Selling Step 2: Use a REALTOR® When You Sell Your Home
Before placing your home on the market make an appointment with Fran Gatti at Ming Tree Real Estate to learn how she can assist with the sale of your home.
Why Use Fran Gatti to Sell Your Home?
Fran is a REALTOR® and a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR) and must adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and have access to a wide range of classes, seminars and certification opportunities. Fran is active in the Crescent City Chamber of Commerce, The Crescent City Board of REALTORS® and her church.
Essentially, local REALTORS® such as Fran are community experts. She tracks real estate trends, shares neighborhood concerns and participates in local matters. Fran is a good neighbor who is in the business of helping others buy and sell homes.
Questions to ask Fran at Your First Meeting
Here are a number of questions you will want to ask Fran, including:
- What services do you offer?
- Do you work alone or with a team or partner? What will your role in the sales process be and what will their roles be?
- What type of representation do you provide? Different states have different forms of representation: some real estate agents represent buyers, some represent sellers, some facilitate transactions as a neutral party, and in some cases different agents in a single firm may represent different parties within a transaction.
- What is your track record?
- What is your market knowledge?
- What kind of professional network do you have?
- What are your certifications/designations?
- What experience do you have in my immediate area?
- In the current market, how long should my home remain listed to get the highest possible price? Because all homes are unique, some will sell faster than others. Several factors can impact the amount of time a home remains on the market, including changing interest rates and local economic trends.
- How would you price my home? Ask about recent home sales and comparable properties currently on the market. If you speak with several real estate agents and their price estimates differ, that's OK, but be sure to ask how their price opinions were determined and why they think your home would sell for a given value.
- How will you market my home? At listing presentations, real estate agents provide a detailed summary of how they market homes, what marketing strategies have worked in the past and which marketing efforts may be effective for your home. Ask your agent which media they use, e.g., Web, flyers, real estate papers, TV, open houses, etc.
- What is your fee? Fees are established in the marketplace and not set by law or regulation. Typically, real estate agents who list homes are compensated on a performance basis, and are not paid unless the home sells under the terms and conditions that are acceptable to the seller.
- What disclosures should I receive? State rules require that real estate agents provide extensive agency disclosure information, usually at the first sit-down meeting.
- Will I be able to get an unconditional release from the listing agreement if for some reason I decide not to sell? A listing agreement is a contract that shows the real estate agent’s obligations and outlines the terms under which your home is being made available for sale. Although the length of the listing agreement negotiable, a 90 day term is common.
What to Expect Once Your Home is Listed With Fran Gatti and Ming Tree Real Estate
Once your home is listed with Fran, she will immediately begin to market your home according to the most appropriate conventions for your community.
Fran will keep you informed as the marketing process unfolds and as expressions of interest are received. In time, the marketing plan may be modified to reflect buyer reactions and changes in the marketplace.
Fran will also help you find any lawyers, inspectors or other professionals needed for your real estate transaction. She will help you understand, evaluate, write and deliver offers and counteroffers.
Fran's expertise and experience is a valuable resource in the complex undertaking of selling a home. Fran Gatti will help you every step of the way.