Naturally, selling a house can be a stressful and overwhelming experience; doing so while living across the country can make the task feel even more daunting. We knew choosing the right agent to represent us would be the most important factor in determining a successful sale. We interviewed three agents over the phone and invited each of them into our house to develop a marketing strategy, which included a market analysis for an appropriate price point.
After our initial conversations, Cheri was a clear favorite of ours. Not only was she knowledgeable about the market in Oak Harbor, but she also had the ability to engage in personable conversation and expressed a desire to make this a positive experience for us as well as the tenants living in the house. Our tenant also said that Cheri was the clear choice from her perspective because Cheri showed more interest in learning about the property and took extra time to discover all the aspects of the house that made it unique from other listings on the market. According to our tenant, the other agents rushed through the house and didn’t bother discussing the sales process with them at all. Cheri knew the importance of having the tenants on board to ensure the success of future open houses and showings.
Once all three agents submitted their marketing strategy and proposed list price point, Cheri once again set herself apart from the competition by providing the most comprehensive market analysis and realistic price point. One agent suggested a price point $50,000 less than Cheri, and the other suggested one about $30,000 higher. We felt Cheri’s was by far the most realistic and immediately knew she was the right agent to represent us. She reassured us that she rarely gets the price wrong and is typically within $5,000 of the actually selling price. We were certain we had made the right choice in agents, but I really didn’t expect her price point to be that accurate. My husband and I decided to lower the asking price by $7000 at the very last minute. Cheri was fully supportive of our decision even though she expressed that she felt we could get the price we had originally agreed upon. She told us that she was there to guide us and offer her expertise; however, she said that we were in control of the listing and wanted to let us make the final decision.
Within a week we had an offer, but it was riddled with contingencies and we weren’t sure what to do. Cheri provided great advice and we were able to hold the first offer at bay without officially declining it. That allowed us time to receive a second offer that was above asking price and eerily on point with her initial price recommendation. Truly, Cheri’s understanding of the market combined with her instincts make her an ideal agent. Most importantly, she went above and beyond to assist us in the prep work before the house hit the market. She made phone calls and arranged for landscapers and servicemen to visit the house to make sure it was in the best shape possible before any viewings. We could not be any more pleased with our experience, and I’m certain that much of that is due to Cheri’s diligence and professionalism. She is by far the best agent we’ve had the pleasure of working with. A self-described “pit bull in pantyhose”, she will work tirelessly for you to make sure you get top dollar for your house and not let any opportunity slip by.
Tracie Richards