Choosing a Realtor (second mortgage, broker, how much)

[poconosmama]

We've decided to put our house on the market again hoping that spring/summer gives us better luck. We now know we need a more aggressive realtor that advertises, but what other qualities should I look for in a realtor? I met one today that seemed great but now I always second guess after getting burned so bad last time around

[Summering]

I'm sorry Mama........over the years I have thought I have found the "best" and the "brightest" but........by the end......it was entirely different.
Either they didn't follow through, and let things flop, over the person getting a mortgage. Maybe they should of just said, these people might not get a second mortgage, or maybe said......"we're not sure they have the funds"
Or......They took great pictures so you thought they were the best, but then lost your buyer over their appraisal, and then turned against you, because of it......Hummm
Most of the time they sign you up and just don't follow through.
I lost a better deal once because of the realtor having a baby sitting job.
Also, in that same case when it did go through, it wasn't taken to the seller to sign and another broker picked up on that........and that cost me $5,000 more as he had a buyer who would pay the full price. We had settled on the lesser price. So because the realtor didn't get the paperwork signed with my seller.......I paid.
I do have to say the most through, and also with weekly contact was with C/21.......
They do not fool around with numbers, or mortgages. They make up a package, and they show you what is what. My best experience is with that group.
But.........I could do a book on what can and does go wrong.

[businezguy]

Originally Posted by poconosmama

We've decided to put our house on the market again hoping that spring/summer gives us better luck. We now know we need a more aggressive realtor that advertises, but what other qualities should I look for in a realtor? I met one today that seemed great but now I always second guess after getting burned so bad last time around

Where are you located, and what do you plan to put your house on the market for (I understand if you don't want to share that)?

[BLUEDIAMOND64]

Poconomama,

1. First, you have to interview the realtor and find out what he/she is going to do for you. Re: advertising, marketing the house.

2. You may not like it but your house has to be priced right. That is a hard concept for most homeowners including myself to understand....what it really depends on is how much you want to sell and what you can sell for.

3. Consider an incentive for the agent and/or incentive for the buyer such as closing costs.

4. Realtors give reputations to people who constantly keep switching realtors. One guy we know none of the realtors will sign him on because he changes realtors every 6 months and never has his house priced right.

You get a feel for a professional realtor. The realtor we have now we are very happy with and we were happy to meet her because she showed the house more than the first realtor we had the house with.

Also important, is that the realtor call you back, email you back and take an interest in selling your house.

Good luck,

The Hat