How to select the right real estate agent
When it comes to selling your property, selecting the right real estate agent to see you through the transaction is critical.
The right agent will bring knowledge, insight, advice, and negotiating skills to the table, guiding you through the process to secure a successful sale without any additional stress.
So how do you select the right real estate agent to sell your property?
Do your research
Long before you start calling in agents to appraise your property, you should conduct some research behind the scenes.
Questions to ask during the research phase include: Whose name regularly pops up in your area, what sort of reputation do they have, do they have a solid track record of successful sales?
As the first port of call, consider the agents whose names you recognise in your area, perhaps consult family or friends, and start doing some research online.
Online research should include the types of properties they are currently selling, what they have sold in the past, and how they are regarded by vendors and buyers in terms of reviews.
Interview more than one
Once you’ve narrowed down the list of agents who look good on paper and have a great reputation, it’s time to start contacting them for an ‘interview’, and yes, you should interview more than one.
During this interview, the agent will appraise your property and outline the way they envisage marketing and selling it.
Called a listing presentation, this meeting will also see the agent offer insight into how they operate, the method of sale they believe will suit, their previous history of success, local market knowledge, and also the marketing techniques they believe will work best.
Questions to ask
In advance of the listing presentation, take some time to jot down the major questions you have, including questions like the following:
- Â Â Â Â How well do you know the area?
- Â Â Â Â What sets you apart from other agents?
- Â Â Â Â How many clients do you represent at a time?
- Â Â Â Â Is there anything I need to do to my property to ready it for sale?
- Â Â Â Â Who would I be working with on your team?
- Â Â Â Â What do you believe is the best method of sale for my property, and why?
- Â Â Â Â How will you communicate with me and at what points will that occur?
- Â Â Â Â How would you market my property?
- Â Â Â Â How much do you charge?
-     If I pick you, what’s the first thing we need to do to get started?
It’s about how you feel
Selecting the right agent is part business decision and part ‘gut feeling’. They should be someone you can work with, have a rapport with, and trust.
Their role is not just to sell your property but also to act as your trusted advisor while negotiating with prospective buyers.
Most importantly, their job is to work for you, and that involves taking the time to listen to what you hope to achieve, to understand your goals and help facilitate them.
To do this, they will draw on their experience, insight and communication skills, offering a service that you feel you can implicitly trust.
How we can help
To speak with a sales agent who prides themselves on being a trusted advisor and working on your behalf, contact your local expert Eview Group team here.
