HOME SELLERS: It is imperative that you choose your Realtor wisely, not necessarily based on friendship, but based on advanced training - given our current market conditions here in Illinois. EXPERIENCE & ADVANCED EDUCATION makes all the difference in the world but you also need to find an agent that is willing to invest their time & expertise into getting your property sold. Working with an agent's staff/clerical help, is probably NOT in your best long-term interest.
I have and continue to see agents and attorneys give totally incorrect advice - very sad.
Example #1: attorney tells seller not to make any mortgage payments and to just allow their condo to go into foreclosure. This does not have to happen.
Example #2: agent who knows a lot of residents, lists homes for sale. It is now well over 4 and 5 months and her short sale listings have not yet closed. At 6 months, a homeowner is typically in foreclosure. She has no advanced education on how to properly market listings and close short sales. This foreclosure will impact the sellers' credit rating for easily the next 15 years.
Example #3: a long-time agent on the North Shore who is connected with the who's-who lists a multi-million dollar property for sale - it has been up for sale for nearly two years. I read in the newspaper that this property has been taken over by the attorneys. This did not have to happen. Choose your Realtor wisely - not all Realtors are created equal. Just because that agent was extremely successful when homes were selling like hotcakes, does not mean they know the ins/outs of selling in this down market of short sales & foreclosures.
I am saddened to see homeowners lose their foreclosure battle - they chose the wrong agent. There are agents and broker-owners who have taken some classes, but they only wanted the designation. Translation: the short sale listings of those agents are slipping into foreclosure as of this posting...
Would you have open heart surgery from a GP? A general practicioner Dr. cannot successfully accomplish heart surgery! Choose your Realtor wisely - ask the right questions. Is your home listed with an agent who REALLY cares and has the tenacity and experience to get the job done... or will you be handed off to one of their hourly staff?
The Carol Best Team has the experience and experts in place to accomplish your goals - we're here to help.
Posted by: Carol Best | Coldwell Banker Real Estate | Licensed since 1992
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