It goes without saying – putting your home on the market is a stressful time for all involved. Sometimes, caught between the stress and the excitement, we may find ourselves making a rookie mistake – like choosing a real estate agent to sell our home for all the wrong reasons. Maybe they promised to get you a really high price or they’re your cousin’s best friend. Maybe they enticed your with a lower than usual commission rate. Whatever the reason, you made your draft pick and now you’re having second thoughts. Your home has been sitting on the market for a significant period of time with no bites. What do you do? You signed the listing agreement with “said” agent. If you’re truly dissatisfied, some agents will let you out of the agreement early. However, it’s more likely that you will be forced to wait for the contract to end. Either way, you should be aware of some of the not-so-hard to miss signs that it’s time for a break-up with your listing agent…
You’re Playing a Lot of Phone Tag With Your Agent
There really is no excuse for bad or no communication. In today’s world, texting makes it easier than before to respond to someone in a timely manner. No one is too busy not to reply to a text. If you can’t seem to get in touch with your agent, it signals a big problem. Either they have too many balls in the air, don’t value your business, or are completely disorganized – none of which make for a good listing agent.
You Receive Few Updates
You should never have to wonder about the status of your home for sale – never. Your agent should be in touch regarding market comparables, how many views your listing is getting, and showings/open house info. If you only hear from your agent when it’s time for a price reduction, then he/she is not doing their job. It’s standard practice to receive weekly reports on your listing. Ask for them. If you hear crickets, move on.
Your Listing is Lacking Pizzazz
It goes without saying that the key part of an agent’s job is to market your home. Some agents are better at doing this than others. To churn interest, a home must be presented in the best way possible. This might entail using a professional for the listing photographs, as well as, staging your home to really make it stand out from the competition. Take note: 90% of buyers today search listings on-line before they decide to view a property. Photos of your home will be the first impression for most of your potential buyers. If your agent slacks on photos – too dark, too cluttered, bad angles – or doesn’t attempt to stage your home (or make any other positive suggestions to appeal to a wider audience of buyers), then your home will pale in comparison with other listings out there. If your beautiful home doesn’t translate well in the listing photos, you will be passed over. If your listing is mediocre, then something is not right.
You Haven’t Received a Marketing Plan
You may not be aware, but more goes into selling a house than just the listing. The MLS (Multiple Listing Service) is a great place to start, but that’s only a small part of the overall marketing plan. A good agent comes equipped with a complete marketing plan which typically includes things like creating a webpage with your home specifications, scheduling an open house, promoting your home on social media, and sending out mailers. If your agent doesn’t have a game plan in mind, it might be time to find another agent.
Your Agent is Full of Hot Air
If the price the agent said they’d get for your home sounds too good to be true, it probably is. An experienced agent knows that a home should be priced based on a comparative market analysis. This involves evaluating the home in comparison with similar recently sold and currently listed homes in the market. If your house has been on the market much longer than the average, it may mean your home has not been priced accordingly. If your home is overpriced for the area, it will not sell in a timely fashion, if at all. An agent might promise a higher listing price to earn your business. Smart agents won’t allow an overpriced listing to continue more than a few weeks. Do yourself a favor and find an agent who will be honest with you and not string you along with promises of a higher sale price that just isn’t realistic.
If any of this sounds familiar, take the time to reassess your listing and talk to your agent about your options to exit. Whether you can break your listing early or have to wait for the contract to end, you’ll be better prepared the next time around to find an agent worthy to represent your home. Let Tom Reese turn your listing around…
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Tom Reese has 20+ years experience in helping his clients sell their homes for a price that sells and makes them a profit. Tom has helped his clients buy and sell property in every neighborhood in Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati.
About Tom Reese
Helping my clients attain their dreams has been the foundation of my success. With my strong attention to customer service, I have earned my clients continued support and referrals. Put my enthusiasm and dedication to work for you!
Call Tom anytime at (859) 393-1293
Tom may be new to rapping but he’s not new to real estate!