Common mistakes to avoid when choosing a real estate agent to sell your home

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As a previous Broker-Owner of a real estate firm in Southern California, I can tell you that many sellers of their homes are making huge mistakes. They have in their mind what they are looking for in a price and how quickly they want to sell their home, but they just plain do not want to listen to advice. If you do some simple things to check on the agents in your area, your home would be selling faster.

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1. The number one problem when choosing an agent is research.

When you decide to sell your home, do not list your home with someone knocking at your door. They are there offering you a free market analysis and they are there to "con" you in most cases. They will bring you a title report and some "supposed" comps of what is selling in your area. You need to compare apples to apples, not apples to peaches. How can you look at a title report and compare a runned down shack to your mansion with a brand new kitchen. So both of you have the same square footage, but there is no way to look at comparables from a title report and sell your home. A qualified agent will give you actual comparable, taking into consideration the amenities you have in your home, the curb appeal, the age of the home and all remodeling being done. Most buyers buy from the heart, so if the home is immaculate and is decorated beautiful, the house will sell for a higher price.

You should be looking for signs on lawns in your area. See who is listing the properties and then see how quickly they are selling. Go talk to your neighbors and see what they thought of the Broker who sold their home. Do not list your home with an out of area broker who will not be present in your area. Most homes are not sold thru advertising but thru local traffic. Knowing people who want to live in your area is a must. Also, call the Board of Realtors and check on the agent's record and ask for a recommendation.

If you see an Agent or Broker who is always in the office and never working, you must think. If the Broker is so good at selling homes, why are they always in the office. What is their history in the area? Ask how many homes she has sold on your street. Read the local newspaper and see how many ads are in there from your chosen agent. Many things you can do as a potential seller, to assure the agent you are choosing is the right one for the job.

2. Never go with an agent who agrees with everything you say.

If the Broker or Agent comes to your door to list your home and she

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