Doing Your Homework
According to today’s Wall Street Journal (subscription required), there’s a marketing war underway among business models for home buyers and home sellers. That’s nothing new, but it reminds us that the most important message consumers need to hear is: Buying or selling your home will probably be the largest transaction of your lifetime. Do your homework!
Are consumers getting the message? First time home buyers, for example would be wise to talk to more than one professional before selecting an agent. How else can you feel confident in your selection?
Yet, most first time home buyers don’t. Fifty-eight percent talk to only one agent before deciding to use them. All buyers talk to only 64 percent. Sellers are worse: Only 26 percent of sellers talk to more than one agent before deciding who will market their property.
Check out the excellent column in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel by Daniel Vasquez on how to do your homework.
NAR has a wealth of information for consumers, including tips on buying and selling, and we urge consumers to interview at least three REALTORS® before making a decision.
