Choosing a real estate agent to sell your property can be a difficult decision and one that many people are not used to. There are so many agents in the business, each well-versed in presenting the benefits of their services – how do you choose?
To begin with, any agent that you choose to sell your property should be an expert on your local area. This means that he or she will be attuned to all local trends and market characteristics, and will most probably have a large database of both local residents and outsiders looking to buy in your area that can be marketed to directly.
When interviewing agents, try to give yourself time with two to three, allowing some scope for choice. The agents should show enthusiasm about selling your property, and should be able to present you with a clear, step-by-step marketing strategy that shows you exactly how much is allocated to your advertising budget and a justification for why this is needed. Real estate agents should always be happy to go through any material with you patiently and happily take the time to answer any questions you may have.
The means and frequency by which an agent will report any progress to you is important and should be discussed during the initial interview. While phone contact may be the best way for some sellers, agents should have contingencies for when their clients are not readily contactable. Century 21, for example, has a tool in place called Seller Login, which allows a seller to log on anytime, anywhere and see where the sale of their home is at.
The negotiation style of your real estate agent is very important to consider and will be on display during your initial interview. Prospective sellers should pay attention to the way an agent negotiates their commission for selling your home. Those agents who lower their commission quickly and without much debate should be approached with caution – they may be willing to sacrifice your property's sale price just as easily.
When interviewing an agent, they should present you with customer testimonials or references. These are an important way to ascertain where the agent has sold before and if the client was happy with the service. Qualities to look for in these testimonials include the agent's honesty, availability and trustworthiness.
Finally, I think that first instincts definitely count in the real estate agent selection process. Whomever you choose, you are going to have to work with them closely, welcome them into your home, and trust them with a highly valued asset. If you are comfortable with the agent, this could increase your chances of a smooth selling process.
For more information relating to your area, contact your local Century 21 expert for advice and guidance.