOR(TM) will also weed through the “just looking” vs. the serious motivated Buyers by asking “Pre-Qualifying” questions as to their projected timing, what features they are seeking from their purchase & most importantly, whether the have the financial standing or do they have specific contingencies that need to be met. i.e. Does the Buyer need to sell an existing property in order to move forward in purchasing yours? Is the Buyer planning to purchase your property either directly through cash; with “Proof of Funds”, or have they been “Pre-Approved” by a Financial Institution?
5. Your REALTOR (TM) will objectively negotiate between you and the potential Buyer. Your REALTOR (TM) has a fiduciary duty to you to represent you and/or the Transaction fairly & confidentially. If you should receive multiple offers on your property the REALTOR (TM) will assist you in understanding what truly is the “Highest & Best”. The highest price offered is actually not always the best offer, given Buyer demands or additional contingencies. “Closing” can be quite confusing in terms of the process and the actual paperwork. Your REALTOR (TM) has “closed” many transactions and will be there for you to explain the process & guide you every step of the way!
Finally, a good REALTOR (TM) will provide knowledge, experience, relationships with other Professionals in the field, and will help secure the best price for your home with minimal stress & hiccups from the Listing to the Closing.
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