When it comes time to sell your home, choosing the right real estate agent is crucial. The wrong agent can cost you significant amounts of time and money, while the right one can help you get the best price possible for your house and make the sale as smooth as possible. So how do you choose the right agent? Here are a few tips.
Buyers' Agents vs. Sellers' Agents
There are two types of real estate agents: buyers’ agents and sellers’ agents. As the name implies, a buyers’ agent represents the interests of the buyer, while a sellers’ agent represents the seller. Look for an experienced sellers’ agent.
Start with Friends and Family
Check Your Neighborhood for "For Sale" Signs
If you’re driving around your neighborhood and you see a lot of “For Sale” signs, take note of the agents’ names who are on them. These are the agents who are selling homes in your area, so they’re likely to have experience with properties like yours. Pay particular attention if one agent pops up on more than one sign.
Search Engines and Social Media
Next, turn to the internet and search engines like Google, Bing, or Yahoo. Search for real estate agents in your area and take note of the ones that come up most frequently. These are the agents who are doing a good job of marketing themselves online and are likely to be able to do the same for your home.
Social media can also be a great resource. Check out agents’ Facebook pages and Twitter feeds to see how they interact with clients and market properties. A good agent will have an updated, active social media presence.
With these resources, you’re able to check out agent ratings and reviews to see if they might be a good fit.
Check Out Agent Websites
In addition to looking at search engine results and social media, visit agents’ websites. A good agent’s website will be professional, updated regularly, and full of information about the agent, their team, their past sales, and testimonials from happy clients.
The site should also have a blog with articles that offer valuable information for home sellers and buyers. This is a good sign that the agent is knowledgeable about the real estate market and is up to date on the latest trends.
Pick an Expert in Your Location
It’s important to find an agent who knows your neighborhood inside and out. They should be able to educate buyers on the area and help them see the value in your house.
Choose Someone Who Specializes in Your Type of Home
If you’re selling a condo, you’ll want an agent who specializes in that type of property. The same goes for luxury homes, fixer-uppers, and any other type of home. A good agent will have a strong understanding of the unique selling points of your property and how to market them to buyers.
Look for Certifications, Designations, and Awards
There are a number of different certifications and awards that real estate agents can earn. These include the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designation, the Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR) designation, and the Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) designation.
The National Association of Realtors® also gives out the “Good Neighbor” award to agents who give back to their communities. These are all good indicators that an agent is serious about their career and providing top-notch service to their clients.
Interview Multiple Agents
Once you’ve compiled a list of potential agents, it’s time to start interviewing. This is an important step in the process, as it will allow you to get to know the agents and see if they’re a good fit for you.
When you’re interviewing agents, pay attention to their communication style and make sure it’s one that you’re comfortable with. You’re forming a business relationship with your agent and will be working closely with them for the next few months. Pick someone you like.
Interview Questions for Sellers' Agents
- How long have you been an agent?
- Are you in a team, or do you work as a solo agent?
- In the last year, how many houses have you sold?
- What was the average list price?
- How long, on average, were your homes on the market?
- What was the average sales price?
- How many times did the homes’ prices have to be reduced?
- How would you recommend staging my house?
- How would you suggest pricing my home?
- What is your marketing strategy?
- What is your preferred method of communication?
- How often will we communicate?
- How long does it take you to respond to a voicemail or email?
- What are your thoughts on open houses?
- If I’m not happy with the way you’re handling the sale of my home, can I fire you?
- What are the fees that I will owe you?
- What are your thoughts on negotiating?
- What do you think is the most important thing I should do to prepare my house for sale?
Conclusion
When you’re ready to sell your home, it’s important to select the right real estate agent to represent you.
The right agent will be knowledgeable about the local market and will be able to price your home competitively. They will also be experienced in negotiating on your behalf and will work to get you the best possible price for your home. Furthermore, a good real estate agent will have a strong network of potential buyers and will be able to market your home effectively.
So, when you’re ready to sell, make sure to choose an experienced and reputable real estate agent who will work hard to get you the best results.
