If choosing a Realtor they will most likely advise you on all the things below. Before listing your property the Realtor will give you comparable estimate of like properties in the area that have sold and that are on the market. They will balance that out with size of your house and yard and any upgrades you've done to the property and ultimately it is your decision on what you agree on. It's always good to put a competitive price out there. Realtors are great for giving your property the most exposure possible. They will put it in the Multiple Listing System for other Realtors to see and send to their clients.
Now many of the listings are available for viewing on websites like Realtor.com or Zillow.com even rentals. A lot of Realtors sign up for Realtor.com so that it will grab there listings from MLS and it then becomes more available to help spike the casual shoppers interest. Realtors can even send out a postcard to your neighborhood upon listing to get the buzz out there and put the for sale sign in front of the house with flyers that give home information and contact to the Realtors. Some brokerages maybe different but many will have a 6% commission of the sales price that they split with the buyers broker 50% and then a smaller percentage of that goes to the Realtors Principle Broker. It just depends on the company and their policies. Escrow has a small amount but also included in the amount are any expenses done like a termite inspection, repair costs, cleaning costs or any others will be debited from the sales amount upon closing.
Pros of having a Realtor is that they have the time, energy and experience to advertise and negotiate with other Realtors and prospective buyers on your behalf. It's perfect if you are a busy person and since moving alone is one of the top stressors it is good to have someone you can rely on to take care of excess arrangements so you can focus on the more important things in life.
Some things to start taking care of before putting your house on the market is get rid of the things you can do with out. Post things to Craigslist for sale or for free and people will pick them up quickly. Or drop things off at your local thrift store and get a tax write off (call them to let them first to see what they will accept). Some thrift stores will drive out to pick up bigger shipments like furniture or televisions.
If you need a paint job and a floor cleaning do it if you can.
Any little things around the house that needs to be fixed, fix them if you can.
Declutter and do a complete clean. Furniture should be arranged in a welcoming and functional way.
Have the house thoroughly cleaned before any one sees it.(Don't hesitate to ask friends or family for help. That's what they are there for!)I've helped a number of clients get rid of and move things so even a Realtor can be happy to help.
Some Realtors have their own photographers that they work with or do it themselves but pictures are important because they are the first impression of the house that potential buyers will notice. Remember to close toilet lids, keep things well lit, open blinds, things should be kept simple and spotless.
