Margaret Hickman, REALTOR®, ABR®, SRS

Does is really matter which Realtor I use to list my home? Don't they all just stick a sign in the yard, put the listing in the MLS, and wait for it to sell?

If you are about to sell your home, a little research is in order:

1) Ask your family and friends which Realtor sold a house to them or for them in the past, whether they would go back to him/her again, and why.

2) Interview more than one agent. Which agent takes the time to get to know a little bit about you? Which agent offers suggestions on what you can do to prepare for showings? Which agent makes you feel comfortable? Which agent offers the most comprehensive written marketing plan? It is important that any plan includes extensive internet marketing, as statistics show at least 84% of buyers today shop the internet first before calling an agent. Estimates range as high as 90%.

3) If two agents appear equally qualified, ask around town. What is the reputation of each among their peers?

Don't fall for the pundit, "any agent can sell the house." While that is true, you want more from YOUR agent in terms of marketing the home than just waiting for someone else to sell it.

When you find the agent with the most comprehensive written marketing plan, understand that all that advertising costs money. Don't haggle over commission. If you want a lower commission, chances are you may lose some service. You don't bargain with your doctor over price, do you? You want the best treatment money can buy. Well, you want the best real estate services to help you sell your home faster and closer to list price.

Follow up on those promises after the listing. Check out those web sites! Make sure your home is portrayed in the best light. Are the pictures good? Is there a virtual tour? Is the description accurate. You know your home better than anyone else. Don't nitpick over minor details, but be sure the major features are addressed.

Your home is one of your largest investments. Be diligent in your selection of a Realtor. You'll be glad you did.

Happy Selling!!!

When I first joined the Active Rain Community, I wrote a blog entry concerning avoiding foreclosure. This topic has never been more timely than now.

If you are a seller and it is becoming increasingly difficult if not impossible for you to pay your mortgage, call your REALTOR®! It is not time for you to be trying to sell alone. You cannot market to the extent your REALTOR® can.

In our central Louisiana marketplace, I recently watched two houses go into foreclosure after owners trying to sell themselves. One was a lower priced rural home. I did not see it until days before it went into foreclosure. The other was an upscale home in an elite neighborhood. It was previously listed by one of the smaller companies in town, but did not sell. So, the homeowners registered with one of the for sale by owner web sites, stuck a sign in the yard and at the entrance to the neighborhood, and thought they were on the market! I contacted them several times, introduced my marketing plan to them via mail, and tried to get the listing. All to no avail. Now, they've lost their dream house and have nothing to show for it.

Home owners, please listen to me! Your REALTOR® has access to other agents, and through them to their clients. There are multiple well-known web sites available for marketing your home internationally, nationally, and locally. The internet is where more than 84% of buyers shop for their homes BEFORE contacting an agent. You must be well-positioned there where your home can be found.

Most buyers do not want the seller present during showings. It makes them uncomfortable. They much prefer to tour your home with their REALTOR®. Listing your home makes this possible, and places your home on the market whether you are there or not.

Take your REALTOR® into your confidence. He/she cannot ethically reveal what you tell them as to your financial circumstances without your permission. However, it helps them set a more realistic price that will enhance the likelihood of your selling quickly.

Your REALTOR® also has access to mortgage lenders who can provide the latest information to help with a short sale, a refinance, etc.

This is not the time to go it alone! You are setting yourself up for devastating failure when time is of the essence. At least, if the home does not sell then, you know you've given it your best effort.

Grant Parish is a small, mostly rural parish located in the center of Louisiana, north of Rapides Parish. Kisatchie National Forest occupies a large amount of land, and the federal government allows hunting (with appropriate license, of course). Iatt and Nantachie Lakes offer good fishing most of the time. Stuart Lake is good for swimming and camping. The school system is stable, and the teachers are good. They could make more in other parishes, but choose to be in Grant.

Combine the rural setting with a convenient drive to Alexandria or Pineville for larger shops, and you have an ideal environment to relax and enjoy quality family time. Churches of most denominations abound. Sports are important in the schools and out. The people of Grant Parish care about their neighbors and where a need exists, they seek to meet it.

Moving to central Louisiana? Want some acreage? Don't overlook lovely Grant Parish! If you need a REALTOR®, I'm a Grant Parish native. I'd love to show you around and help you find a place.

I hope everyone had a great start to 2008. It seems our market activity is beginning to increase a little earlier than usual this year. We have people relocating both to the area and within the area, people who are tired of paying rent buying their first homes, and people trading up. I'm eagerly anticipating the year's activity.

Bond money is available for first-time home buyers. If you are a first-time home buyer or haven't owned a home in the past three years, give me a call. I'll give you names of several lenders, and let you select the best program for your needs. That lender will pre-approve you or tell you what you need to do to become pre-approved, give you a pre-approval letter, and we'll be out shopping for your house before you know it. Pre-approval is usually not a long process.

Sellers, we are still in a buyer's market, and buyers are beginning to realize this more than ever. So, if you plan to sell your home in the near future, don't insist on pricing it unrealistically. Ask for a market analysis, and let that dictate your price. As one of my industry publication articles so succinctly put it, you either price it to sell, or you price it to own!

In addition, don't insist on leaving outdated colors thinking you can give an allowance for painting. In this market, buyers want move-in ready. Many can't see beyond the present into what a room could be after they make it specific to their tastes. So, go ahead and neutralize those paint colors, clean that carpet, redo those hardwood floors, declutter your house AND yard, and spruce up your curb appeal!

Buyers are out there! As the weather begins to warm and the tax refunds come in, expect more activity.

Don't miss out! Get that house listed now, and listen to your REALTOR®. You'll be glad you did.