Community Chat

[MomCat]

Recently sold two different properties back to back.  The first one was listed with a highly recommended Realtor.  Awful experience.  Very little contact.  The second was listed with a friend of a friend.  She kept in contact on a regular basis, but it was a very slow sale.  To be honest, I didn't care for either of these people's listing styles.  I think all the Internet involvement has contributed to laziness among agents.  Frustrating.

[chrystaltree]

It depends on the realtor you chose and what you told him you expected from him.  

[Azcowgirl]

@Elom

We've sold several houses most in pretty hot markets luckily, with the exception of one that took three summers. The realtor stuck a sign in the yard, put us in the MLS, then sat back and waited. I was dissatisfied with the lack of marketing and communication, however she was good about letting  repair people in when we had pipes freeze and squirrel damage, and she mailed an item to me that I had forgotten to take when we moved, so I appreciated her help since it was an out of state vacation home. 

My recommendation would be, search top selling agents in your area. I did that with the last home sale, and got a Cracker Jack agent ! She was fantastic, super motivated, and got us an immediate sale.

[kivah]

I was a realtor in from 1987 - 1990 in southern California. I mostly listed houses. Listings go into the MLS (multiple listing service) so other realtors will have access to it and show the house. Sometimes the listing agent doesn't have buyers who would be interested in ur house - that's how it works - but, I always kept in contact with my sellers - at least weekly. Otherwise, they think I forgot them. Open Houses are mostly for the benefit of the listing agent so he/she could find buyers (or other listings). Homes rarely sell from an open house.

It's important to have a caravan - held Friday morning in the area I worked - where several realtors from the same offices check out new listings. You want REALTORS to see the house - so they can show it clients who may be interested. It also helps if ur realtor has drinks/pastries available during the caravan - it definitely helps.

[Elom]

An update. I read all your thoughts and advice and called my Realtor today. Bottom line he said it all comes down to price and in talking he said it's better for me to leave when showing house. my husband and I sold houses through our marriage and never was this such an issue. Any excuse but I am having him give me the price at which he feels I should go. Nothing but good feedback from any looker. So frustrating! 

[Poodlepet2]

@MomCat, I hear you loud and clear....in fact, yes, the internet has made life easier for agents...people -if you can believe this, especially foreign nationals, are buying homes in the million plus range on the basis of these virtual tours offered. They appoint a trustee to be at the property inspection-done deal.

I think selling property is a matter of timing and demand-and that plays heavily into the game.

I have dealt with many realators: not all are created equally-but once again, you have to consider the demand in your area....

The biggest thing we look for? We don't want somebody who is working both sides of the coin-acting as a buyers and sellers agent.

Apparently that can be done with commercial property in Florida-and it stinks.

Poodlepet2

[DiAnne]

Your realtor should keep in contact with you.  How fast your home sells depends on supply and demand.  If you live in a sought after area you may end up with bidding wars.  The housing market is hot right now in the Seattle area and prices are very high.  I get offers in the mail weekly to sell.  Realtors have always told me that open houses do not work but the last three houses I have bought have all been from open houses so I question that.