I believe we are finally shifting back to a normal market…

What I mean is quite simple — the market conditions are such that we have neither a buyers market nor a sellers market. Now buyers can take their time to make informed decisions instead of rushing to make offers. Sellers can quit the panic mode and settle into the market as it is now.

Want to know why I think this a good thing? Because deals will close. That sounds simple, but it’s been challenging lately. Now, buyers will not sign a contract and then decide later if they actually want to buy the house. The current market will allow us, as Realtors, to do provide the best possible service.

By doing our homework thoroughly, we can ensure all the necessary details (many of them new requirements) are handled so the financing will go through. We can encourage potential buyers to weigh options and be sure that they really want the house before starting the process and involving the seller and the mortgage company. Most importantly, we can help sellers and buyers by helping to remedy and overcome any issues the buyer might have.

As a seller you need to do your own homework. The days of putting a sign outside and sitting back to take orders (contracts) are over. As a seller, you need to make sure you hire an excellent real estate professional to help guide you on what needs to be done to make the home sell. This is not a job for your next-door neighbor that sells real estate part time.

Before signing on with an agent, you should ask the hard questions and check references. One of the big question sellers focus on is the commission. Honestly, that is the not as important now. Focus on the performance potential of the agent and their track record and satisfied clients. After all, if the agent can’t produce a contract, there’s no commission base. There’s also no sale.

I would strongly suggest to ask the agent the following:

• Have you ever been through a changing market?
• What is your response time for potential buyers?
• What kind of advertising will your company do for my property?
• What kind of Internet presence do you have?
• Is the decision maker for the company available?

Remember that agents usually don’t have the authority make decisions for the company, make sure you call the office and speak to the owner directly.

Ask the agent to show you a copy of one of their current listing fact sheets. Remember when a buyer comes through they will spend on an average 30 minutes on the house, so the fact sheet they take with them may make the difference between choosing your house over another.

The last test you should perform is to determine how quickly the agent will respond to your emails. Many agents do not respond on a timely basis.

Again we are in a normal market and you need the best possible service, so be sure to find out who has the tools to get the job done for you.