There is a lot of information out there on the internet. Clients sometimes ask “why bother with a real estate agent?” Some things you may be able to do on your own but there are other important factors that may require the services of a professional real estate agent to help you navigate through the buying or selling process.
Here are our Team’s top tips to consider when hiring your next real estate agent:
Agents can often get you more money
Listing agents can often net more on your property than if you sold your home yourself. A good real estate agent has the knowledge and experience of many years in the real estate industry which should be backed by references and years of service. In other words, you want to hire somebody who has more knowledge and experience than you do.
Market analysis guru
Your real estate agent will help you understand today’s market which will govern the buying and selling process. Information such as average cost of similar homes, ratio of list to sold prices, average sales prices and days on the market. All this information is quickly at their fingertips and saves time and energy.
Professional marketing
Advertising does not sell your home alone but social media is one way to get your buyer’s attention. A competent real estate agent will use professional photographs and video marketing through various social media to get the attention of buyers. You will definitely get more visibility than trying to market your home on your own or through one website.
Networking
A large part of a real estate agent’s work is through networking. Networking with other agents, clients and professional trades to help you with the selling or buying process. Each realtor must abide by a strict code of ethics to ensure professionalism and your protection in buying or selling your home.
Negotiation skills
It is really hard to negotiate selling your own home without emotions getting involved. You want to develop a purchase agreement that allows you flexibility to move on to the next steps. Realtors can often visualize some problems before they arise and are able to discuss various options with you. You also need the skill of a professional real estate agent when you are filling in the various forms for buying or selling your home. It is nice to have somebody on your side who can answer any questions that may arise during the negotiation process.
True value pricing
A price for your home cannot be picked out of thin air or what the house across the road may have sold for. You need to have information presented to you on how your real estate agent may have arrived at a suggested price for your home. This should include comparisons of similar homes that may have sold recently and a market analysis of your home including any renovations. These factors together with the economy will have a profound effect on the price.
Our Team – Anne Winch Ottawa Real Estate and Staging Team
Sometimes you just need a professional’s advice on what needs to be renovated in your home to give you some return on investment. You will also be competing with other homes on the market and that is why home staging is so important when you are selling your home.
Our Anne Winch Ottawa Real Estate Team can help you buy, sell and stage your home. We also can help you decide what renovations may help you get more money or what may not be needed. Our team will sit down with you and give you a presentation on how we operate as a team, how we price your home and how we can market, stage and get your home sold in no time. All these factors are very important in making a decision to find the right agent to sell your home. Give us a call and let us be your liaison for any of your real estate ventures.