Choosing an agent is one of the most confronting challenges you must address as an owner when preparing to put their property on the market.
As a seller, you place an enormous amount of trust in your agent to know the local market and deal with you honestly and openly. And, of course, you’ll always expect them to be top marketers and negotiators who can maximise the value of your home.
Recent research by ActivePipe shows that when deciding which agent to use, 24.2% of sellers choose with the personality of the agent, 22.6% choose based on word of mouth and 21% consider past results. Only 5% of sellers say they make their choice on the basis of the commission charged.
A key takeaway is that six out of 10 say they’d use the same agent again. That’s important because it tells you only thorough research or an existing trusted relationship will deliver you the right agent.
At our agency, we’re committed to what we call “lifetime relationships”. That means we focus not just on your next sale but on those that might follow. The transaction is important, but the trust we build with you is fundamental to everything that follows.
Of course, we’d be delighted to talk with you about selling your home and what we can achieve for you in the current market conditions. But here are some additional tips to help you feel confident about your choice of agent.
Ask family and friends
You can’t beat a good recommendation, so seek out who has done an excellent job for those you love and trust. You may decide differently but it’s always a good way to start the selection process.
Local expertise
To ensure you market your property correctly and hit the right price range, it’s essential to choose a local agent who knows the suburb, as well as the price-performance and the buyer demand for your style of property.
Experience counts
This doesn’t mean you must choose an older agent. You want someone who has had success in selling your style of property, in your area, and in the prevailing market conditions or those that are similar.
Approach
You need to be confident that you are comfortable with the approach your agent is suggesting to sell your home. Your agent should demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the local market, buyer segmentation and how to leverage your marketing dollars to maximise the value of your property and minimise its time on the market.
Results
Seek out the recent results achieved by agents you are considering. There’s no need to go further back than 12 months. Focus on their success with your style of property, as well as your target buyer segment such as families, couples or singles.
Check them out
Go to inspections that are held by agents you are considering and gauge their professionalism. Leave your name and contact details, and see who follows up and how they treat you. Test their market knowledge on price, time-on-market and available properties.
Is there trust?
This is the most critical element of your search. Beyond their professional competence, you must feel comfortable with your agent. You should be able to trust that they’re on your side and willing to communicate openly and frequently. Make sure your agent focuses on the relationship, not just the transaction.