Choosing a real estate agent is a vitally important decision, since the agent you select will play a key role in the process of selling a house. A good agent can absolutely make or break your sale; the difference between losing thousands of dollars and having a successful selling process usually comes down to who represents and advises you through your real estate transaction. Here are some tips for choosing the right real estate agent.
Meet with Several agents
It's a good idea to meet with at least three agents before signing any listing agreement. Hey, you wouldn't walk into a car dealership and just start signing papers for the first car and first sticker price you see, would you? You need to to establish some general benchmarks about the personalities, strategies, and insights from a handful of real estate professionals. Only then will you be in a position to identify the right agent versus other real estate agents. Also, it's totally fair game to let a potential real estate agent know they are in competition with other agents for your listing -- the best real estate agents understand this implicit pressure and will strive to offer you their best terms and service.
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Look for an agent with experience
It's an absolute MUST to choose an agent who has experience in the local housing market and has a track record of success.
Everyone knows someone, a friend of family member, who has an active real estate license. Maybe they do a few deals part time, or are just beginning their careers. Either way, your home sale is not the place for them to learn on the fly. Let them pay their dues underneath the tutelage of an experienced listing agent, so they can become a great real estate agent and perhaps handle your business down the road.
Look for an agent that has been a full-time professional for multiple years, and has successfully represented home sellers in your local market. You want someone who who has the optimal selling strategy for your exact property, and only an area expert with market knowledge can flawlessly oversee the entire process.
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Verify an agent's credentials
Look for an agent who has received professional training and has all of the necessary credentials, including their real estate license, additional training certifications, and professional memberships (e.g. a member of the National Association of Realtors).
This seems like a no-brainer, but as we've pointed out this can actually be tricky. Just because someone is a licensed real estate agent does not imply they are a GOOD real estate agent. You need objective verification of each agent's performance how many clients they've represented and how often they sell homes quickly for the best price.
Go beyond their online reviews (which are often curated) and their social media accounts (which are absolutely curated). Use multiple data sources to calculate average home price, number of lifetime sales, and the territories where they have been active.
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Look for an agent who is a good fit
It's important to pick an agent who you feel comfortable working with and who you believe will represent your interests effectively. Assuming the performance data checks out, you're usually left with a few agents who would be excellent choices on paper. But the best real estate agent for you is the one that just gets it when it comes to you and your home. The perfect agent will be responsive, keen to your personal finance goals, and willing to listen to your needs and concerns.
Of course, your own agent actually spends the majority of their energy and time communicating with others, so that is another factor to consider when selecting your representative. For example, your agent should have excellent presence hosting an open house. You'll want someone who can have productive dialogue with potential buyers or a buyer's agent.
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Consider the agent's fees
Most real estate agents work on a commission basis, meaning they receive a percentage of the selling price of the property. The long-accepted industry standard has been around 3% to the seller's agent and 3% to the agent representing buyers. But you don't have to accept that as gospel. If the seller pays for all the agents involved, why shouldn't they negotiate the best terms they can?
Talk to potential agents about their compensation. See if they are willing to accept a lower commission or a flat rate. And make sure they explain in advance what resources (and budget) they'll commit to getting your house sold.
Final Thoughts
Getting the right agent to sell your home is crucial. You need to meet with multiple agents, verify their performance and experience, make sure they fit your own prefences, and ultimately align their service and compensation in your best interest.
Luckily, there's a single online platform that allows you to do all of those things in one place. TrueParity is the only place where the the best agents compete for your listing. While many other website advertise agents online, TrueParity does not give access to most agents; only the experienced and top-producing ones can submit proposals to sell your home. With the right person by your side, you'll have prospective buyers jumping at the chance to buy your property.
Looking for the perfect match? Use TrueParity to choose a real estate agent today.
