When you’re ready to sell your home, it’s important to find a real estate agent to represent you -- and not just a good real estate agent; a great one. But with so many real estate agents out there, how can you determine which ones are the real deal and which ones could mismanage your biggest transaction? We’ll walk you through a few key things to look for when choosing a real estate agent, so you can be sure you find the best one.
As you search for a listing agent, there are five important boxes the right one will check. A good real estate broker will have appropriate experience, a successful track record, hyper-local insight, strong technology proficiency, and fit your needs exactly.
1. Look for a Local Agent with Experience
When it comes to selling your home, you want an experienced agent who knows the ins and outs of the process. Like any industry, the longer someone has been in the business the more situations and sheer number of transactions they have encountered. Also, longevity signals that they have been able to perform consistently at a high level. You want a career agent, a veteran; otherwise your home sale could be a newbie’s learning experience! Be sure to ask potential agents how long they’ve been in the industry and how many homes they sell per year. A good agent will be happy to share this information with you.
2. Validate Their Track Record
When you begin to reach out to agents, don’t hesitate to ask for references. A serious seller's agent will have a list of satisfied clients who will be happy to vouch for their quality of work. Make sure to follow up with these references and ask them about their experience working with the agent, their satisfaction with the process, and if their expectations were exceeded by the agent. You can also do some sleuthing online about an agent’s online presence and past transactions, as well as their standing with the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Hopefully you find no surprises but if there is a notable transaction for which the agent did not provide a reference, that may be a point of further investigation. You want an agent that has satisfied every client they’ve served.
3. Quiz Their Knowledge about Your Area
The best real estate agent will know your local market inside and out. They’ll be able to give you insights into what buyers are looking for in your area and help price your home accordingly. Be sure to survey potential agents about their knowledge of your local real estate market before making your decision. Ask them about past transactions they have overseen in your neighborhood, open houses they've recently attended, and what they learned from them. See what comparable property sales they would use as benchmarks for your home. Beware of discount real estate brokers, their numbers will stick out like a sore thumb when you asses their local knowledge. Determine how their reputation would be received a a potential buyer's agent, or mortgage lenders. The best real estate agents will have roots in the community and deep insight into your neighborhood.
4. Confirm Their Technology Proficiencies
In today’s real estate market, it’s important that your agent understands how to use technology to their advantage. There are constantly new tools in the PropTech ecosystem; if an agent is not leveraging them then as their client you could be missing out in your real estate transaction. Ask them to list what technologies they use everyday as a real estate agent. (HINT: The multiple listing service is just a start!). Additionally, look for an agent who has a strong online presence and is active on social media platforms. A good digital acumen will help them reach more potential buyers, communicate with other real estate agents quickly, and sell your home faster.
5. Make Them Prove Their Fit for You
It’s important that you find an agent who you feel comfortable with and who you know you can trust. Be sure to interview multiple agents before making your decision. Ask them about who they are personally, how they communicate and deal with challenges, in addition to their process for selling homes to see if they’re a good fit for you. Put them on the spot to provide specific targets and expectations for your home sale. A proven agent will be able to pledge terms for you with extremely high confidence — that is ultimately how you’ll know the difference between a good agent and a great agent for you.
Conclusion
Selling your home is a big decision, and finding the right real estate agent is an important part of the process. During your search, make sure any agent your select is experienced, recommended, knowledgeable about your neighborhood, up to date on relevant technology, and an appropriate choice for your home specifically. If you want a single platform that can verify all of those items instantly for you, and only introduce you to the best real estate brokers, check out TrueParity. We built a site that helps each homeowner find the perfect agent to handle their listing; the ultimate agent matching service. With the right agent by your side, selling your home will be a breeze and your final sale price will thank you!
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