Need an agent? GO Local!!

Need an agent? GO Local!!

No, not Loco – Local!

        I’ve run into and across a lot of non-local agents in recent months.  With the market getting back on track and choo choo chooing us out of the recession many homeowners are once again eager to sell.  A common mistake in the Real Estate market is simply choosing the wrong agent – the non-local.  As within any industry you are bound to know of a friend, family member or acquaintance in the business.  While this can be appealing and may seem like the easy choice, if they are not local to your property -  it is often the wrong choice.   By choosing “feelings” over your success you can easily put yourself and your transaction in Jeopardy.

“Like the back of my hand”

        It’s a term we are all familiar with; an agent with complete knowledge of your local area gives you a tremendous leg up in your sales process.  A local agent can and will answer all pertinent questions regarding shopping, schools, entertainment available and more.   Today’s buyers are savvier then ever, giving just as much importance to lifestyle as you’d expect they would give to the home itself.   Your listing agent MUST know the surroundings and what is offered in your exact location.  Having an immediate answer instead of a “….ugh… let me ask the owners and get back to you” can and will increase your odds of a successful and profitable sale.  If your agent doesn’t know or isn’t familiar with your area, how can you have faith that they will sell and market your home properly?  You can’t.

“More show = More dough”

        I personally like to show all of my listings and don’t believe in lock boxes, others do and that’s fine.  However, using an agent outside of your territory only adds time and frustration to a market that moves rapidly.  People’s schedules in these times are very different.  The standard 9 to 5 workweek is becoming a thing of the past, and if your agent is not available to show buyers when they are ready – your proverbial cart is in front of your horse.  Agents whom are not local may tell you that they are available at all times, but we need to be realistic.  There are not many people ready to leave at a moments notice for a 45-minute commute with the hopes and prayers that this will be the buyer.   A local agent can easily access and show your home when buyers want to see it, as they’re just a hop/skip/jump away.  Speed is the name of the game here sellers – closeness in proximity simply equals greater speed.

“Local agents swim in your pool”

..when you are at work.   All joking aside, a local Realtor will be “swimming” in the same pool of buyers that you are trying to entice and obtain.  An agent from Weston is not very likely to meet a buyer looking for a Parkland home, so why go in that direction?  Local offices, local media, local advertising, these are the ways we gain our cliental, and generally speaking agents are going to market and promote in the area closest to them.  Setting yourself and home up with an agent who is marketing in a different territory would be like trying to sell cars at the Parkland Farmers Market – you’re not going to have much luck, it’s just not what the buyers are looking for.  Don’t be a fool - Stay within your pool!!

    Local agents are what truly drive the Real Estate market, by knowing the area as well as recent sales trends a local agent will net you more and will be able to do so in a timely manner.   So remember, when selling... Don’t go LOCO – Go LOCAL!