When you want to sell your home, and have decided to enlist a real estate professional to help you, there are a few things you should know about your agent before signing the binding agreement.Experience is one factor but there is more to selling a home than finding an agent with years on the job.
The listing agent, (the sellers agent) is the one placing your property information on the MLS which is the nation wide database where all listings listed with a licensed Realtor will be shown. Some listing agents will do that, and nothing more, waiting for an agent to call with a prospective buyer.
How many properties has you agent sold? Was he/she the sellers agent, or the buyers agent? How many properties were sold at, or near, the asking price when agent acted as sellers agent? That is an important question. Some agents will prompt you to reduce the price substantially when negotiating with the buyer. That can mean you lose a lot of money, but it is a quick sale and fast commissions for the agent.
Not everyone is good at negotiating or asking for things.In a transaction involving a large sum of money such as your house, would you not have an agent that have the skill and know how to negotiate the best deal for you?
Besides placing your listing on the MLS, what other marketing plans does this agent have? Ads? Will they host open houses? Will those open houses be advertised somewhere to draw the largest amount of house-shoppers?
Is your potential agent available seven days a week? Amazingly, some agents do not work, nor return calls on the weekends. Weekends tend to be the busiest time in real estate… What will be the average response time? This can be crucial not only when a new potential buyer makes contact, but also during negotiations when time is of the essence due to contract expiration’s.
The personality of your agent is important as well. Is he/she upbeat and easy to talk with? Is she enthusiastic and optimistic? Is she interested in putting in some effort to get this deal completed? Or is she pessimistic, cautious and unmotivated
Take some care and thought before selecting someone that you will be forced to work with for many months. Take your time, interview several agents. Ask around for referrals. Make sure you get the best agent for you and your deal.
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Tags: family, finance, General, home, real estate
