Let’s say you own waterfront property on Lake Martin, and want to sell it.  Let’s also say that you have the good sense to hire a Realtor to help you list and sell it.  What are your choices?  Whom should you pick?

Selecting an average agent instead of a great one could end up costing you major dollars.  You need to make sure to partner with one that fits you best.

Here are 5 Realtors that Lake Martin sellers should not pick:

1.  Don’t pick The Part Timer.  Would you let a part time financial guy manage your retirement account?  Okay then.  It may be easy to be average, but being great at selling real estate is tough work (even on Lake Martin).  It is more than a 40 hour a week job to do things like talk to buyers, show properties, scout new listings, scour FSBOs, research property sales, and stay educated on licensing, contracts, housing laws, etc.  The Part Timer has other priorities.  You deserve better.

2.  Don’t pick The Suck Up.  Given the high value of Lake Martin real estate, a small mistake in selling your property can cost you thousands.  Do you want your listing agent to tell you what they think you want to hear, or to tell you the truth?  The Suck Up:  “Sure, Mrs. Seller, I think it’s a great idea to have a palm reader on site to give mystical advice to buyers when they visit!”  Puh-leez.

3.  Don’t pick The Talker.  Like any successful partnership, sellers and their listing agents must have great communication.  Good communicators listen more than they talk.  They ask a lot of questions, and then listen some more.  Some agents think that everyone loves to hear them spout off about themselves.  I happen to think that sellers want to hear about their own home, their own lot, and how their own problems will be solved.

4.  Don’t pick The High Bidder.  Most sellers only talk to one agent about listing their home.  Be different.  Talk to several, and pick the one that fits you best.  Ask each Realtor to tell you what your property will bring on the market.  Wise sellers don’t always go with the one who gives the highest number.  Go with the one that backs up his / her number with solid, well thought out research.  Like #2 above, The High Bidder will tell you what he/she thinks you want to hear – a possibly unattainable high price.  After your home languishes unsold for months, The High Bidder might try and talk you down to a sensible number.

5.  Don’t pick The Lowballer.  Real Estate commissions are totally negotiable, no matter what conspiracy theorists tell you.  When you hire a Realtor to sell your Lake Martin home, you two can agree to a commission of a penny or 300% of the sales price, whatever.  The Lowballer will tell you he will charge you something less than 6% and give you the same service.  Hey – maybe it will work out fine.  But I am here to tell you that it takes money to properly sell a Lake Martin listing.  Do you want someone who will simply stick a sign on the dock and hope someone else will sell it?  During the listing interview, quiz The Lowballer on the marketing plan.  Ask follow up questions.  It’s the only way to separate the lazy or the cocky from those Realtors with A Real Plan.

Curious about what your Lake Martin property be worth, and how I would tailor a plan to sell it?  Holler at me.