Selecting a Broker to Sell Your Home

There is a great difference in the quality and experience of agents in the marketplace. The realtor population has an attrition (turn-over) rate of over 80% every two years. If someone survives two years in the business, it is a good start EXCEPT during the past 3-5 years the agent population has increased two and a half times. Simply stated the average agent in the business today is new to the business. Most of them have never experienced a “Buyer’s” market. For the past five years they have been order takers in a marketplace where multiple offers were common-place.

As market conditions change and become more normal, a large number of these agents will, unfortunately, fail in the business as our industry statistics indicate. What does this mean to you, as a seller? It means, more than ever, that you must interview more than one agent, really examine their qualifications and look for experience, track records, marketing plans and testimonials (recommendations) from many of their past clients.

The following is a list of “qualifiers” for anyone you may interview to hire.

AGENT is experienced and successful and has been practicing for at least 10 years.

AGENT invests annually in professional training/coaching/continuing education.

AGENT belongs to, and is active in, local, state and national real estate associations

AGENT is a “real” Top Producer in his/her local real estate association.

AGENT has a very high career sales volume.

AGENT consistently works and volunteers in your area/neighborhood.

AGENT sells a lot of homes every month in your home’s price range.

AGENT sells a large number of homes every year.

AGENT currently has active listings.

AGENT provides a step-by-step marketing plan of what to expect once you list.

AGENT is a marketing specialist.

AGENT has a large database of active buyers.

AGENT creates professional flyers regarding your home that are quickly made available

            to the public.

AGENT belongs to referral networks to attract out-of-area and out-of-state buyers

AGENT is technologically savvy.

AGENT is E-certified.

AGENT offers virtual tours and extensive digital photography.

AGENT responds promptly to e-mail inquiries.

AGENT actively uses e-mail campaigns to generate leads for your home.

AGENT utilizes a computerized follow-up system to track buyers.

AGENT provides an intranet for you to track the progress of your transaction.

AGENT has a website that is fully interactive with local MLS.

AGENT has a superior team.

AGENT employs a transaction coordinator.

AGENT employs an office coordinator.

AGENT employs a buyer’s agent.

AGENT provides extended telephone and office hours, if needed, so that potential

            buyers are never missed.

AGENT answers phones live or returns calls within 10-15 minutes.

AGENT has a communication system in place to keep you informed and up-to-date.

AGENT has a Great Track Record.

AGENT negotiates average final sales price over 99% of the asking price.

AGENT sells “Listed” homes in faster time than the Board of Realtor’s average time

            frame.

AGENT provides you with 5 or more testimonials from RECENT past clients.

AGENT provides you with his/her resume.

AGENT provides an easy exit agreement if you are not fully satisfied.

If you have found this report helpful, but would like a much more in-depth report that explains in detail why each of these things is important, we would be happy to share that report with you. It may be the single most important report you could ever read on “Selecting a Broker”. This option will be available 1-23-06.

Because of the highly proprietary nature of the information provided and the extensive amount of time required to prepare the report, and because it is copy written, it will be necessary to ask you for slightly more personal information than for our other free reports.

We respect your right to privacy and will not share your information with anyone. It is only for our use to insure that the report only gets into the hands of sellers and buyers who are very serious about the importance of selecting the right broker.

As an added benefit for those of you who feel comfortable in sharing the information requested, we will provide you with our AGENT Checklist. As you interview agents, you can check off their qualifications. It will become clear very quickly during the interview process which agents are qualified and which agents are not. This checklist will save you from wasting time with unqualified agents and be a safeguard to reducing your risk of a lawsuit during or after the sale process. In addition, it will probably earn you money, as experienced agents usually are better negotiators and net you more dollars.