Do Your Homework........................... Before Falling For Gimmicks Like These!
It's the oldest sales trick in the book: tell the customer what they want to hear to pull them in, then throw in some "fine print". That is what most of these promotions in real estate are for. Before signing up for one of these offers, make sure you know what you're really getting.
Make sure the offer still applies if the agent does not sell your home, or if it applies only when your home actually does sell. Many agents will tell you that they will credit you the amount at closing, but what happens if your home does not sell? Do you receive the money? It is likely that you won't. If you do receive the money, make sure you get that claim in writing.
In real estate, no one can guarantee to get your home sold. On any guarantee that you're offered, make sure you get it in writing. Make sure you read through the contract thoroughly and make sure everything is disclosed. Take caution if certain restrictions apply. You should understand up front what the restrictions are.
The reason most Realtors offer guarantees like these is because this is their main source of listings. Once your home is listed, they wait and hope your home sells in the time frame. Many of these agents don't concentrate on obtaining listings by offering a powerful marketing program.
The best advice you can follow when listing your home for sale is interview approximately 4-5 agents. Remember, selling your home is a matter of finding the right buyer at the right time. The best way to ensure that your home will sell fast is to have a strong marketing program to get the word out that your home is on the market.
