Effective Agent to Sell a Brownstone?

Wanted to reach out the Brownstoner community and see what people say about their experience using an agent to sell a brownstone. I am considering selling my house but not sure if I should sell it on my own or through an agent. If through an agent, what’s a reasonable fee? Does it make a difference what firm I go with? Has anyone used Compass — a new technology driven real estate firm that seems to have beautiful high end listings? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

deva

in Home Buying 9 years and 4 months ago

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vitent640 | 9 years and 4 months ago

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Depending on the location of your house, I am happy to make recommendations. I have been in your situation so feel free to email me at 126washingtonllc@gmail.com

resident2 | 9 years and 4 months ago

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It is always best to list with an agent; but that said, not just any agent. And beware you do not list with a company; you list with an individual agent and that agent should specialize. As there are far more agents in this market than there are available properties for sale, there are many agents that will do and say anything to get your listing. The best Broker will be someone that knows and specializes in Brownstone sales, not rental agents, not condo development agents, but Brownstone Townhouse sales, in your area. Also be aware that the best buyers will be working with a buyers agent; buyers that pay the best prices are too busy working and living full lives to be scrawling all the listings to notice yours come on the market. A good townhouse sellers broker will be marketing your listing to all those buyers brokers. A good sellers agent will help you get your house ready; staging, cleaning, de-cluttering etc. they will also make sure that all this as well as professional pictures and floor plans are done before the listing is launched…. busy buyers will not take time to look at a house that they cannot see what they are taking their precious time out for. As for the commission; if you list with the right agent they are worth all of their 6% (it will get split), if not it is not worth the 3 or 4% that they say they will take, most 3 – 4% listing agents have no intention of co-broking and many buyers agents will not even waste their time trying to deal with them, so you will loose 75-80% of the buyers in the market and as much as 60 days longer on the market and 20-30% less in price. So how do you find this much smaller pool of quality Brokers that work in your neighborhood that sell what it is that you are selling? Go to open houses in your area, see how they physically represent what it is that they are currently listing? Look at their web pages, the quality of the pictures, floor plans, written descriptions etc. How long does it take for them to reply to an email enquiry, phone call etc. Do you think you can or would want this person in your life for the next 3 months? Baring in mind this is not a personal relationship, but a professional relationship dealing with a personal service? Also beware that many agents in this market bid the listing up to get you to list with them, for it to sit on the market and the price will be reduced. If the house is represented and presented on the market correctly the buyers will bid the price up. Trying to sell a house yourself is like trying to take your own tooth out. And no Attorneys do not negotiate deals, nor can they decide between 3 or 4 offers which one or how to make counter offers.

BobMarvin | 9 years and 4 months ago

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It’s probably best to use a firm with a strong sales record in your specific neighborhood.