If you’re thinking about selling your home, one of the first tasks will be to find the right real estate agent. Some sellers will simply opt for the agent who offers them the best price for their home, or select them based their commission rate. And although this is perfectly reasonable, there are many other factors to consider when choosing a real estate agent.
As your home is likely your biggest asset, seeking references is a good start. A good real estate professional who has satisfied former customers, will be more than happy to tell you about their experience with them – good agents that people trust can be hard to come by. But rather than just relying on referrals the agent puts forward, why not act as a buyer!
Give the agent a call, make an appoinment to see a property, this way you’ll see if they prequalify the buyer or how easy or difficult it was to make an appointment. If they do not answer, leave a voice message and see if or when they get back to you. If you don’t want to act as a buyer maybe ask some questions such as:-
“What are you basing the asking price on?” They should be able to support their conclusion with recent sales in your area of similar properties. Make sure they can support the suggested sale price with evidence you don’t wantto fall for the trap of securing the agent who simply says they can get the best price for you.
How long have you been in real estate? You need to trust that they have enough experience and know the business so they get all the important stuff right.
Ask about recent comparable sales in the area, and note if they have been active and successful in your local area.
Other important skills to think about are:
- LISTENING
An agent needs to listen to what your situation is and what your desired outcome is.
- COMMUNICATION
An agent should be a good communicator. You should have an understanding of what their typical strategy is each step of the way.
- NEGOTIATING SKILLS
There are numerous complexities to selling a property, which can be difficult to navigate. Ask for some data on their successful sales, such as days on the market, and marketing strategies. Sales prices that are close to listing prices are a good sign.
- HONESTY AND INTEGRETY
You need to have trust that your agent is acting in your best interests as the seller. You may be providing access to sensitive details of your personal live, as well as access to your home. Ensure you are on the same page with regards to your expectations, and that generally their values are aligned with your own.Remember, don’t be afraid to ask hard questions. The manner in which the agent answers your questions will help indicate how they will handle potential buyers. You want to choose an agent who is professional, organised, efficient and trustworthy.