Selling real estate. Selling real estate the right way can be very different depending on particular circumstances but there are some rules that are consistent. If these rules are followed you will have a better chance of achieving the best result. Selling real estate tip no. 1. - Use a big sign the bigger the better. Whether you are selling with a real estate agent or without you need a big for sale sign. The bigger the sign the better, it is the best and most cost effective form of advertising for selling real estate / property bar none.

The buyer enquiries we used to receive off for sale signs are the best most serious buyer enquiries and they are the buyers who are more likely to pay a high price!

The reason is these buyers being is that these buyers have already qualified themselves, they will pay more because they like your house from the street and they also like your house's location.

When you are going on the market let everybody know about it with a "HUGE" for sale sign.

Selling real estate rule no. 3 - Find the best agent

I am confident if you look hard enough in every area you can find a real estate professional whom you trust and are comfortable dealing with.

I know this may take some extra homework in the early stages but there is no question if you have a good agent working for you, you are at a distinct advantage in selling real estate.

A. Ask us if we have any customer ratings on agents in your area

We are trying to build up a database of consumer ratings on real estate agents across Australia.

Selling then ask us if we have any customer ratings on agents in your postcode, start here...

B. Empathy

Your real estate agent must be able to relate to what you are going through. Selling real estate can be a stressful time mainly because of the financial issues as I have already discussed, but it also can be an emotional time leaving a property that has been the family home.

Your real estate agent needs to be able to appreciate this and be able to relate to what you are going through. Please note empathy is a lot different to sympathy; if your property hasn't sold you want your agent to take charge and do what needs to be done not to feel sorry for you.

D. Negotiating skills

Major point that really defines a great real estate agent from an also ran. If the agent you employ is a good negotiator, chances are the extra money you get for your property will more than cover the real estate agents fees.

Many things make a good negotiator, but for your agent is doing the things mentioned here that would be a good start.

E. Good time management skills

Time management skills are essential when you are a real estate agent. This is one of those skills that if your real estate agent can master, they will be available to both you as a seller and they will be easy to contact from the buyers perspective.

The demands on the real estate agent can be excessive, especially on weekends or show days so managing your time is a must.

This is a really good indicator of how competent the real estate agent is, and remember we are talking about the agents skill set here these are the factors that will determine whether they are good value for their fee or whether they are overcharging for their service they provide, from an agents point of view their home life will suffer if they can't manage their time.

F. Easily accessible

This is really a follow on from time management and is also a confirmation with what I suggested above. How quickly did they answer your initial enquiry will give you some indication to how long you will be waiting to get answers when you are on the market.

You need your real estate agent or someone from their office to address your enquiry promptly and efficiently. A lot of the better real estate agents are now working with assistants, so even though your agent may be with a client your enquiry is still professionally dealt with.

If you can't get hold of your real estate agent imagine what your potential buyers must think when they experience the same thing.

G. Local knowledge

Local knowledge really pays dividends when selecting a real estate agent.

Essentially all any buyer who is going to live in the property is buying is a lifestyle and your real estate agent needs to be able to sell lifestyle of your area and property.

The only way they can do that is by having great local knowledge and a healthy belief in the lifestyle of your neighborhood.

I also believe that the agent you choose should live reasonably close by.

I am a strong believer that in most cases you should also list your property with a local real estate agent (unless they are complete buffoons) as this is the real estate person that will have the buyer enquiries for your area.

It annoys me when I see real estate agencies listing properties for sale way outside of their geographic zone of their business as they clearly would not be dealing with buyers for that area.

Real estate agents should work in smaller areas that they can service, don't deal with an agent who has an office to far from your property.

H. Likeable

Lastly but by no means least of course, you have to genuinely like the person you choose to be your real estate agent. You are going to be relying heavily on this person to get an important job done and you need to like them enough to enjoy talking to them everyday if necessary.

Your real estate agent needs to be perceived as likeable by the buyers as well or else it is unlikely that they will open up and tell the agent what it really is they want to buy, and when those all so important negotiations start about how much the buyer will pay if they like the real estate agent again they will probably pay more.

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