"I had the great pleasure of selling my Hayward home with the expert help of Barb." Marilyn J.

At times you will hear people discuss that they don’t need a real estate agent to help them sell their home. This is particularly common when the market shifts to a seller’s market. Certainly there are those who are comfortable handling the sale of a property on their own. Others consider hiring an Attorney. Attorneys are extremely busy year-round on other items not related to real estate which can cause communication issues as well as delays in meeting critical deadlines.  As a diligent, professional real estate broker I bring value to my clients. I also know that there is good reason for people to question whether they need an agent. This usually is the result of a disappointing past experience with an agent.  I heard once that the perception of a real estate agent is fairly negative as is car and shoe salespersons. I don’t accept that perception as a generalized statement of fact.  I need cars and I need shoes and I appreciate a professional to help me with both and I’m willing to pay for that service. A skilled real estate agent is worth investing in. You can go online and read unbiased reviews of real estate agents across the country through portals such as Google Business and Zillow and, by and large, you will be reading encouraging comments from people who felt their agent performed a valuable service for them. You can read my reviews here. Take your time and select a qualified real estate agent who puts you before their commission; you'll be glad you did. 

One of the chief reasons, if not the main one when I entered the real estate industry in 2001 was to bring professionalism back to real estate. It is an important industry and the work matters.  You only need to look at how it factors into the United States economy (not to mention all the shows on TV centered around real estate! ) to see the truth of that statement. Somewhere along the way it became about money and "getting the deal done". Bringing it down to a more personal level is where my business model revolves around, exclusively. That personal experience starts with accountability to those that hire me. I will earn my fee and will do all I can to make sure that your proceeds adequately cover my commission, still leaving you feeling very positive about your financial gain. There are many things that can and will crop up during the sale of a property. Whether you sell on your own or hire an agent, there are laws governing property transactions. This requires knowledge of the intricacies combined with a deft hand. 

With that said, these are some tasks that an agent should do for you as your advocate. 

• Meet with you to discuss agent/client expectations, tour your property, offer useful suggestions and place a correct value on the property by providing you a copy of a Comparative Market Analysis that has been carefully and thoroughly prepared.  An old adage I’ve found to be true:  A property priced correctly is half sold. 
• Draft a concise listing contract that will outline each party's role during the marketing and subsequent sale. We will also discuss what an offer may look like. It’s important that the first time you see the Offer to Purchase is PRIOR to receiving one. It takes time to review sufficiently so you can decide how you will respond.  The Offer to Purchase in Wisconsin is currently 10 pages long, not including additional Addenda/Amendments that may be incorporated.  Every line in the contract is in there for a specific reason.  Sellers and Buyers each have substantial obligations to meet during any sale.  
• I make sure everyone stays on task.  I am a full-time real estate broker.  This is all I do on any given day. I will be reviewing all submitted offers with you and discuss, in depth, the many scenarios of what the offer terms will mean for you and your well-being.  Seldom is it just what it appears on the paper.  All the T’s must be crossed and all the I’s dotted.  We want any surprises to be good ones. 
• Maintain the necessary flow of communication with you, with other cooperating agents and continually research what can be done better to ensure a successful transaction from beginning to end.  This may mean contacting agents who have shown the property, those who may be involved in an offer to purchase, potential purchasers, service providers that you or a buyer may need, lenders, title company representatives. 
• I’m your hands and feet when appropriate for errands: arranging to meet inspectors,  checking on the property when needed,  showings (mine and others),  coordinating  with vendors who will be involved in your real estate transfer (septic, well, electricians, HVAC). 
• Pre-closing transaction management: complete and send title order packets to title company personnel and ensure that closing happens on time and without last-minute surprises. 
• I am a liaison during most of your real estate transfer. You will need to make decisions that only you, as a seller, can make and some of the contact will need to come from you but I will take as much as is possible off your plate. I’m your “employee” for a time.