I see a lot of information for “first time home buyers” published but you may be a first time home seller. Many of my listings are from “seller newbies”. If this fits you, this series is for you but if you’ve done this many times, hopefully you will still find some useful information in this series.
For one reason or another, or maybe for several reasons, it’s time to sell your home. You know it. You’ve thought it through. Whether it’s been home for a short time or for many years, it’s still been home to you. Often people get emotionally attached to their home. It’s time to step back from that emotion. It’s time to start thinking like someone who has a house to sell, instead of someone who owns a home. This will make it easier for you to be objective Now is the time to get objective . about the decisions that are going to have to be made in the process of selling your house. Being objective means that the home will need to be prepared for selling objectively , the list price will need to be set objectively , any negotiations due to an offer being presented will need to be handled objectively . Your agent is going to be objective and you need to be too.
Some sellers de-clutter, paint and repair some things before they call the agent. Others call the agent first. I prefer that a seller call me first.
Which agent to call? Ask friends that have sold a home, who they used. Check the internet for local agent’s websites, go to those websites and look them over. Read the agent’s profile, look at how they display their listings, etc. You’re thinking about your house being on that website, so look it over well. You may end up with more than one agent that you want to talk to about selling your home.
Call the agent. If you’ve called me, then we will agree on a time to come out and visit with you, view the property and talk about expectations on both sides.
When that time arrives for me to be at your home, expect me to be on time or if I’ve been delayed expect a phone call, or communication in some manner to let you know that I’m running late. That’s common courtesy. Promptness helps promote a good business relationship. Expect me to have camera in hand. Pre-listing photos will help me remember things as I do a Comparative Market Analysis to find the correct price range for your home.
Next in this series is what to expect during that initial visit to your home.
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Life in Southeast Oklahoma is GREAT! If you're looking for a home or land in my part of the country, give me a call: Judi Barrett, broker, Integrity Real Estate Services, 580-212-5946
Or visit one of our websites:
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Judi Barrett
Broker - Integrity Real Estate Services
Our Name Says It All.
Real Estate Services You Can Trust.
580-212-5946
This blog post was originally posted at Integrity Real Estate Services Blog.
Looking for a home for sale in Idabel, Oklahoma? Let me Google that for you.
Judi Barrett, B.S. Edu.,
Broker, Integrity Real Estate Services, Office Address: RR 5 BOX 126, IDABEL, OK 74745 580-212-5946
Our Name Says It All.
Real Estate Services You Can Trust.
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Good points Judi...the one very important point I would drive home over and over again...and sometimes falls on defensive first time seller ears...is that inspectors are paid to find things that are wrong...don't get defensive...don't take it personally...you did the same thing when you bought it and you will again when you buy the next house..
Good starter. I can't wait for the rest.
One thing is for sure and that is that it is always a good idea to actually visit the home before preparing the CMA. I have always preferred the 2 step approach for listings. Visit the house first and engage the seller before coming in with recommendations.
Agents are always in a hurry to "get the listing" and overlook those very tasks that will help them get the listing.
Sally & David Hanson WI Realtors Res.\Comm\Short Sale\CDPE\ABR\e-Pro (Keller Williams 414-525-0563) Thanks so much for reading and commenting. I have some great sellers and I always try to prepare them for the process so I am hopeful this will help also.
Hi Judi -- Great series, I look forward to reading all of it, and very good advice, and a topic I have not seen covered before on AR.
Judi- great advice! Will look forward to seeing future blogs
Judi - this is a terific idea for a series of posts, kudos for finding a niche area of advice that isn't being filled! And I think that this is a series for everyone selling a home, first time or not. Times have changed the process of selling so much recently that virtually anyone selling is going to find out that what they have done in the past when selling doesn't necessarily cut it anymore - both from a legal and a practical economic reality point of view. One thing I try urge all my sellers to do is put themsleves into the buyers shoes - if they are looking at buying elsewhere, ask themselves if their house lives up to the aspects of other homes they are dissappointed in. If not, and something can easily be done about it...! And you are so right, don't take it personally - worth keeping in mind that a lot of the negative feeback we get could just a as easily be "it's just not the right house for us" but buyers often feel they have to identify one reason why. Even if there isn't one, it just wasn't what they wanted, or it didn't speak to them as it were.
Look forward to your follow-up posts!
Judi: Good for you. It's a great idea to target first-time sellers and I have not seen this done very often. I like the advice about calling you first before the paint and de-clutter. It demonstrates value in the service that you provide to sellers. I also like the fact that you suggest that they look at how agents are actually describing and marketing their listings. I am often amazed when I see nice properties with poor descriptions that are lacking in detail and contain misspellings. It makes me wonder why the seller is trusting his most important possession to someone who is doing a poor job with the listings they already have. There are some great points in your piece.
Judi, great blog! Congrats on the feature too! I'd like to reblog it with your permission?
Hi Judi. I'm re-blogging as well. There are some wonderful points here. Thank you!
Judi,
Congratulations on the feature! I'm anticipating the "rrrrest! of the story."
Mike in Tucson
Judi, great idea for this series. We all can learn from each other even if we already incorporate some of your listing ideas, there is still room to improve. Hope some future sellers read this as well. Thank you.
Great information Judi and isn't said enough for sellers to get it so we need to keep driving it home. I can't wait for the next in the series. Communication is the key in any relationship, be it personal or professional. People have forgotten how important it really is to a GOOD relationship
Good job on pointing out things that first time sellers should consider when deciding to list their home. I'm looking forward to your next installment.
Hi Judi, Congratulations on the feature. I am always amazed when I view many of the listings in our area, why the seller chose this agent. Perhaps that don't know that the agent should be advising them on getting the property looking it's best. And then maintaining it. If I could teach Sellers anything, it would be to understand that the way a property is presented can often determine if it will sell at all and when not done properly, will generally cause money to be left on the table. Your guidelines are great and it is a good Niche, " First Time Sellers"
Way to go Judi! This is a great series for sellers. And your presentation is simple and user friendly for sellers. I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of your series.
Judy:
Good points!!! Way to go! Congratulations on getting a featured post, something I have yet to accomplish.
Carol
Great start for the series. Hmmm, I was going to do a seller series too... now what :) ~Rita
What to expect when expecting. This is the best way to get to your real estate agent to work for you is to communicate your expectations
Shelton
Very good blog......too bad you thought of it before I did! Great post actually.
Very good ideas here. Sellers should know right up front what to expect, nothing less.
Judi, very good post. I am looking forward to the rest of your series.
Great post and thanks for remembering there is another side to every dea....the seller side.
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate
Lenn, I believe the two step approach is best for both the seller and the broker.. sometimes even an extra step. Each listing is different.
I have seen listing presentations for sale.. that just doesn't make a lot of sense to me personally. Maybe it does for some.
Thanks for reading and commenting on my post.
Chris Olsen Broker/Owner - Greater Cleveland Ohio (Olsen Ziegler Realty)
Chris, Thank you. Without sellers we'll be out of business :) I enjoy visiting with my sellers and working together to find the right buyer for their home, ooops... house.
Betty Hesaltine
Betty, Thanks for reading and commenting on the post.
Joe Pryor.com Realtor Oklahoma Investment Properties (RE/MAX Associates)
Joe, thanks for the comment.. it is so important that we do a good job these days and it sounds like you do!
Stephen Hodge, RE/MAX Sales Rep. Cobourg Ontario (Re/Max Lakeshore Realty Inc., Brokerage)
Stephen, Times have changed, many states have changed laws, things are not as simple as they used to be. I am hoping to put some things in this series that I educate sellers on, every day. Thanks so much for the comment.
Claudette Millette - Metrowest Mass Exclusive Buyer Broker (The Buyers' Counsel)
Claudette, Thanks so much for commenting. i Like for sellers to call me early enough for me to influence the process from the beginning so that we can reach the end result that everyone hopes for.
Bob, Thanks for wanting to reblog it and for asking permission to do so, but the reblog button should be active.. that speaks volumes. Thanks!
Erin Golding (Realty Executives Tri-County, Inc.)
Thanks so much. Hope it helps yor business.
Judy -- Very nicely done... sorry I am a bit late getting here.
Joan,
I was even later getting back. :)