Introducing Real Estate 101 From Just Ducky Homes
For anyone considering selling their home with agent representation, this is going to be a crash course in the world of real estate. Check back in over the next few weeks, as I'll be adding more information.
I know, you're already saying "Why would an agent help me sell my home for free?" I'll answer that question in a second.
The first thing you need to know is that it is not impossible to sell your home without an agent. I've known some owners that really take on the job of doing it themselves and the results are fabulous. You just have to be willing to make a large commitment to marketing your home effectively.
A simple rule of any type of marketing is that the more people your product (in this case, your home) is exposed to the higher the demand for that product will be. We all know what happens when demand is high - just look at gas prices last summer. The more buyers and agents that know your home is available the higher your selling price will be.
For example, when Nancy and I list a property the first thing we do is send out an e-mail to local agents letting them know about the new listing. Here is where having access to the MLS comes in handy - every prospect from other agents in the MLS that matches your home will receive an e-mail alert. They can then contact their agent to set up a showing. We also begin our Internet marketing and print campaigns. It's important to let as many people know your home is for sale as possible.
Although you can't list your home in the MLS without listing with an agent, the best place to start to market your home is on the Internet. Over 87% of buyers start their home search online. Try www.freewebs.comas a starting place. You can create a website for your home here. Most sites like Realtor.com, Trulia.com, or ColdwellBanker.com only allow agents to post listings - but don't worry - there are plenty of sites out there that let owners post their homes for sale. It's pretty long, so feel free to contact me if your interested in this list.
Now to answer the question I'm pretty sure you posed above... Why would an agent would give tips out to a FSBO? (That means For Sale By Owner in Realtor speak, by the way). The reason is this - there may come a day when you or someone you know needs the services of a Realtor, and you might be kind enough to refer them to me.
Next week, I'll go over commonly used terms by agents that might contact you about your home and what they mean.
Feel free to e-mail me or call with any questions about selling your home. I'd be happy to help, with no obligation.
You can find more tips for selling your home on your own under the "Sellers" section of our website at www.JustDuckyHomes.com
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Kristina Pratt is a Realtor with the Just Ducky Homes Group at Coldwell Banker Brown Realtors in Edwardsville.
kristina@justduckyhomes.com
(618)917-0775 wirelesshttp://www.edwardsvillerealtors.com
http://www.justduckyhomes.com
http://www.twitter.com/kmprattrealtor
http://madisoncountyrealestate.blogspot.com(Copyright© 2009 Kristina Pratt, All Rights Reserved.)
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About the Author: Nancy Milton, GRI, is a REALTOR with the GoshenRealtyGroup at RE/MAX Preferred Partners in Edwardsville, Illinois. She and Kristina Pratt help their customers buy and sell homes and investment properties in St. Louis' Illinois suburbs with special emphasis on homes for sale in Madison County and the communities of Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Maryville, Collinsville, Troy, Bethalto and surrounding areas.
Goshen Realty Group takes its name from the earliest nickname for Madison County, Illinois -- the Land of Goshen -- coined when the region's first settlers compared their new home east of the Mississippi River to the biblical land of peace and plenty.
For more information, visit GoshenRealtyGroup.com or e-mail Nancy at Nancy@GoshenRealtyGroup.com. Text or call Nancy at 618-791-8007. REMAX Preferred Partners is located at One 157 Center, Edwardsville, IL 62025.
Please note that individual listings periodically mentioned in this blog are accurately described in terms of availability and price at the time of the posting. Because properties are constantly coming on and off the market, please contact Nancy for the latest information on those that are of particular interest to you.
Central A/C
My brother flew in from Georgia today for a brief surprise visit for our mother's birthday.