The New Age of Selling...

Every agent has been asked "Why are other agents showing my property but you aren't?" Seems like a practical question! Here is the cold, hard truth. Real Estate has changed massively since the internet. Buyers spend on average 2 1/2 to 3 months on the internet checking out properties and getting informed before they ever pick up a phone to an agent. At this point the agent they call will put them on an automated system to send listings as they become available - this is the agent they will probably ultimately deal with when they are ready to start seeing properties.
In our area (the magnificent Haliburton Highlands!), there are almost 100 registered agents. This means that the agent who promises to sell your property needs to take a different approach. My job as a listing agent is to get your property exposure - exposure to other agents so they will want to bring their buyers, exposure on the internet (multiple websites, social media, other venues), and exposure to the neighbourhood. When that prospective buyer sees your listing - they will probably pick up the phone and call the agent they have already connected with - not me. The agent who promises to "bring the buyer" is naive and limited in their thinking. Agents can no longer coddle and be possessive of their listings - it is all about getting the word out and reaching prospective buyers from as many different angles as possible.
Real estate keeps changing - which means we, as realtors, need to keep changing. What ever happened to print advertising? Buyers do not come from ads in the local paper - even though it looks like the agent is advertising his listings, he is actually advertising himself - hoping that potential sellers will be impressed with his newspaper presence and give him a call. Now that's a twist!! And it works - but no sale for the poor listing that was put in the paper!
The lesson? Ask your realtor how they plan to spread the word and exposure your property - not if they have a buyer for you. Choose your realtor wisely based on today's market needs!