Once you decide on the terms of a "listing agreement," your agent will:

• Enter a description of your house and your terms in the Multiple Listing Service at Association of Realtors.
• Show your house to prospective buyers.
• Promote your house at Association of Realtors' Board meeting.
• Advertise your house as appropriate.
• Possibly hold an open house.
• Promote the sale of your house in every way possible.

Once you and your agent have a solid marketing strategy formed and your agent is actively promoting your house, you're well on your way to a sale. Your agent keeps tabs on the changes in the real estate market and tells you what's new in mortgage loans, what sales have recently been made, and what pricing fluctuations, if any, are in view. You'll be kept up to date on activity concerning the sale of your house: what advertising has been done, what responses have come back from people who have seen your house. You and your agent will confer regularly so that you stay informed and can consider any changes in your marketing plan. When a buyer makes an offer, your agent's good closing skills play a vital part in helping you negotiate a contract to effect a sale at a good price. Since it could be a waste of your time to negotiate with an interested buyer who could not afford to buy your house, your agent is trained to ask buyers the right questions about their finances - a far easier task for an agent than for a homeowner. 
   
   Factors that determine a buyer's qualifying situation include:

• Income and general financial position.
• Debts
• Cash for down payment and closing costs.
• Maximum affordable monthly payments.
• The existence - or no - of another house to sell.
• The time period during which the buyer must reach settlement, and the buyer's urgency to buy.
• Other houses the buyer may be interested in and the primary reason for buying.

The sum of this information makes it possible for you to negotiate effectively, should the buyer make an offer. When you have accepted an offer, your agent helps you prepare for settlement by giving attention to details and by staying in touch with you through the process.

For further assistance with any other real estate needs, please feel free to give me a call at 800-221-9998x122or email me.