So you've decided to let a reputable real estate broker help you sell your home. Congratulations. You've made a very wise decision People who try to sell their homes without the aid of a real estate broker usually sell themselves short. While the commission savings seems like a good way to make a larger profit, it seldom works out that way. Instead of savings, they wind up spending - time and money.

Real estate is a field where it pays to use the services of professionals. Brokers can save you time by selling faster and helping you get the most money for your property. They also can help with details you probably wouldn't consider. It's their profession. They do it every day.

Setting the Price
At best you can only guess what your house is worth. If you guess too high, you'll discourage many prospective buyers who will consider the property out of their reach. When you begin reducing the price, buyers may wonder what's wrong. On the other hand, if you guess too low, you'll sacrifice money you should have had. And a "bargain" price may even seem suspicious to cautious prospects.

Real estate brokers have up-to-the-minute information about the market. They know what properties like yours are selling for. They also can point out other features that add value to your property, such as favorable location, convenient transportation or popular architectural design. They can help you to quickly arrive at your best asking price.

Location Buyers
There's more to finding buyers than putting a "For Sale" sign on your lawn. And a "For Sale by Owner" sign has serious drawbacks. Prospects and curiosity seekers alike can ring your doorbell at all hours without regard to your convenience. And they'll expect you to answer difficult questions about financing, settlement, etc.

Real estate brokers screen prospects in advance and show your home only to those who have the interest and ability to buy. They won't waste your time with someone who's not a serious prospect. Many brokers already have a list of buyers who are looking for properties like yours. And real estate brokers can continue with the selling job even if you're out of town for a while.

If you decide to advertise, brokers know where to place ads for best results, how often to run ads and how to word them for maximum effectiveness.

Bargaining
The buyer usually offers less than you're asking. At this stage of the sale, your broker knows how to bargain easily and effectively, and is experienced at making counter offers and discussing price, amount of cash, date of delivery of the deed, amount of mortgage and other important business matters.

Simply stated, real estate brokers make sure the sale proceeds smoothly and quickly, at the best price.

How You Can Help Your Realtor
While a real estate broker can provide invaluable services to you in selling your home, it's up to you to cooperate with your broker's sales efforts by making sure your house looks its best.

First impressions are probably more important in selling your house than almost any other factor except the price. So when you put your house on the market, it will pay to get it in tiptop shape.

Look at your property as if you were a prospective buyer. Pretend you're seeing it for the first time and try to notice its highlights and drawbacks. Then start sprucing up in order to emphasize and add to the good points.

That's often easier said than done, however. It's easy to overlook something unless you spruce up systematically. We have prepared a Sellers Checklist that can help virtually any property look its best. Feel free to print the checklist, then proceed critically down the list and check off the items that apply to your house. If an item calls for an expenditure, your broker can help you decide whether it's worth the investment.

Then Let Your Realtor Sell
If you and your family are at home when the broker brings in a prospect, relax and let the expert show and tell. Don't tag along. Answer questions carefully when they're asked, but don't offer answers to unasked questions.

If you've looked at your house like a buyer and attended to the items on our Sellers Checklist that apply to it, your house will sell itself - with the expert help from your broker, of course

Your Next Home
If you're selling one home, chances are, you're buying another. If so, your real estate broker will probably recommend title insuranc3e. Title insurance protects you against past claims or title faults and makes your home safely yours. It protects your ownership against financial loss.

There are many titles companies, but none with the important combination of experience, expertise and superior service you'll find at Garden State Abstract Company. So be sure to tell your broker that you want your investment protected with an owner's title insurance policy issued by Garden State Abstract Company, with the financial strength behind it of our underwriter, Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company.