There are many different things sellers may face when working with real estate agents in Kalamazoo. Learn more about what to watch out for in our latest post!
Before we get started, let us first say that there are some truly great agents out there! However, selling with an agent isn’t always the best way to sell a house. Every house is unique along with every situation a seller may be facing. Therefore, there should be options when you are looking to sell your home. Before you decide to list, please consider all the ways you can sell your Kalamazoo house, and then choose which method is right for you. Below are a few common obstacles sellers face when working with an agent.
The Money Up Front
When you list a house, it will need to be competitive with the others on the market if you want to sell fast. Most houses will require not only repairs but also a thorough cleaning and continued upkeep. You might want to stage or pay to have some of your belonging put in storage to make the house appear less cluttered. These costs come into play as you work towards signing a listing agreement.
Marketing and Other Expenses
Not all agents are full service; some will charge additional fees on top of commission or they will leave certain aspects of the marketing up to you. There are flat rate agents who will list your house on the MLS. You will need to show the property, handle questions, pay for additional marketing and more. Every agent is different in what they offer. If you choose to work with a Kalamazoo real estate agent, make sure you know what services they provide.
Glorified Listing Prices
Please know this is not true of all agents, but there are some that may glorify your listing price to have you sign with them. This can hurt your ability to sell quickly as a high price will make many people look the other way. You will eventually need to lower the price, which only wastes your time in the long run. Houses that sit on the MLS get less attention than fresh listings hitting the market. Therefore, it is important to price your property correctly from the get-go.
Being Stuck In A Contract
Getting stuck in a listing agreement can be very frustrating. There are some agreements will state that the agent is entitled to their commission no matter how the house is sold. Even if you find the buyer yourself, you will still be required to pay your agent. It is especially frustrating when you have an agent that may not be working as hard as they should be. You can find yourself doing much of the work, only to have them collect their fee when all is said and done. Also, when signing with an agent be aware of the duration of the contract as some can be for an extended period of time.
Selling Direct Might Be For You
For many houses in the Kalamazoo area, a direct sale could potentially be a better choice. There are no commissions, fees, repair costs, or marketing expenses. You won’t have to wait around for a buyer and we will work to close quickly on your timing.
Want to understand the alternatives to working with an agent Kalamazoo? We can help! Contact us today (269) 775-4095
