Talking About the Home Selling Process

Janet Beane, 2018 President, Lorain County Association of Realtors®

Janet Beane 2018 LoCAR President

REALTORS® help navigate the complex home selling process and have the experience to effectively prepare, position and price a home for sale.

In a competitive market, sellers need every advantage they can get, and working with a REALTOR® is a smart move.

REALTORS® have invaluable insights into what sells a home. They are armed with up-to-date, comprehensive, and accurate data, and a unique understanding of local markets, home features and buyer preferences.

Sellers should look for a REALTOR® who is familiar with their community. These professionals know the pricing strategies, buyer preferences and marketing approaches that will achieve the best results.

Most people know that using a REALTOR® is a smart selling decision. Consumers rely on a REALTOR®’s expertise to help price their home competitively, find the right buyer and successfully navigate the closing.

For example, a key part of the marketing plan is setting the list price. If a home is priced too low, you won't benefit from the optimal profit. If a home is priced too high, potential buyers may be scared away. To determine the best asking price review the cost of recently sold homes, evaluate the competition and study marketplace trends. REALTORS® are trained to use this information to help you reach the right asking price. It is also helpful to discuss other terms and conditions, such as timing and items that can be included with the sale of the home. Both of these can make your home more attractive to potential buyers.

Have you heard the term ‘staging’? Staging can help sell a home more quickly and for more money. Many REALTORS® provide professional staging assistance themselves or can offer recommendations as part of their services.

The 2015 Profile of Home Staging shows that nearly half of REALTORS® who work with buyers believe staging has an effect on the buyer’s view of the home.

Sellers should prepare their home for sale with an eye toward what appeals to today’s buyers. Enhancing curb appeal, showcasing areas like kitchens and bathrooms, and making sure the home is well-maintained and free of clutter will attract more buyers and can improve value.

Today’s sellers have a lot of choices when it comes to REALTOR® representation, whether full-service or limited service. Make sure that expectations regarding level of service, communication and representation are agreed upon before selecting a REALTOR®, a member of the Lorain County Association of REALTORS®. Members of the Lorain County Association of REALTORS® care about the community in which they live, work and support.

The Lorain County Association of REALTORS® is one of more than 1,200 local boards and associations of REALTORS® nationwide that comprise the National Association of REALTORS®. The National Association of REALTORS®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing more than one million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

The Lorain County Association of REALTORS® offers a website that provides a complete listing of REALTOR® real estate brokerages in Lorain County, contact information for REALTOR® members, and industry associates. If you are a first time homebuyer or a repeat buyer consider www.MyNewCommunity.net or www.LoCAR.org as a good source for Lorain County REALTOR® information.

REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark which may be used only by real estate professionals who are members of the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribe to its strict Code of Ethics. Not all real estate sales agents are REALTORS®. All REALTORS® are members of NAR along with their State and Local Associations.