Today I wanted to give you part two of what to look for in a seller’s agent.
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Last time, we talked about the first mistake that sellers make when choosing a listing agent, and today I wanted to give you part two, where we’re going to talk about why you shouldn’t always go with the agent who is offering discounted commission and what to look for instead.
Real estate agents are not equal. We’re all human, and please remember that 10% of us are doing 90% of the work. Each of us has our own marketing techniques and advertising budget. You want to choose an agent that has a high advertising budget and a well-known company that can back that up as well.
A larger advertising budget means that your listing will gain more exposure and attract more buyers to the property.
The first and foremost thing to look for is experience. You should let that new agent try his hand at real estate on someone else’s dime. Hire someone who knows this business and knows what they’re doing.
Second, ask your potential agent about their real estate education. Every real estate agent has their license, but continuing education is important in this business. Ask them if they have any certifications and what those are.
You also want an agent who is honest and loves their business. Trust your intuition; you’ll know when you meet them if they’re truly looking out for you or they’re just looking to make a buck.
Good communication is key, and you want an agent who will communicate with you regularly about your property.
Another thing you should look out for is if your candidate is good at networking. This is a people business, and many times how well we network with other agents is the determining factor in finding buyers for a particular listing.
Your ideal agent will also be an aggressive negotiator. You don’t want someone who is just going to list your house and do nothing else. Your agent should be someone who is going to work really hard to get the most money for your property.
Good communication is key, and you want an agent who is going to communicate with you regularly about what’s going on with your property. On our team, we have as part of our contract with you a communication agreement that states that we will communicate with you on a weekly basis about your property. It should be something that you look for regardless of who you go with.
Lastly, ask for a personal guarantee. If the agent you’re looking at can’t personally guarantee their performance and release from the agreement if they don’t, then I wouldn’t go with that agent. Our team personally guarantees our business to you, and if for any reason we can’t keep that promise, our easy exit program allows you to walk away without penalty.
If you have any questions about this topic or you’re looking to buy or sell a home, give me a call. I look forward to working with you!