Choosing a Sales Representative

Your sales representative is a trained professional who knows all aspects of the real estate market. A sales representative will save you time, money and aggravation.

As with purchasing a home, you want to list with the sales representative who is the expert in your location. After all, potential purchasers will be calling this same “area expert” to inquire about houses for sale. There will be a few sales representatives who are knowledgeable about your neighbourhood. Call them up and interview them. You need to feel comfortable with him or her, after all, they will be working for you.

Should You Go With a Non-Exclusive or Exclusive Listing Arrangement?

If you enter into this type of arrangement with your sales representative, you are giving him or her the exclusive right to find a purchaser for your home. With this type of agreement, no other sales representative will bring potential buyers to your home, because only the listing sales representative is entitled to the commission.

You may consider this type of arrangement in a Sellers’ Market during which time there are more people interested in purchasing a home than there are homes available.

Understand Market Conditions

The real estate market is in constant flux, not only as a whole but in particular areas as well. Knowing what is going on in the overall and local real estate markets will help you understand how these conditions can affect the sale of your home. We’ve designed the following comparison to help give you an overview of the three significant market positions. When you meet with your sales representative, ask about the current state of the market.

Buyers’ Market:

The supply of homes on the market exceeds demand.

Characteristics: High inventory of homes. Few buyers compared to availability. Homes usually stay on the market longer. Prices are stable or perhaps dropping.

Implications: Buyers spend more time looking for a home, and when they negotiate, they usually have more leverage.

Sellers’ Market:

The number of potential buyers exceeds the supply of homes on the market.

Characteristics: There is a smaller inventory of homes with many buyers. Homes sell quickly. Prices usually increase.

Implications: Prices may be higher or perhaps climbing. Buying decisions must be made quickly. Conditional offers may be rejected.

Balanced Market:

The number of homes on the market is roughly equal to the demand.

Characteristics: Demand equals supply. Sellers accept reasonable offers. Homes sell within a reasonable time period. Prices generally remain stable.

Implications: There is less tension among buyers and sellers. There is a reasonable number of homes to choose from.