Choosing a Listing Agent

So, you're ready to sell your home. How do you choose the right listing agent? The answer may surprise you. Here are some inside tips on what to look for and what to watch out for!

  • WATCH OUT for an asking price that's too high.

    The most common mistake sellers make when selecting a listing agent is to go with the agent who suggests the highest price for their home. Here are two cautions:

    Real Estate Agent(1)  The agent may be trying to "buy" your listing. Buying a listing is a misleading practice where the agent entices you to sign with her by suggesting a high asking price, which she intends to have you lower later because the home is "just not getting any bites." This practice is unethical and suggests an agent who is more concerned about getting a commission than doing what's best for you.

    (2)  Even if the agent is sincere in her valuation, an asking price that is too high will reduce buyer exposure. It gets a bap rap among other agents as "that overpriced house on Center." Since property is rarely sold by the listing agent, it's important to be realistic from the get-go. Otherwise, agents are likely to steer their buyers to the reasonably priced houses, allowing yours to grow stale on the market.

    Satterfield Realty provides you with a Comparative Market Analysis to show you homes similar to yours that have recently sold and are on the market. This research provides an excellent guideline for pricing your home appropriately.

  • LOOK FOR an agent with a lower number of listings.

    Lower? A real estate agent with lots of listings does look impressive, but what is he really good at: getting listings or actually selling listings. You see, the best agents don't hang on to listings long or spread themselves too thin with a warehouse of properties to market. They are out showing property and learning what buyers want and what they are willing to pay for. They know the least-cost improvements to suggest for maximum profit and turnaround.

    For over 70 years, Satterfield Realty has amassed a wealth of knowledge on what Pocatello buyers want—especially through our regular consultations with buyers who are building their "dream homes" in our new housing developments. We work on your terms while offering our experience and expertise to sell your home right.

  • WATCH OUT for hard-to-see or agent-promoting FOR SALE signs.

    There's nothing better than a good FOR SALE sign to send the message that your house is on the market. Look for a color that is highly visible in all weather conditions, avoiding earth tones and too much white. A contact number should be clearly visible, but make sure the focus is on the house, not the agent. Too much agent promotion on a sign, like photographs and catchy slogans, can be a turn-off. It's the house for sale, not the agent.

    Satterfield Realty uses bright yellow signs that catch attention in rain, snow, or shine. Red-lettered riders make the contact number easy to read and prompts potential buyers to visit our Web site where they'll view loads of information in a media-enhanced presentation of your home.

  • LOOK FOR heavy Internet advertising.

    Where are buyers looking for homes? You guessed it, the Internet. That's where all the information is available for buyers to make an informed decision. They don't have to rely on an agent to search property listings, so look for a company that will market your property online in its best light: well organized, quick to load, and no detracting banner advertisements.

    What about home magazines and newspaper ads? They're okay, but they provide so little information that they rarely sell a home. Realtors generally use these outlets as a way to get leads.

    Satterfield Realty is pro-technology. It keeps an in-house Web developer and photographer so that your house receives outstanding online exposure. It features the most advanced Pocatello MLS system and doesn't clutter its site with advertising.

  • WATCH OUT for low commissions.

    Like many industries, real estate has its "discount brokers." They offer to put your home on the MLS for a low commission, and they may even ask you to schedule the appointments and conduct the showings. This is a risky circumstance. By not contracting with a traditional agent, you give up full legal agent representation and expose your family to physical danger by opening your home to strangers. Realtors sometimes avoid taking their buyers to homes listed with discount agencies.

    Satterfield Realty is a full-service brokerage that legally represents you in the sale of your home, offering its expertise to ensure a smooth transaction. We use lockbox security, which allows only licensed realtors to enter your home and tracks their entrance time with an internal logging system.

  • LOOK FOR memorable information sheets.

    At the end of a showing day, buyers will have seen many homes. Which one will they remember? Certainly the home itself will leave the biggest impression on buyers, but a well-made brochure can help them remember all the reasons why—reinforcing their appeal for the home over and over again.

    Satterfield Realty produces information sheets that combine photographs with compelling text to remind buyers why your home is right for them.
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