June 13, 2008
In Praise Of (Good) Real-Estate Agents
In my last post I focused on FSBOs, a sales method which takes real-estate agents out of the equation.
I want to put in a word for the sometimes maligned agent today, however, following the experience of two friends who recently put their homes on the market and asked a third friend — who happens to be a real-estate agent — to help them do it.
The first friend wanted to move fast. His house was in a pretty good location but he’s a busy guy and had little time for getting it ready for sale. The agent, whom we’ll call Bob, gave him his marching orders. “Move out and let me handle it,” he instructed him. The home was swept through by a team of cleaners and decorators, landscapers and stagers. It went on the market, 14 packages were sent out, multiple bids were put on the table, and it sold in four days for above asking price.
My other friends bought a home which they quickly realized was not for them. They bit the bullet and put it on the market less than a year after they had moved in. Again Bob took matters in hand. He guided them on pricing and timing and gave the place a makeover. “It’s so beautiful now we almost want to stay here,” said the owner. It’s just hit the MLS so there’s no knowing how fast it will sell or for what price, but I’m confident these friends would say they made the right choice not going it alone.
Whether you choose to engage the professionals or manage the process yourself is a purely subjective decision. There’s no right or wrong here. I would say selecting the right agent is key — as in any industry there are the great and the not so great practitioners. It’s also interesting to note that the vast majority of real-estate transactions still involve agents — even in the current climate which favors buyers.
Here are three newly listed homes I would guess have been given a sprinkling of agent magic dust:
1503 Posen Avenue, Albany (above): 2/1 bungalow with partial views close to shops and BART. Price: $769,000. [Update: maybe because the agent was that good, this house is off the market since I wrote this post just hours ago.]
6657 Colton Boulevard, Montclair: 4/2.5 1970s home with beamed ceilings and panoramic views. Price: $929,000.
699 Hilldale Avenue, Berkeley: 2/1 1930s home with inner courtyard and partial views. Price: $735,000.
riathareja said:
Home is where the heart is. If you’re like most people, your home is also your single largest investment. It’s not only a monetary investment; you trust this home to hold up through the years, to be safe. Take the time to examine your priorities and find the right real-estate agent.The first step in choosing a good realtor is finding realtors in your area. The best way to find a realtor in your area is through referrals. Ask your friends, family, or colleagues who’ve bought or sold a home for good recommendations. If you can’t get any referrals, check with your local realtors association. Once you have a few options for realtors, you should set up interviews with each of them.Before the interview, write down the questions you want to ask them so you know you don’t forget anything. While the questions asked depend on your preferences, it’s always good to find out if they are a licensed realtor, how much experience they have, and how familiar they are with the neighborhoods you want to live in. You should also find out their availability. If they have a lot of clients, they may take so much time getting to you about a house on the market that you lose the chance to bid on your dream home. You should also make sure the price range your realtor specializes in matches your own.Above all else, you want to find a realtor that you are comfortable with and who you feel understands your needs. You want someone who is working in your best interest. Good luck and happy house hunting.For more view- realtydigest.blogspot.com
June 16, 2008 1:31 AM