My Home Didn't Sell... Now What?
As of lately, we're receiving numerous calls from homesellers in Biloxi, Ocean Springs, Gulfport and d'Iberville with homes for sale concerned their homes failed to sell with another real estate professional and now they're wondering what to do. The answer is not usually within them, but with the agent they entrusted.
What went wrong? Well, most people will ask business associates, family or friends to recommend someone who they've had good luck with... someone they can trust. Other sellers will watch neighborhood real estate signs to see who is listing many of the homes in the same area. Still others rely upon the reputation of the major national franchise companies. And, of course, there are the yellow pages. All of these methods could prove to be a disaster again!
When selecting an agent, he or she should be someone that has demonstrated, in writing, their past performance selling other homes, and their marketing strategy for exposing your home to the largest possible number of prospective buyers. Since there are always a certain number of buyers out there on the streets every day looking for homes to buy, and there are many other homes competing to attract those buyers, what is your agent going to do to bring one of those buyers into your home? What is your previous agent going to do different he or she has aready not done?
As a results, here are three of several basic questions you should be asking before you list your home again with a real estate professional:
1. Ask For Reference From Past Sellers - before you sign another listing agreement, check out reference from past sellers. Flattering letters in a presentation book praising the agent's work is a good start... but do you think you'll see a unflattering letter in that stack? The answer should be obvious. Ask for the telephone number and name of the past three sellers and three current sellers. Then make a couple of calls.
2. Ask For A Record Of the Agent's Marketing Strategy - How will he or she market your home with the current market conditions? Residential real estate has a long history of economic cycles. The market is either hot, improving, static or declining, and with each cycle there has to be a plan to cope with the current market.
3. Ask For The Agent Track Record - You want to know how long the agent has been working in real estate full-time, what advance designations and education in real estate do they have. Are you aware there is a designation for a Seller's Agent... that is an agent certified to work with sellers? Here is a really tuff question to ask: Of all the listing you have taken in the last six months, how many have you sold? If you never seen a two-step dance, you may see one. Check to see how many real estate companies has the agent been with in the last two years... if the reason for several changes is always money, there may be something wrong.
We've written a Special Report entitled, "My Home Didn't Sell... What Now?" detailing 25 Critical Guerrilla Marketing Strategies that need done in today's difficult market t sell a home for top dollar. If you would like to receive a free copy of this report, contact us and we'll mail or email the report to you immediately.
Contributed by Al & Dee Allegue
Contact Us | (228) 374-0002 | www.alndee.com
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