Making the right decision when choosing a real estate agent is one of the most important steps you can take when selling a house. Keep in mind that not all real estate agents are alike. Although they are all working for the same goal – selling houses – each has their own set of values and priorities, which could make your venture a major failure or outstanding success!
When selling a house, you want to ensure you get the best representation possible. Find an agent that will view you as the customer and therefore, always put your best interest first. Choosing the right agent can be a huge cost savings to you, in not only expenses paid to them for their services, but in time and unexpected expenses. To ensure you find an agent you can trust, and who will provide an outstanding service to you, you need to ask some important questions.
Why are you different from other real estate agents? What sets you and your expertise apart from other agents?
The real estate market is much more competitive than ever before. Ask what programs they offer as a means of helping your house stand out against the competition. What do they do special or unique that will give you the best advantage for selling your home quickly and at the price, you want?
What is your record of accomplishment? What is your reputation?
With such a market, real estate agents are vying to get the contracts to sell houses. Find out how many houses the agent has sold, time on the market, price sold against asking price, and any achievement awards received.
Although impressive for reaching a certain quota, find out specifically what they will do your YOU! Selling a high volume of homes may not always make for a good agent. Although it shows someone who drives hard to close the deal, it might also mean he or she does not spend as much time with their clients as what you might be looking for.
In reality, although some agents sell houses like there’s no tomorrow, most agents only sell approximately 10 houses per year. Therefore, determine how much time you want from the real estate agent, how quickly you need your home sold, and how much you’re willing to go down on price.
How will you market my home?
Do not be hesitant in asking how much advertising they will do on your specific home. What media will be used – newspaper, MLS, TV, flyers, etc.? How effective have their advertising efforts been in the past for other clients? Do they coordinate efforts with other agents as another strong media outlet?