Knowing you’ve put your largest financial asset in the hands of a great real estate agent makes the process of selling your home so much less stressful.
Their knowledge and experience will ease any anxiety about market trends, buyer preferences and the price you might expect to achieve.
Choosing the right agent requires careful thought and research. Many agents have excellent local profiles and do an awesome job. But not every agent is going to be right for you.
You want to “click” with your agent because they’re not only going to sell your home but set you on the path for the next chapter of your life.
Consider interviewing two or three candidates as a minimum. Depending on their franchise or company, they’ll have slightly different approaches to marketing your property. You need to judge which process sits most comfortably with you.
You’re not just choosing the individual but also their approach to marketing and negotiation. At all costs, avoid the scenario in which you say to yourself, “I knew this wasn’t the best way to sell my property.”
At our agency, we pride ourselves on our empathy for and understanding of our sellers’ perspectives. We focus on making the experience as smooth and comfortable as possible while seeking the best possible price.
Here are eight tips for choosing an agent in the current market conditions:
Personal recommendations – Word of mouth is the best form of marketing. Ask family and friends if they have a recommendation. While their help and opinion is valuable, you must make your own judgment. Don’t appoint someone just because your uncle said so.
Trust factor – How well you connect with an agent should be fundamental to your decision. You need to trust their advice and judgment. When the pressure is on during an auction or sale negotiation, you don’t want to question whether you have the right person. It’s too late for that.
Communication style – How and when will your agent communicate with you? Some agents set up a whatsapp channel, and will stay in contact. Others prefer phone or email. Get crystal clear on how your agent prefers to work, and ask yourself whether that works for you.
Regular updates – Once your property is on the market, you should be confident your agent will give you feedback on inspections and open homes. They should tell you how many people walked through the property, and the number of contracts issued. Spending your weekend waiting for an update is super-frustrating.
Market experience – Look for candidates who have enjoyed success in your area, and in selling properties similar to your own. If you’re lucky enough to have a luxury home, then go with an agent with a track record of selling this type of property.
Buyer beware – Buyers are always concerned they’re going to pay too much for a property. This is true even in a strong market. Ask your agent candidates how they handle this scenario, especially in auction situations or when negotiating directly.
Contacts and networks – Talk to agents about how they find buyers. Discuss the quality of their database of potential buyers, and how they might use this network. Agents should have potential buyers in mind for your property.
Local knowledge – You should have confidence that your agent understands the buying trends in your area. If they can’t articulate local market conditions and simply go from one deal to the next, the chances are you’ll be just another deal. You don’t want that.