Brought To You By Barbara Greenhill
Barbara Greenhill
Broker Assoc.
Realtor
415-497-2806
Towns and Neighborhoods:
Sonoma Valley
Fine Living:
The 8 Critical Questions You Should Ask,
When You List Your Home:
1.
Does the listing agent have more then 8 Listings?
Does the listing agent have more then 8 Listings? Why this question is important: No agent- especially if he or she hasn’t teamed up, can effectively take care more than 10 listings. Then it becomes a number game and it is less important which one sells. Or put it another way, if you have one dollar to gamble you will watch this dollar more carefully than if you have 10.
2.Has the agent a broker’s license?
Has the agent a broker’s license?Why this question is important: Having a broker license reflects a higher level of knowledge and commitment to the Real Estate profession.
3.Where does the agent spend the marketing money?
Where does the agent spend the marketing money?Why this question is important: The simple truth is that all agents are spending pretty much the same amount per listing of their commission for advertising. But your house is not going to sell because the picture of the listing agent is prominently placed on a shopping cart or on a glossy full page advertising.
So, if you see their name on a shopping cart with a smart quote, you know there is less money to spend for marketing your house.
4.What background experience does the agent bring to the business?
What background experience does the agent bring to the business?Why this question is important: 98% of the agents are in Real Estate as their second career, bringing prior experience to the business. If they have worked as a waiter or nurse before, they is certainly a lacking in advertising/marketing knowledge.
5.Is the agent a member of a team?
Is the agent a member of a team?Why this question is important: teams have proven more successful and they sell their listings faster their listings with “solo agents”. A “Team” combined creative ideas and imagination can greatly expand the target market of your property.
6.Does the agent work with a stager?
Does the agent work with a stager?Why this question is important: Being willing to go this extra step and implement a stager and coordinate the needed work to the best present the property is crucial to selling at the highest net price. It also shows that your agent is a full service agent.
7.What is the quality of their photo presentations?
What is the quality of their photo presentations?Why this question is important: The picture is the primary thing that a potential buyer and agent see when they are surfing the Internet and print presentations. Often the primary photograph will determine if a buyer inquires further into the listing. Photographs of professional quality and having them constantly updated are one of the most important marketing tools.
8.Does the agent have Internet marketing experience?
Does the agent have Internet marketing experience?Why this is important: Over 86% of the buyers are using the Internet to find their dream house and this number has been climbing over the last five years at a rate of 5%. If your agent doesn’t know how the buyers are using the Internet, you might miss a lot of the clientele for your house.
