You contacted a Realtor to
list your home in town, and the agent indicates that you might get more
for your home than comparable homes on the market. After all, it just takes
finding one person who is willing to pay your price--right?
Some Realtors approach a listing appointment as
if they are bidding for your home. Sellers often start out with an unrealistic
opinion of their home's value, and there is often a strong temptation to go with
a person who says what you want to hear. A good Realtor will back up their
opinion of your home's value with hard data. The agent should give you
information about homes that are currently on the market, and recent selling
prices of similar properties. The most heroic marketing efforts won't work on a
property that is overpriced. Even if you find a buyer who is willing to pay more
than your home is worth, the sale could fall apart when the appraisal comes in
lower than the agreed-upon price. Listen to everything, but be careful!
