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Selling a home is usually one of the biggest financial transactions most
people enter into in their lifetime. Transactions today usually exceed
$100,000. If you had a $100,000 income tax problem, would you attempt to
deal with it without the help of a CPA? If you had a $100,000 legal
question, would you deal with it without the help of an attorney? With the
professional guidance of a Realtor® you can
avoid many unnecessary complications when marketing and selling your home.
The
term REALTOR® is a registered, collective
membership mark that identifies real estate professionals who are members of
the National Association of Realtors®, and therefore subscribe to its strict
Code of Ethics .
A Realtor is a
licensed agent, and will help you carry out the transaction with your best
interest in mind. Working with a Realtor like
Dawn can be very beneficial to a home
seller as illustrated by the following points of importance:
o
Your
REALTOR® can give you up-to-date information
on what is happening in the marketplace and the price, financing, terms and
condition of competing properties. These are key factors in getting your
property sold at the best price, quickly and with minimum hassle.
o
Your
REALTOR® can recommend repairs or cosmetic work that will significantly
enhance the salability of your property.
Professional advise on
simple ways to make your home more attractive to buyers can increase your
net sale price and decrease the length of time it takes to sell.
o
Your
REALTOR® markets your property to other real estate agents and the public.
In many markets across the country, over 50% of real estate sales are
cooperative sales; that is, a real estate agent other than yours brings in
the buyer. Your REALTOR® acts as the marketing
coordinator, disbursing information about your property to other real estate
agents through a Multiple Listing Service or other cooperative marketing
networks, open houses for agents, etc. The REALTOR®
Code of Ethics requires REALTORS® to utilize
these cooperative relationships when they benefit their clients.
o
Your
REALTOR® will know when, where and how to advertise your property.
There is a misconception that advertising sells real estate. The
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® studies show
that 82% of real estate sales are the result of agent contacts through
previous clients, referrals, friends, family and personal contacts. When a
property is marketed with the help of your REALTOR®,
you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Your
REALTOR® will generally prescreen and accompany
qualified prospects through your property.
o
Your
REALTOR® can help you objectively evaluate every buyer's proposal without
compromising your marketing position.
This initial agreement is only the beginning of a process of
appraisals, inspections and financing -- a lot of possible pitfalls. Your
REALTOR® can help you write a legally binding,
win-win agreement that will be more likely to make it through the process.
o
Your
REALTOR® can help close the sale of your home.
Between the initial sales agreement and closing (or settlement),
questions may arise. For example, unexpected repairs are required to obtain
financing or a cloud in the title is discovered. The required paperwork
alone is overwhelming for most sellers. Your REALTOR®
is the best person to objectively help you transaction to closing (or
settlement).
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