Why use a Realtor to sell your home?

You are smart, capable, and resourceful, so why should you use a Realtor to sell your home? First, I should tell you what a Realtor is. A Realtor is a real estate agent who is a member of the National Association of Realtors. Realtors have a 17 article Code of Ethics that we adhere to and have to take training on every 3 years. We pay dues and take education classes to make sure we have the most up-to-date information to serve our clients.

I hear you Amanda, you have training, but how does that directly relate to me as a client? I am so glad you asked. If you were to get hurt or sick and you needed surgery. Would you want that surgeon to be trained? Would you want that doctor to be the best in his/her field? I sure would. 

What about the systems that a Realtor has at their disposal to make selling your home as painless as possible? If you are selling your house on your own, there is only one person trying to sell your home. If you use a Realtor, that Realtor is partnering with 700 other agents in northern Vermont who all want to sell your home to a buyer they have been talking to for weeks, months, or even years! At Ridgeline, we use vetted photographers to make sure that buyers from out of state can see your home in its best light. We comb over every inch of your home before the photographer arrives to make sure that everything looks clean and spacious. I use Showingtime to make sure that other agents can see what times are available to show your home with the click of a button. If you are selling yourself, you will have to take that phone call, tell the potential buyers what times you can meet them (which may not work with your work schedule), they may have to check with a spouse or partner and call you back.

How do I know what my home is worth? Should I use the Zestimate? Please, do not use an estimate from the internet. The Vermont real estate market is not the national real estate market. We have a unique market with few new homes being built, making existing homes a hot commodity. Does that mean I should price my home $50,000 to $100,000 higher? Buyers are savvy these days. They are a very good judge of value. When a buyer sees your home, you want them to see that value. If a home is over-priced from the beginning, a buyer will be disappointed in what they see, and they will keep scrolling. They will not schedule a showing because what they are seeing is not reflected in the price. Another point to note is that buyers using an online search engine enter the top price they are willing to pay. If your home is priced incorrectly, that buyer will never even see your home!

Is that it Amanda? You take pretty pictures and schedule showings? If only it were that easy. How many purchase and sales contracts have you read in your life? How do you know if someone is trying to slip something into the contract that takes advantage of you? Do you know how to compare 3 different offers to know what terms work best for you? Price is important, but it may not be the most important factor in the sale for you. Using an agent takes the guesswork out of selling your home. Having a trained professional who has sold dozens of homes and read hundreds of contracts is going to make the process seamless. The only thing I can't do for you is pack. If we get to the closing table and you think, 'well that was really easy' than I have done my job.

If you are thinking of selling your home in the next year, let's talk. Knowledge is power and I can't wait to meet you and help you on your journey to your next home.

Jeremy Collins and I are conducting seller seminars throughout Chittenden and Franklin County through November. If you would like more information, follow my Instagram: @amanda_headley_realtor