Home Selling Process
Selling Step 2: Find an Agent When You Sell Your Home
Before placing a home on the market you should identify REALTORS® in your community who can assist with the sale.
Why Use a REALTOR® to Sell Your Home?
REALTORS® are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR) and must adhere to a strict Code of Ethics, and have access to a wide range of classes, seminars and certification opportunities. Local REALTOR® groups are active in community matters, and individual members are routinely involved in neighborhood organizations.
Essentially, local REALTORS® are community experts. They track real estate trends, share neighborhood concerns and participate in local matters. They're good neighbors who are in the business of helping others buy and sell homes.
How Do You Choose a REALTOR®?
Many communities have independent real estate agents and realty brokerages. You can find a local REALTOR® in local advertising; by referrals from other agents, neighbors, lenders, attorneys, financial planners and certified professional accountants; and on the Internet. Recommendations of an agent’s past clients can be valuable.
It can be a good idea to interview more than one agent – even three or four – before selecting one to work with. These interviews are a good opportunity to consider such issues as experience, track record, market knowledge, marketing approach, professional network, representation, certification and fees.
What Should You Ask an Agent?
In some cases, sellers elect to meet with only one REALTOR® while other meet with several. Whatever your preference, there are a number of questions you will want to ask, including:
- What type of representation do you provide? Different states have different forms of representation: some real estate agents represent buyers, some represent sellers, some facilitate transactions as a neutral party, and in some cases different agents in a single firm may represent different parties within a transaction.
- What is your market knowledge?
- What kind of professional network do you have?
- What are your certifications/designations?
- What experience do you have in my immediate area?
- In the current market, how long should my home remain listed to get the highest possible price? Because all homes are unique, some will sell faster than others. Several factors can impact the amount of time a home remains on the market, including changing interest rates and local economic trends.
- How would you price my home? Ask about recent home sales and comparable properties currently on the market. If you speak with several real estate agents and their price estimates differ, that's OK, but be sure to ask how their price opinions were determined and why they think your home would sell for a given value.
- How will you market my home? At listing presentations, real estate agents provide a detailed summary of how they market homes, what marketing strategies have worked in the past and which marketing efforts may be effective for your home. Ask your agent which media they use, e.g., Web, flyers, real estate papers, TV, open houses, etc.
- What disclosures should I receive? State rules require that real estate agents provide extensive agency disclosure information, usually at the first sit-down meeting.
- Will I be able to get an unconditional release from the listing agreement if for some reason I decide not to sell? A listing agreement is a contract that shows the real estate agent’s obligations and outlines the terms under which your home is being made available for sale.
Other Consideration in Choosing an Agent:
- What do they recommend you do to prepare your home for sale?
- Find an agent who is tech-savvy: today’s transactions move at internet speed.
- Ask how much time the agent will have for you.
- Does the agent return your calls promptly? Time is money when attempting to sell a home.
- Complex issues will arise over the course of selling your home. You should feel comfortable that your agent is willing to explain everything to you until you understand clearly.
- Finally, a good agent will spend more time listening to you and asking you questions about what you want, rather than talking about themselves. Pick an agent with whom you feel comfortable.
How Are Agents Paid?
Real estate agents don’t get paid until you have successfully sold your home; typically they are paid a percentage of the real estate’s final selling price. Real estate commissions are negotiable in New Jersey. The commission is generally split between your listing agent and his brokerage agency and the agent representing the buyer and their brokerage agency. Keep in mind that, as your listing agent, we will pay for all the costs of marketing your home.
Why Choose NJHouseHunter?
When our team lists a home for sale, we immediately set in motion a customized marketing plan to broadcast the availability of your home. We will notify our personal sphere of influence, host Brokers’ Open Houses and Tours. Photos and material information about your home are posted on this website, on the Friedberg Properties web site, the NJMLS (New Jersey Multiple Listing Service) and Realtor.com. Additionally, using our web distribution portal we are able to post your listing to Google Base, Oodle, Trulia, Zillow, Vast, Hotpads and Geebo. The syndication of your listing gains you maximum exposure to potential buyers searching for a home in today's real estate market.
As a technologically sophisticated team, we use digital photography, virtual staging and tours, internet search and optimization technology to maximize your listing's exposure to as many agents and buyers as possible. We will also market your property quickly and effectively through proven methods, which may include signs, fliers, public open houses, and advertising like postcards,newspapers, and real estate trade magazines. We work with our clients to customize and tailor a program that suits their particular needs and desires in the sale of their home.
Our marketing communications plan includes keeping the seller informed through the entire process. This will include information obtained through open houses,agent showings and internet sites as well as updates concerning trends in the local real estate market. Our sellers are provided 24 Hour / 7 Day access to our client section on this site, where they can view all aspects of the ongoing marketing plan to sell their home. As required by our clients, we may also provide professional recommendations for lawyers, inspectors and any other professionals needed for your real estate transaction.