Selling - Steps
You’re ready to sell your property. Your decision is made and won’t change, but will you:
- Prepare a marketing plan?
- Make a list of potential buyers?
- Compare your sale price with market prices?
- Design your advertising campaign?
Probably not. Unless you studied at a real estate school and have lots of spare time, the tasks won’t likely fit into your schedule or skill set. Hire an expert!
Brokers and agents prepare marketing plans, make lists of potential buyers from their notes, contacts and knowledge of the community, compare your desired price with market prices in your region, and prepare an advertising plan. They do so daily and with the professionalism required – buying and selling houses is their business. Your agent or broker will:
- Describe the real estate market in your region.
- Help you set an appropriate price.
- Guide you through the process of making a rapid sale.
- Post your property listing on MLS®, if he or she is a member of a real estate board.
- Propose a promotion strategy and take care of advertising your property.
- Make appointments with potential buyers, manage visits and follow-ups and keep sightseers and bargain hunters at bay.
- Provide you with all written purchase offers and negotiate the best possible conditions on your behalf.
- Assemble all required legal documentation.
- Accompany you at the notary’s office.
In effect, once you sign a brokerage contract with an agent or broker, you hand over all the hassles involved in selling your property.