Buying and selling a home are two sides of the same process. While the end goal is the same-the transfer of ownership from one person to another-the process does look a little different depending on what side you are on. As a seller, your experience starts when you meet with your Realtor ® at a listing appointment. It is important to know what to expect in this meeting so that you can ensure that you are working with a Realtor® that is best for you! Here are things sellers should expect to talk about during a listing appointment.
A Realtor® who is on time and prepared
A professional Realtor® does homework. An agent should come into your home with basic knowledge about it such as the square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and ect. They should already have a list of similar homes to yours that are on the market or have just sold. In order to be prepared, your Realtor ® may have already asked you additional questions about your home before this meeting too.
A walk through of the home
The information about your home that your Realtor® can access isn’t always up to date. Sometimes home improvements like the finishing of a basement or a remodel of the kitchen are not immediately reflected in tax records. A walk through of the home helps the real estate agent gauge the value of the improvements done to the home. The walk through also helps the Realtor® better understand the condition of the home. Your Realtor® will also take note about any unique features of the home that could be highlighted in a listing.
A discussion of home value
During the listing appointment, your Realtor® will explain to you how a listing price for your home is determined. This includes looking at similar comparable homes that are on the market in Locust Grove or your area and ones that have been recently sold. Other factors like the condition of your home, any upgrades, and your timeline will factor into the price your Realtor® suggests.
A discussion of your Realtor® ‘s marketing plan
Your Realtor® should share a plan for how the home is going to be marketed. Social media, photography, house listing websites, postcards, the MLS, and more are all part of marketing a home.
A discussion of any challenges
Every home has it pros and cons. Sometimes a unique floor plan, being close to a major highway, or the condition of the home can make selling a property more challenging. Your Realtor ® should talk to you about any of the challenges they see in the property and how it could impact the home on the market. Talking about these challenges doesn’t mean your Realtor ® isn’t capable of selling your home, your Realtor ® just wants everyone to have clarity about the home selling process.
An overview of the home selling process
If you are a first time seller or if it has been awhile since you have sold, then ask your Realtor® for a brief outline of the timeline for selling your home from the time you list to when you close. The timeline may differ depending on marketing conditions and your goals for selling the home.
Provide suggestions for improving a home’s appeal
The way homes are staged for selling isn’t always the way we live in them. In order to make your home most appealing to the largest group of buyers, your Realtor ® may make suggestions such as simplifying the furniture in a room, painting a wall, or cleaning carpets.
Questions and Answers
Your Realtor ® should ask you if you have any questions and answer them as thoroughly as possible.
Discussing all of these things during a listing appointment might indicate that you’ve found a great Realtor® to sell your home!
