If you are thinking about selling your home, you might wonder if you need the help of a professional Realtor. Maybe you think you can save a few dollars by doing it yourself. After all, you saved a bundle by doing your own gardening, painting and decorating. How hard can it be to sell a home?
While selling your house without the aid of a Realtor may sound like a good idea, in the long run, it might wind up costing you a great deal of time and money. Do you understand all of the ins and outs of selling a home? Today’s real estate market is competitive and fast-paced. A professional Realtor knows what it takes to price your house to sell, market it effectively, and complete all of the steps necessary for a smooth transaction that will satisfy both you and the buyer.
A professional Realtor will be able to maximize the offers you receive on your property. How? First, they are familiar with the market conditions in your area, and they will know how to properly price your home. It is obvious why pricing your house too low is a mistake. But pricing too high can be costly, too. You don’t want your home to needlessly sit on the market for too long, and if you repeatedly lower your price, buyers may incorrectly think something is wrong with your property.
If you sell your own home, you limit the number of people who see it to those who drive by and see your sign or read any ads you place. A professional Realtor will be able to distinguish serious buyers from those who are just looking. He or she will reach out to qualified buyers they know and will bring them to see your home.
A professional Realtor will have marketing tools available to promote your property, from an array of paid advertising to posts on social media. Virtual tours, panoramic photographs and detailed listings in a variety of media are ways they can promote your home. They will help you stage your house for showing, and they will either photograph your property to show it in its best light or they will hire a professional photographer to do the job.
Contracts, inspections and other procedures can leave you exposed to liability issues. A professional Realtor knows all of the steps necessary to handle these procedures properly. An unsigned document can bring a seamless close of escrow to a grinding halt. A forgotten repair can cause strife between a seller and a buyer. Your professional Realtor will work tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure all of the details are addressed in a timely manner and that nothing is overlooked.
I sold my home in the fall, when the trees on my property were ablaze with color. My Realtor had the foresight to recommend outdoor photographs before a large rainstorm hit, blowing all of the beautiful foliage off of the trees. She knew a great photographer and quickly arranged it, resulting in gorgeous outdoor shots that otherwise would have been missed.
She also arranged for all of my home inspections to be held on the same day. While the day was hectic, it was only one day of interruption versus a seemingly endless parade of inspectors knocking on my door. A good Realtor will do things like this and they will make it seem effortless.
If you are thinking of selling your home, consider hiring a professional Realtor. He or she can help maximize the offers you receive, while ensuring that the transaction goes as smoothly as possible.