| people misunderstand what listing agents are and | | | | Before you ever sign a contract with a listing agent, |
| what they do. If you purchased a home, you already | | | | it's a good idea to check into their marketing plan. |
| know what your real estate agent did for you. They | | | | You want to ensure that they have a good plan for |
| helped you to find a home, negotiate a deal, and to | | | | marketing your home to make sure it sells. The |
| get through the listing process. However, it's different | | | | following are several things that you may find in a |
| when you sell your home. Listing agents represent | | | | good marketing plan: |
| the sellers and if you are going to sell your home, it's | | | | Fliers - One thing that may be a good part of a |
| good to have a great listing agent on your side to | | | | marketing plan is fliers. They can include a picture and |
| help you through this transition time. | | | | the description of your home. They may distribute |
| When you choose a listing agent, you are putting a | | | | these fliers or they may use them with a sign in your |
| huge transaction into their hands. After you sign a | | | | yard. |
| contract with them, often you have to stick with | | | | Yard Sign - Speaking of a sign, a good listing agent is |
| them, pay the commission you agreed upon, and | | | | going to put up a "For Sale" sign somewhere in the |
| more. So, this means it's very important for you to | | | | yard. It should have the agent on the sign, their |
| understand what a listing agent does, and it's | | | | company, and provide a contact phone number. This |
| important that you choose your listing agent very | | | | way people who see your home while driving by can |
| carefully. Here is a look at what you should expect | | | | call for information. |
| from a quality listing agent. | | | | MLS Listing - This is definitely an important one. Good |
| First of all, a good listing agent should do some | | | | listing agents should put your home on the Multiple |
| research and provide you with a competitive market | | | | Listing Service (MLS) which happens to be a huge |
| analysis for free. What this does is it compares your | | | | database of homes within a particular area. They will |
| home to other homes that are similar and in the | | | | write up the details of the home, and in many cases |
| same area that have sold recently. This is based on | | | | offer a photo. This allows other agents to see it and |
| features, sized, and the condition of the economy, | | | | if they are trying to help someone purchase a home, |
| crime, and information on schools. With this | | | | they may recommend it to them. |
| information, the listing agent will help you come up | | | | Open Homes - Some listing agents will use an open |
| with a listing price that is reasonable for your home. | | | | home or open house as a part of their marketing |
| The next thing that your listing agent will do is to | | | | plan. This helps to get people going through the home |
| take a tour of your home and give you some | | | | and creates some interest. |
| suggestions on things that you can improve in order | | | | Of course, there are other things that may be a part |
| to make your home more appealing to prospective | | | | of a good marketing plan, including preview the home |
| buyers. Buyers want to find homes that don't need a | | | | for other agents, advertising on the internet, and |
| lot of work done on them, so they may recommend | | | | listing in newspapers. Just make sure that they offer |
| that you do some painting, a few small repairs, put in | | | | a good marketing plan and that you are comfortable |
| carpet, or even stage your home. | | | | with them helping you sell your home. |