Pricing
The first step in the sale of real estate is to determine a reasonable asking price. This price may vary slightly, depending on circumstance; for example the price may be slightly lower to assist in a quick sale of the property.

Your real estate agent can assist you in determining the asking price, they have all the tools and resources available to help in setting a good price. A real estate agent has up-to-date information on what is happening in the marketplace and price of competing properties. Plant City Realty will conduct a comparative market survey to show the asking and selling prices of comparative real estate that has sold in the last 12 months in your area. These are important factors in getting your property sold at the best price, quickly and with minimum hassle.

Marketing
The next step is a marketing plan. Often, your agent can recommend small repairs or cosmetic work that will significantly enhance the salability of the property.

Marketing includes the exposure of your property to other real estate agents as well as the public. Over 50% of real estate sales are cooperative sales; that is, a real estate agent other than yours brings in the buyer. Plant City Realty is a member of the Hillsborough County multiple listing service, this service allows us to have your property information accessible to all other member real estate offices, this allows agents from other companies to assist in the sale of your property. Many times the buyer comes from another office, your agent then acts as the marketing coordinator, disbursing information about your property to other real estate agents through a Multiple Listing Service, open houses for agents, etc. The REALTOR® Code of Ethics requires REALTORS® to utilize these cooperative relationships when they benefit their clients.

Part of the marketing plan is advertising. The choice of media and frequency of advertising depends a lot on the property and specific market, in some areas, newspaper advertising generates phone calls to the real estate office but statistically has minimum effectiveness in selling a specific property. Overexposure of a property in any media may give a prospective buyer the impression the property is distressed or the seller is desperate. Your Plant City Realty  agent will know when, where and how to advertise your property.

There is a misconception that advertising sells real estate. The National Association of REALTORS® studies shows that 82% of real estate sales are the result of agent contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends and family, and personal contacts.

Security
when the property is marketed with a real estate agent, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Prospects will generally be pre-screened and an agent through your property will accompany all qualified prospects.

Negotiating
There are a myriad of negotiating factors, including, but not limited to price, terms, date of possession, and often the inclusion or exclusion of repairs and furnishings or equipment. Your agent can help you objectively evaluate every buyer's proposal without compromising your marketing position. This initial agreement is only the beginning of a process of appraisals, inspections, and financing -- a lot of possible pitfalls. Your agent can help you write a legally binding, win-win agreement that will be more likely to make it through the process.

Monitoring, Renegotiating and Closing
Between the initial sales agreement and closing, questions are sure to arise. For example, unexpected repairs are required for the buyer to obtain financing or a cloud in the title is discovered. The required paperwork alone is overwhelming for most sellers. Again, your real estate agent can guide you through this process and make sure everything flows together smoothly, your agent is the best person to objectively help you resolve these issues and move the transaction to closing.

How Do Real Estate Agents Get Paid?
Real estate agents or brokers are generally paid through the sales commission paid by the seller when a transaction closes. Agents have expenses and financial obligations just like you, so it will be to your mutual benefit if you choose a real estate agent and stick with that person. The agent will respect your loyalty and respond with a sincere commitment to you.

Using a REALTOR®

Why A REALTOR®?
All real estate licensees are not the same. Only real estate licensees who are members of the National Association of REALTORS® are properly called REALTORS®. They proudly display the REALTOR "®" logo on the business card or other marketing and sales literature. REALTORS® are committed to treat all parties to a transaction honestly. REALTORS® subscribe to a strict code of ethics and are expected to maintain a higher level of knowledge of the process of buying and selling real estate. An independent survey reports that 84% of homebuyers would use the same REALTOR® again.

You Be the Judge!
Real Estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments most people experience in their lifetime. Transactions today usually exceed $100,000. If you had a $100,000 income tax problem, would you attempt to deal with it without the help of a CPA? If you had a $100,000 legal question, would you deal with it without the help of an attorney? Considering the small upside cost and the large downside risk, it would be foolish to consider a deal in real estate without the professional assistance of a REALTOR®!

Can a real estate agent really help me in selling property?