Which realtor shall I use as listing agent? (Arlington: 2015, houses)

[LoveAlbuquerque]

After researching, I've found two agents with proven records. It seems that one has 4 active listings with mostly higher asking prices. The other has one active listing but her location not close to my property.

To compare the pros and cons, the one with 4 listings might be too busy to focus on my property, while the other might not show up as often as she would if her location were closer.

Which one would make a better candidate?

[weezycom]

Go with the one who has sold the most homes in your neighborhood

[JfromReston]

Originally Posted by weezycom

Go with the one who has sold the most homes in your neighborhood

Agree - if neither has sold any homes in your neighborhood, find out who sells the most homes in your neighborhood and talk to them.

[Carlingtonian]

If you're in a high-demand area, just go with who offers the lowest commission. Once the house is on MLS, it sells itself. People who are ready to buy are checking the MLS several times a day.

Getting it on the MLS is the only real service a listing agent provides, other than drawing up the forms. Open houses are a joke; everyone knows the only person who benefits is the listing agent, by getting new clients. (Any serious buyer at an open house has already seen it online and will make an appointment for a private viewing anyway.) You don't need "staging" advice if you just clear out all the clutter and personal effects and maybe paint here and there. Realtors like to brag about how well they "market" their listings, but house listings are now more like eBay than anything else.

[LoveAlbuquerque]

Originally Posted by Carlingtonian

If you're in a high-demand area, just go with who offers the lowest commission. Once the house is on MLS, it sells itself. People who are ready to buy are checking the MLS several times a day.

Some other realtors offer 4.5% (3% for buyer/1.5% for themselves) commission rate. Do you think that they offer the same level of service as those who charge 6%?

The two agents I found are masters in staging. They staged the homes so well that they both got cash offers and closed in several days. It may make a difference to have a professional stage the home so that it looks perfectly appealing.

[boyd888]

Originally Posted by LoveAlbuquerque

Some other realtors offer 4.5% (3% for buyer/1.5% for themselves) commission rate. Do you think that they offer the same level of service as those who charge 6%?

The two agents I found are masters in staging. They staged the homes so well that they both got cash offers and closed in several days. It may make a difference to have a professional stage the home so that it looks perfectly appealing.

Sounds like you're buying into the realtor hype quite a bit. I agree that a house sells itself. A good location and price will sell more than bowls of fruit everywhere. Arlington ramblers with interiors from the 70s are selling for $700K because of where they are and nothing more.

Rebate realtors are just fine and offer the same service. They offer rebates because it's 2015 not 1992 and realize that not all sellers want to pay 6% cartel fees to have someone list it on the MLS and show up at closing.

[Carlingtonian]

Originally Posted by LoveAlbuquerque

Some other realtors offer 4.5% (3% for buyer/1.5% for themselves) commission rate. Do you think that they offer the same level of service as those who charge 6%?

That's my point: There is no real "service" that you need beyond 1. posting it on MLS and 2. meeting clients to show the house by appointment.

Originally Posted by LoveAlbuquerque

The two agents I found are masters in staging. They staged the homes so well that they both got cash offers and closed in several days. It may make a difference to have a professional stage the home so that it looks perfectly appealing.

OK, but you can stage it yourself very easily. There's stuff on this all over the Internet. We staged our old house (even though we were paying 5.5% to a listing agent, who was very lazy), and it did very well. It's really just de-cluttering and de-personalizing. Not rocket science. Of course, there's an entire industry of people who make money by convincing people otherwise.

[Ashley Tauzier]

I think there are several factors that go into picking the right Realtor. In my opinion a rebate agent is not going to give you the same service, but obviously I am biased, since I am a Realtor. If you had to have heart surgery would you shop for the surgeon who will give you the best price, or would you go with the one with the best reputation of getting the job done? I'm sure I will get torn to shreds on this, but oh well.

As for picking, first you need to go with the agent that you felt most comfortable with and that seems the most eager to get your house sold. Agents do more then just put the house in the MLS and cross their fingers, at least good ones do. If your home is priced appropriately, staged appropriately, and professional pictures are done(not iphone pictures ugh), and you are in a great location, then of course your house will sell. Also the one who has a few listings, do they have a team? Sometimes working with a lead agent that then has buyers agents, can be beneficial as well because you have several people all working towards the common goal. I work with buyers and I will say that most people judge the book by the cover, if the pictures do not show the home in the best light, then they are not going to see that home.

Good luck and go with your gut!