Why Exploring Your Options Before Deciding Can Change Everything

Why Exploring Your Options Before Deciding Can Change Everything

This was a decade ago when I managed a team at REI. I taught my staff a simple but powerful habit. When a customer asked to try on a specific hiking boot we would not just grab that one pair. We would bring two additional styles right along with it. Three boots total.

Most people walked in with their eye on one boot that looked great on the shelf. Yet once they tried all three they gained a fuller perspective. They could compare fit sizing and comfort side by side. The boot they thought they wanted often turned out to be second or third once they experienced the difference. Bringing those extra options broadened their horizons and helped them make the right choice for their feet and their adventures.

That same principle applies to so many important decisions in life. And right now it feels especially relevant for anyone thinking about selling their home in San Luis Obispo County.

Choosing a realtor is one of the most important decisions you will make. It ranks right up there with choosing a spouse, a job, or when to have children. Why? Because the right realtor or the wrong one can mean the difference between strong net proceeds and leaving money on the table.

That is exactly why I always recommend interviewing up to three agents before you decide. Here is how I suggest building your short list: Reach out to the top producing agent in the area. Ask friends and family for a referral. Do your own research and find one who truly speaks to you.

Just like not every boot fits the same not every realtor delivers the same results. The top agent might have the most sales but what story do those sales tell? Ask for a list of their last ten listing sales so you can see days on market and what percentage of the list price each home actually received. The popular choice might be too busy to give your property the attention it deserves. A friend or family referral is priceless but do not take it blindly. Did your friend use them for a purchase? If so do they have real listing experience? When you do your own research you often find the agent who matches your style best. Is this person a closer? Do they have a clear listing process with proven results?

All of these details matter. When you find the right realtor you can trust them through the entire process and you should start seeing results within the first few weeks of listing. Interviewing three or more agents gives you perspective aligns your goals provides a clear process and positions you for the best possible outcome. The hard part is that no one knows exactly what the outcome will be but you can at least align every important element to set yourself up for success.

I see the same smart approach in my friend right now as he searches for a new job. He is holding his options open. Instead of zeroing in on one role he is looking broadly applying to multiple positions and evaluating each one to see what truly speaks to him and which company culture he connects with. Keeping those options open lets him make a decision with confidence instead of rushing into something that might not be the right fit.

To bring this idea to life visually I love this Picasso Cubist painting. It shows the same subject from multiple angles at once exactly the way exploring options lets you see the full picture before you commit. Picasso developed Cubism to capture the true essence of his subject by presenting it from multiple perspectives simultaneously, breaking free from the limits of a single viewpoint and revealing a more complete reality.

Thinking of selling in the future? Give me a call.

Here are three crucial questions to ask your next listing agent:

1. What is your listing process? You should hear a very clear and precise process along with examples of past listings.
2. What was your last listing and what was the days on market list price and sold price?
3. How important is marketing in your listing process and show me an example of how marketing impacted a past sale?

I would be happy to walk you through my own process answer these questions and explore your options together.

Let me know what you think or if you are ready to start the conversation.

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Joshua Busch Realtor® | Founding Member & Team Leader Busch Real Estate Team | eXp Realty Guiding sellers in San Luis Obispo County with strategic preparation market expertise and a commitment to maximum results.