Valley Real Estate

When it comes to choosing a real estate agent, consumers who do their homework can save thousands of dollars and experience a smooth financial and physical transition. So don't slack off - decide what is most important to you, and then find the right agent. Does location matter most? Perhaps cost is your main concern. Or timing. Whatever you decide,  the HomeTeam can help you.

Ask friends and family members for referrals. 70% of our business comes from referrals from pasts clients and friends of past clients.

If you've found the general area in which you'd like to move, do an informal survey by driving through neighborhoods and viewing yard signs. Notice how many times you see the famous red, white and blue RE/MAX Balloon.

Once you have your list narrowed down to about three real estate professionals, schedule interviews. The HomeTeam wants you to compare our services with those of other agents. Only after such a thoughtful comparison can you make the right decision.

Does he or she cut you off before you've finished a sentence? There's nothing worse than looking at houses you have no interest in because the agent has not listened carefully to your needs, or having your home on the market too long because the wrong buyers are being targeted. The HomeTeam listens carefully to understand your real estate goals and works hard to create solutions that make sense.

Ask the agent how he or she would establish a price. You may request a Comparative Market Analysis, also called a CMA, which shows the actual market value of similar homes in the area. Compare the professionalism with which the CMA is prepared, and the accuracy of the results.

Don't make the mistake of choosing the agent that gives you the highest value for your house. With that criteria you will simply waste valuable time and money. You want honesty from agents who know the market.

Ask the agent how he or she would market your property. Ask if their company has a world-wide internet lead generation technology with the power of LeadStreet and remax.com.

Don't fall for the old line, "I'll hold an open-house every Sunday." Contrary to public perception only 2% of homes today are sold as a result of open houses. For Sale By Owners are far less successful than they once were because open houses are still  their only selling tool. No - open houses are for agents, not sellers. It's a means for agents without a referral base to find clients; however, 93% of buyers today start their home search on the internet - not on the road.

Don't be confused. The HomeTeam will hold open houses from time to time. A well timed open house can be helpful to find out what buyers think of the home and what improvements might be helpful to help it sell faster . A buyer's eye is the most discerning eye there is, so we pay attention to their comments and criticisms. But do not expect your home to sell as a result. There are far better ways.

See: HomeTeam's Internet Strategy..

Incongruous but true. If you wait for the agent that lists your home to sell it, you could be waiting a very long time. The HomeTeam markets your home to the entire MLS, to over 1,000 other area REALTORS. We network via meetings, email, text messaging, and believe it or not, old fashioned phone calls -  letting them know we may have the right home for their client. Finding agents who already have buyers is far more efficient than cultivating new buyers. That's how we get homes sold quickly.

Ask the agent how often you should expect to hear from him or her and whether or not you will be invited to access them via a cell phone, pager or e-mail.

Experience is everything. Ask how long the agent has been in real estate. The HomeTeam's 14 years of experience in a highly competitive field not only demonstrates skill, but full time commitment as well. Ask about awards and designations as well.

Ask the agent if he or she is willing to guarantee the listing contract. The HomeTeam includes the option for you to cancel your listing contract at any time, for any reason, and at no cost.

If you are unsatisfied with the agent's plan or personality, thank the agent for taking the time to meet with you, and repeat the process with another agent. It's time-consuming to meet with multiple agents, but it's worthwhile to find the right one. When you get the facts, we know you will choose the RE/MAX HomeTeam

List your home's best features and best qualities, especially those that people might otherwise overlook. Ask yourself what motivated YOU to buy the home. What features were most important to you? Give this to the HomeTeam. We will use the information when marketing your home, networking with other agents, or talking with potential buyers.

Talk to the HomeTeam about conditioning and staging your home to sell. The HomeTeam are Accredited Staging Professionals who will show you how to add hundreds or thousands of dollars to your bottom line and sell your home more quickly. Also visit Tips for Selling and Showing Your Home.

Make a list of your priorities numbered one through 10 and give it to your agent. You can always revise the list, but give your agent something concrete so he or she can research available listings effectively.

Your home may be your biggest personal investment. One of the most important decisions you'll make when selling your home is who you will trust to assist you. Put the sale of your home in the hands of experienced agents who'll produce results for you. The HomeTeam will put their experience to work for you to improve your odds of selling your home for the best price in the shortest time.

The HomeTeam are professionals who are committed to you and possess the knowledge and experience to help you navigate today's complex real estate market.

Looking for more potential buyers to find your property? The HomeTeam can help your home stand out in a very competitive marketplace through trust-generating yard signs, local and national advertising, the internet and compelling marketing materials.

Pricing, staging, and marketing are the first steps in successfully selling your home, but closing the deal requires in-depth knowledge and experience. Once you've accepted an offer, a lot of details remain before you get to the closing table. The HomeTeam will help you understand the process, navigate the details and keep the transaction on track.

The HomeTeam and RE/MAX Valley are well-known locally for our involvement in many community programs. Our World Long Drive Championship Qualifier each year has raised thousands of dollars for the Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley and RE/MAX is a national sponsor of Children's Miracle Network and Susan G. Komen Race for the cure. When you use a RE/MAX sales associate to sell your home, you contribute to the well being of this community.