Top 5 Mistakes Sellers Make When Choosing a Realtor

Mistake #1 ~ “My Friend Or Family Member Is In Real Estate.”

Mistake #3 ~ Whoever Has The Lowest Commission Is The One We're Listing With

Haven't you heard the statement "You get what you pay for" ~ By paying a reduced commission, are you getting all the marketing, experience, exposure, and negotiating power that an experienced, well-respected, recognized Realtor can offer you? The cut-rate Agent may offer you little effort to get your house sold and there is less incentive for them to spend money on marketing your house.

Mistake #4 ~ “This Realtor Will Hold Open Houses Every Weekend”

Here on Long Island, Larry and Sheila have sold homes at Open houses, but we do not "prospect" visitors for future business. However, there are many Agents who hold Open Houses only to get new business and new clients, and only hold an Open House for this purpose. In general, only a small percentage of homes are sold as a direct result of an Open House. So, think about what an Agent's intention is who is so willing to do them all the time. Experienced Realtors know not to put all their selling efforts on an Open House and use their time in more effective marketing methods. The most effective marketing is not necessarily directly to the public, but to other agents who are also interested in showing your home.

Mistake #5 ~ “We Only Want To List With The Realtor Who Lives In Our Neighborhood”

This is not a bad idea, but it is not the only reason to list with a Realtor. Knowledge of the local market isn’t only attained by living in the immediate area. Yes, your Realtor should have a good knowledge of the local area, recent and past sales, and the types of homes/condos in the neighborhood, but that can be easily secured through extensive research by an experienced Realtor. Don't let the convenience of where an Agent lives be the main reason for choosing your Agent.