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- The first step in finding an agent is to look for
someone who is familiar with your area. This can be
accomplished by asking neighbors for referrals, taking note
of area signs and looking in your local newspaper. Location
specialization is the key to a good agent for selling your
home.
- Once you've compiled a list, talk to five or six
agents on the telephone to get a feel for people who seem
easy to work with and knowledgeable. Have a list of your
questions prepared and be ready to take notes.
- Evaluate all of your contacts, then call back the
three you felt best about to set up a listing presentation
appointment.
- Ask the agents to provide you with a Comparative
Market Analysis (CMA) for your property. This information
will include comparable homes that have sold in your
neighborhood during the past year, their prices, and any
special features. It should also include comparable homes
that are currently listed in your neighborhood, their prices
and features. This will enable you to determine the average
sales price, number of homes sold and number of days on the
market for your neighborhood. These numbers will help you
analyze the market, whether or not you should try a high
asking price and how long before you may have to consider
reducing your price.
- An agent should provide you with information on their
agency and themselves with references. Look for at least two
years in operation for the agent and five for the company.
- A good agent should be able to provide you with a
marketing plan specifying exactly what steps he or she will
take to sell your home. You will also want to ask how you
will be kept informed of any information the agent receives
and any action taken toward the progress of selling your
home.
- Inquire about advertising, promotions, flyers and any
other marketing tools that will be utilized in the selling
of your home.
- Wait until you've heard what all three agents have
said, and give yourself some time to think it over. You
should never feel pressured to sign anything.
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