Truth About Selling Your Home: No woo woo, Just Facts
Are you consider selling your house? Take a cup of coffee and let's get down to earth about something that can potentially save you thousands of dollars.
The Big Secret Nobody Tells You
You see, all those upscale real estate firms with all their shiny ads and bold promises? Allow us to share a small secret they don't wish you to discover: When you list your home, it appears precisely in the same locations regardless of which agent you choose. That's right, whether you employ the high-priced premium brand or the cheaper local agent, your home is listed on:
- Zillow.com
- Realtor.com
- Homes.com
- All other home search sites, including all the high-end luxury real estate brokerages.
Yes, they advertise your home on their site along with everyone else's.
How People Really Find Homes Today
Let's get real - nearly everybody (97% the National Association of Realtors reports) begins their home search online. They're not visiting upscale real estate offices or choosing a home based on a company logo's upscale appearance. They're sitting on their sofa, looking at listings on their smartphone!
What Sells Homes?
Four items are what truly matter:
1. Location (this you cannot change!)
2. Your home's condition
3. Your asking price
4. The cost of living there (such as utilities and taxes)
That's it! No woo woo, no secret networks of buyers.
Why Are Some Agents So Expensive?
Have you ever wondered why some real estate firms are so pricey? Here's the reality: They have plenty of bills to pay!
- Upscale office buildings
- Pricey TV ads
- Franchise fees
- Plenty of managers and employees
- Enormous advertising budgets
And who do you suppose is paying for it all? You guessed it - you, in the form of increased commission charges!
The "Fancy Stuff" That Doesn't Matter
When agents speak about:
- Their "exclusive luxury network"
- "Special marketing packages"
- "Premium brand exposure"
- "High-end agent designation"
That's what we refer to as "woo woo" - fancy things that sound great but won't sell your house.
What You Actually Require
Home sellers in today's market require two things primarily:
1. Somebody who understands how to price your home correctly
2. A guide who can lead you through the forms and process
That's it! You don't require fancy office buildings or glossy brochures to sell your house.
The Intelligent Way to Select an Agent
Rather than asking "What company do you work for?", ask:
- How will you price my house?
- What must be repaired before I can sell?
- How do you manage paperwork and negotiations?
- What are your real charges, and what do they include?
The Bottom Line
Your home will sell because it's the right home, in the right area, at the right price - not because whose company sign is in your front yard. Why pay more for things that won't sell your home?
Let's look at some real-life examples to make this even more obvious:
Example #1: The Marketing Myth
BigFancy Realty states: "We'll feature your home in our luxury magazine that gets to 10,000 homes!"
Reality Check: When did you last purchase a house after viewing it in a magazine? In the meantime, your house is receiving thousands of views online regardless.
Example #2: Follow the Buyer's Journey
Introducing Sarah, your average home buyer:
1. Begins browsing houses on Zillow
2. Identifies 5 houses she loves
3. Sets up showings
4. Chooses her preferred home
Did Sarah mind which brokerage listed the home? Nope! She was concerned about:
- The home itself
- The area
- The price
- The condition
Example #3: The Office Space Story
Imagine this: Two real estate agents are selling homes in your area.
Agent Lisa is with Big Fancy Realty:
- Has an office in that pricey office building.
- Company invests thousands in TV commercials
- Pays top dollar for the "luxury brand" title
- Has to charge 6% to cover all of these expenses
Agent Jim is with a newer, low-overhead firm:
- Works from home or meets at coffee houses
- Uses technology to do paperwork
- Doesn't invest in high-end office space
- Can let you choose the level of service and commission you want to pay and still make a good living
They list your house on all the same websites. They use all the same electronic lockboxes. They'll both assist with filling out forms and negotiating. But Lisa needs to charge more just to light those fancy office lights!
Example #4: The "Special Network" Myth
BigFancy Realty guarantees: "We have an elite network of high-end buyers!"
Give me a break: Where do high-end buyers really search for homes?
- On their iPads
- On their phones
- On the same sites as everybody else
- Through their own agent's access to the MLS
No network required!
Example #5: The "But They've Been Around Forever" Trap
Do you recall these companies?
- Blockbuster Video
- Kodak
- Sears
Being old and established didn't help them when times shifted. The same holds true in real estate - just because a company's been around for a long time doesn't mean their high-cost method of doing business is right for you now.
What Smart Sellers Are Doing
Increasing numbers of sellers are asking:
- "Why am I paying for fancy offices?"
- "Do I really need all this costly marketing?"
- "Is there not a more up-to-date way of selling my home?"
Yes! Successful sales of homes today are all about:
- Intelligent pricing
- Excellent photographs
- Good internet exposure
- Prompt communication with buyers
- Skilled negotiating
Keep in mind: Your home is on all the same sites either way. The only actual difference is how much cash you get to keep in your pocket!
Would you like to know more about how Uber Realty can sell your home and save you thousands? Let's discuss developing your personalized selling plan today!
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