Raleigh, NC, is one of the top places to live and work in the U.S. This is a swiftly growing area, with companies like Cisco, Siemens, and Apple bringing in new residents on a regular basis. While Raleigh homes are in high demand, you might be wondering what the best course of action is when selling yours. You might even be wondering if you really need to use a real estate agent.
The Raleigh real estate market is currently favoring sellers, which means you will likely encounter bidding wars and multiple offers for your property. This is generally considered a good thing, but it can be overwhelming and lead to more complex, stressful negotiations.
The best way to streamline the process of selling your home is to find an agent you can trust. Even though you may be tempted to try to sell your home on your own, the benefits of having an agent sell your luxury home in Raleigh outweigh any control that you might have selling it yourself.
They know the market
Photo courtesy of UnsplashA good agent knows the Raleigh real estate market like the back of their hand, which is especially important when coming up with the right selling strategies and knowing which features will draw buyers in to view your property. Agents know what Raleigh luxury homes are selling for, and they take the time to analyze the market and statistics to price yours competitively. They stay up to date with current property sales and with new builders coming into the area.
As it is a niche market, luxury home agents know each other, so when your home goes on the market, they get the word out. Their networking efforts can be a huge benefit to finding the right buyer quickly and getting the best price.
It takes less time
The time it takes to sell a house varies, but in the current market, with the inventory so low, it’s more likely that you can get your home sold quickly if you have the right buyers looking at your property.
There are several items that have to be addressed before you list your home. A good real estate agent will make this process stress-free, including staging and showing.
There’s also a matter of the paperwork. The time it takes to create and decipher the documents involved in the sale of a home can be overwhelming. With an agent, documents will be prepared, gathered, and explained for you. All of your questions will be thoroughly answered, and you can rest easy knowing the sale is in the hands of a professional.
An agent will be able to take calls on weekends, during evenings, and whenever the buyers or their real estate agents need to get in touch. Plus, your agent will handle all the logistics of setting up viewings and tours, taking meetings, and bringing in the right potential buyers. They do the market analysis and the advertising, and they work with you on your schedule to bring in the real buyers.
In order to be effective, marketing requires a specific set of skills and expertise. Luxury homes are marketed to reflect their status, and getting the best possible price requires specialized marketing skills based on selling the luxury lifestyle and amenities your home provides. Social media and video viewings, as well as internet listings, are just some of the ways a Raleigh real estate agent can market your sale to draw in viewers.
You’ll sell for more
Even though it's a seller’s market in Raleigh, buyers still come to the table with non-negotiables. Whether it’s the property itself, the smart features, or even the appliances, there are some things they won’t negotiate on.
When selling a home on your own, you may be tempted to upgrade the entire kitchen or install high-tech features to get more potential buyers through the door. However, a luxury home agent will bring in the buyers who are looking for a home like yours without the additional hassle and expense.
Advertising expenses, legal expenses, and vetting the purchasing power of the buyer — the real estate agent takes care of these for you. Not to mention, homes that are sold by their owners sell for less than what a real estate agent can garner. A real estate agent has access to the MLS, the Multiple Listing Service. Most homes are bought by individuals with agents who use the MLS to search for listings that meet their criteria. If you sell your home on your own, you could be missing out on potential buyers because you don’t have those connections.
The bottom line is that a quality agent will get a better price than selling your luxury home on your own in the Raleigh real estate market. Especially when you consider that time is money, and they are the ones spending the time.
Closing the deal
Photo courtesy of PexelsFinding the best agent is key to closing the deal. Whether it’s a seller’s market or a buyer’s market, a quality agent will provide you with the best there is to offer.
When looking for an agent:
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Take the time to interview prospective agents. A good agent should support your real estate goals. They are not your best friend, but you want to make sure they are the right fit for the sale.
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Ask for references and check them. Read online reviews and testimonials.
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Ask questions of the agent as well as the references and then compare the answers. Are they loyal and focused? How long have they been licensed? Were they responsive? Would you recommend them to your mother? Just because an agent has numerous sales doesn’t always mean they are responsive. The high number of sales may mean they are running a “factory agency” not providing the specialized services you require.
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Test their knowledge of the area, the niche, and the statistics. You’ll need to do a bit of research, but it will allow you to find an agent that is focused. The more focused they are, the better your experience will be.
The benefits of having an agent sell your home in the Raleigh real estate market will provide you with peace of mind, plenty of time, and, in the long run, the best buyer for your home.
Are you ready to take the next step? If so, reach out to experienced local agent Courtney Whalen for guidance. Courtney is a top Raleigh-area agent with ten years of experience in the real estate scene. With a client-focused, results-driven approach, Courtney is the agent you want on your side. Contact her today!
*Header photo courtesy of Pexels
