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Preparing For A Sale – Finding A Qualified Realtor

By Staff | May 27, 2009

Are you looking to sell your home? Choosing the right real estate agent is critical to selling your home quickly and at top dollar. Your REALTOR will keep you abreast of this rapidly changing industry, swings in market conditions, and the availability and demand for property inventory in Lee and Collier counties. How do you find a greet real estate agent?

First, identify at least three licensed real estate agents to interview to list your property. Look around your area for realtor signs and look online for web presence. Determine who appears to be the subject matter expert in your neighborhood. Obtaining referrals from friends or neighbors is usually a good idea as well. You should interview the real estate agents by asking “Are you a REALTOR?” You will have the best luck finding the right home or selling your home if you work with a REALTOR, not simply a real estate agent. REALTORS are members of the National Association of Realtors. They are generally full-time agents who have committed financially, educationally and professionally to being an expert in the real estate industry.

Find a Lee or Collier county REALTOR who is savvy about technology. What does their web presence say about them? How do they market your property? Do they provide you with the technology tools necessary to sell you home? Most people in today’s society initiate their search on the internet. Does the REALTOR understand how to get the most exposure for your listing on the internet? Do they offer free property commercials or virtual tours of the property and post them on multiple websites? The internet is a powerful marketing tool that takes a skilled professional to ensure your property is found by that potential buyer.

Another key component to research is how they conduct an open house. What does the REALTOR do to not only market the open house effectively but to make it an event that interested buyers will show up for? Does the REALTOR provide an open house hostess to greet potential buyers? What other services does the REALTOR provide for you as a client? For example, Leisure American Realty offers a full-service concierge service that includes free dog walking, fresh flowers at the open house and two licensed REALTORS at the open house to handle all of the questions potential buyers may have.

Finally, you will need to talk about the cost of the REALTOR to list your home. The seller usually foots the bill for a real estate professional’s commission. You need to ask your real estate professional what your financial obligation is throughout the process.

All of these steps apply weather you are selling or buying a new home. Although selling or buying a home ranks in the top-15 stressful life situations, it does not have to be.

Having the right REALTOR will make for a smooth and seamless transition.

Jason M. Jakus is a licensed realtor for Leisure American Realty, a full service Real Estate and Property Management company serving the beaches and surrounding areas of Lee County. Their office is located at 2450 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach FL 33931. For more information on this or any other real estate or property management subject contact Jason at 239.463.3178 or email RealtyInfo@LeisureAmerican.com.”