What do you think of when you hear ‘Realtor®’? Many people automatically think of a salesperson, others think it’s a ‘get rich quick’ job or even an ‘easy way to make a dollar’.
What many people don’t realize, is that selling and buying homes is really the business of ‘match-making’. Finding two perfect things and bringing them together. Sellers try to find the perfect people to fall in love with their home. Buyers are trying to find the perfect home to meet their needs, one they want to spend the next 5/10/20+ years with.
Anyone who has ever experienced the world of real estate, or is an agent themselves knows that those phrases and misconceptions couldn’t be more incorrect! When it comes to buying, (and without sounding too cliché) finding a home can be like finding a needle in a haystack. If you’re lucky enough to find a home that is in the area you desire, (and checks most of your boxes) the next step is to visit your potential ‘Dream Home’. Having an agent with you while you view your potential new home has endless benefits. Firstly, when you bring your own agent to view a property they can represent you and offer an unbiased opinion on the property. Since your agent is there representing YOU and not the home itself, they can help you navigate through your personal checklist and weight out the pros and cons. If the property feels right and you’re ready to make an offer, not only can your agent help you decipher the confusing paperwork, they can help make an offer that is based on your financial comfort and an offer that is fair market value for the home. The work of a buyer’s’ agent doesn’t end there. The details of inspections, buyer visits and closing dates/changes continues after the deal is finalized. All this ‘behind the scenes’ work and stress is managed by your agent and their team, leaving you to focus on organizing your moving details and plans.
When it comes to listing your home, especially as we navigate through this pandemic, first impressions and image can make or break a successful sale. Listing a home involves more than just pushing a sign into the lawn and waiting for the phone calls to start pouring in. Staging consults, photographs and virtual tours are a huge step towards making your home look the absolute best to grab potential buyers attention. When choosing the right realtor to list your home, make sure to look at the strength of their marketing and the quality of their listings. Gone are the days of photos taken from point and click cameras and blurry, low resolution camera phones. The photos are the first impression, and can quickly become the last if not done properly. The power of interactive floor plans is immense, especially right now. With the Covid restrictions ever-changing, giving potential buyers the chance to feel like they are inside your home and feel the layout helps to establish a connection that will encourage them to book a showing and potentially make an offer.
All of these are just the tip of the iceberg for listing your home. Marketing your home and getting the attention of all potential buyers is the next huge step towards finding the perfect ‘match’.
Buying and selling a home is rated as one of the most stressful times to endure during a lifespan. When hiring your perfect ‘matchmaker’, remember to choose wisely and find a team that can offer you more than just a sign in your front yard. What happens behind the scenes for one of the biggest transactions of your life is so important. Hiring a professional who brings experience and knowledge can relieve a huge portion of stress and confusion off your shoulders. Leaving you more time to plan and prepare for the changes ahead, and focus on all the positive changes!
Find out about our team here.