Aren't brochures just advertising for the agent?

I hope that folks aren't using a real estate agent just to produce color brochures and have open houses. Any numskull can can hire a third party to do that. What you really need an agent for is 1) to be immediately available to you and potential buyers, 2) to be extremely knowledgeable about houses (HVAC, plumbing, electrical, fixtures, etc) and neighborhoods, and 3) to be a keen negotiator so that you maximize your profit. Although interviews are important, these are not skills that can be easily assessed during interviews. I would recommend you get on Zillow.com and review ratings for the top agents. See what all of their former clients say about them and the transaction.

Anonymous wrote:I believe that a big advantage of having a good agent is that the house gets priced well. If you underprice, you'll lose money. If you overprice, the house might not sell soon -- which might cost money also.

Good point!

I have read that the important thing is to have an agent who is responsive to inquiries, produces professional photographs for the listing on the net as well as brochures and is able to write up the details in a way that will attract attention. There is of course the issue of personal chemistry as well.

Would others agree?

I believe that a big advantage of having a good agent is that the house gets priced well. If you underprice, you'll lose money. If you overprice, the house might not sell soon -- which might cost money also.

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, with so many people using the internet to find listings on their own, I'm not sure it makes that much of a difference who you use.

Having said that, if you're going to want your agent to help you stage it, then I'd visit some of the open houses in your neighborhood and talk to the agents.

When we sold our house in Alexandria, we used Redfin. We did a lot of work with small repairs, and we also hired a 3rd party stager to stage it for us for $800. The agent to do that much, other than to help push the paper and expedite the process. The house sold quickly and our closing costs were a heck of a lot lower, but that type of experience isn't for everyone.

Could you post the name of your stager or at least how you found a stager? I know someone who is very interesting in having this service for a home about to go on the market in W. Springfield.

Thanks.

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, with so many people using the internet to find listings on their own, I'm not sure it makes that much of a difference who you use.

Having said that, if you're going to want your agent to help you stage it, then I'd visit some of the open houses in your neighborhood and talk to the agents.

When we sold our house in Alexandria, we used Redfin. We did a lot of work with small repairs, and we also hired a 3rd party stager to stage it for us for $800. The agent to do that much, other than to help push the paper and expedite the process. The house sold quickly and our closing costs were a heck of a lot lower, but that type of experience isn't for everyone.

Thanks for the response.

You know this is what I thought when we first pondered selling our house. But since then reading different forums, there is a lot of chat about selecting the right listing agent who can provided the necessary support, be responsive, produce quality images to include with the internet listing and in professional looking brochures. I would appreciate any guidance from those familiar with the intricacies of listing a house in this price range.

Also, when did you sell your house ....... was it at the height of the boom? Also, would you mind sharing the price range that your house was sold? Is Redfin equally effective with the higher priced houses? Finally, did your stager offer any suggestions that you found to be particularly helpful? We have done a fair amount of work getting our house staged using the various resources on the web plus visiting open houses to see what others have done.

Honestly, with so many people using the internet to find listings on their own, I'm not sure it makes that much of a difference who you use.

Having said that, if you're going to want your agent to help you stage it, then I'd visit some of the open houses in your neighborhood and talk to the agents.

When we sold our house in Alexandria, we used Redfin. We did a lot of work with small repairs, and we also hired a 3rd party stager to stage it for us for $800. The agent to do that much, other than to help push the paper and expedite the process. The house sold quickly and our closing costs were a heck of a lot lower, but that type of experience isn't for everyone.

bump ........ no suggestions or names of agents?

We will be listing in the next two weeks. The house is in Great Falls and is likely to be price in the mid 1 million range.

I have the names of two agents .... one who has several listings in the Great Falls, McLean area and who I have heard is good. I have read that one should interview 4-5 agents unless one is sure that one wants to go with a particular agent.

I would welcome the names of agents you have used and have had a good experience with and who is familiar with the Great Falls area - and also why you liked him/her as a listing agent.