When selling your Marin County home and choosing a listing agent, there are steps that you and your Realtor need to take so that your property receives maximum exposure to attract a ready, willing and able buyer.
There are thousands of factors that can affect the sale of your home and the final sale price. These factors range from the uncontrollable – the street your home is on – to the controllable – the home’s “first impression” on buyers, and the price. Our experience with these factors has allowed us to sell over 1500 homes across Marin County. Effective marketing and knowledge of historical precedent will help ensure that your home is sold in a timely manner at the best price. Knowledge of and experience with the myriad of issues that come up during a transaction are also crucial to a successful escrow closing.
We have compiled the best and most pertinent information to help Marin homeowners sell their homes for the most money. This site has been created to make the understanding of the sale of your home easier. We have compiled the best and most pertinent information to help Marin homeowners sell their homes for the most money. Personalized advice and free home appraisals can be gained through Registration.
Buying and selling real estate is a complex matter. No two homes are alike in Marin – there are very few subdivisions and nearly all homes are architecturally unique. Contract terms, marketing options, inspection requirements and closing costs all have Marin-specific qualities as well. And in this maze of forms, financing, inspections, marketing, pricing and negotiating, it makes sense to work with professionals who are experienced in creating safe and viable transactions and know Marin County and its market conditions.
Across Marin County there are hundreds of real estate agents and the competition can be intimidating. When interviewing agents it is important to consider the following: experience in the business by the number of years working full time, track record by number of homes sold, current inventory and homes in escrow, support staff versus a “one person show”, professional designations and testimonials, knowledge and experience in specific neighborhoods, methods of marketing – active versus passive, networking and top agent affiliations. Sellers should use all the resources that they have to select their realtor including referrals, the internet, testimonials and regional experience. For additional information on how to choose a realtor visit our “How to Choose a Realtor” section.
Once you and your realtor have established a price, have them calculate a “net sheet” which will show you what expenses to expect and what you will be left with to buy your next home. An experienced agent can give you a realistic idea of what to expect and one should consult their own tax accountant regarding any tax consequences.
Almost all Marin agents will ask for an “exclusive right-to-sell” listing. This means that you will owe the broker a commission regardless of who finds a buyer during the listing period. In other words, if you decide to sell the house to your cousin, your broker still gets a commission.
It’s possible that a local Realtor from another company will find a buyer for your home. In that case, your broker is the listing broker, and the second agent is the buyer’s agent or broker. General practice in Marin County is that the commission is split between the listing agent and buyer’s agent.
The listing agreement will specify how long you agree to list your house with a company and a specific agent. You want a period that’s long enough to motivate your Realtor to advertise your home and respond to buyers, yet short enough to allow you to change to a different agent or brokerage if you become unhappy with the Realtor’s service.
Remember that the listing agreement is a contract, and your agent and brokerage is bound to the terms just as you are.
As part of the overall marketing strategy, your Marin Realtor may arrange a tour of your home for local agents and perhaps schedule an open house for the public. Your realtor may also run ads in local newspapers, Web sites, and other publications tailored specifically for the type of home you are selling. Keep in mind that there is a big difference in active and passive marketing. You want your agent to explain the difference and how they are going to be proactive in getting buyers through your doors.
You’ve got questions and we can’t wait to answer them.