15 Suggestions, To Help You Find The Best Agent To Get Your Home "SOLD!"

How Do "You" Find An Agent?

Most people ask for recommendations, some of the most successful agents get that way because of referrals. Start by asking your friends, and neighbors, co-workers, family, community members "who they have used in the past", and how successful their experiences were. But you should also check their suggestions through the Internet. Do those agents have a web presence? Do they as agents have their own website? Do they contribute locally with a Blog?.

"Word of mouth" advertising is great! But, that only works, if the agent has a large circle of friends or a large buyer pool. You need more than the average or good agent may have. You need a well connected, and networked agent. One that is well known locally, because Real Estate is Local! But you also need an agent that is connected to other agents locally, in different Counties across the State, and Nationally! These networked agents present the best potential for bringing buyers to your home!, and getting it "Sold".

Try visiting Open Houses in your Neighborhood
Open houses are an excellent scouting place for home owners looking for an agent to represent them, in the sale of their home, you can begin to interview an agent. Take notes on how well the agent is promoting the homes features. Is the agent knowledgeable about the school districts, property taxes, crime rates, neighborhood amenities, competing homes, public transportation, and recent sales? This is when you can begin to ask about what experience the agent has in the local market.

Notice 'For Sale' Signs in Your Community
You want an agent that is active in your neighborhood, or immediate area. Find an agent who sells homes quickly in your market (although they may not have an active listing in that area at the time) versus one who has several homes on the market for extended periods of time. Agents who market several homes which do not sell for several months are known as strict ? listers? They take listing on homes with the hope that other agents will sell them, or they "Buy the Listings" (Offer to list the home for more than the prepared CMA will justify, or to comply with the seller!)

Search "Online" for Top Agents
Don't refer to those directories, which list agents for a fee. Find individual profiles on some of the busiest and best agents in your local market. Seek out agents who have multiple transactions under their belts and start a list of agents you want to interview. Before you check the weekend paper for agents who advertise many homes in your community, as they might be top producers in your market. Check to see if they have a website, Do they have an Internet presence?( as stated earlier) ***Over 80% of buyers are searching the Internet first to find their next home.***

You want to "Work With" the most Networked and Connected agent in the community, so begin with some basic questions.

• How many active Listings will the agent service at one time?
• Does the agent work Full Time?
• Does the agent have a personal assistant?
• Does the agent have office support if needed?
• What are the agents "number of listings closed" and "buying sides closed", per year, over the past few years?
• How many "Days on the market" for those listings?
• Does he or she represent more buyers or sellers?
• What is the agent's average time frame to sell a home in the current market, since today's market is much different than that prior to late 2007 or mid 2008?
• Will all prospective buyers, be accompanied on showings, by the agent?
• Will buyers be pre-approved before viewing the home?
• What are the agent's, guarantees, do they offer or have any?
• If you the seller are dissatisfied with the service can you get out of the listing contract with no penalty or cost?
• What resources will the agent use to market your home-newspaper, mailing, MLS, Internet- If so where can I see my home's listings, and ask for all sites! It will appear on, etc.?
• Ask the agent you select: How long will it take to have pictures of my home visible on the Internet? And who will take the pictures? Will the agent utilize a service to ensure quality pictures depict the best portrayal of the home? ( It's a fact!) 1) Homes with multiple pictures sell quicker! 2) Homes get their Maximum exposure and most viewing within the first 15 days! So if your agent doesn't have pictures viewable immediately (within 24 hours), you are already losing potential buyers. And if they aren't on the MLS system immediately you are losing other agents interest, and they will move on to other properties.
• What guidance will the agent provide once you have an offer?

Do Your Due Diligence! Use the Internet to Find "Your Agent" Since That Is Where Over 80% of Buyers are Looking! Pretend You are a Buyer?

If Buyer's are searching for homes on the Internet first! Don't you think, that would be a great place to find your agent? After all, if the buyer's can't find your home, then there is something wrong with the agent you've chosen.

In today's Real Estate market, you want your agent to be found! They say "Real Estate is Local" and it is. That's why some communities, are affected more than others, by the National or Regional Economy. Consequently you need an agent with massive Internet presence to help market your home to the greatest potential pool of buyers.

Today's Real Estate Market is unlike any before! Agents have to be technologically advanced to have an advantage over their competition. They have tools available to them now, that far surpasses the old MLS book, they used to carry around with them. Now agents should have a Laptop computer, cell phone with internet connectivity, applications on their cell phones to see real time Real Estate listings, websites, Blogs, Social Networking connections, Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and a myriad of other applications, all in the aid of their client's and themselves.

For more of my thoughts on Real Estate, or to learn more from the "Local Expert" about Columbus Indiana, and it's Real Estate Market, please visit my websites, or just call me Martin Dorgan (812) 603-1368- MartinSellsColumbus, "Martin Markets To Millions! And Sells For You!"

Http://www.ColumbusAreaHomesForSale.com Http://www.MartinSellsColumbus.com Http://www.TiptonLakesHomesForSale.com

You will also want to sign up for some of my Free Subscriptions!:

Selling Your Home as " For Sale By Owner" (FSBO)

Requirements For a Short Sale Package?

What You Need To Know When Buying a HUD Home?

Five Essentials for First Time Home Buyers

Martin Dorgan
Coldwell Banker
South Central Realty
1015 Third Street
Columbus Indiana, 47201
Office: 812-378-3331 ext.122
Cell: 812-603-1368
Website: http://www.columbusareahomesforsale.com
Active Rain Blog: http://activerain.com/blogs/martindorgan
XING Network: http://www.xing.com/go/invita/11704402
Spectacular Results! That's what you want! That's what you deserve! That's what you really want, Right?

You want to find the home that's right for you-at the right price. You want to find a home by negotiating the best price, with the least hassle...And You Want Someone Who Can Get The Job Done Right!

Well You've Come To The Right Place!

You want Martin Dorgan as Your Realtor!

Dog World DayCare Benefits Columbus Home Sellers!

Columbus Indiana Home Seller's that have dogs as pets, let me show you how to increase the potential of selling your home quicker! When your home is scheduled for a showing, take your pets/dogs to "Dog World Daycare & Behavior Center! When there are No Distractions! ie/ your pet dog barking! You have just increased the potential to have your home "Sold" Why you ask? Because its difficult enough to show the value of your home and have conversations with prospective clients/buyers if they can't hear each other without trying to talk over a dog barking! And its not his/her fault, animals are inherent protectors of their territory.

Most Realtors will list homes with full intentions of trying to sell to prospective buyers that they bring to show the house, or through other agents that have matched your home, to the search criteria of their buyers.

But every once in a while, we as agents hear of an experience involving pets and home owners, and agents not acting professional or responsibly, meaning - the agent that listed the home didn't leave a comment about the home having pets or dogs on the premises within the "Remarks" section of their MLS listing. As a result something happens, a colleague from Flushing, NY. just experienced a "Murphy's Law" scenario while trying to show her perspective buyer's a listing. It's actually a funny story in some ways, but I would have arranged to have left her kids with a sitter! But then the story would lose one of it's main characters!. You can read the full story at http://activerain.com/blogsview/1464266/murphy-s-law-can-be-a-real-b-sometimes-got-pets-put-the-pets-in-the-remarks-section-seriously-

Columbus Indiana is a great city, and we have many happy home owners sharing their lives, their homes, with loved and cherished "Man's Best Friend" their faith-full dog, I myself have two "Chloe & Cowboy" two beautiful purebred Boxers.

In an effort to Help my seller's, I always suggest, they try to take their dog for a long walk, when a showing is scheduled. But there will always be times when a walk isn't possible, maybe because of prior commitments or the owner's are at work? But the scenario must be dealt with, which means I suggest crating the pet, and preferably setting the crate in the garage if there is one. If there's no garage then the basement is my next suggestion, preferably in a utility room, and behind a door that can be closed with a small note attached to the door Warning/Advising prospective Agents and their buyer's of the crated dog within the room.

If those alternatives aren't available perhaps the pets could be tied up outside or in a kennel, neither of which I really like. But now, Columbus Indiana residents and their pet dogs have an alternative! "Dog World DayCare and Behavior Center" is open, and available.

Dog World Daycare and Behavior Center is a high quality, cage free, afford-ably priced facility for dogs. It is locally owned and operated by Nick and Julie Woolls. Nick is a certified dog obedience trainer. I've visited and utilized Dog World DayCare, I know my two Boxers just loved the time there, and I highly recommend it to my clients! As Co-Chairman of the Columbus Indiana Dog Park Association, I know most of our board members have also enjoyed taking their dogs, as well. For "Home Seller's, that have their home listed, it should be a simple remedy to leaving their pets/dogs at home during a showing, Just take them to Dog World Daycare, their fees are very reasonable, and their hours are great. I hope to see you there!

Martin Dorgan
Coldwell Banker
South Central Realty
1015 Third Street
Columbus Indiana, 47201
Office: 812-378-3331 ext.122
Cell: 812-603-1368
Website: http://www.columbusareahomesforsale.com
Active Rain Blog: http://activerain.com/blogs/martindorgan
XING Network: http://www.xing.com/go/invita/11704402
Spectacular Results! That's what you want! That's what you deserve! That's what you really want, Right?

You want to find the home that's right for you-at the right price. You want to find a home by negotiating the best price, with the least hassle...And You Want Someone Who Can Get The Job Done Right!

Well You've Come To The Right Place!

You want Martin Dorgan as Your Realtor!

Barely a year ago the real estate industry was stunned when Canadian-based Brookfield Residential Property Services (Brookfield RPS), a division of Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (Brookfield), and owner of Royal LePage, the largest Canadian residential real estate company, acquired GMAC Real Estate. With the departure of CEO John Bearden and a pending name change imminent, many labeled the GMAC franchise as yesterday’s news.

What a difference a year has made.

Announcing their second large acquisition today, Brookfield RPS has now also the owner of Real Living Network Services, a subsidiary of Real Living Inc. Combining the two companies creates one of America’s leading residential real estate franchises with more than $20 billion in annual home sales and an estimated 30,000 agents.

Although that in its own is huge news (and the largest real estate brokerage acquisition of the year) it is the merging of the two and the rebranding of the whole as Real Living that is electrifying.

The reason is that Ohio-based Real Living is a national award-winning real estate brand known for its innovation, customer service and a culture of partnership and collaboration within its network. Last year I even named Real Living as the “Most Promising New National Brand” in my Swanepoel TRENDS Reportwhile Entrepreneur Magazine listed them as one of the Top 50 New Franchises.

Yesterday’s news has turned into tomorrow’s future. Exciting times for newly appointed President Harley E. Rouda, Jr.

For more information visit anyone of the three companies mentioned www.brookfieldrps.com |

If I were writing for our Columbus newspaper "The Republic", or for the "Seymour Tribune". the headline would read "Market Plummets!" If I were writing for the Wall Street Journal, I would write, "The Market Signal is Buy!, Buy!, Buy!!!", But since I'm a Realtor , and Real Estate Professional in South Central Indiana, my hedline is:

Real Estate Market Shows Great Promise and Opportunity

Based on the following premises:

1. Housing in Indiana's South Central area is Affordable

2. Interest rates are the Best in Years!

3. Residential Lenders Have Money and Want to Lend IT!

4. Good Selection of Housing Inventory

5. Excellent Time for 1st Time Buyers

6. Great Time for Move-Up Buyers

7. Great Opportunities for Investors

8. Most Sellers are Realistic in their Expectations

9. More Qualified Buyers are on the Horizon

10. 85% of People Still Believe Buying a Home is a Good Financial Decision and Investment

Now is a great time to expect anticipated stability in the overall marketplace with the generally renewed confidence in the Office of the Presidency of the United States; lower gasoline prices, excellent interest rates; increased promise in entrepreneurial activities; and probable upcoming incentive rograms for business as the new Congress convenes.

Now is a great time to stay positive, encourage others to do so, remain steadfast and be grateful for the bounties and gifts you possess. The fate of 2009 will be determined by preception, either positive or not so positive. Please, choose like me, to make this a positive year, filled with anticipation for everyday success in all endeavours.

Just this weekend, I managed to Pend another one of my listings, maintaining my "Eleven Days on Market" goal, which I set for every listing I get. I admit it I've got two other that didn't make the mark; but my average days on market is still Absolutely Wonderfull.

So if you are a FSBO; Have an Expired Listing; or Have Withdrawn your listing; or are a Seller considering listing your property call me, Today! Martin Markets To Millions, And Sells For You!

Visit my website to see How I can Help You! http://www.columbusareahomesforsale.com or http://www.martinsellscolumbus.com

Martin Dorgan
Coldwell Banker
South Central Realty
1015 Third Street
Columbus Indiana, 47201
Office: 812-378-3331 ext.122
Cell: 812-603-1368
Website: http://www.columbusareahomesforsale.com
Active Rain Blog: http://activerain.com/blogs/martindorgan
XING Network: http://www.xing.com/go/invita/11704402

Spectacular Results! That's what you want! That's what you deserve! That's what you really want, Right?

You want to find the home that's right for you-at the right price. You want to find a home by negotiating the best price, with the least hassle...And You Want Someone Who Can Get The Job Done Right!

Well You've Come To The Right Place!

You want Martin Dorgan as Your Realtor!

13 Reasons You Should Consider Relocating to Beautifull Columbus Indiana

• Not only is Columbus an international architectural showplace.
• Columbus is also currently ranked eleventh in the U.S. on the list of safest cities per population. In 2006.
• Columbus won the highly competitive national contest, "America in Bloom." In 2004
• It was named as one of "The Ten Most Playful Towns" by Nick Jr. Family Magazine.
• The July 2005 edition of "GQ Magazine" named Columbus one of the "62 Reasons to Love Your Country."
• Columbus is the headquarters of the engine company, Cummins Inc.

• Why Buy a Home in Central Indiana?

• We have the highest homeownership rate in the nation.
• We boast the nation's most affordable housing market.
• The lack of physical barriers to metro area equates to ample fringe community housing options.
• Central Indiana is not completely built out-there's more land available than in other comparable markets.
• There are a variety of housing products available for a wide range of consumer income levels, from workforce housing to executive housing.
• We offer affordable cost of living.
• Central Indiana residents enjoy great quality of life-comparably low housing costs allows consumers more money to spend on other things that are important to them.

The above information should stimulate your interest in Columbus, IN., and it certainly gives you good reasons to consider moving to Columbus, Indiana. For a real life look at our lovely city, visit my website http://www.columbusareahomesforsale.com where you will find a "Welcome To Columbus" video. It's a great video, with real Columbus residents giving their own commentary, and expressing their own personal opinions.

The "Top Relocation Companies" that entrust their clients to our company know they are working with Professional agents, trained in Relocation, who know the process and will help guide them through the move. We have had the privilege of hearing "You at Coldwell Banker South Central Realty are the best in the business." That is a HUGE compliment as they deal with Real Estate Companies all over the Country.

I understand the stress involved in a move whether it is down the street or cross-country. You can count on me to relieve as much of that stress as possible, I will keep in close contact with you and with your relocation company (if you are using one). Let me know if you would like a relocation package sent your way, it has lots of information for your upcoming move.

Martin Dorgan
Coldwell Banker
South Central Realty
1015 Third Street
Columbus Indiana, 47201
Office: 812-378-3331 ext.122
Cell: 812-603-1368
Website: http://www.columbusareahomesforsale.com
Active Rain Blog: http://activerain.com/blogs/martindorgan
XING Network: http://www.xing.com/go/invita/11704402
Spectacular Results! That's what you want! That's what you deserve! That's what you really want, Right?

You want to find the home that's right for you-at the right price. You want to find a home by negotiating the best price, with the least hassle...And You Want Someone Who Can Get The Job Done Right!

Well You've Come To The Right Place!

You want Martin Dorgan as Your Realtor!