How Can a Seller’s Agent Help You?

If you are selling a home, you are going to have a few big decisions to make. For instance, will you do any upgrades to boost the value of your home before you list it? How much are you wanting to sell your property for? Are you going to try to sell it on your own or with the help of a seller’s agent?

While there is an endless list of questions you will need to answer, the answer to the latter question will determine just how much work you have to put into getting your home on the market - and sold for the right price.

Will you sell as a For Sale By Owner or with a seller’s agent? Before you answer, make sure you know what is involved.

What Does a Seller’s Agent Do?

The real estate agent that represents the seller in a transaction is referred to as the seller’s agent. This individual plays a large role in the real estate transaction. Below is a very general overview of all the ways a seller’s agent can help you.

Prep your Home for Listing

A seller’s agent will do a walkthrough of the home as well as some market research to determine if there is anything you can do to justify an increased listing price. If you want to get the best price, doing a few improvements may be beneficial.

The good news is an experienced seller’s agent will be able to link you with trusted local service providers to get the job done.

Staging Your Property

Home staging is a huge part of making a sale. Knowing just how to set up the property to show off certain areas while distracting from those less desirable will also give potential buyers a good first impression.

Seller’s agents know how to create the ideal space that will yield the greatest offers.

Professional Listing Photos

Before most people see the inside of your home, they will see it through pictures. Creating the perfect images should never be taken lightly as it will mean the difference between someone having a further interest in the home - or skipping over it.

A seller’s agent will either be equipped and skilled enough to handle taking the listing photos - or have the connections to get you the best shots from a professional photographer.

Determining the Sale Price

Like photos, the sale price will either capture attention or dismissal. So, having the right sale price is so important. To find the perfect number, a seller’s agent will do a comparative market analysis, comparing your home to those that have sold in your local area.

This analysis looks at all sorts of factors, including the size of the property, how old it is, any remodels or upgrades, how long it has been on the market, what it was listed for, what it ultimately sold for, etc.

From this information, a sale price for your property can be determined.

Marketing the Property

To sell your home, it needs to get in front of the right audience. A sign in the front yard can stir up some traffic, but the digital age has proven to be even more fruitful. Listing homes online is now a very vital part of marketing the property.

The seller’s agent will meet with potential buyers if necessary (or set up a lockbox), including creating a successful open house. They will also be the point of contact for any questions or offers that may come along.

Handling offers and contracts

Once an offer is presented, the seller’s agent can work with the seller and handle negotiations. When an offer is accepted they will handle the necessary paperwork to get the sale process moving forward, starting with the initial contact.

Seller’s Agent vs. Listing Agent

Is a seller’s agent and a listing agent the same thing? The two terms often get thrown around interchangeably within the industry causing some to not understand what the difference is - if any at all.

Simply put, a seller’s agent and a listing agent are the same. This is not to be confused with a selling agent who represents the buyer.

Whereas a buyer’s agent (or selling agent) helps a buyer find and purchase a home, a listing agent (or seller’s agent) helps the seller to sell their property.

Should You Hire a Seller’s Agent?

Choosing whether or not to hire a seller’s agent is entirely up to you as the seller. Are you required to have one? Absolutely not. Many sellers successfully sell their properties in a For Sale By Owner transaction.

A seller’s agent will charge you a commission fee that will come from the sale proceeds. This can vary, though current rates can be anywhere from 2% to 5- or 6%. If there is both a seller’s agent and a buyer’s agent, the higher commission rate is often split between them.

You can avoid paying the seller’s agent if you decide to sell as a FSBO. To know whether this is the right decision for you, you will have to decide if you want to put in the work – and if you have the right people on your side to help you get through the sale with flying colors.

FSBO Services at FIZZBOW

At FIZZBOW we understand that choosing to use a seller’s agent or to sell as a FSBO is a personal choice. Whatever route you decide to take, we are your trusted title company. We ease the burden by walking you through the transaction from contract to close.

Ready to learn more? Contact us today at (571) 407-5479.