All Realtors® are the same so it doesn’t really matter whom I chose to list my home with or does it?
It is critically important which Realtor® you choose to market and sell your home. Not all Realtors® are created equal and they certainly won’t all do the same thing for you. It’s important to work with a Realtor who has a proactive marketing plan that will out market your competition. You don’t want someone who will throw your home on MLS the way it is and then keep their fingers crossed that it will sell. Sadly, there are too many “list it and forget it” agents out there. When you hire Martin you are getting a Realtor® with an extensive and proven marketing system where marketing money is not an issue and going the extra mile is just part of the package.
It’s also important that the Realtor® you work with has extensive knowledge of industry practices and legalities, and will be available to you when you need them. There are countless part time and unqualified Realtors® out there who don’t make ongoing professional development a priority for the sake of their clients. These Realtors® can’t possibly be on top of the constantly changing laws, industry standards and emerging trends and therefore will not be able to provide you with the level of service you deserve.
Don’t place one of your biggest emotional and financial investments in the hands of just anyone! When you choose Martin, you’re choosing a Realtor® who knows the importance of continuing education, open communication and proactive marketing.
Won’t I make more money if I sell my house with a Realtor® who offers discounted commission rates?
It has been statistically shown that, on average, sellers who choose a discount Realtor® end up with less money in their pocket at the end of the day.
Here’s why: Experience has shown that discount Realtors® typically cut corners on marketing in order to make up for the lost commission. When marketing is cut back, exposure is reduced which equates to lower selling prices and less money in the sellers pocket.
Also, it only makes sense that for discounters to make any money in this business they must take on more clients than they could ever successfully give quality service to. The marketing effort suffers, the service suffers and your bottom line suffers too.
Do yourself a favour and stick with a Realtor® who charges the industry standard and is therefore able to give you the service you deserve and will help you protect your bottom line. Full-service Realtors® are able to do all the things that tend to draw higher offers and put more money in your pocket. Of course there are never any guarantees, but the odds are in your favour.
Should I select a Realtor® who says they can get me the highest price?
No! Always select a Realtor® based on their credentials. Market value is a separate issue. Overpricing a home just to get a listing is the oldest scam in the industry. You should insist on a written, well-researched home evaluation report that outlines market trends, recent activity and comparable sales of homes in the neighbourhood. This is the only way to professionally and accurately determine the realistic amount your home will bear in the current market conditions. It also provides you with a strong negotiating position come offer time. If a Realtor brings you anything less then a detailed report, they haven’t done their homework and have no business selling your home.
Will a Realtor® who’s been in the business for 15 years or more do a better job for me because they have been around longer?
Experienced does not always mean better. A Realtor® who’s dabbled in real estate on and off for years can claim to have “15 years of experience” and still know less about the business than someone who has been wholly absorbed in it for only a year.
The importance of experience should not be judged by time but by quantity and quality of knowledge. For example, a Realtor® who has been in the business for 20 years may not possess the proper tools to aggressively use the internet as an effective marketing tool. We all know how difficult change can be so it stands to reason that in an industry where change is constant, the Realtors® with more time on the job may not be in tune with the new techniques and tools that are so vital in selling a home in this day and age.
Therefore, a Realtor’s® level of experience should not be based on number of years but on quantity and quality of knowledge. Your goals will be better served by someone who is up on the latest trends, is current on laws and procedures and who is still sharp with the details whether they’ve been in the business for 10 years or 2 months.
Should I select a Realtor because they are #1 in the area or sell hundreds of homes every year?
A high volume Realtor® won’t have the same amount of time to devote to you as they should. Some agents take on more listings than they could possibly handle while also providing great service. In some instances, they may also be part of a team and you could end up dealing with several different agents, not knowing if everybody is always on the same page with respect to your personal conversations. Simply put, you need to make sure that the agent you choose has the ability to give you great one on one service and that you don’t get lost in the mix. The only person who should be number one is you!
