When you’re ready to sell your DeLand home, it’s time to get serious about finding the best, most qualified real estate agent for the job. Even if your best friend or neighbor offers to sell for a reduced commission, or you feel you have what it takes to sell a home on your own (more on that below), it’s worth your time to consider other options.
Doing your homework and interviewing at least three licensed and experienced real estate agents provides the insights you need to make an informed decision. A professional relationship with a tried-and-true realtor makes all the difference when it comes to marketing and selling your home faster and for the best market price.
Benefits of Using an Experienced Real Estate Agent
Here are some of the automatic benefits of using an experienced DeLand real estate agent:
1. Risks vs. Benefits
Going with a friend or relative willing to “reduce the commission” or deciding to try the For Sale By Owner (FSBO) route is risky.
There is a reason they say never mix business with pleasure. Working with a family member or friend makes it harder to have a completely transparent and authentic relationship. Your desire to protect the relationship may trump your willingness to voice concerns around their sales strategy or pricing advice, compromising the integrity of the sales process and your relationship. And, if they’re less experienced than other options, you also risk having the best real estate agent working for you.
The FSBO route is never the best choice. Even real estate agents use other agents to sell their own homes. Using a licensed and professional realtor means all of the responsibility is on their shoulders regarding disclosures, title searches, and the other legal responsibilities associated with a sale. Taking that on independently leaves you exposed. And the sales data shows the money saved by forgoing realtor commissions is wiped out because FSBO sales take far longer and typically result in below-market sales prices.
2. Networking and connections
Realtors are the ultimate networkers. We know our reputations and our agencies’ success results from getting the best results for our clients. To that end, we cultivate solid and long-lasting relationships with other real estate agents and lenders in the area. Weekly realtor tours through up-and-coming homes mean we often match the right home with the right client before a home is listed on MLS.
These connections also help when you’re ready to buy a home because the close connections we form with other realtors help persuade their sellers to choose your offer when the flood of offers comes in.
3. Virtually zero legal risk
Real estate transactions are legal transactions. Only experienced realtors have the expertise and continued education and training to ensure your sale is completed in compliance with Florida real estate laws and codes.
We understand exactly what needs to be disclosed to buyers beforehand, and we carry particular insurance policies to cover the rare occurrence when we make a mistake. Never put yourself in a position where you would carry the risk of a sale gone unintentionally wrong.
4. We know what today’s buyers want
Today’s home buyers are looking for specific features, including general curb appeal, energy efficiency, and plenty of flexible indoor and outdoor live/work spaces. We’ll help you stage your home, often using professional stagers, in a way that ensures prospective buyers can already see themselves living there – the key to a quick sale.
5. We hone in on the true potential buyers
You’d be amazed at how much time an inexperienced realtor or FSBO seller spends talking to, answering questions, and catering to looky-loos that never had any intention of buying in the first place. This is a waste of time and energy and can result in losing the right buyer who walked right through the open house without interrupting the fake conversation.
Experienced real estate professionals know how to vet the “true” buyers from the looky-loos and half-hearted shoppers, spending time wooing the right clients.
How To Choose an Experienced DeLand Real Estate Pro
Always interview a few different real estate professionals. Asking neighbors and friends for referrals is always a good start, but it’s worth your time to also identify:
- Active licensure and industry-related memberships/affiliations.
- The number of sold comps in the past three years.
- Their comparative market analysis for your home.
- Marketing experience and sales approach.
- Do you feel comfortable with them?
That last bullet point is important because, as we mentioned in #1, your ability to speak comfortably and frankly with the agent is essential.
Schedule a Consultation With Southern Exclusive Realty
The team at Southern Exclusive Realty are all actively licensed, professional, and highly-experienced real estate agents with years of experience to our credit. Contact us to schedule a consultation, at 386-279-7244, and to determine whether we’re the right fit to sell your DeLand home.
