…we all know the market has been difficult.  FSBOs are down because it is so difficult to get the proper exposure for a property.  What exactly should you expect from the Realtor® that you list with?

irst of all, nearly all listings go into our local MLS. From there, they are sent to over 30 online sites- including Realtor.com. This is not anything special, and you should expect that your agent would have a larger plan beyond that.

From Realtor.com about how buyers are finding their homes:

Buyers use a wide variety of resources in searching for a home: 90 percent use the Internet, 87 percent rely on real estate agents, 59 percent yard signs, 46 percent attend open houses and 40 percent look at print or newspaper ads. Although buyers also use other resources, they generally start the search process online and then contact an agent.

When asked where they first learned about the home purchased, 36 percent of buyers said a real estate agent; 36 percent the Internet; 12 percent from yard signs; 6 percent from a friend, neighbor or relative; 5 percent home builders; 2 percent a print or newspaper ad; 2 percent directly from the seller; and less than 1 percent a home book or magazine.

First time home buyers are coming out in record numbers. These buyers are looking online and asking their agents to look for them – they are NOT checking the newspapers or looking at home magazines. If you are trying to sell your home, your agent’s time and resources should be better used than running newspaper ads.

Your agent should ideally have a Facebook, twitter and YouTube presence.  The more opportunities to showcase your property and attract buyers to you and the office, the better. Google your prospective agent and his or her office, and see what they have to offer you!

For more ideas, visit our Towne & Country blog.