3.1 Things You Should Do When Choosing a Realtor!

I would like to start by saying I am a big advocate of always using a Realtor when it comes to buying and selling Real Estate. I would not recommend you go “FSBO” (For Sale by Owner) on me, because you might be doing yourself a huge disservice, if you do. Realtors have a wealth of knowledge and expertise that unless you hire them, you won’t have access to and benefit from.  With that said however, like with any profession, not all Realtors are created equal.

For example, in my trade – which is Real Estate Staging - I have seen some staging jobs out and about that I don’t care for; they are poorly done, out of scale and on the cheap side.

On the other hand, I have also had the opportunity to experience firsthand and get to know in person some wonderful professional Stagers in the area who over time and because of their superb Staging jobs and expertise, have gained my professional and personal respect.

When deciding to put your house on the market - so that you can get the most out of your sale - there are certain things that I highly recommend that you do when choosing your Realtor.

Your "Choosing a Realtor" To-Do List:

1.    Don’t just go with that one Realtor someone at the office or at your child’s school recommended to you. Drive around the neighborhood and see whose name you see consistently on those “For sale” or “Just Sold” signs.  Interview at least three of them. Find out what sets them apart from the rest of the Realtors in your area.  As the saying goes, past performance is a great indicator of future results.

2. What is their Distinguishing Client Benefit and what is their Competitive Marketing Advantage; what will they do for you that will help YOU sell your house Fast and for Top Dollar. Ask them, how will they Market your property, to whom will they market it.

Selling a home is not just about sticking a sign in the front yard (I have seen this happen many a times) and for sure selling a home is NOT going to be achieved by posting ugly pictures on the MLS (I see this happen more than I care to), that they might take with their I-phone or Android. This is totally unacceptable in my opinion.

And as a Seller if you agree to this, just know, you are doing nothing but selling the house down the road, that Design by KETI or one of the  other Professional Stagers - that I highly regard - Staged  and a Professional Photographer photographed it.

Before & After Home Staging Photos

Check out some pictures I have seen on the MLS and compare it to some of the pictures from the properties that Design by KETI Staged.

Being that 96% of the potential buyers resort to the internet and on-line representation before they decide which house they want to tour, which one do you think they will be more inclined to go see?

The one represented by the ugly MLS pictures or the one that is Professionally Staged and Professionally photographed?

Picture of Kitchen in MLS

Picture of Kitchen in MLS, Staged by Design by KETI and Professionally Photographed

Picture of Dining in MLS

Picture of Dining in MLS, Staged by Design by KETI and Professionally Photographed!

Picture of Bedroom in MLS

Picture of Bedroom in MLS, Staged by Design by KETI and Professionally Photographed

3.    When choosing your Realtor, ask what is their average DOM (Days on Market). The lower their DOM, the better.  If I find out a Realtor’s DOM is 175  (that means it has taken them on average 175 days to sell a home) and the other Realtor’s DOM is 23, then for sure I will go with the one whose DOM (Days on Market) average is 23.

On the other hand, if they tell you, they don’t know what their DOM is or that they have not tracked it, than count that response as a Red Flag.

3.1.     And Last but not Least. Always, always Stage and De-personalize your home (Staging is nothing but packaging and merchandising your home). You see, when you decide to sell your home, it becomes a product – it turns into a house - therefore it needs to be “merchandised” so it appeals to the broad buyer, and Always Always, insist on professional photography.

If your potential Realtor does not want to pay $130 or so in professional photography for you, to ensure superb representation on the internet, than that Realtor does not deserve to get paid $3,000 to $5,000 - or whatever it might be - in commission from the sale of your home, in my opinion.

What's yours?

Cheers,

Keti