Why Use a Calgary Real Estate Agent to Sell Your Home?

After years in recession, price decline and a gloomy outlook, the Calgary real estate market is bouncing back, especially for free-standing homes. You're thinking it's time to sell.

You're thinking it's time to sell, but should you do it alone? Do you really need a Calgary real estate agent?

The answer to this is "yes". Read on to see why.

1. Set the Right Valuation

It all starts with figuring out what your home is worth. This can be more difficult than it seems.

You can easily see what homes are selling for, but you may not have access to what that home actually sold for. The two numbers can be very different.

Setting the wrong valuation can mean that you either sell it for too little or it just sits on the market with no bites.

A real estate agent knows the market and how to price your home. They have access to industry tools like MLS® System that others won't have access to, as well as the experience to set the right price.

2. Sell It for More

Your home's been on the market for only a week, and you already have a great offer. Maybe you should just accept it and move on.

This may be your best course of action, but a real estate agent will have the knowledge and experience to look at it objectively.

Is this just the first of several likely offers coming through?

Is this buyer's funding likely to go through?

Is the buyer asking for too many concessions?

Should you take the offer?

Your real estate agent will look at all of the moving pieces involved in this decision. And because they're in the know, they can make the decisions that help you get the best price for your home.

Many people are concerned about real estate agent commission because they think it will cut into their profits. But a real estate agent will help you sell it faster for more money, in most cases cancelling out the commission and netting you more.

3. Sell Faster (With No Regrets)

What's the cost of allowing your home to sit on the market?

You may have two mortgage payments. You have to pay for utilities in a home you're not living in. You have an increased chance of being the victim of vandalism or burglary if the home is vacant. You need to keep the outside pristine for buyers.

Did you know that Home owner's Insurance can deny your claim if the home has been vacant more than 30 days?

When you put a home on the market, you want it to sell fast. You want to know that you got the right price and didn't pay more out-of-pocket than you had to. In some markets, a home that's not actively promoted could go unsold for a year or more.

An agent can help you sell faster regardless of the home market.

4. Understand the Market

Various market temperaments call for very different marketing strategies. You can waste a lot of time and money marketing the wrong way.

Maybe what you're doing work in a different province or in a different market environment. But your efforts can be completely fruitless if your home marketing strategy isn't aligned with current market trends.

A real estate agent can evaluate market trends and challenges and design the perfect real estate marketing strategy to get the results.

5. Understand Which Improvements Add Value

Certain home repairs and improvements will pay for themselves or even help you get more for your home.

Others will cost you. They may even make your home less desirable even though they seemed like a great idea.

A real estate agent will tour your home, take notes and then make suggestions for improvements that will pay you back.

They may be a professional. But when they advise you not to make that expensive repair or complete that add-on, you'll consider them your best friend who just kept you from making costly mistakes.

They'll save you a lot of money, time, and disappointment.

6. Show Your House in the Best Light

If you've been living in a home for a while, you may not even notice that the landscaping looks a little cluttered or that the windows really need a good wash.

The dirt of your brick or siding may just seem like "character to you". You might not even realize that the towel rack in the bathroom is loose because you've just gotten used to it. These things could be a real turn-off to some many buyers, and they're so inexpensive to remedy.

A Calgary real estate agent will have the experience to show your home in the best light to help you get the best price.

7. Avoid Lots of Paperwork and Follow Up

Now we get to the fun stuff. Most people really dislike lots of paperwork and follow-up. And there's a lot of it in real estate.

Completing a sale involves:

• Lots of phone calls
• Appointment setting
• Filling out forms
• Networking
• Nurturing leads that aren't yet buyers
• Following up to make sure things get done
• Advertising
• Research

How thoroughly and effectively these tasks are completed can make or break a deal. People who try to go it alone often find it overwhelming. Before they begin, it's hard to anticipate the work that goes into selling your home.

A real estate agent has the tools, resources, and skills to get it all done.

8. Get Instant Access to Connections

A real estate agent will have the connections with:

• Lenders
• Appraisers
• Pest control
• Home repair
• Marketing venues
• Lawn care
• and so on

We all know that no man or woman is an island. Having connections with trusted people in the industry helps the whole selling process go smoother.

The alternative would be you spending a lot of time reading reviews, interviewing and coordinating with these professionals.

But because your agent has already developed a trusting professional relationship, you benefit from these connections as well.

A Calgary Real Estate Agent Does the Job Right

When you need to sell your home, it can appear to be a DIY project. But as you learn more about what's involved, you'll quickly understand why it's so important to work with an agent from the start.

Are you thinking of selling your home? We can answer any questions and then give you the support you need. Contact us today.