marketing is key in listing a home,” Stark says. “A buyer
is looking to feel a certain way when they enter a home,
when they walk into “the one” they want to feel like
they’re home.” Marketing expert agents use multiple plat-
forms to advertise a property that is best staged for most
likely buyers; ask your agent to show you their portfolio
of marketing.
Negotiation
A stellar agent must include proven negotiation skills.
After all, what good does it do to price a house perfectly
for the market, have it staged well and marketed superbly,
only to get to the offer table and have everything fall
apart? As a client’s fiduciary, an agent is obligated legally
and ethically to act upon their client’s best interest.
Negotiation isn’t simply a tactic of which party can force
the other into an agreement that is clearly one-sided.
There is an art to negotiation, an ability to listen and
discern what is most important to both parties that will
ensure a solid and timely deal. To assume that the only
pressure-point in a contract is price, is incorrect. Perhaps
a buyer is willing to pay over asking price if the seller can
commit to a quicker closing. Or maybe the seller is will-
ing to meet the buyers price offer if they’re coming to the
table with cash, ensuring a much faster closing. Finding
the win-win scenario that best suits their client’s interest
is key. A champion negotiator is paramount to closing the
deal.
Finally, make sure your real estate agent is with a
reputable brokerage. Buying or selling property is a legal
transaction, you want to make certain the company you
are doing business with is properly licensed and provides
their agents with the top training resources available.
By ensuring your transaction is compliant with the law
throughout the process, your agent is saving you time,
money and the stress of any possible litigation, should an
agreement not be reached. Protect your largest asset, find
an agent with stellar values and maximize your return
on investment. You deserve the peace-of-mind knowing
your fiduciary is working in your best interest to help you
achieve one of your most important financial transactions.
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