The fiduciary responsibilities of an agent to a seller obligates the agent to act in the selle’rs best interest at all times. This role covers a wide range of duties, but the main theme centers around the agent doing everything possible to gain an advantage for the seller, whether that be over the buyer or competing properties. On the other side of the coin are the responsibilities of the seller. While sellers aren’t obligated by a code of ethics or fiduciary duties, there are ways a seller can be proactive to help sell their own home.
Matt Malouf gives sellers some tips to help sellers be more proactive:
“Think like a team player. Yes, your real estate agent is the professional, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t an integral part of it all. Without you making that decision to sell your home, the transaction couldn’t take place! Be sure to ask questions. Ask about the marketing plan and brainstorm with your real estate agent on any additional ideas you might have. Ask how you can help with the whole process. Talk to your neighbors. Statistics consistently show that your neighbors living right next to you are your best advertisements. Your neighbors can be some of the best word of mouth marketing you get. Wouldn’t you love to be able to pick out who lives next door? Well, so would your neighbors. Yes, your neighbors will see when the sales sign shows up in your front yard. But unless you are close friends with these people, they have never been in your home.”
There are countless stories from REALTORS® about homeowners who have hindered, not helped, the sale of their own home. Whether they have been inflexible with showings or the price, it sometimes seems as if sellers don’t really want to sell their home. Sellers who are proactive will take Malouf’s advice to place themselves in the shoes of a buyer and fix any issues before they occur.
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