Why I don't need to live in your neighborhood to sell your home.

This is often the argument some sellers want to use for not listing their home with me or for that matter any agent that does not “live” in their neighborhood.  Now, living in a seller’s neighborhood is normally not a bad thing, as one would hopefully know a bit more about the homes and the area, at least initially.  However, those are things that any diligent Realtor can quickly and easily learn.

The truth of the matter is, if every Realtor were required to live in an area where he/she sold homes they would only sell 1-4 homes per year,  maybe.  So how do the productive agents do it?  How do they manage to sell hundreds of homes each year without actually living in each and every area where they sell homes?

First off, those agents have learned to sell homes in any area and in any market.  That is far more important to you as a seller than that an agent live in your neighborhood.  What if an agent lives in your neighborhood but doesn’t have a clue how to sell your home?  Some help that is.  Top agents know how to sell and that is what you, as the seller, need.

Second, top agents know that when selling in a new area they need to be more diligent in learning the area.  When I first list a home in an area that is new to me I want to learn everything about the area that I can.  Why?  Because I plan on selling more than just one home in the area.  I want to learn the area, the floor plans and all I can about the parks, stores, restaurants etc. etc.  You see I believe living in the area does help but that is almost always an impossibility for most agents, you just cannot live everywhere at once.  What you can do however, is learn each and every area that you list homes in.  If I can sell in many areas, which I have, what now is keeping me from selling your home in your area?  Absolutely nothing.  I have learned what is most important and that is how to sell homes.

Third, what is more important to you as a seller than that your agent live next door?  How about, how long have they been selling homes?  Have they sold in a wide variety of neighborhoods?  (If so, this alone tells you they have been successful in selling in new areas.)  How many homes do they sell a year on average?  Are they knowledgeable when you speak with them? To me, these are better questions that should be asked of any potential agent you would list your home with.

One last thought here.  If I have never sold in your area, guess what I am going to do?  Put 110% effort into selling your home for the simple fact that I want to be able to say, “I have now sold in your area.”  If I have never sold in your area I am now driven like a mad man to prove I can do it.  That is a challenge most agents would gladly accept.

 

Why I don't need to live in your neighborhood to sell your home.