When you think of hiring a real estate agent to help you sell your home, you probably first think of an agent who can get you top dollar. Nothing else matters than getting the highest price for your home, right? While that is a big factor, there are actually a few other things you need to consider when picking a good real estate agent. The difference between a
good real estate agent and a
bad real estate agent can be
thousands of dollars, plus untold stress and headaches.
Here are five ways to tell if you’re picking a good real estate agent. Selling your home is stressful enough –
don’t make it tougher on yourself by choosing the wrong real estate agent!
A Good Real Estate Agent Will Provide References
With the internet, there are more ways than ever to find real estate agents, but how do you know which will be best for your situation? You can find an agent through word of mouth, ask your neighbors, or search the National Association of Realtors website.
You’ll also probably want a Realtor, not a realtor. According to Bankrate, “if the agent calls herself a Realtor with a capital ‘R,’ that means she’s a member of NAR [National Association of Realtors]. By hiring a Realtor, ‘the most important thing you get is an agent who formally pledges to support the code of ethics.’”
Once you’ve found a few real estate agents, ask them for references. A good real estate agent will provide you with several references. Reach out to these previous sellers, and ask them the following:
- Did the real estate agent stage an Open House? If the reference didn’t want an Open House, did the real estate agent respect the client’s wishes or did they try to convince them to stage an Open House? Not everyone wants an Open House for various reasons, and you don’t want a real estate agent trying to coerce you into doing something you don’t want.
- Did the agent walk the sellers through the home selling process?
- Was the agent prompt at responding to questions within a reasonable timeframe?
- Would the sellers work with this agent in the future?
A Good Real Estate Agent Will be Knowledgeable in Your Market
After asking for references and talking to previous clients, you’ll want to ensure the real estate agent you’re considering is right for your situation. One thing that’s easy to overlook when choosing a good real estate agent is whether or not they are good for
you.
What this means is: does your real estate agent specialize or have in-depth familiarity with your market?
If you’re selling a single story, 1,500 square foot property in a middle-class neighborhood, but your real estate agent has won awards for selling 3,000+ sq. ft. mansions in upscale neighborhoods, they might be a great real estate agent –
just not for you.
A good real estate agent will be able to talk about your market, about homes that have sold recently in and around your neighborhood and should, according to Bankrate, “know about other area properties that are available ‘off the top of his head.’” A good real estate agent will provide you with a comparative market analysis (“comps”), which show recent and pending home sales in your neighborhood or near your neighborhood of comparable homes.
An agent who knows your area well will be able to put together a better marketing plan than an agent unfamiliar with the area, who has to learn about the area before properly marketing your home.
A Good Real Estate Agent Will Take Time with Your House
Once you’ve determined an agent who knows your area and receives good recommendations from previous colleges, ask your real estate agent how they will market your house. Selling a home is far more than putting out a sign and listing a home online. A good real estate agent will have a plan to market your house based on his or her own experience in your market.
According to NerdWallet, “a good real estate agent will have a robust plan to promote your listing to find the right pool of buyers. ‘Just listed’ postcards, open houses, virtual tours, professional photography and/or broker tours for buyers’ agents (particularly for luxury homes) are all factors that may go into a marketing plan.”
