This checklist is a great inclusion for your website, but, in a paired down version, it would be included as a sponsored post or ad on social media. You could always include a link to get them to the full list, too.
Ready to place your home on the market? Do you understand the process of selling your home—all the details of your home sale? Before you list with an agent, educate yourself about all the possible things you will be facing. Be as informed as possible so you can make the absolute best decision. After all, the sale of your home is a business decision!
Most of the general public is not tuned into the trends and fluctuations of the real estate market. Likewise, the general public is not aware of the steps necessary to maximize profits on the sale of a home. Typically, we rely heavily on an agent to lead us down the most profitable path. When you consider that your home may be the most valuable asset you own, does it not make sense to list with someone who will maximize our profits? But how do you find that agent?
This report is designed to empower you with critical information necessary to evaluate an agent’s qualifications and help you identify the professional top producer. The more involved you become in selecting the right agent, the higher your profits will be!
Start by doing some research. Find out who the most active agents are in your market. Look at advertising to see how professional it is, ask friends and family, and drive around the neighborhood looking for yard signs. Check some websites that come up with your locality searched through major search engines. It is also important to check search engines to find out who comes up when typical search words are used. Compile a list of agents that score high in these tests.
1. Start With a Phone Interview — Place a call to or E-mail each of the agents on your list. Document how quickly they return your call (remember they will be returning calls to your prospective home buyers) and a ½ business day is all you should wait for a top agent. Do an initial interview over the phone so when you meet you both will be prepared. The more questions they ask about you, the more they care and the better job they can do for you.
2. Request a Complete Plan — From title to escrow, request a complete plan as to the service they can provide for you and have it E-mailed prior to your appointment. Wait for the appointment to see if they customize it to your needs.
3. Evaluate Their Team — Top producers will have established relationships with lenders, title reps, and inspectors . . . everyone involved in home sales. They are there for your benefit. Request resumes on all team members. Better yet, it should be on their website!
4. Get a Detailed Report of Your Property — Request a complete report about the sale-ability of your property. Get ideas for improvements, cosmetic changes, structural repairs or anything that could add value to your property. Remember, a small investment up front will pay many higher dividends at the time of sale.
5. Request an Alternative Report — Request a complete report of alternatives to the sale of your home. What would current market leases generate? Rentals? Responsibilities attached with leasing? Have your agent educate you about all of your options.
6. Insist on Pre-Qualification — Do not waste valuable time negotiating or showing your property to unqualified prospects. Insist that your agent pre approve candidates to screen out all unwanted prospects. Make sure your agent understands the difference between pre-qualification and pre-approval!
7. Request a Net Sheet See in writing a complete net sheet showing all expenses of sale, detailing your exact proceeds at the time of sale.
8. Review a Marketing Plan Insist on a step by step marketing plan of how your property is going to be sold and marketed. Look for innovative ways to attract homebuyers. Demand 24-hour interactive advertising, lead accountability and tracking services. These services exist and you should insist upon them.
9. Examine Telemarketing Efforts Investigate the agent’s telemarketing team. Do they just cold call? Do they have a mechanism to create proactive leads and call on those prospects? Do they know the demographics that buyers come from?
10. Review Direct Mail/E-mail Campaigns Investigate the agent’s capacity to send mass E-mail and mail. How often do prospects receive mail? Is it professional? Does the mail piece motivate prospects to respond? Does it educate other agents to show your property?
11. Evaluate Advertising — Is it well written and professional? How many advertising mediums do they use? They should use at least ten and among them: a home magazine, a community or local paper, yard signs, and internet sites with a great search engine strategy and brochure boxes attached to signs. Remember, the quality of the advertising will directly influence how your home is perceived.
12. Determine Negotiation Strategy Have a written, well-conceived negotiation strategy. The old adage, “You do not get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate” rings true in real estate. Insist on a sound negotiation strategy before you entertain buyers.
13. Obtain a Closing Checklist Be sure to get a written closing checklist. You need to know in detail how you will conclude the sale of your home. This should provide a step by step procedure that is easy to understand and follow.
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