What is a Realtor®?

A real estate agent is a REALTOR® when he or she is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR).  The term REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict code of ethics.

Founded in 1908, NAR has grown from 120 members to today’s over 750,000 members.  NAR is composed of residential and commercial REALTORS® who are brokers, salespeople, property managers, appraisers, counselors and others engaged in all aspects of the real estate industry.  Members belong to one or more of the some 1,700 local associations/boards and 54 state and territory associations of REALTORS®.

REALTORS® are pledged to a strict code of ethics and standards of practice.  Working for America’s property owners, the NAR provides a facility for professional development, research and exchange of information among its members and to the public and government for the purpose of preserving the free enterprise system and the right to own real property.

Will Your Home Bring Top Dollar in Today’s Market?

Do you want to sell your house at the highest possible price?  Sure you do; everyone does.  The real estate market is going to determine what your house is going to sell for.  There are many factors that influence the market of homes for sale; how many homes for sale at one time, mortgage rates, the local economy, and the number of buyers looking for homes are just few. All of these are out of the control of the seller and the REALTOR® listing the home.

There are quite a few things a seller can do to get the highest possible price for their home.  One of the things a seller must do prior to putting the house on the market is make any necessary repairs and address any cleaning issues.  Necessary repairs normally come up during a home inspection, which then are reported back to the buyer.  Why not make the repairs now and keep the buyer focused on what a terrific house you have rather than what is wrong with the property?  The carpeting in the house is usually a focal point for buyers.  If the carpets are worn, go ahead and replace them if possible; try to steer clear of giving carpet allowances.  Make the house that shiny penny a buyer wants to pick up.

Another factor in getting the highest possible price is making the house available to the potential new owners.  Try to leave wide parameters in showing instructions, so the REALTORS® are able to show your house.  Also, when a buyer does come to look at the property, do your best to allow them to look at the property unencumbered.  If it is not possible for you to leave, then step outside or go for a quick walk.  This allows the buyer and the REALTOR® an opportunity to take a good look at the house.

One other factor in getting the highest possible price is pricing it right to begin with.  If a home is overpriced it does not matter what the seller or the REALTOR® does; it is not going to sell.  Listen to the REALTOR® during the listing presentation and look at what the comparative market analysis says and pick a price within the range the REALTOR® is presenting.  The first thirty days a house is on the market are the most critical.  Price the house properly and it will generate the most traffic and the most offers.  

What is a CMA?

A CMA is a comparative market analysis of homes that help determine the price range a house is likely to sell for.  A REALTOR® will gather information about the house such as lot size, square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and compare those features with similar houses in the same neighborhood.  He or she will then make adjustments for differences between the properties to arrive at a range in which the house should sell for.  The REALTOR® uses a CMA when listing a home for sale.  He or she will present the CMA to the sellers to arrive at a listing price.

If you are interested in having a CMA on your house, 
click on Sell a Home or call 336-889-2021

Why should I use a REALTOR® to sell my house?

Most people trust and believe in their REALTOR® to sell their home for the highest price under the best terms.  There are a small number of people that attempt to sell their house on their own.  Sometimes the owner does not know a REALTOR® they can list with or they have a long period of time they have to sell the house and feel they can do it on their own.  Most of the For Sale By Owners want to save the commission associated with selling a house through a brokerage.

As the majority of for sale by owners soon realize, there is more to it than just putting a sign in the yard.  First the paperwork associated with transferring property, property disclosures, inspections, closing procedures and deed transfer. 

One other drawback is dealing with buyers who have not been pre-qualified and come to the home unescorted.  These buyers are attracted to the house because they want to make a low ball offer to the owner because they think he or she is going to save a commission.

The other big factor is advertising and exposure.  There is no understating the importance of a Multiple Listing Service, where thousands of REALTORS® have pre-qualified buyers ready to buy property.

If you are thinking of selling your house, please call your REALTOR® for all of your real estate needs at 336-889-2021