| There are five major factors to consider when | | | | deliver your baby because I have a 4:00 t-off |
| selling a home. These factors will greatly influence | | | | time"? How about an accountant who can't |
| not only the final price you will get for the | | | | manage his own finances? You should be able to |
| property, but also how quickly it will sell and how | | | | expect the same level of professionalism from |
| much grief you will suffer through the sale. | | | | the agent you choose to represent you. |
| Location | | | | By having a professional Realtor working on your |
| Over history it's been said the three things to | | | | behalf, your entire experience will be more |
| look for in buying a property are (1) Location, (2) | | | | positive. |
| Location, and (3) Location. There are positive and | | | | Terms |
| negative factors to almost every location. Let's | | | | Are you flexible on possession dates? Is your |
| pretend your property is right next door to a fire | | | | property easy to show? Are you prepared to |
| station. You need the kind of marketing | | | | negotiate on appliances or other chattels? This |
| professional that can sell the benefits of not | | | | flexibility makes your home much more attractive |
| having to worry about your new home burning | | | | to potential buyers. For example, many |
| down, or perhaps the savings on fire insurance. | | | | out-of-town buyers won't even consider a home |
| Seriously, no matter where your property may | | | | if the possession is not flexible. First time home |
| be located, there is a ready, willing, and able buyer | | | | buyers often have to purchase the appliances |
| in the marketplace. The "problems" with the | | | | with the home because they have to put all of |
| location of a property can be overcome, you just | | | | their savings into the down payment. Where are |
| need a Realtor who will work hard to do so. | | | | they going to get $3000 to buy appliances? |
| Your Realtor and his/her Company | | | | Condition |
| Not all Realtors are the same. We each take | | | | Making a good first impression is important in |
| different approaches to the marketing of your | | | | getting a property sold. Painting the front door |
| home. These range from as basic as placing the | | | | and trim, making sure the doorbell works, putting |
| home on the MLS system and hoping it will sell, to | | | | furniture and clothing in storage, and cleaning off |
| Realtors who actively market the home through | | | | counter tops and fridges are just a few of the |
| newspaper advertising and the Internet. You will | | | | little things that can be done to make properties |
| likely have a positive Real Estate experience if | | | | more marketable. Just remember, cleanliness and |
| you pick a Realtor who meets the following | | | | pride of ownership will get you more money than |
| criteria: | | | | used dirt. |
| - Personality. It's hard to work with an agent you | | | | Price |
| don't like. You won't trust him/her, and the entire | | | | Determining a price is more than just picking a |
| experience will be a difficult one. You have enough | | | | number. It involves careful analysis of the |
| on your mind without having to argue and bicker | | | | property. Many things come into account when |
| with your agent. No matter how good an agent | | | | determining a price. In fact, it is often through |
| is... if you don't like each other, then it won't be a | | | | price where short comings in the other factors |
| good experience. | | | | are balanced. For instance, if your home has been |
| - Availability. Having a full time Realtor (or a team | | | | damaged from bad renters, is difficult to gain |
| of them) is vital to the successful sale of your | | | | access to, is right next door to a "drug-den", and |
| home. If your Realtor isn't available to sell your | | | | is located between the city dump and the airport, |
| house because he/she's "working a day job", then | | | | then the home will have to be priced accordingly. |
| how committed is that Realtor to you? | | | | But watch out, while the price can fix almost |
| - Work Ethic. Just like any other professional in | | | | every short coming, it's not always the best |
| your life, you need a Realtor who is organized, | | | | solution. |
| professional, and hard working. Have you ever | | | | Having a Realtor who will be honest with you |
| seen a lawyer show up for a case in sweat pants | | | | about these factors is important, and could save |
| and a t-shirt? Or a doctor say; "I'm sorry, I can't | | | | you several thousand dollars. |
