When selling your home, the objective is simple: put your property in front of every qualified buyer, regardless of where they live or which brokerage represents them. Whether they’re relocating from right here in Bay Village, or moving from Chicago, California, or halfway around the world, every buyer represents an opportunity to increase demand.
To ensure your home gets the spotlight it deserves, here are four critical questions you must ask before hiring an agent:
- Will my home be marketed publicly—or kept as a private, pocket, or “first look” listing?
All of these expressions mean the same thing: they are non-inclusive strategies that dramatically limit market exposure. Fewer buyers mean fewer opportunities to create competition—and that will not increase your final sale price.
- Will my home be entered into the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and syndicated immediately to all major real estate platforms?
Your property should quickly reach every major website where today’s buyers are searching, including Zillow, Realtor.com, RE/MAX, and hundreds of additional consumer and brokerage websites.
- Will all real estate brokerages have the opportunity to show my home?
Greater Cleveland is served by dozens of brokerages representing thousands of buyers. Restricting showings to one company limits your buyer pool—and potentially your final sales price.
- Do you believe open market competition produces the highest sales price?
The answer should be an unequivocal yes.
The Bottom Line
The more buyers who see your home, the greater the competition. Your home deserves maximum exposure—not limited exposure. Ultimately, the greater the competition, the stronger your negotiating position.
That is exactly how exceptional sellers achieve exceptional results. Be a savvy homeowner: ensure your real estate agent is committed to creating true market competition to achieve the highest price for your largest asset.
Mary Frances is a top-producing real estate professional with 31 years of experience serving Bay Village, Fairview Park, Lakewood, Rocky River, and Westlake.
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