The benefit of home or property through a sales associate

Selling a home takes more than an ad in the paper, and a "FOR SALE" sign on the lot. Firstly, it takes experience and training to correctly price a home to sell. It requires a carefully prepared market analysis showing not only the homes that have been sold, but also homes that are still on the market and which represents your competition; as well as homes that were on the market and never sold. Secondly, you need to anticipate and solve the many problems that can arise during the selling process. Frequently buyers have to sell their own home in order to buy yours. It is sometimes difficult to keep control in these circumstances. Usually it doesn't cost a buyer anything upfront to work with a Sales Associate. Someone may be looking to buy a home at a lower price because they know you are saving the brokerage fee. If your goal is to sell your home for the best possible price, in the least amount of time, and without a lot of stress, considering an agent would be a better choice.

Selecting a Sales Associate

Selling a home is a serious business. Do not make the mistake of mixing business with friendship unless you are certain your friend or relative is capable of representing your sale, capably and objectively. Loyalties are always important, but circumstances do change and past performance may not guarantee future performance. Check to see that the necessary ingredients to serve you well are still in place.

Things To Consider

1. Does the agent/salesperson work for a respected and reputable company?
2. Is the salesperson licensed to sell real estate, bonded, and covered by required insurance?
3. Is the salesperson a realtor, that is, a member of the local multiple listing service?
4. Will the agent work for you and your best interest, and disclose any conflicting interest to you?
5. Does the salesperson have a marketing plan for your home resulting in high probability of sale?
6. Does the salesperson have a marketing presentation that convinces you that their services justify the commission they receive?
7. Does the salesperson offer more than simply placing your property in the M.L.S list or also places an occasional ad in the paper?
8. Does the agent work for a company with a Toll Free number?
9. Is the salesperson familiar with your area?
10. Would a stranger recognize your sales agent to be an agent, even without introduction? How is he/she identifiable?
11. Does your salesperson have management and team support in their effort to sell your home?

Sales Associate Services

When you select an agent to sell your home, you are selecting someone to work on you behalf, not the buyers. Your real estate agent will protect your rights and handle the details that you will find difficult to do. Here are few things they can do for you. 

1. Put your property on the M.L.S. exposing your property to all other companies and their sales people.
2. Property board showing the interior features that make your home appealing. This property board is portable and can be taken and shown to people who can't come to your home. The property board will be displayed in high traffic areas to attract buyers' attention.
3. Provide you with market information you need to price your home to bring top dollar. Keep you informed on market changes and sales activity taking place.
4. Potential buyers are pre-screened to limit the possibility of surprises and collapsed sales later on.
5. Provide 24 hours answering service to avoid possibility of losing a possible buyer.
6. Show your home, whether you are home or not. This saves waiting around during buyers' visit.
7. Provide objective viewpoint in handling difficult circumstances and buyer objections. It's easy for emotions to get in the way.
8. Assist in contract negotiations. An agent's experience in mediating sensitive issues can help close the gaps and speed the process.
9. Protect your interests during the selling process and look after details through the closing process right through to the possession date.

Prepare for a showing

Remember you don't get a second chance to make a good first impression. First impressions count with buyers. In today's age of consumerism, every buyer is comparative shopping. A small investment in time and money can give your home a solid advantage over competing properties. So by paying attention to detail now, you can enhance the perceived value later. Following are some suggestions for preparing your home to show to its best advantage.

Create A Buying Mood

Turn on lights, turn on air conditioner/heater, open the drapes, and light the fireplace.

Exterior Appearance

Keep lawns cut, trim hedges and shrubs, weed and edge gardens, clear driveway and clean up oil spills, clean out garage, touch up paint, make repairs where needed.

Create Space

Clear halls and stairs of clutter, store surplus furniture, clear kitchen counter and stove top, clear closets of unnecessary clothing, remove empty boxes and containers.

Maintenance

Repair leaking taps and toilets, clean furnace and filters, tighten door knobs and latches, repair cracked plaster, touch up paint, clean and repair windows, repair seals around tubs and basins, replace defective light bulbs, oil squeaking doors, and repair squeaking floor boards.

Squeaky Clean

Clean and freshen bathrooms, clean fridge and stove (in and out), clean around heating vents, clean washer and dryer, clean carpets, drapes and window blinds.

At The Front Door

Clean porch and foyer, ensure doorbell works, repair screen on door, fresh paint or varnish front door, repair door locks and key access.

The Value of Feedback

If your home does not sell, it is important to know the reason. Similarly, you should also know why your home is not being shown. A good salesperson should always communicate with you even if you do not like what they have to say. If you do not know what is wrong, you won't know what to fix. If more than one buyer makes the same remark about your home, it is significant information that you should receive.

Before you leave your present address 

1. Advise Doctor and Dentist office to close file and instruct a copy of file to be forwarded to new practitioners when requested to do so.
2. Write the utility company in the city to which you are moving. Ask then about the necessary fees or deposits required for installation of service.
3. Remit the utility deposits required with information about when and where you will want these services: gas, electric, water, telephone, and cable.
4. Forward your address to your local post office and send a change request to subscriptions, insurance companies, book clubs, friends, stores, and credit cards.
5. Transfer your fire insurance on household goods or other insurance on personal possessions so that they will be covered both at your new home and enroots.
6. Notify the principal of your children's school about your intended move. Get a letter from him/her outlining the status of your children in school.
7. Make sure you have birth certificates of all the children. (You will need them for their new schools). 
   Get medical records of shots, eyeglass prescriptions, etc.
8. If car or other possessions are not paid for, get permission to move them.
9. Close your bank account(s), if necessary.
10. Arrange for sufficient cash or cheques to cover the cost of moving services and expenses until you make banking connections in the city to which you are moving. Moving companies mostly ask for cash or a certified cheque for delivery of household goods.

Have The Following Services Disconnected

Gas, fuel or oil company, electric, telephone, newspaper delivery, water, water softener service, rubbish and garbage service, milk delivery, diaper service, charge accounts, locker at athletic club

At your new address 

1. Check on service of telephone, gas, electricity, water fuel for furnace, and cable.
2. Have your stove serviced - check pilot light.
3. Check pilot lights on water heater and furnace.
4. Have appliances checked.
5. Ask mail carrier for mail that may be held for your arrival.
6. Register children in school.
7. Have new address recorded on driver's license.
8. Register car after arrival or a penalty may have to be paid when getting new license plates.
9. Visit city offices and register for voting.