The answer might surprise most people. Most will say, "Just sell my house", but how we do that is the question. Marketing of course is a big piece of the equation. It is a given that we must be competent. Realtors with alphabet soup (those initials after their name) believe that their specialties serve their clients well because they have added specific knowledge and education that helps their clients achieve their goals.
Some of the designations and specialties are SRES Senior Real Estate Specialist, CRS Certified Residential Specialist, E-Pro, Luxury Homes, LGLS CP Live Green, Live Smart Certified Professional, EcoBroker and many more. They tell you the Realtor's values and demonstrate commitment to their profession and provide value to their clients with the added knowledge that they possess.
Primarily, the agent's job is threefold - To be a counselor, negotiator and facilitator. What does that mean? The market sets the general price for a property, but a skilled negotiator with a strategy can net you 3, 4, 5% more. Concessions and sales price can be affected favorably with a good negotiation and knowing what the goals and strategy are. Many agents have taken additional training in the area of negotiation to sharpen that skillset.
Next, a home is the largest investment most people make in a lifetime... why gamble your investment with a part timer? If you are selling your home yourself, aren't you a part-timer? Do you want a part-time doctor, lawyer, accountant? Or do you want someone who actively works in the marketplace on a daily basis? You want someone who gives full time effort to the task and treats real estate like a business so that their business is to get your home SOLD or to find you the right home and CLOSE THE SALE.
Don't forget Realtors are a great resource. The best and busiest realtors know the best and busiest home stagers, inspectors and lenders; you know, that 10% of people who do 90% of the business? It's my opinion the question is not whether to use a Realtor, but which Realtor to use.
Then think about this... You hire a Realtor primarily for what they KNOW about selling homes and secondarily for what they DO to sell homes.
Experience brings you a knowledge base for problem solving and innovative solutions that can be a huge asset when things come up in your transaction. What we do everyday becomes that body of knowledge. And it's for hire.
Terrylynn Fisher, Realtor, DRE # 615420
CRS, GRI, CSP, LGLS, CP, SRES, Eco-Broker, Luxury Home Institute Member
cell 925.876.0966
fax 925.887.6614
Email Terrylynn
Owner of StagersLISTExpo.com
Terrylynn has been a Realtor in Contra Costa County for over 30 years.
DRE #615420
- Terrylynn has been a Realtor in Contra Costa County for over 32 years. She works with Empire Realty in Walnut Creek and is consistently a top producer. Terrylynn is a local expert, please contact her for any Real Estate needs, or with a question about the area. Visit www.BuyStageSell.com to learn more about Terrylynn and her team of Real Estate Professionals and Staging Professionals, and how their award winning results can earn you more equity $$$ when you sell a home. We even stage our short sales! Why? Because it works.
Terrylynn, This is a great post! I especially like "Then think about this... You hire a Realtor primarily for what they KNOW about selling homes and secondarily for what they DO to sell homes". Sellers NEED AN EXPERIENCED REALTOR THAT KNOWS WHAT TO DO TO GET THE HOME SOLD! When I'm working with a FSBO I do gradually suggest the benefits of using a experienced Realtor and have several that I can refer to them.
Hi, Terrylynn! Great reasons for hiring a professional Realtor. Another great reason for hiring a Realtor is "what you don't know CAN hurt you" in the negotiation and transaction process.
Donna, thanks much for reading. Right, I could probably learn to put on a roof too, but it's faster and better and less likely to leak with a professional and the right tools. Good to chat with you.
Nancy, how did I forget that one...how right you are. What you don't know can hurt you. THANKS for adding to the wisdom. Off to write another post, I'm suddenly full of ideas.
Don't you wish this could be mandatory reading for all FSBO's? :-)
Terrylynn ~ I can't believe that in today's challenging real estate market, someone would even consider trying to sell their most important investment themselves, without the help of a professional Realtor. When I've had homeseller clients who indicated they were "going to give it a try" I've recommended several good agents and it's always worked out well for them with a fast sale...a good Realtor + a good stager = a SOLD sign out front.
Karen, well actually yes...But more than that hoping that people understand why they really hire us. Sometimes they aren't as sure of the real value we provide, much like staging, ehhhh? Education, education, education...Thanks for stopping by.
Maureen, how right you are. I like that...Good Realtor + Good stager = SOLD property...
What a well written post Terrylynn! As a stager I am often at homes prior to going to market and sellers comment about going to bid or auction, perhaps selling themselves, etc. It is not my job to advise them in this matter, but I can and do refer Realtors. I have witnessed firsthand the benefits of hiring a professional Realtor. If they decide not to use a Realtor at least they have taken the time to get the facts and make an informed decision.
Terrylynn ~ Excellent and will written post on why it is important use a Realtor to sell your home! As you said, it is one of the biggest investments most people will ever make in a lifetime, why gamble with an investment this big?
Michelle, Thanks for your comments. I know you are a Realtor believer, as I am a stager believer...see you in Indianapolis for the Expo?
Terrie, thanks for a comment. I appreciate your thoughts and validation.
My mom always says "If you want something done ask a busy person". It's true, you want a go-getter to sell your biggest investment, not a part-timer!
Cindy, you are so right. The thing that happens is that people take their homes for granted...they don't look at it as an investment, they look at it as home, and until they make the transition mentally, it's hard for them to see it as the stager/realtor do. Thanks for stopping by. Terrylynn