Q. How do agents show my property?

A. Agents have a lock box key. This keypad fits into a lock box attached to your door, rail or water pipe. Every time an agent uses it, information about the agent is recorded. Once the code is entered, a house key is ejected from the box. It is smart to have a lock box on your property to allow easy access for maximum showings. The more showings, the quicker the sale, the higher the price.
Agents call you directly to schedule an appointment to show your home. Install an answering machine so they can leave messages. When you know someone is coming, try to leave. This way, the buyer feels free to ask questions of his agent and discuss your home openly without offending you. If you can't leave, stay out of the way and do not offer information unless asked. Remember, agents know what their Buyers are looking for and will council them accordingly.
Be flexible for showing appointments. The more difficult you make it for agents to schedule times, the less likely they are to show your property. Often Buyers can't see your home until after work in the evenings, so try to be patient and accommodating.

Q. What are the steps in the selling process?

Step 1: Evaluate your home's worth. You can ask your agent to prepare a comparative market analysis which gives you information on how much homes sell for in your area. Based upon your square footage, improvements and condition, a sales and list price can be estimated. Also, the average time of the market and marketing strategies can be explained.

Step 2: Get pre-qualified if you are planning to buy a home. This will determine what price range you can afford. It will also be beneficial to begin the pre-approval process.

Step 3: Select an Agent to represent you. Experienced Agents know what to expect and can help you through the unique challenges of selling.

Q. What should I ask a real estate agent before signing a listing contract to sell my property?

How long have you been a real estate agent?

What is your Buyer to Seller ratio?

Can we cancel the listing if we're not happy?

Do you recommend that I hire an attorney?

What systems do you have in place that will keep you in constant contact with me during the listing and the transaction?

Are you fully automated with your own personal computer, FAX machine, copier, voice mail, etc.?

May I see all the paperwork that you are going to ask me to sign?

What professional designations do you have?

In what ways do you market my listing to potential buyers?

Why should I list with you rather than any other agent who is calling on me?

IMPORTANT TIPS:

Pricing Incorrectly
Although you want to make money when you sell your home, a listing price that is too high often gets the seller less than a price that is at market value. If your house is not priced competitively, people looking in your price range will reject your house in favor of other, larger homes for the same price. At the same time, the people who should be looking at your house will not see it because it is priced over their heads! Overpricing usually increases time on the market, and that adds to the carrying costs. Ultimately, many overpriced properties sell below market value.

Mistaking Lookers for Buyers
A qualified buyer is one who is ready, willing, and able to buy your house. Most people who go looking at For Sale By Owners are just starting to think about moving. They may be good buyers, but they're just 6-9 months away from being ready. They don't want to bother an agent yet, so they call the "By Owner" ads to get a feel for what's available. They may have a house to sell first, or may need to save some more, or may need to work on their credit. When they are finally ready, that's when they go out looking with a Realtor®.
An agent will ask a buyer how much they can really spend for a house, how much they have to put down, how good their credit is, how much they can pay each month, how much they will get from their present home and a few other similar questions. A Realtor® in a sense, protects you from wasted time with non-serious buyers or shoppers with a dream of owning a home "some day".