You've decided you're ready to sell your home. Now it's time to find a listing agent to guide you through the process. Finding the right listing agent to sell your house is a critical decision that can greatly impact the outcome of your home sale. Here are some steps you can take to find a good listing agent.
The first step in finding the right listing agent for a property is to do your research. It's not sexy, but it's so vital in order to make the right decision. Not all real estate agents are created equal, so knowing where to look can help weed out the inferior selling agents right away.
There are several places you can go to find a listing agent to sell your house:
Your initial instinct will be to ask family and friends for recommendations. While referrals can be useful (so you know the agent is at least trustworthy), there are some limitations. First, your pool of potential agents is very limited; there are thousands of agents out there and you can only source so many referrals from your network. Second, it can quickly become uncomfortable when you choose NOT to utilize the services of a personal recommendation. That is why asking family, friends, neighbors, or colleagues who have recently sold a home for referrals on listing agents they have worked with and had a good experience with is becoming somewhat antiquated.
You may (and should) also search online for agents in your area. You can certainly see many more real estate agents than you would relying purely upon personal recommendations, but it is extremely difficult to know who to believe and trust. The level of due diligence required to sort through all these agents' online reviews, websites, and social media is incredibly tedious.
Regardless, look up listing agents in your area on real estate websites or search engines; you should at least find ONE real estate transaction for each. Read reviews from former clients and check their website and social media profiles to see if they have a professional online presence.
Visit a local real estate office and ask for recommendations of listing agents who specialize in your area.
Attend open houses and talk to the listing agent. This will give you a chance to meet them in person, see how they interact with potential buyers, buyer's agents, and get a sense of their marketing strategy.
Look for advertising by local agents in newspapers, magazines, or online real estate portals. This can give you an idea of the type of listing agent who is active in your area.
We recommend combining the best of all these worlds. Blending your hunt between targeted, internet searches and recommendations from trustworthy sources is a sound approach.
Once you've narrowed down your list of potential agents, it's time to start setting up meetings. This is your chance to get to know the listing agent and see if they're a good fit for you.
In the old days, this was merely a charade. You might judge an agent by the firmness of their handshake, the consistency of their eye contact, or the confidence of their tone. However, none of those would actually determine their efficacy as a real estate fiduciary. Luckily, nowadays we have much better data to evaluate potential listing agents.
Come prepared for every interview with a list of questions for the agent. Ask them about their past experiences and to cite specific deals they have closed. Have them outline, in detail, their marketing plan to get your home sold to meet your satisfaction. Just as importantly, ask them about the fee structure and if there is any room for negotiation on that front.
Better yet, ask them to present a tangible strategy for your home sale. A top tier listing broker will prepare a comparative market analysis specifically for you, using comparable sales and their insight. If they are not willing to do so, it is probably a sign they aren't as good as they claim, or they aren't as motivated to deliver for you as you'd want. Pay attention to how well they listen to your needs and answer your questions; you want an agent who is attentive and willing to work with you to get the best results possible.
To get the most out of your real estate agent interviews, follow this important checklist:
Let each listing agent know your expectations, concerns, and preferences. Be upfront about your timeline, budget, and what you're looking for in a home. Discuss your priorities and concerns with an agent representing you. Be open and honest about what you want and listen to their advice and recommendations.
A true real estate professional has the knowledge and experience to guide you through the buying or selling process. Open your ears to their advice and recommendations.
Be respectful of the agent and their work. Remember, they will be working hard to help you sell your home and negotiate the best deal for you. Negotiating commission should be a collaborative effort, not a confrontational one. Treat any listing agent with respect and professionalism.
Of course, make sure any listing or selling agent you consider is licensed in your state and has a good track record of sales in your area. You can check with your state's real estate regulatory agency for this information. Most real estate agents belong to the national association of realtors.
Consider a listing agent who you feel comfortable with and who you trust to represent your best interests.
The right listing agent should have a strong track record of success, be knowledgeable about your local market, have excellent communication skills, and be someone you feel good about working with. Remember, the selling agent represents YOU; so the best listing agent not only caters to potential buyers but also the home seller. That is their fiduciary responsibility.
Remember to do your due diligence and research any potential listing agents thoroughly before making a decision. By following these tips, you can build the foundation of a strong working relationship with your real estate agent and get the most out of your home selling experience.
After meeting with several potential agents, it's time to choose the right one for you. If you have done a thorough job in the vetting process, you should have an adequate amount of data to compare your options. Plug the numbers they give you into your decision-making formula to calculate the optimal outcome for things you care about most, like asking price, timeline, and commission structure.
Choose an agent who you feel comfortable with and who you trust to represent your best interests. Look for an agent who understands your needs, communicates well, and has experience in your target market.
Read any agreement carefully and make sure you understand all the terms and conditions. This includes the length of the agreement, the commission rate, the marketing plan, and any other selling agent's fee or expenses.
Understand the standard commission rate before negotiating, it's important to know what the standard commission rate is in your area. This can vary depending on your location, the type of property, and local market conditions. Research the standard commission rate in your area before starting the negotiation.
The standard commission rate in the United States typically ranges from 5% to 6% of the sale price of the home, with half of the commission going to the listing agent and half going to the buyer's agent. Alternatively, you could sell your house with a flat rate commission structure.
Commission rates are negotiable and can vary depending on the services provided by the agent and the specific circumstances of the sale. Some agents may be willing to negotiate a lower commission rate for certain properties or clients.
It's important to remember that the commission rate is not the only factor to consider when choosing a listing agent. Remember to consider their experience, marketing playbook, and past record of success in your area. Identify your priorities by determining what is most important to you in the agreement, such as a specific sale price or a shorter listing period. Use this information to guide your negotiations.
Ultimately, a fair commission rate is one that reflects the value of the services provided by the agent and is agreed upon by both parties. It's important to discuss commission rates and all other aspects of the listing agreement with your agent before signing the agreement to ensure that you are both on the same page.
The length of an agreement can vary, but most are between three and six months. However, some may be shorter or longer depending on the circumstances of the sale and the agreement between the seller and the listing agent.
A shorter agreement may be appropriate for a seller who wants to test the market or has a unique property that may require more time and effort to sell. A longer agreement may be more appropriate for a seller who wants to give their agent more time to market the property or has a property that may take longer to sell due to its location or condition.
It's important to discuss the length of the agreement with your agent before signing to ensure that you both have a clear understanding of the expectations and timeline for the sale of your property. Additionally, some agreements may include provisions for extending or terminating the agreement if necessary. Be sure to carefully review the terms and conditions before signing.
Research the local real estate market and the prices of comparable homes in your area. This will give you an idea of what your home is worth and what you can expect in terms of offers.
Once you've identified your priorities and done your research, it's time to negotiate the terms of the agreement. Most homeowners don't know they can negotiate the terms of their listing agreement or are too afraid to ask.
Negotiating the terms of your agreement is an important step in the home selling process. Start by making a counteroffer that reflects your priorities and be prepared to compromise if necessary.
The negotiation process should be a collaborative effort between you and your agent. By being open, honest, and willing to compromise, you can create an agreement that works for both you and your listing agent.
Negotiating commission with a real estate agent can be a sensitive topic, but there are some strategies you can use to approach the conversation:
Consider the level of service you expect from your agent and what services they are offering. If you expect more services than what the agent is currently offering, it may be appropriate to negotiate a higher commission rate.
Be open to negotiating a commission rate that works for both you and your agent. If the agent is willing to offer additional services or work with you to sell your home, it may be worth negotiating a higher commission rate.
Once you've agreed on a commission rate, make sure it is included in your listing agreement. This will ensure that everyone is on the same page and there are no misunderstandings.
Remember, negotiating commission with your agent is a normal part of the home selling process. By being respectful, open to compromise, and getting everything in writing, you can negotiate a commission rate that works for both you and your agent.
Generally speaking, it is wise to try to remove the emotional factors of a decision so you can make an objective choice. However, ultimately you are selecting a human to entrust with selling your home, so it is perfectly fine to trust your intuition too. Your instinct is just another datapoint to consider. So take your time and when you're ready, make your choice.
Selling your home is a big undertaking, so it's important to take the time to find the right listing agent for you and your home. First, decide where to look for an agent. Next, make them propose specifics for your sale. Finally, use the data they provide to make the best decision. With these tips in mind, you should have no problem finding an agent who meets all of your needs and who will help you get the best results possible when selling your home.
Choosing the right real estate agent is an important decision that can greatly impact the outcome of your home buying or selling experience. If you want to use the latest technology that does all of this for you, check out TrueParity's platform that puts the top local real estate agents in competition for your listing.
Like this article? Share it with someone in need of a good real estate agent. Curious what top listing agents would do for your home sale? Check out TrueParity today.
Every homeowner dreams of selling their property quickly, at the highest price, saving the most money, and with minimal stress. The recent tale of an owner in Spring Valley, CA, highlights how the clearest path to such success now begins somewhere that might surprise you.
The best news is it isn't just California home sellers that stand to gain -- homeowners everywhere need to be on high alert for this new home-selling hack. Here's what you need to learn about the selling process from this one real estate transaction.
Summer 2023 has proved to be a challenging period for selling a house. While home prices have remained high, interest rates are even higher, so not many folks have found themselves motivated to sell. (Even for a house in California the pool of potential buyers can be limited, due to those aforementioned mortgage rates). That said, life circumstances often necessitate a home sale.
This was the exact scenario facing the homeowner at 2257 Casa Alta. Needing to relocate out of the Golden State, Matthew Jope had no choice but to sell his house in the Sweetwater Village suburb of San Diego.
Despite potentially difficult circumstances, this owner was able to achieve an extremely impressive home sale. In fewer than three weeks on the market, it sold above asking price -- turning a nice profit for the owner on his original investment purchased during the pandemic. Plus, one additional trick helped him save over $12,000. Let's take a look at how he was able to do that, and break down the sale details.
Like many tasks these days, the first step is usually online. But instead of shotgunning hopeful queries into Google's search bar, you now only need one website to kick off the home sale process.
TrueParity, the platform where real estate agents compete for the right to list and sell your home, is the smartest way to begin your real estate journey. It streamlines the entire process to ensure home sellers always get the best terms and outcomes.
It instantly helped the owner of this Spring Valley house -- as it does with all sellers -- by performing all the due diligence on real estate agents in advance. TrueParity uses the latest data to highlight the top-performing local real estate agents, so owners can be certain the actual performance of a listing agent matches their reputation. Matthew merely posted his home, and shortly received listing proposals from multiple agents who he was positive would be great choices.
IMPORTANT: This homeowner did NOT just give away his listing to the first real estate agent he contacted.
Last year, most home sellers (80%, to be exact) only spoke with ONE agent before signing a listing agreement. This is a mistake. Not only should owners get multiple quotes to establish some general benchmarks, but it's totally fair to have agents compete for your listing. Your listing is a valuable commodity, why shouldn't a real estate agent put their best foot forward to earn it?
That's exactly what this owner did -- and he could not have been happier with what happened next. Directly on TrueParity, he could decide between two fantastic proposals. Thanks to a remarkably transparent platform, he could easily see what he would be getting from the two real estate professionals. It was stiff competition, but ultimately the listing terms and personality fit helped him choose his perfect match.
TrueParity totally delivered, and then some. In Matthew's words:
“I was moving out of state and needed to sell my home quickly; however, I didn’t just want to give it away at a total discount. Thanks to TrueParity, I found an agent that sold my house above the asking price and saved me thousands in commission fees.”
Of course, it wasn't just the owner who won big. His agent, Willem De Ridder, shared a similar sentiment.
“TrueParity is incredible for an agent. When a local homeowner posted their house on the platform, I was able to connect with them, send a proposal, and I’m happy to share that we’ve recently just closed escrow.”
Because TrueParity brought a home seller right to his fingertips he did not need to spend thousands of dollars on marketing, and Willem was able to offer the homeowner a more competitive commission structure. All of this added up nicely when it came to the owner's final take home.
That's an impressive $245,000 profit in 3 short years for this California house -- and $5,000 over asking. But there's more.
Because TrueParity positioned the owner to receive optimal terms, the real estate agent fees combined to equal only 4.5% of the final sale price, much less than the 6% rate which has become commonplace in the California real estate market. The result is $12,300 in additional savings.
Of course, one of the first and most important considerations for this sale was to find prospective buyers and get through the closing process as quickly as possible. Thanks to a forward-thinking homeowner, a phenomenal listing agent, and TrueParity, this home sale exceeded all expectations.
Southern California, Northern California, anywhere in the country -- selling a house is hard! There are so many things to stress about: how to find home buyers, whether you need a real estate attorney review the purchase agreement, communicating with the escrow agent. Even worse, there are so many boobytraps hidden in the closing costs that are shrinking your net proceeds: title insurance, escrow fees, transfer tax, and more.
What you shouldn't need to worry about is having the best guide to navigate you through all of these challenges as quickly and economically as possible. California sellers have started to catch on; now homeowners across the country have access to the same game-changing platform.
TrueParity brings you the top real estate agents in your neighborhood, makes them compete against each other to offer you the best terms, and helps you capture the most value in your real estate transaction. Post your home for free, sit back, and sell with success.
Disclaimer: This blog post is based on real figures and events.
As a homeowner looking to sell your property, you spend a lot of time guessing which real estate agent would sell your house the best. Asking friends for a referral, doing awkward agent interviews, scouring internet profiles, and reviewing who represented recently sold properties in your area only to find that the perfect listing agent is tough to get a hold of, or worse, would charge high commissions to take on your listing.
But what if you can stop guessing all together?
TrueParity brings the best agents to you inside our exclusive platform that matches you with professionally vetted real estate agents for homeowners, virtually eliminating the need to hunt for a real estate agent ever again.
Unlike traditional in-network agents, agents compete for your listing and put their best foot forward, giving your property the time and attention it deserves to be marketed properly and sold for the highest value. Allowing you to make a decision with confidence from anywhere without ever needing to leave your house.
Reviewing and accepting a proposal to list your house is as easy as clicking a button. Once you’ve accepted a listing proposal your new agent will get in touch with you and start working on selling your property.
Getting access to TrueParity’s platform is easy and free for homeowners. Just enter some basic information like your name, email, phone number, and address and our system will take care of the rest. We also have a team of advisors you can call anytime to help get you up and running on TrueParity's platform. Once you're onboard you'll get access to our exclusive platform filled with the best agents ready to help you sell your house.
No matter your real estate experience. TrueParity is your first step to getting your home sold and getting the most value out of your home.
TrueParity helps homeowners get the best outcome when it's time to sell a house. We're the only platform that connects homeowners who are looking to sell their house with a network of vetted top real estate agents. We've created a more efficient and fair system by having homeowners discreetly signaling they’re ready to sell and giving only the best local agents access.
We help you get the most value possible in a simple and seamless way. And best of all, there are zero fees for sellers and no obligation to accept proposals that don't work for you.
Traditionally, a seller will meet only one agent before signing a listing agreement. We believe seller should treat their listing like a valuable asset and find the best agent for the job. TrueParity empowers sellers to engage with multiple agents and select the best agent at any point.
