Selling your home takes a substantial amount of time and energy. It also requires an intimate knowledge of the real estate market, an ability to negotiate deals, and the skills to market your home to qualified buyers.
Unless you are a real estate agent, this type of inside knowledge is not likely something you possess. Finding the right real estate agent to sell your home can make or break your venture into real estate. Here are five tips on how to find one.
1. Starting your search
Finding the right fit means asking for referrals, checking references, and doing your homework. The first Realtor you meet may not be the best. If you don’t know where to start looking, you might end up discouraged. Ask friends who’ve recently sold homes, coworkers, and family. The Real Estate Institute of New Zealand is a resource you can utilize when searching for agents that specialize in a certain field.
2. Questioning prospective agents
Personality and point of view matter in a Realtor. When you meet with a prospective candidate, be sure to ask tough questions that require honest answers. Ideally, the person will answer your questions with passion, knowledge, and integrity. The perfect Realtor has an opinion on everything, from the list price of your home to the decor in your entryway and its ability to attract buyers.
3. Your realtor works for you
The person you choose to sell your home should work for you. If your Realtor’s conditions state that he or she is your seller’s agent as well as a buyer’s agent, the candidate might not be the best fit.
You want someone who works for your team, not someone who is interested in pocketing your entire commission. You do not want a conflict of interest when selling your home. You want a Realtor whose only interest is in you.
4. Help wanted
While you do not want to spend your time going through assistants and secretaries, you do want to hire a Realtor who has a little support. The real estate business requires agents to spend a significant amount of time outside the office, which leaves little time for paperwork, searches, and other grunt work. Someone with an assistant who is qualified to take messages, perform searches, and answer questions while your agent is doing what he or she can to sell your home is a plus.
5. The fine print
Once you find a Realtor you feel is perfect for your home, you will sign a contact. Do not allow your Realtor to talk you into signing anything with a time frame that you are not completely comfortable with. The standard time frame for a seller’s contract is anywhere from three to six months. However, if your home is worth more than $1 million, many agents will not sign a contract for less than a year to protect their investment in the marketing of your home.
Characteristics of a reputable real estate agency
Now that you are well-versed in the act of choosing the perfect realtor you need to know the characteristics to look for in your agent’s business. From the secretary to the agents, everyone in the office should display an enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and friendly demeanor.
Wide-range knowledge of the city and its diverse neighborhoods, schools, and entertainment is also a must. A real estate agency should project a perfect blend of professionalism and likability.
The perfect real estate agent to sell your home is one who makes you feel as if she or he knows all there is to know about selling a home, without coming across as condescending. Your agent should work hard and know what will sell. The perfect agent will bring results, not excuses.
