Out-of-town seller must plan for success

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Even though homes sell faster in the Washington region than in most other parts of the country, it sometimes happens that a home doesn't move before the owners do. Whether it's due to a job transfer or the owner's choice, if the "For sale" sign still decorates the yard when moving day is right around the corner, real estate experts say, research and planning are crucial for a successful sale.

However, in this age of e-mail, faxes and Internet resources, today's sellers can leave an unsold home behind and, with their Realtor's help, take care of business long distance.

"While it's not more difficult to sell, the preparation work has to be made very carefully," says Tim Bird of ZipRealty Inc. in McLean. "It's unnerving when your house is on the market in a different location, and it behooves you to go through the upfront planning process."

Selling a home while the owners are out of town presents a bevy of challenges, so professionals advise sellers to pick an agent carefully by asking questions specific to their situation.

"When you talk to a Realtor, make sure that they are comfortable with your not being in town," Mr. Bird says.

It's also a good idea to interview a couple of agents and ask them important questions, such as, "When a contract comes in, how are we going to handle the presentation?" says Esther Pryor, chairman of the board of directors for the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors.

When looking for an agent to help with your long-distance sale, do the normal things that people selling a home do -- contact three local real estate companies and get different opinions about how someone is going to market your house to get the most exposure.

Also, the experts suggest online research to find Realtors who have included photos and e-mail links on their Web sites.

"Find out who's going to incorporate today's technology," says Beth Tyler of Long & Foster Real Estate in Annapolis. She recommends that when sellers call various real estate companies, they shouldn't be content to deal with whomever answers the phone. Instead, she recommends asking for one of the top 10 Realtors within that office.