REAL ESTATE
What You Always Wanted to
Know About Real Estate, But
Didn’t Know Who to Ask.
Our homes are our single
largest asset, and as
a Realtor, it is our
responsibility to treat it
By Terry and Tanner Tillung
as such. Selling your home is a big
deal! It may be tempting to hire a
friend, but ultimately it pays to take
the time to do your research. Terry
and Tanner Tillung, who have sold
over 44 homes this year totaling more
than $30 million in sales, explain
why it’s important to work with
an Experienced Realtor. Here are a
few questions you should be asking
during the interview process.
What Type of Communication Can
I Expect?
Lack of communication is a source
of real frustration for many sellers.
When we ask the question of a
homeowner whose home hasn’t
sold, “what is your key concern?”
the response is always “lack of
communication.” We prefer to be
proactive. We provide continued
communication through our system
and plan that’s proven to work.
How Many Sales Did You Have
Last Year?
Most potential sellers will ask, “How
long have you been in the business?”
The answer to this question doesn’t
necessarily convey the Realtor’s
experience. It’s not always about
longevity; it’s about the agent’s success. Think of it this way,
would you rather hire a Realtor who has closed ten homes in
10 years, or an agent who has closed 100 homes in one year?
On average, how many days do your homes stay on the
market?
Tillung’s average days on market is 56, which is lower than
the local average. Our “Steps to a Successful Sale” ensures
our clients to net the most money in the least amount of time,
with minimal upfront costs. We offer a real estate experience
that is local as well as global, and we specialize in selling
homes that others cannot.
What Makes You a Good Negotiator?
Negotiating takes experience. A seasoned Realtor thinks
clearly, transactionally, and with integrity, and will rely on
past experiences to relate to situations when they arise. It’s
always important to make sure we are working in the clients’
best interest.
What is Your Marketing Strategy?
These days, it’s simply not enough to just list a house in MLS,
stick a sign in the yard, and hope and pray to receive an offer.
Since more than 90% of all buyers find their home online,
Tanner and Terry Tillung
120 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018
we use social media platforms like
Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to
market new listings, open houses and
price reductions. We are the leaders
in innovations in the ever-changing
real estate market – emphasizing the
high-tech while staying true to high
touch systems.
Do You Use a Professional
Photographer?
It is important to use a professional
photographer for ALL properties.
Professional photos speak a thousand
words. That first impression is
essential in getting the buyer to view
the home in person.
What Do I Need To Do To Get My
House Ready For Sale?
This is not the time for sugarcoating
– your agent should have no
problem telling you what potential
buyers might perceive as a negative
feature, and how it can be remedied
before listing. Everyone knows
the basics, like enhancing curb
appeal, decluttering, and making
sure the house is tidy. But we know
that it can sometimes take more than
that. We have a “home preparation
checklist” that we go over with our
sellers, and if work needs to be done
we have a list of reliable vendors who
can take care of things in a timely
manner.
BRANDY DEMARZO
How Do You Stay Up to Date in Today’s Real Estate
Market?
The real estate market is always evolving, and it’s important
for us to stay ahead of the curve. We look at the real estate
market and talk to our counterparts in places like Beverly
Hills and New York City, and we attend and present
educational training seminars. We pride ourselves on
adapting business practices and styles so that we can
continue to succeed in today’s ever changing marketplace.
Do You Have Any Online Reviews I Can Reference or
Clients I Can Speak With?
A good agent has nothing to hide, and if they have a good
track record, then they should have more than enough online
reviews or previous clients to vouch for them. Check out
our five-star reviews!
EDITOR’S NOTE: Terry and Tanner Tillung are real estate agents
with Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate and have more than 23
years of experience selling homes in the Tampa Bay area. For Terry, call
(727) 560-8819, or terry.tillung@floridamoves.com. For Tanner, call
(727) 479-4548, or tanner.tillung@floridamoves.com.