8z Real Estate's President Speaks on the Professional Services of REALTORs in InsideRealEstateNews Interview

Denver, CO, November 18, 2011 --(PR.com)-- In recent years the real estate industry has changed with a recession, an increase in foreclosures, and changes in inventory of residential properties available. In this market, as well as thriving real estate markets, the expertise from a professional real estate agent is important to a homeowner's investment. Lane Hornung, the President and CEO of Colorado's 8z Real Estate discussed recently with John Rebchook, the editor of InsideRealEstateNews.com, the importance of a professional real estate agent when selling a home, and how well this advice is received by clients.

When clients seek professional advice of licensed professionals, they usually listen. An individual may seek a lawyer for legal advice, and will usually listen with open ears to that advice. Some may consult an accountant for assistance completing their taxes, and follow their advice on how to avoid being audited by the IRS.

Yet, when many home owners seek the assistance of a REALTOR to sell their home, it may be received with a grain of salt. A real estate transaction is usually the largest single investment decision an individual will make in their lifetime. Yet pricing, staging and home improvement recommendations are often disregarded by clients. A home purchase or sale is also an emotional decision for the client, making it more difficult to see objectively.

The advice from a local real estate expert who specializes in your neighborhood or city will be able to give the most valuable counsel in a home purchase or sale. For example, as Hornung was quoted in the interview with Rebchook, "Studies have shown that a staged home not only typically sells for more money, but often sells faster. The goal of every seller, of course, is to maximize the sale price. So if you spend $500 on staging and sell the home for $5,000 more, that is a very wise and worthwhile investment." (InsideRealEstateNews.com).

In the same, the counsel a REALTOR can give to a client about bringing a home up to showing and sale condition can make a huge impact on the final selling price of a home. As Hornung explained, "I think you can expect a 5 percent swing in the selling price solely based on merchandising, on showing condition. So if it is a $500,000 home, we could be talking a $25,000 difference either way – $525,000 for a home that shows perfectly, or $475,000 for a home that is merchandised poorly." (InsideRealEstateNews.com)

Of course the source of the real estate advice and counsel is an important component to every homeowner. A local real estate agent in Denver will be able to provide far better comparative market data and insight to homes that are selling than an agent who specializes in a city even 10 miles away. Hornung's company 8z Real Estate has local real estate agents by Colorado communities that specialize within a targeted geographic area. For more information view real estate in Colorado on COhomefinder or call 8z at 800-231-9153.

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