312-280-9600

5 SECRETS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE LISTING YOUR HOUSE FOR SALE IN CHICAGO!

Posted by Leo Clark. on Wednesday, January 4th, 2023 at 7:58am.

Commissions - Commissions are Negotiable! Don’t let them fool you, everything is negotiable, in fact, If they try and tell you that they charge the going rate they could be in violation of one or more Antitrust laws.

Marketing Fees - Marketing fees are once again negotiable. Personally, I think they are a rip-off. Marketing expenses should be covered by the brokerage or the agent, if they do their job and sell your home then it is just part of the cost of doing business.

Lock you into a 1-year contract - In a fast-moving market, 3 months should be more than sufficient. In a moderate or slow market, 6 months should do it, provided it is priced right.

Bait and Switch - Use a Lockbox or send a junior associate to attend the showings. You get the big sales pitch from the Team Leader and are sold on them, however, the junior associate actually does the showing, or even worse they put it on a lockbox which means no one is there from the team to lead the tour and sell the features and benefits of your home.
Overprice your home to get the listing - You interview 3 agents and one of them gives you the number you want to hear, it's higher than the other 2, but the reality is it's too high. You get a call in 2 weeks and the agent tells you “we need to drop the price”. The moral of the story is an unrealistic price will cost you time, money, and the trust you put in that agent.
If you are looking for a Real Honest Opinion on what your home is worth and want to work with an expert in your neighborhood/building please give me a call - Leo Clark - 312.280.9600