Selling a home can be just as complex as buying one. Having a realtor by your side can give you an advantage over the competition, especially those who choose to sell by owner. A REALTOR with the trademark symbol is a member of the National Association of Realtors, and include the title on their business cards because it gives them extra credibility. They are required to maintain a high level of knowledge about selling properties. They follow a strict code of ethics for the benefit of the clients and the industry. This is from an article that appeared on Michael Putnam's website: http://michaelputnam.com/why-use-a-realtor-when-selling-a-home/

1. Why Use a REALTOR®
When Selling a Home?

2. Selling a home can be just as complex as buying one. Having a
realtor by your side can give you an advantage over the
competition, especially those who choose to sell by owner.
A REALTOR with the trademark symbol is a member of the
National Association of Realtors, and include the title on their
business cards because it gives them extra credibility. They are
required to maintain a high level of knowledge about selling
properties. They follow a strict code of ethics for the benefit
of the clients and the industry.
http://michaelputnam.com/

3. Advantages of Using a Realtor
When you use a realtor instead of trying
to sell a home on your own, your
property is listed in the MLS where other
real estate agents and buyers search for
homes. Studies also show that buyers
feel more confident working with an
agent rather than making the purchase
on their own. Unless you are willing to
pay the buyer’s agent’s commission out
of pocket, they will skip over your
property for one listed by an agent.
http://michaelputnam.com/

4. Here are some other reasons to use a realtor when selling your
property:
• A realtor knows the market – they are up
to date on the latest statistics and
information about the current market and
can often anticipate what’s coming in the
next few months.
• A realtor can make recommendations to
enhance your home or increase its selling
price – they can do a walk-through of your
property and suggest repairs or cosmetic
updates to help your home sell faster.
• A realtor has professional contacts to help
market your property – they maintain
contacts with other agents including
hosting an agent open house to draw more
interest. They use these relationships to
help sell clients’ homes in less time.
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5. Here are some other reasons to use a realtor when selling your property
Contd..
• A realtor knows how and where to advertise a property – realtors will use previous clients and
other referrals to help sell a property. They also utilize other strategies such as social media and
videos to bring more attention to a property.
• A realtor provides objective advice and counsel to help you make the best decisions – they
aren’t hampered by emotional attachments to properties and can give you honest and professional
opinions about your home’s value.
• A realtor can advise you on accepting offers and progressing through the process – they aren’t
concerned when problems arise because they expect them to happen on occasion and are prepared
to handle them. They also provide guidance on whether to accept or reject an offer or to create a
counteroffer. Their background and knowledge is a valuable resource to rely on.
• A realtor works to keep everything on track for closing – they anticipate problems before they
occur and work to prevent issues that could delay closing.
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6. Choosing a realtor can be a complex task. You want
someone with experience, especially relevant
experience if you are selling a unique property. You also
want someone who is dedicated to the project and one
who will be aggressive in marketing.
While experience is a key factor in selecting an agent,
you also want someone whose personality fits with your
own. At the same time, they must have strengths where
you have weaknesses to prod you along in the selling
process.
Choosing a Realtor
http://michaelputnam.com/

7. • Ask for recommendations from friends
• Check out the websites and social
networks of various agents to see how
they promote properties
• Visit open houses – see how they sell
properties in person and get a glimpse of
their personality
How to Find an Agent
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8. Once you find someone you think you might like to work with, meet with them.
You don’t have to commit to have them as your agent until you feel
comfortable. Interview them in a way by asking how many properties they’ve
sold recently and find out their usual tactics to get a home to sell.
Don’t be afraid to be critical and specific in your search for an agent. If you
find someone you can’t work with or who doesn’t get the results you want, you
end up wasting valuable time and putting your life on hold while your home sits
on the market.
If you plan to sell your home in the next few months, begin now planning for
that time. Find an agent who will guide you every step of the way and make
this time of transition as easy and painless as possible.
http://michaelputnam.com/

9. Website: http://michaelputnam.com/
Michael Putnam
info@michaelputnam.com
703-928-6514
• http://michaelputnam.com/why-use-a-realtor-when-selling-a-
home/