What to look for in a realtor?

[Sigarms]

Out of state with my father this past weekend, having two realtors look at his house that he finally want's to sell.

What do you look for in a realtor selling your home?

Realtor #1 - made some good suggestions IMO on what needed to be fixed and walked the entire house, including the detached garage. I made notes and askes or made comments that they would change to sell the house (realtor 1 even noted that the boiler had in floor heat in the basement whereas realtor #2 made no comment about it).

Realtor #2 - made one comment about wiring in the basement, but really didn't walk the entire house and didn't even bother walking out to the detached garage.

Both realtors made the comment that they could "liquidate" anything in the home that my father didn't want, but only realtor 1 mentioned about changing the kitchen countertops as something they would do to try to sell the house faster.

The bigger issue is my father likes realtor #2 over #1, even though he (father) didn't walk the house with realtor #2. That said, it's his house.

Both my wife and I are leaning towards realtor #1 because he (realtor #1) can basically do everything "in house" per his suggestionss to sell the home (example, basement door was cracked and had to be replaced which #1 pointed out and I didn't even notice, realtor #2 walked out the same door and didn't say a word about it).

Just wondering if I'm out of line with my line of thinking?

 

[MossRoad]

Just remember that the realtor is working for themselves, not you.

 

[herm0016]

a bullshitter, a negotiator. and at the same time someone who will be straight up with their clients about what needs to be done and what will help sell a house.

I have been through a few that just want to put a sign on it and let it sell, they don't work for it. our current friend and realtor is a bit crazy. He works hard and sells a lot of properties, knows the market better than anyone and has helped negotiate great deals on several properties for us.

# 2 for sure, but make sure they are not getting kickbacks from the suppliers on the upgrades. always get your own quotes. Realtors that work for themselves want to get your house sold for top dollar to make more commission in less time. I really don't see how that is different from your own interests as a seller.

i really meant # 1 sorry.

 

[sdquick]

I really do not like realtors. But, due to the "game" they often are a necessary evil (and waste of money). That said if they both have fixed commission (3% or maybe you could get one to go to 2.5%), it sounds like one will do the minimum (list on MLS, and show up if someone wants to see it) while the other will actually make an effort. I would go with the one that is willing to do a good job! Good luck!

 

[Sigarms]

# 2 for sure, but make sure they are not getting kickbacks from the suppliers on the upgrades. always get your own quotes. Realtors that work for themselves want to get your house sold for top dollar to make more commission in less time. I really don't see how that is different from your own interests as a seller.

The reality is we're close to 500 miles away from the house. There is something to be said for making it easier for you if you don't have time to deal with it.

 

[RNeumann]

Who’s moving the most real estate in the area? What type of contract do they require? 60 days, 120 days, 1 year etc. I wouldn’t go with anyone who wants to lock you in for more than say 60 days or so. And I wouldn’t go in with anyone who isn’t moving 5-10 million/ year depending on the area. You don’t want some part time hack who sell real estate as a “retirement hobby” or in between taking kids to soccer. You want a full time hustler to make it happen.

Of course, with some remodeling the place will sell for more. It will depend on how much you want to do to the place.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

I have a lot of experience dealing with realtors buying a home, never had to sell a house yet.

Personally if I was selling a home, I would hire a home inspector in the area, let them run threw the house as if I was buying it.

They will tell you everything wrong and out of code that will need fixing to pass Freddy Mac and fanny Mae guidelines with many banks and lenders use. When I was buying houses, I noticed which ones showed (In-Contract) for a long time only to fall back on the market multiple times.

This would only work for someone willing to fix what comes up. As a buyer, it’s a bummer when I would find things wrong with the house, and find out the owner won’t fix them, they were as-is, either I fix them or pass. I eventually passed. 7-10 times the house had to be bought by a cash buyer for significantly less because the seller was unwilling to fix issues and they didn’t pass the guidelines the banks use.

Listings for new homes aren’t incredibly detailed. New things stand out like A/C and Furnance, carpet, countertops etc. not saying they have to be new. Nobody I know looking to buy a house said they had to have a New A/C or whatever, that’s not a make or break thing.

The job of the selling realtor from my understanding is pretty easy. They list the house, put a lock on the front door with a key in it, answer questions on the listing as needed and do paperwork.

If you don’t like the listing the realtor used, make your own before it’s published to MLS. I prob would.

List ALL the features that make the house attractive. Rustic feel, farm house style, charming, quiet neighborhood etc. I’m not the best at being descriptive like that but I have seen other realtors use those terms.

 

[herm0016]

The reality is we're close to 500 miles away from the house. There is something to be said for making it easier for you if you don't have time to deal with it.

i really meant #1

 

[DABSGT]

Honesty

 

[fried1765]

Out of state with my father this past weekend, having two realtors look at his house that he finally want's to sell.

What do you look for in a realtor selling your home?

Realtor #1 - made some good suggestions IMO on what needed to be fixed and walked the entire house, including the detached garage. I made notes and askes or made comments that they would change to sell the house (realtor 1 even noted that the boiler had in floor heat in the basement whereas realtor #2 made no comment about it).

Realtor #2 - made one comment about wiring in the basement, but really didn't walk the entire house and didn't even bother walking out to the detached garage.

Both realtors made the comment that they could "liquidate" anything in the home that my father didn't want, but only realtor 1 mentioned about changing the kitchen countertops as something they would do to try to sell the house faster.

The bigger issue is my father likes realtor #2 over #1, even though he (father) didn't walk the house with realtor #2. That said, it's his house.

Both my wife and I are leaning towards realtor #1 because he (realtor #1) can basically do everything "in house" per his suggestionss to sell the home (example, basement door was cracked and had to be replaced which #1 pointed out and I didn't even notice, realtor #2 walked out the same door and didn't say a word about it).

Just wondering if I'm out of line with my line of thinking?

Realtor #1 for certain!