by PN Schiavone

Created on: August 17, 2009

Your house has been on the market for almost a year now. You have not had any serious offers. Why won't your house sell? This is the big question that you need to answer. The answer is easy. My Realtor has not done the job. This is a conclusion that most home sellers come to when they do not get the result that they want when selling a house. How do you know when it is time to fire your Realtor?

This is not an easy question to answer. You do need to evaluate what your Realtor should be doing. The following list is some of the things that a Realtor should do to help in the sale of your house.

1. Research the market intensively:

Every Realtor does a comparative market analysis before putting your house on the market. This report will help you estimate the value of your property. In a declining market this type of analysis needs to be done often. As similar houses to yours sells it is imperative that you see in what direction your value is going. Realtors need to continually research the market.

2. Estimates closing costs and potential profit for the sale:

True real estate professionals will do a trial close for their clients. Some Realtors do not see this as part of their job, but without this important information you will not know if it makes economic sense for you to sell your house. You will need to provide financial information to your Realtor. Your equity stake, loan information, and secondary leans on the property need to be given to your Realtor.

3. Gives advice for making the house more saleable:

A Realtor has a duty to give advice on how to make your house more saleable. Realtors will give you general guidelines about keeping the property clean for showings and the importance of curb appeal. Exceptional Realtors will go through your house room by room taking note of what you can do to make the home more saleable. Has your Realtor given you a detailed action plan for selling your house? This is what separates the pros from the part timers.

4. Shows you the competition:

Great Realtors will take their sellers out to look at properties that are competing in your market. You need to know what others are offering on the market and how your house looks and in perceived by others. Looking at a listing and being physically present at your competition are not the same. This is something not many Realtors do.

5. Has even uncomfortable discussions with the client:

The relationship you have with your Realtor is

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