Real Estate Advice for Sellers

Advice on Finding the Right Real Estate Agent to Sell Your Home

How do I choose an agent to sell my home?

You want an agent who has the experience, resources, time, enthusiasm, and experienced support staff to market your home, and manage the transaction effectively.  It’s important that your agent be willing and available to personally show your home and host open houses. The person who leads potential buyers on a tour of your home should be the agent you hired, not an assistant or subagent.  If buyers can’t get in to your home for a showing, they won’t be writing offers.   

Your agent should also have a comprehensive marketing plan for your home. Print advertising, a strong internet presence, being up to date on new technology such as QR codes and text messaging platforms, and PR savvy are necessary tools in selling a home in today’s marketplace.  Over 85% of home buyers start their home search on the internet.  Postcards and print ads are not enough to achieve maximum exposure.  Your agent should have good media contacts and know how to use real estate blogs and social media to market your home to the largest pool of buyers possible.

How do I decide on a listing price?

It’s helpful to ask agents that you’re interviewing their opinion of your home’s value.  However, be cautious of the agent who gives you a surprisingly high listing price.  These agents may unscrupulously be attempting to “buy” your listing by making you think your home is worth much more than it actually is. The result will be that your property languishes on the market for months, without any serious offers, at this too-high price.  Usually, it will sell for less than it would have if it were listed at its true market value in the first place.

After previewing your home, your agent will review with you what’s going on in the market as well as what recent sales are comparable to your property.  When you first decided to sell, you probably started keeping an eye on other properties on the market in your neighborhood.  But remember:  homes are compared and priced by what’s sold, not what’s listed on the market.

You’ll also want to consider your desired time frame when deciding on a price. If you’re not in a great hurry to sell, you can price your property at or slightly higher than the current comparable sales indicate. But if you do need to sell quickly, you’ll definitely want to keep your listing price competitive. Remember, a too-high listing price will mean a lot of prospective buyers sitting on the sidelines waiting for a reduction.  Conversely, a comparatively low listing price can result in offers and possibly even a bidding war.

How long will it take to sell my home?

There’s no cookie-cutter answer here. If your home is priced competitively, most homes in Los Angeles sell in a few months. But many factors can influence how long it will take to sell your home, including:

• the age, style, and condition of your home;

• the desirability of the neighborhood;

• the availability of loans or financing alternatives for prospective buyers;

• and even the economy as a whole.

Some times of the year are historically slower than others for home sales, such as the December holiday season.  Some price points in particular areas can add extra time on the market. It’s important to remember that if your home is priced right, a good agent who markets your property properly will find the right buyer in a reasonable amount of time.

Selling your home shouldn't be a stressful ordeal. Make the smart move of choosing the right REALTOR® and ensure that your investment in your home pays off when you decide to sell it. 

My team's services and experience allow you to focus on your move while I manage your home sale from our initial consultation to deal closing, and beyond.  I pride myself on personalized, boutique service, referrals from past clients, repeat business, and I hope you'll come to understand why.

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DAVID KEAN & ASSOCIATES
Contact Information

Beverly & Co.
15301 Ventura Blvd., B315
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
DRE #02078273

cellular: 213/422-4516

e-mail: David@DavidKean.com

 

Website: www.DavidKean.com