"Don't get greedy" was the warning given this week by the Today Show"s Barbara Corcoran and is an important caution for sellers to remember when choosing an agent to list their Charlottesville home.
Usually before putting their home on the market sellers will interview several real estate agents. In the presentation the agents will talk about their strenghts in areas such as marketing and the strength of their company and finally they will offer a suggested list price. That price can often vary considerably. Much of the time the only thing that the seller will focus on out of this whole presentation is the numbers. The seller thinks "This is the agent who can sell my home for the most money." It never occurs to him that this may only be the agent who will list my home for the most money. Then we watch that overpriced listing languish on the market until it goes through price reductions chasing the market down, to finally sell months later, or expire and be relisted by an agent who brings it back on at a realistic price.
In todays market with the large inventory of Charlottesville VA homes for sale, it may serve sellers well to change their mindset and go with the agent who suggested the lowest list price. This does not mean that you should discount any differences in marketing or company exposure, but you should carefully consider the agent who is not afraid to be brutally honest with you. Selling faster can translate to avoiding months of carrying costs. Putting your home on the market for a lower list price could save you money in the long run.
Before you list your home interview several agents and don't automaticallly go with the agent who is willing to list at the highest price. As Barbara Cocoran said on this weeks Today Show, "don't get greedy"!
