subject: Three mistakes sellers can make when choosing a West Vancouver Realtor [print this page] Selling a home can be an emotional processSelling a home can be an emotional process. For some, a home may represent a couple's first venture into life as newlyweds or new parents. It's important, however, to set aside those emotions when choosing a Realtor and treat it like the business process and transaction that it is. After all, any West Vancouver realtor can list the property, but it takes the right ones to get it sold. The following are three common mistakes home sellers make when choosing a Realtor.
Hiring based only on relationship
It's natural to want to help out a friend or family member and help them make a nice commission, especially if they are just getting started in their career. However, as with any business decision, working with a friend or relative can seriously backfire. If there is a problem in the process, the relationship could be put at risk if the home seller can even gather up the courage to speak out. It's a horrible position to be in, but plenty of home sellers have been there. At the very least, home sellers should take an objective, honest approach to selecting a professional top agent. In talking with several Realtors, possibly even including the friend or relative, home sellers must compare each realtor's credentials and examples of past successes. This might include their listing-to-sell ratio and length of time before the properties sell. This is critical to choosing the right West Vancouver realtor and getting the property sold sooner.
Hiring based on commission
Do not choose a Realtor based solely on low commissions. That can save sellers money but it can also cost you money if the property sits and does not sell. Listings get the most attention when they first hit the market, and the longer they sit, the less valuable they become. It's important to hire an agent who has the experience and understands the importance of pricing the property correctly right from the start. This needs to be a consideration beyond a yard sign and inclusion in the Multiple Listing Service.
Many of the marketing and advertising costs for real estate listings fall to the realtor, and a bigger commission increases their incentive to market the property properly.. A well-marketed listing also increases the incentive of buyer's agents to show the property, as it typically indicates a standard commission and the buyer's agent gets a percentage of that commission after closing. In short, sellers often get what they pay for, so it's a mistake to make commission alone the deciding factor in hiring a West Vancouver professional realtor.
Hiring based on agree-ability
There is no doubt that a winning personality and agreeable nature are helpful in choosing a West Vancouver realtor as it makes the entire process less stressful and more enjoyable. However, hiring based on "gut instinct", as opposed to professional references and statistics supporting success, can be an expensive mistake. Don't choose a realtor just because they are agreeable to all your ideas. Some realtors tell sellers whatever they want to hear, instead of providing valuable, realistic feedback and professional guidance. Sellers should look for Realtors who offer advice on the pros and cons of each decision and don't just blindly accept ideas on listing price, marketing, and so on. A realtor with a winning personality is one thing, but a realtor with expertise that communicates knowledgeable market information and numbers with references to back it up can mean the difference between selling or stalling.
Three mistakes sellers can make when choosing a West Vancouver Realtor
