Finding a good real estate agent? |
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| Trying to decide which Shreveport Bossier City real estate agent or real estate company could do the best job for you can be confusing. Pay attention and research the market. |
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| Which Shreveport or Bossier City real estate
companies ads or web sites are the most appealing? |
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| Which real estate companies consistently feature lots of digital pictures on their web sites? |
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| Do house descriptions make you want to schedule an appointment? |
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| Does the company provide additional photo's upon request and are they of good quality? |
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| Which companies advertise in popular publications? |
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| Was their web site easy to find when you searched for Shreveport Bossier City homes for sale in your favorite neighborhoods? |
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| Ask your friends for agent referrals. Have they worked with an Shreveport Bossier City real estate agent who did a great job? |
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| Find out if agents are willing to do a free comparative market analysis (CMA), a process that compares your home to similar homes in teh Shreveport Bossier City real estate market that have sold recently. Agents use this tool to help sellers set listing prices. |
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| Ask agents to explain the marketing tactics that will be used to sell your house, including local print, real estate web site and other types of advertising (you'll already know much of this if you've done your research). |
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| Will the company place your house in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) immediately? Making your home available to every affiliated agent greatly increases the buyer pool. |
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What's their commission rate?
The very best agents and real estate companies earn their money and save you more than any amount you might artificially save from a discounted commission broker. However some forward thinking real estate companies offer you a choice of listing plans. Experienced sellers can save $1,000's of dollars by choosing the listing plan that's best for their situation. |
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| Find out how long they want you to list with them, keeping in mind that the time is usually negotiable. |
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| What's the average length of time it takes to sell a house in your area? What is their company's average? |
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| How long has the (potential) Shreveport Bossier City listing agent been licensed to sell real estate? |
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| What percentage of the agency's listings sell during the initial listing contract period? |
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Will the feedback be written?
Buyer feedback is an important tool. If everyone makes the same negative comment, you should consider working on the problem. How often can you expect to receive buyer feedback? Weekly, twice a month, after every showing? |
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How are showings handled?
Will you receive advance notification that someone is coming? How much notice is typical? You can put restrictions on showings--certain days or times are off-limits--but that may cut down on the number of times your home is shown. |
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| If you have pets, make sure the agent is committed to a plan that ensures their safety. If it's a dog that bites, you will need a plan for buyer safety, too |
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Does the agency use lock boxes?
Many agencies place a key inside a box that is secured to your home. Ask the agents to explain how it works. |
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| If your new home will be in the same area, ask the agent any questions you might have as a buyer. You may choose to use the same agent to buy and sell. |
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Estimating Home Selling Costs
Ask agents to give you an estimate of seller closing costs. Sellers' taxes, Attorney or other professional fees.
How your share of property taxes for the year is calculated; your share of
association dues, etc. The real estate commission. Any other expenses that sellers are expected to pay for. (surveys, inspections, certifications, etc. |
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| Ask any other questions you think are important, but your decision to hire an Shreveport Bossier City real estate agent should be based in part on a gut feeling that the two of you can work together. >click here to interview a MAIN OFFICE® real estate professional. |
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