Ask pertinent questions when deciding to list your home

Gloria Nilson/GMAC Real Estate offers some suggestions designed to get helpful answers

   Online discount real estate brokers have emerged to provide what may seem like the same services as your local realtor, but remembering to ask the right questions is paramount to the success of the sale.
   "How long have you been selling real estate? is the first question a seller should ask," says Wendy Field, sales manager with Gloria Nilson/GMAC Real Estate in Pennington.
   "Whether it is an online firm or a real estate agent, there is no substitute for experience and knowledge about the listing area. You want to work with an educated agent who knows building regulations, the market, is aware of the comparable, and will work to sell your home."

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This Willow Creek home in Pennington is among homes recently listed with Gloria Nilson/GMAC Real Estate.

   In the Pennington office of Gloria Nilson/GMAC, the majority of the agents have five or more years of experience and all live in the area where they work.
   At the Montgomery office, the average length of experience is 12 years. All agents are licensed through the state, members of the Board of Realtors, have received extensive training and many have Real Estate designations including GRI and GRS.
   Maxson Crandall CRB, sales manager of the Montgomery office, suggests asking for a portfolio of business accomplishments, and awards and letters of appreciation from former clients.
   "Also ask for a copy of the marketing plan the agent intends to use to sell your home," adds Ms. Field. "If they are promising you a low commission, be sure you know what you are getting. Are they simply putting signs in your front yard and providing Internet photos and virtual tours or are they developing a personalized marketing plan that includes a competitive market analysis and exposure to the maximum number of buyers?"
   "Each of our agents prepares a written Marketing Plan making them accountable for their promises," says Mr. Crandall.
   With attention to what’s happening in the local real estate market right now, what buyers are willing to pay for homes similar to yours, what they won’t pay and which homes will be competing with yours for a buyer’s attention, GMAC determines the value and listing price of a home.
   Ms. Field explains that Gloria Nilson/GMAC Realtors are trained professionals who are aware of strict town building codes and regulations of which homeowners may be unaware. "We take them through the pitfalls and tight ropes of selling their home."
   The lowest advertised online commission has the seller handling all the showings, paperwork and negotiations and does not include being listed on the MLS, one of the most important tools in selling a home.
   Listing on the MLS also exposes the home through the largest
real estate Web sites, including iown.com,
homeseller.com,
homeadvisor.com,
and realtor.com.
   The realtor’s global relocation program also maximizes
exposure and opens up another avenue to potential buyers. Gloria Nilson also
has Web exposure through GMACrealestate.com,
gnrgmac.com and for
special properties — ElegantHomes.org,
duPontRegistry.com
and SothebysRealty.com.
   Gloria Nilson/GMAC has a comprehensive approach to bringing the most buyers into a home. Through its Home Marketing System, the realtor does a call-around initially, where the agent calls around to the neighbors and relatives in a determined perimeter to let them know that the home is listed.
   Direct canvassing mail is also sent. The realtor works closely with its own pre-qualified buyers to bring them into a home and has an innovative regional advertising program, which includes professionally, designed ads in consumer and business-to-business publications.
   Mr. Crandall’s and Ms. Field’s offices offer buyers and sellers seven-day, 24-hour access to agents through e-mail and office, home and cell phone numbers.
   The Pennington office is located on Route 31 in Pennington. The Montgomery office is located at 2161 Route 206 in Belle Mead.
   GHS Metro NY, Inc., the parent company of Gloria Nilson/GMAC Real Estate and Johnson & Johnson/GMAC Real Estate, has 18 offices throughout central New Jersey. GMAC Real Estate, based in Warren, is the consumer real estate division of GMAC Home Services, Inc. For more information, call (877) 551-6962.
   General Motors Acceptance Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary
of General Motors Corp., is one of the world’s largest financial services
companies with 29,000 employees in 40 countries. Earnings in 2000 were $1.6
billion, from automotive financing, insurance, commercial and residential mortgages,
real estate services and commercial finance. More information on GMAC Financial
Services is available at www.gmacfs.com.