If you are thinking of listing your South Lake Tahoe real estate, chances are you have been scoping out your local South Lake Tahoe Realtors. Which is a good idea considering that choosing a qualified individual to represent you and your home is the first, and most important, step. A good South Lake Tahoe Realtor will help you sell your home fast and also for the most money. Finding the right one requires finding out their credentials. While some real estate professionals might be offended that you want to ask them a few questions, you should definitely get some information before signing a listing agreement. If you are trying to determine which Realtor in South Lake Tahoe is a match for you, ask them the following questions.
1.) What credentials make you qualified to sell my home?
Your Realtor in South Lake Tahoe should have a California license and belong to the local association. This allows them access to the Local Multiple Listing Service which is where your home is listed and as a result, seen by hundreds of local Realtors AND buyers all over the world. Do they have certifications that specialize in something specific such as luxury or second resort homes? Are they a member of the National Association of Realtors®, which requires additional training and following a code of ethics? How are they involved in the community? Have they been recognized for their success? How long have they been in the business? These are the types of questions that can give you a hint on their involvement in the industry and the community. A local, qualified realtor that seeks additional education and is constantly looking for ways to grow is likely passionate about the bigger scope of what the term “home” really means.
2.) How many homes for sale in South Lake Tahoe did you close last year?
The answer to this is multi-faceted. This doesn’t necessarily mean that a Realtor in South Lake Tahoe is good or not. After all, market conditions can play a big role which can positively or negatively impact any Realtor, good or not. However, it does suggest that enough people have put their trust into them for their real estate needs. South Lake Tahoe Real estate is a referral business. If the number of sales is high, chances are that they know what they are doing. If you want a more in-depth answer to this question, ask about their sales volume, how quickly the homes sold, what neighborhoods these homes were in and how close the accepted offers were to the list prices.
3.) Do you specialize in specific neighborhoods and areas?
Having a South Lake Tahoe Realtor that specializes in your neighborhood can give you a huge advantage. They may be aware of certain nuances, amenities or upcoming developments that other Realtors may not know about. They also know the past, present and future of this areas real estate market which can be of benefit to a home seller. Listing homes for sale in South Lake Tahoe also includes selling the neighborhood.
4.) How do you decide on the listing price?
The next most important thing after selecting the right Realtor, is selecting the right selling price for the current market conditions. Homes for sale in South Lake Tahoe that are overpriced can sit too long causing buyers to think there is something wrong. Homes that are priced too low can mean you didn’t get your full potential. A realtor will pull comparable sales from the last 3-6 months which tells you what buyers are willing to pay for a home similar to yours. This in turn helps you pick a price that is fair and attractive to buyers.
5.) Will I be working with you or are you a part of a team?
If your South Lake Tahoe Realtor is part of a team, find out who you will be working with. Usually, when an agent is working with a team, that means there is always someone to help you if your realtor is unavailable for whatever reason. Or if your realtor is not a part of a team, but has an assistant, you may be corresponding with them as well. This isn’t a negative in anyway, in fact your Realtor having extra support is a great bonus. However, it is nice to know all the people that will be involved so you don’t overlook communication because you don’t recognize the name.
6.) How much does selling cost?
Selling involves closing costs, commissions and potential repairs depending on the inspection report. Getting an estimate ahead of time of the costs can help you plan accordingly. Some realtors will take a lower commission, which sounds appealing at first, but being the listing agent is not cheap. Out of pocket, it can cost a Realtor anywhere from $500-$10,000 plus to market homes for sale in South Lake Tahoe. Here is a quick break down of the on average costs:
-Professional photos on average run around $400. Add in a Matterport 3D Tour at $250 on average and a lifestyle drone video is another $400 on average. That totals around $1,000 just for the professional images and videos.
-Professional staging on average is about $3000 although can go WAY up depending on the property.
-Professional post cards created, printed and mailed to your neighborhood/sphere are usually around $500.
-Professional flyers/brochures created for the flyer box & signage (which also carries additional costs for install) is usually another $500.
Of course, Realtors can do some of these tasks themselves (like the photos and flyers) however the outcome doesn’t always show as well as a professional’s work and it is still time spent. So be leery of anyone willing to reduce their commission to get your listing. Usually a portion of that commission goes towards the cost of marketing South Lake Tahoe Homes For Sale that is FREE to the seller.
7.) What is your marketing plan?
Speaking of professional photos, staging and postcards, ask a Realtor what their marketing plan is. Each professional should have a presentations that identifies who they are, the brand they are affiliated with, where your property will be seen and how they plan to get your property in front of buyers whether it be social media, print ads, open houses, etc.
8.) What do I need to do before I list?
Ask them their professional advice on how to prepare your property for the market. Do you need to paint? Repair? De-clutter? Will staging services be necessary? A real estate professional usually has a trusted vendor list they have worked with in the past if the client is unable to handle the needed repairs and fixes on their own.
9.) How do I get ahold of you?
If you two don’t have the same communication style, it isn’t a deal breaker. In fact, a good Realtor will communicate ahead of time on, well…how to communicate. You may prefer email or a phone call. Due to the vast communication options, your chosen Realtor may have another method they feel is more timely. Find out what it is and then let them know the ways that you DO NOT like to communicate. If text doesn’t work well for you, express that. Also tell them how often you would like to check in. Some folks are good with a weekly check in, while some will call every single day. Also ask if there are certain hours they are unavailable and let them know your hours of availability as well.
10.) How long will it take to sell my home?
No agent can guarantee a number, but they can give you an idea based on recent market activity. For example, South Lake Tahoe homes for sale are selling on average in 98 days. One property can throw off the whole average though, so while this is the number for this month, it could go up or down next month based on the market. For more information, give me a call!
