Seller information......Buyer information.........how important is the 'right' real estate agent?
If you follow the news about real estate, do you know the state of our real estate market in Tampa Bay? How about the prices of homes in YOUR zip code? There is much information out there these days about Real Estate, it's future, it's past, is this a good time to buy? It can be very confusing and frustrating for both buyers and sellers.
All the industry real estate statistics you hear, are just THAT. Past home sales prices have little impact or relevance on getting a home sold TODAY, or worse, TOMORROW.
Buyer Information:
If you are looking to buy right now..................congratulations..........you are in the drivers seat. Make sure you have a REALTOR working on your behalf, who listens to you and learns your needs and wants, to help cut through the clutter of homes available in every price range, and then works on your behalf to negotiate the best possible deal for you to get into your new home! A good knowlegable agent knows what is for sale, how long it has been for sale, what the market conditions are in any particular area.
Seller Information:
As a seller, one of the best things you can do is have a trusted, reputable, honest REALTOR advising you as to the current market conditions in our local area. Looking back 6 months, paying too little attention to the neighboring communities, advising you to price your property too high to get it sold, or worse yet, not even shown, or agreeing to pay the agent who brings the buyer too low a commission just won't cut it if you really want your home SOLD. Sure, it's nice if your agent loves your home just the way it is, but then again, he/she likely isn't in the market to buy it. You need an agent who will be honest with you with regard to price AND condition. These days with over 18 months of inventory in our local housing market, you need to do everything possible to make your home as attractive to the buyers out there as possible. That might mean replacing the purple carpet that you love so much, removing uncle Jim's favorite chair from in front of the TV, or even paying someone to beautify the outside of your home...................even though it's been perfectly fine for you in the past 5 years you've lived there!
You need an agent who will advise and council you on what you need to do now to get your home on the 'sold' list...................oh.............and by the way............just because you are told something today doesn't mean that same holds true for next month.................a good agent will make sure you know and understand the daily changes in our marketplace and that Tampa Bay Area real estate is fluid. New listings come on the market everyday and other sellers reduce their prices to make their homes more attractive and competitive........you need to make sure your real estate agent is knowledgeable about the market for your home on a constant basis.
For more information on our local real estate market, market conditions, industry statistics, buyer information or seller information, please contact me at:
www.BuyBrandonHomes.com or call me directly at 813 784-0438
Marie Shine, e-Pro, GRI
Keller Williams Realty