According to Bob Marshall, who’s been running Marshall Realty in San Bruno for the past 50 years, the most important factor is finding an agent who has a solid track record in that particular area.
Selling real estate is about knowing the local market and exactly what must be done to sell a house for top dollar in a particular neighborhood. “Ask to see what the agent has sold in that subdivision,” advises Mr. Marshall. The best brokers won’t hesitate to refer a client to another realtor if they aren’t familiar with an area.
It’s important to ask what the broker will do to sell the home. “It’s more than putting up a sign and having an open house,” says Mr. Marshall. “We do open houses, but it’s not necessarily the most effective way to sell a house. You don’t know who’s going to walk through the door. A good broker will have a strategy for getting qualified buyers.”
Real estate advice columns and websites often talk about “staging” a home or increasing its “curb appeal” to help it sell better. Certain steps, like mowing the lawn, weeding the garden and giving the house a thorough cleaning, are always essential. But Mr. Marshall advises against spending a lot of money to stage a house without discussing it with your broker. “Whether or not staging is necessary depends on the price category, the neighborhood and the condition of the home,” he says. Your broker will be able to tell you what steps beyond the basic ones are advisable.
Mr. Marshall also advises being prepared for the unexpected, especially when it comes to financing. In the current financial climate, it’s not unusual for financing to fall through at the last minute. “It’s harder for everyone, even well-qualified people with money in the bank, to get loans today,” he says. Don’t count the sale as complete until it’s closed.
If you’re looking to buy a home, a good agent should provide more than a list of prospective houses. Find out what programs they have for buyers like you, such as a first-time buyer’s program. A good agent will help arrange financing and provide sound advice on exactly what you can and can’t afford. Anyone can show you the house of your dreams, but only an experienced agent can place you in the dream house within your budget.
