When it comes to selling your property, having the right real estate agent by your side can make all the difference in the world. But with so many agents to choose from, how do you find the one that’s perfect for you? How will they promote your listing? What services are included with your listing? How much is the commission? Other important services: will your agent include professional photos, a virtual tour, drone photography, floor plans, etc… Will YOUR agent accompany showings?
To guide you through this process, here are some invaluable tips on how to choose the right real estate agent to represent you as a seller.
Define Your Needs and Goals. Before you start your search for a real estate agent, take a moment to clarify your needs and goals. Are you looking for a quick sale, or do you have time to wait for the best offer? Understanding your priorities will help you find an agent who aligns with your objectives. The answers to these questions can also affect the pricing strategies for your home.
Seek Recommendations. One of the most effective ways to start your search for a real estate agent is to ask friends, family, and colleagues for recommendations. Personal experiences often speak volumes, and hearing about successful transactions from people you trust can point you in the right direction. Chances are that an agent in your town will be most familiar with some of the finer selling points of your location. Usually a local agent will also have the most local buyers. Look for an established office with an experienced agent.
Go to Open Houses. One possible source of agents is Open Houses. Open Houses can give you the opportunity to actually see what’s on the market but potentially more important, meet some of the local agents in person and get a comfort level with some active area realtors. This might give you the opportunity to perform your own quiet assessment of agents you may want to possibly represent you.
Check Their Expertise in The Local Market. When looking for an agent who can help you sell your home, try to go for an agent who has a proven track record in your specific area. How many years have they worked in your specific market? Someone who knows the ins and outs of your local market will be able to provide you with a comprehensive analysis of recent sales and other current market trends compared to someone who has a more generalized area of expertise. Not only that, but an agent with a finger on the pulse of the local market can accurately price your home, target the right audience, and negotiate effectively on your behalf. In more of an urban setting, for example, on a long street, you can actually have homes on the same street be more or less expensive depending on which end of the street they are… Strong local agents will know about upcoming developments that could affect the future value of your sale or present value based on the effect of future development. More often than not, this is a very good thing!
Check Credentials and Track Record. Experience matters in real estate. Look for an agent with a proven track record of successful sales in your area. A seasoned agent has likely encountered various situations and knows how to navigate them effectively. Request a list of their recent sales, including the sale prices and the time homes spent on the market. This information can give you confidence in their ability to find potential buyers for your home.
Cast A Wide Net When Screening Agents. One good rule to follow when interviewing potential agents is: don’t settle for the first agent you meet. Interview several candidates to gauge their communication style, market knowledge, and overall compatibility with your goals. Ask about their marketing strategies, experience with similar properties, and how they plan to handle your property.
Evaluate Their Skills and Experience Level. When talking to potential agents, assess their skills to see how they’ll fare in selling your property.
For example, you can try asking them about their approach to selling properties, as well as their thoughts on traditional and contemporary marketing methods. The real estate business has changed and any agent you hire needs to have strong internet capabilities to promote your home. Will they create an individual web site for your home? Will your home be promoted on Facebook, X, Instagram and Linked In…for example. Additionally, you can also use this time to see how they communicate, especially since effective communication skills play a big part in building trust and ensuring smooth transactions. Finally, you should also make it a point to discuss how they would handle and respond to offers as well as potential strategies they would utilize during the process.
For more tips on how to choose the right real estate agent, as well as information on how to sell a house with a Realtor, make sure to give the Award Winning Consultants at the Steve Bremis Realty Group a call at 617.828.1070. You can also send our team a message here to get started.