Becoming a homeowner is an essential milestone in life. It means having a place to create memories, raise your kids, and spend valuable time with your family. Buying a home is one thing but selling it is something new altogether. It may be hard getting rid of a place where you’ve spent most of your life with your loved ones.
However, when you decide to sell, you must make the right decisions and get a fair amount for your property. Your home contains one of your vital legacies and represents one of your biggest investments in life. The house is a good way to build your wealth and gain equity which calls for amicable decisions when selling.
When you decide to sell your home, you may require all the help you can get, especially if you don’t know where to start. That said, it would help if you considered hiring the services of a realtor. The realtor will help you navigate the ever-changing real estate market and fetch a good price for your home.
Hiring a realtor is a good idea, but it is essential to keep an eye out for a few factors before settling for an agent.
What to Look for in a Realtor
1. Experience
It would help if you had someone that has gained relevant experience in the market by selling houses. Check how long the realtor has been in the industry and consider how many deals they have closed. Real estate can be pretty daunting, and you need someone who has overcome the many challenges in the niche.
Go for a realtor that has the experience and knows the nooks and crannies of the challenging market. For example, The Kay-Grant Group is an excellent real estate team in Scottsdale, Arizona, and the real estate market in Scottsdale is as challenging as it comes.
2. Location
It is important to check where the realtor is based and if they can be of any assistance. Consider the properties in your location that the realtor has helped sell and if the customers were satisfied. Checking the realtors’ location allows you to learn more about their expertise and reputation in the area. This way, you can be confident that you’re hiring the right person for the job.
3. Availability
Selling your home can be quite involving and requires someone who can go all in to help you make the sale. You need a realtor that can work beyond office hours and pick your calls. You need realtors that will avail themselves and help you address any issue you may have with the selling process.
It would be best to hire a realtor with your best interests at heart and establish clear communication channels. You may decide to sell the house yourself, but it would be best to work with an experienced and qualified realtor. That said, here are some reasons why it would be beneficial to hire a realtor.
Benefits of Hiring a Realtor When Selling Your House
1. List it on your State’s MLS
One of the major roles played by the real estate agent is helping you list your house. The realtor will take accurate details of your home for listing. This includes the house dimensions, features, directions to the house, and the location.
You may not know what it takes to list the property on your state’s MLS. Having listed several properties on the MLS, the realtor will know how to maneuver the perks of the process. According to your agreement, the realtor may pay for the MLS fees, which may be covered in your total cost.
2. Social/Digital Marketing
Hiring a realtor means having an availability of a ready market to advertise your house. A professional realtor may invest in the best digital marketing strategies to quickly find clients for the listed properties. Real estate agents work on a commission basis which means they have to sell more properties to profit. Thus, it would sense why they would invest heavily in digital marketing.
Selling your house via a real estate agent means having access to their digital marketing platforms. They may also work with digital marketing agencies that help them advertise the homes and find ready buyers or you can contant agencies like SoCalHomeBuyers.
3. Networking
Working with a realtor means accessing the incredible network of professionals they’ve established over the years. The realtor may know of a few potential buyers that may take an interest in your house. It also means that they know other professionals whose services you may need in the selling process.
You may require appraisal services to know how much you can get for your house and what to do to raise its value. Thus, the realtor may have contacts with a reliable real estate appraiser to determine your home’s market value. You may also access home staging services to help prepare your house for viewing and convince clients to buy your property.
4. Preparing the Home for Sale
The house should be in good condition when the prospect comes for viewing. The real estate agent will advise on how best to stage your home and make the necessary improvements. The realtor will have access to home repairers and renovators to help you prepare your home for staging.
The agent knows what most buyers look for in modern homes or your location. This way, they can aid with making improvements and installing features that help increase your home’s value. The realtor may have access to a few landscapers who will help improve your curb appeal and create a good first impression.
5. Time on Market
You may need quick cash and want to sell your house fast. Thus, it would be inconvenient when your home takes too long to sell and spends a lot of time on the market. Hiring a realtor allows you to find a buyer on time and close the deal soon. It means reducing the time your house is on the market and finding a customer fast.
6. Knowledge of Market Prices
The realtor knows how much various properties will fetch on the market. Real estate agents are knowledgeable about the demographics and factors influencing house prices. They’ll know when it’s the right time to sell and how to increase the market value.
The agents have local knowledge and know which neighborhoods have recorded an increase in market value over time. They know the promising real estate projects in your area, which helps determine how much you can get for your house.
7. Price Negotiations
The vital part in closing the deal on your house is the negotiations. Real estate agents have mastered the skill of negotiating through their years of experience. Hiring a realtor means getting the best deal possible and building a strong argument for you to get the most for your house.