The Virtues of Using a Realtor

The Virtues of using a Realtor

Many people are faced with the prospect of buying or selling a home at some point in their lives.  Often, this occurs more than once.  Home ownership presents tremendous opportunities and represents the culmination of the American dream.  The magnitude of this endeavor, in the purchase or sale of your most important asset, should never be taken lightly. 

It intrigues me therefore that the majority of people will seek out the best doctors for health issues, dentists for superior oral care, and even search long and hard to find the best quality mechanics for automobile repair. 

When it comes to making an informed decision about the purchase or sale of a person’s most important and expensive asset, there are people who are of the opinion that thinking of a price, planting a “For Sale by Owner” sign in the front yard, and paying a few dollars to put their home on some website is the absolute best approach to selling their home.  

For many it is inevitable that after several weeks of frustration and dealing with people simply looking out of curiosity, the home usually ends up in the capable hands of a professional realtor.

There is no disagreement that people realize the importance and value of their homes, and that they have the best of intentions in their pursuits.  Unless these homeowners are actually licensed professionals, required to remain apprised of the latest issues and laws regarding real estate transactions, the old adage “Pennywise and pound foolish” often rings true.   

The benefits of working with, or consulting a realtor, range from financial and legal, to those of personal security.  The financial benefits are that studies have shown by using a realtor a home usually sells for ten percent (10%) more and in a shorter amount of time than one sold directly by the owner.  The realtor also insures the completion of all forms required by law when involved in the sale of a residential or commercial property.   These forms are required for the protection of both the buyer and seller.  Realtors are experienced in providing current sales figures pertaining to relevant comparable homes in the immediate area, thus allowing sellers to make a more informed appraisal on the value of their home for sales purposes.   Realtors follow market trends and offer advice to sellers (Ask an Expert), allowing them to capitalize on these trends in real estate.

If the financial and legal benefits enough do not justify the use of a realtor, then we can address personal safety.  How often would you actually open up your home with your personal effects, to a complete stranger, and allow them to walk about for up to an hour, without any question about whether they are really interested or qualified to actually purchase your home?  Without a licensed agent allowing carefully screened, pre-qualified, interested parties into the home, at pre-arranged and confirmed times, homeowners run the risk of allowing the simply curious, potential thieves or unqualified people into their homes.  A perfect example of this is the current wave of individuals entering homes under the guise of “house hunting” only to rifle the medicine cabinets of unsuspecting victims in a search for pharmaceutical drugs. 

  
Realtors observe the same level of protection, loyalty and confidentiality to both sellers and buyers.  Their presence in accompanying potential buyers on home showings reflects their commitment to protecting buyers’ interests on offers, home inspections, pointing out home deficiencies and potential problems and working towards achieving the best financial deal for their clients.   Realtors work towards a mutually beneficial resolution for both sellers and buyers.  As long as they are primarily concerned with the interests of their clients, whether seller or buyer, you will find the benefits of working with realtors to be immeasurable.       

 

LOOKING AT PRETTY PICTURES

When viewing Online home listings, where do potential home buyers spend 60% of their time?

The answer is professional photography

There’s a fundamental shift happening in the real estate industry (and the web in general) and professional photos are playing a key part in the success of many businesses. 

Moreover, with the rise of social networks such as Instagram and Pinterest, there is further proof that consumers demand a visually appealing online presence. 

 

 I do find it very entertaining to see the kind of photos used by agents and homeowners in the sale of their property.

 

 

Here is our one chance to make a first impression and in effect say to the buying public, "Hey everyone, this could be your life, come on over".  I often ask myself, what kind of life might I have if these photos were of my house?  

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 Some things to keep in mind:

Composition– wide angle lenses

offer the best solution –

 large swaths of a room, not just a

corner or one sliver of the room.

 

  Junk on counter tops

 

  and refrigerators cluttered

  

  with magnets

 

 

 

      

The Finer Details: 

 

Open Toilets   

 

 

Not appealing! 

 

 

 

  

   For crying out loud!

 
  Make the Bed!

Items that might offend… you just would not believe the things people display in their homes.  Put them away and items like hunting trophy animal heads and the like might limit the audience for the home by alienating some.

  

 

 

In your mind’s eye, consider your trips to Model Homes when you 

 think of composing your photos.

  Limit the number of items on any level surface to two.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Furniture should be paired down to allow rooms to appear spacious. 

 

 

 

 

All available lighting should be on. Well lit rooms look larger and more inviting. Dark rooms appear smaller, closed in and significantly less cheery.

 

 

 

 

Specific points of interest make for good subject material.

 

 

 

 

Don’t give them too much.  If you tell them everything up front, you may not leave anything to draw the buyer to the property.

Today’s more robust websites allow as many as 20 or more photos. 
  

Pick the best 10 or 20 images of the home so you can effectively capture the best your home can be!