|
What is Your
Best Marketing Plan or
Strategy for My Needs?
As a buyer, you
will need to know:
- How will
you search for my new home?
- How many
homes will I likely see before I find a home I want to buy?
- Will I be
competing against other buyers?
- How do you
handle multiple offers?
- Do you
present offers yourself?
As a seller,
you will need to know:
-
Specifically, how will you sell my home?
- What is
your direct mail campaign?
- Where and
how often do you advertise?
- Will you
show me a sample flyer?
- How do you
market online?
Best Marketing Plan /
Strategy
As a buyer, you
should expect to see 5 to 7 homes a day, for as long as it takes
to find your home. All the homes should fit your parameters, and
the agent should preview those homes for you. The agent should
also agree to solely represent you and not represent other
buyers who are competing for the same inventory.
As a seller, you would like your
agent to advertise weekly for you, do direct mail, send
e-flyers, produce four-color brochures, and present you with a
marketing campaign designed specifically for you.
What Are the
Top Three Things That Separate
You From Your Competition?
A good agent
won't hesitate to answer this question and will be ready to fire
off why she is best suited for the job. Everyone has their own
standards, but most consumers say they are looking for agents
who say they are:
- Honest and
trustworthy
- Assertive
- Excellent
negotiators
- Available
by phone or e-mail
- Good
communicators
- Friendly
- Analytical
- Able to
maintain a good sense of humor under trying circumstances
^ back to top
Top Three Things That Make the
Agent Different
Examples can
range from marketing to knowledge. Acceptable answers are:
- Extensive
online marketing
- Good
negotiation skills
- Assertive,
doesn't take no for an answer
- Strong
communicator.
May I
Review Documents Before I Will Be Asked to Sign?
A sign of a
good real estate agent is a professional who makes forms
available to you for preview before you are required to sign
them. If at all possible, ask for these documents upfront.
As a buyer, ask for copies of the following:
- Buyer's
Broker Agreement (is it exclusive or non-exclusive?)
- Agency
Disclosures
- Purchase
Agreement
- Buyer
Disclosures
As a seller, ask to see:
- Agency
Disclosure
- Listing
Agreement
Let the real
estate agent explain to you who she works with and why she
chooses these professionals. Your agent should be able to supply
you with a written list of referring vendors such as mortgage
brokers, home inspectors and title companies. Ask for an
explanation if you see the term "affiliated" because it could
mean that the agent and her broker are receiving compensation
from one or all of vendors, and you could be paying a premium
for the service.
Affiliation with Related Professionals
Ask the agent
if the title company she recommends charges competitive fees.
All agents build teams of professionals, from title companies to
escrow officers to mortgage lenders, home inspectors and
appraisers. Ask if the agent's company is receiving compensation
for the referral. If so, you might want to choose another
professional. Payment of some referral fees are against the law.
Don't ask if
the fee is negotiable. All real estate fees are negotiable.
Typically, real estate agents charge a percentage, from 1% to 4%
to represent one side of a transaction: a seller or a buyer. A
listing agent may charge, for example, 3% for herself and
another 3% for the buyer's agent, for a total of 6%.
You might ask
the agent to reiterate your goals and objectives. If the agent
does not appear to have a thorough understanding of what you
want, despite your attempts to explain what you want, then hire
somebody else. Some agents do not listen very well. You want an
agent who will listen to you and communicate with you. The best
way to find out if the agent comprehends your desires is to ask
the agent to repeat it back to you. |
Apply
Now 