Are agents really worth that 6% commission? After all, many home sellers complain about having to pay a commission that can take a big bite out of the sale price. But are those complaints justified? In most cases . . . no. A good agent is actually usually worth much more than she charges in commissions. So let’s see what those commissions really buy you when selling your house in Snohomish County.
Proper Pricing
They say that pricing correctly is the best marketing tool for selling your house. It certainly can be if you price in line with fair market value and competitively, which an agent helps you do. In fact, some in the real estate industry go so far to say that [p]ricinga home properly is bar none the most important thing” agents do for sellers.
These same experts o on to say: “Understanding how to price a home is one of an agent’s most valuable skills. Smart sellers should be looking for agents who sell homes for close to the original listing price. The best real estate agents have a reputation for pricing homes accurately and not telling a seller what they want to hear to get a listing.”
And pricing correctly takes a good amount of “training, understanding of the market, and [understanding of] comparable sales” on the agent’s part. So when you buy pricing skill with the commission when selling your house in Snohomish County, you’re definitely getting a value.
Effective Marketing
Effective, aggressive, wide-reaching marketing is another important thing those commissions really buy you when selling your house in Snohomish County. For if nobody knows about your house for sale, you won’t get any offers.
And, today, real estate marketing means primarily online marketing. “The internet will be where home buyers discover your home. . . . Your [agent will be] versed on how to get the word out using all available marketing channels, not just the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Ideally, your [agent] should have a website that draws traffic and showcases all their properties for sale.” Your agent will also leverage all her social media channels to cast an even wider marketing net – for example, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
That is what those commissions are buying you when selling your house in Snohomish County.
Vetting Buyers
After your agent has priced your home correctly and marketed it effectively, you’ll begin to get offers. But you can’t just accept any offer or even the highest offer. Some buyers, even though they make an offer, aren’t qualified or serious.
That’s another thing your agent will help you with – making sure buyers/bidders have been pre-qualified and can actually get the necessary financing. Otherwise, you may be wasting your time with mere tire kickers.
Negotiating the Best Deal
Negotiations – that’s where your agent really earns her keep. Negotiating the best deal and the best terms is a skill that requires experience, knowledge, and a good helping of natural talent.
“The best agents will go out of their way to fight hard for the best terms and conditions for their clients. This, after all, is what they are paid to do. A great real estate agent will never think about their pocketbook but what makes the most sense for their client.” If you’ve ever wondered whether paying the agent’s commission was worth it for selling your Snohomish County house, your agent’s negotiating expertise should be the answer.
Attending Inspections and Appraisals
Your agent will also be present at inspections and appraisals when you can’t or don’t want to. It’s not required, but it’s still a good idea for the seller or her representative to be present during these important happenings.
During inspections, your agent “can keep track of everything that is said and keep things in perspective should the buyer ask for concessions based on the inspection. Some requests may be reasonable. Others may not. When a sellers agent is there and can see everything in person, they can protect a seller from unreasonable requests.”
It’s important for your agent to attend the appraisal to “answer the questions the appraiser has and make sure they understand the facts about the home. Appraisers may need feedback from someone who knows the house to do their job. Your agent should be there to help clarify any confusion. In many instances, your [agent] will be the best qualified to answer an appraiser’s questions.”
Smoothing Closing
Finally, when selling your house in Snohomish County, those commissions are buying you some peace of mind during that final, anxiety-inducing event called closing. Your agent will tie up all the loose ends and help you navigate the whole process. There’s a lot to take care of right before closing and a host of confusing legal technicalities during closing. So why not make it easier on yourself by using a good local real estate agent?