How to find an agent to sell my home?
Most homeowners eventually come to a point where they must sell their home. Whether they have outgrown their house or need to move for different reasons, finding the right real estate agent to handle their home sale is important. A listing agent helps with the home selling process, from evaluating the home to making sure everything goes smoothly at the closing table. What more do listing agents do, and how can you pick the right one for your needs?
What is a listing agent?
If you have never sold a home before, then there will be a lot of terms thrown around you. While you have been on the buyer’s agent side, now you are a home seller and have completley different interests in mind. Listing agents represent home sellers, specializing in setting them up for success. These pros can do this much and more:
- Evaluate the home with a comparative market analysis to set a fair list price.
- Draft a legally sound exclusive right to represent and listing agreement (which undergoes their real estate broker’s final approval). These contracts are essential for all parties to understand expectations and terms under which the seller is bound to the listing agent’s representation, including:
- Real estate commission rate
- Duration of listing period
- Items included in home sale
- Property description
- Agent duties
- Create an effective marketing plan to make the home look presentable for its asking price.
- Market the home in any manner that is effective, including professional photography, well-written listing descriptions, open houses, online listings on popular databases, and more.
- Represent the seller when buyers submit offers, shielding them from big losses and advising sellers on what route to take during negotiations.
- Represent the seller at the closing table to ensure everything is legal and without issue.
Good real estate professionals will work hard on these tasks to ensure your home sells for the highest possible amount and that you don’t accept more seller concessions than necessary to solidify the transaction.
Finding a Real Estate Agent to Sell My Home
Finding a real estate agent that you trust can take some work. Since this is a transaction that has so much emotional investment and financial interest, a good agent can help you get top dollar for your listing. How do you find them? Here are some tips:
1. Do Your Research
It can’t be stressed enough to look for top agents that work in your area. You may do this online through verified customer reviews or through word of mouth. When an agent is good, people will recommend them without hesitation. The brokerage that they are affiliated with also matters.
Does their brokerage offer more than one way to sell your home, such as Sell and Stay or a Guaranteed Purchase if an open market sale isn’t working for your timeline? These details matter, and choosing an agent from a brokerage that offers more solutions can make all the difference in your experience.
2. Shop Around for Compatibility
When you’ve narrowed your list of prospective agents, you should take your time to decide who is best for you. Just like every person has a different personality, there are many great agents that you may click with or prefer not to work with due to personal preference. It’s best to take time to get to know your agent, so hop on a 5–10-minute call to get a feel for who they are. You will be spending a LOT of time working together, so it’s important to get along.
Compatibility has a lot to do with if the agent is equipped to help you. For instance, a local seller’s agent with expertise with a particular real estate market can be the right fit if you want to know all the local market trends. Meanwhile, the best real estate agent for an investor who wants to sell a portfolio of investments would have different specialties.
3. Check for Credentials
Though all real estate agents must pass their state’s respective real estate exam to become licensed, they can also get extra credentials down the line, such as becoming a Realtor in the National Association of Realtors. There are 15 significant certifications that agents can get to expand their knowledge and expertise.
If you need an agent with a specific niche, like residential homes, then an agent who is also a CRS, or Certified Residential Specialist certification can be helpful for you. You don’t need an agent with a bunch of fancy credentials though— years of experience and a good track record trumps degrees and certifications any day of the week.
4. Understand the Fine Print
While credentials and brokerage affiliation matter, you should also work with an agent who checks out in the logistical areas. For example, if they offer competitive agent commission rates, are transparent about your home value using professional valuation methods, and much more.
5. Ask What They Can Do for You
A good agent needs more than a real estate license. They need to be able to navigate the housing market with finesse. It’s a red flag if an agent can’t follow through with responsibilities in a timely manner. A lot of the selling process requires precision and timeliness. From setting the right selling price to creating the right marketing plan that appeals to potential buyers, an agent worth their commission will be able to answer all your FAQs!
Find an Agent to Sell Your Home
It’s essential to do your due diligence and not rush the decision on choosing a selling agent. Take your time to find someone who aligns with your needs and goals, and you’ll get the best results!
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