| Hiring a real estate agent to market and sell | | | | give - don't work with someone who isn't |
| your home is an extremely important decision. | | | | confident about their own estimates. |
| For most people, your home is your primary | | | | |
| asset - you need to choose the best real | | | | 4. Make sure your agent addresses exactly how |
| estate agent available to help you protect | | | | they will market your home. A good agent |
| the equity you have built in your investment. | | | | doesn't rely on just one or two areas to |
| Buyers have an equally important decision to | | | | market your home. You need an agent who gives |
| make. Your real estate agent has access to | | | | your home the greatest exposure in as many |
| the information on your next dream home - you | | | | areas as possible. This is one of the biggest |
| need to rely on them to find you exactly the | | | | services your agent can provide. Any agents |
| types of homes you're interested in. The | | | | who skimp on marketing or try to explain why |
| tough part is, there are literally millions | | | | certain marketing avenues aren't important |
| of real estate agents out there to choose | | | | are trying to pull a fast one. Marketing |
| from. How do you pick the right one? During | | | | costs money - many agents would rather put |
| your interview with an agent, you should keep | | | | that money in their pocket and try to |
| the following 10 tips in mind: | | | | convince you that it isn't needed. But if |
| | | | they aren't marketing your home, what are you |
| 1. Pay attention to way the agent acts on | | | | paying for? Your home on the MLS, a sign in |
| your first meeting. Dress, body language, | | | | the yard and the hope that someone will |
| confidence - these are all tell-tale signs | | | | eventually buy it? Make sure to choose an |
| that will tip you off as to how serious and | | | | agent that offers you the service and |
| experienced they are. Let's face it, real | | | | marketing your home needs to sell. |
| estate is a business - you want to hire an | | | | |
| agent that will treat your greatest | | | | 5. Watch out for sales gimmicks. Agents who |
| possession with the respect it deserves. | | | | have to rely on tricks to gain business such |
| Dress is a big indicator - a shirt and tie | | | | as "I'll buy your home if it doesn't sell", |
| should be minimum dress requirements for a | | | | "Your home sold in 30 days or I'll sell it |
| first meeting with a client, if not a full | | | | for free" and other similar programs usually |
| suit or formal dress for a woman. Any agent | | | | don't explain the fine print very carefully. |
| that dresses down for your appointment might | | | | The bottom line is - would you rather work |
| not be taking their job seriously enough and | | | | with a REALTOR who is focused on doing |
| probably isn't someone you want to hire to | | | | business with you and selling your home the |
| market your home. Also pay attention to body | | | | right way or one who tries to hook you with |
| language and confidence - does the agent seem | | | | one of these programs which, in the end, is |
| at ease in front of you or do they seem | | | | the last thing you want to happen? |
| nervous? Is their presentation smooth or | | | | |
| fraught with hesitation and questions they | | | | 6. Does the agent make full use of current |
| weren't able to answer? Does the agent seem | | | | technology in their business? An agent who |
| difficult to talk with or not willing to | | | | isn't on top of current technology such as |
| explain details to you? You are looking for | | | | internet marketing and e-mail correspondence |
| an agent who gives you the respect you | | | | might be missing a large portion of potential |
| deserve by dressing for the occasion, is | | | | buyers. It's also a bad sign that the agent |
| knowledgeable and at ease speaking with you | | | | isn't willing to adapt to current business |
| (a potential client), will take the time to | | | | practices. |
| answer your questions honestly and acts like | | | | |
| they have done many such interviews in the | | | | 7. Is the agent familiar with the local |
| past. | | | | market and current industry trends? Are they |
| | | | honest in assessing market conditions and how |
| 2. How did the agent follow up with you when | | | | this affects your current buying or selling |
| you contacted them? How long did it take? | | | | situation? We are in a buyers market right |
| Usually agents who are serious about the | | | | now - inventory is high and homes require |
| business should return your contact request | | | | more time to sell and more aggressive |
| within 24 hours. If the agent you are | | | | marketing. Is the agent trying to gloss over |
| interviewing took longer than 72 hours to | | | | these details or view them with rose-colored |
| respond, you might want to seek an agent who | | | | glasses? |
| is better about follow-up. | | | | |
| | | | 8. What type of guarantees does the agent |
| 3. Beware of agents who ask you this | | | | provide? If you are unhappy with the service |
| question: "So, how much do you think your | | | | you are being provided, are you able cancel |
| home is worth?" An experienced agent should | | | | your listing or buyer agency agreement |
| tell you what your home is worth and stand by | | | | without penalty? Good agents will give you a |
| that figure based on a strong analysis of | | | | guarantee of services and some may even allow |
| sales data for comparable properties. That's | | | | you to terminate the listing or buyer agency |
| one of the reasons you are paying your agent, | | | | agreement without penalty if you are not |
| isn't it? Any agent who asks you what you | | | | provided with the services you are promised. |
| feel your home is worth before they give you | | | | |
| a figure is looking to use that figure | | | | 9. How focused is your agent on customer |
| against you. If you think it's worth less | | | | service? It should be a top priority. You |
| than the sales range the agent already | | | | should look for an agent who is willing to |
| determined, the agent might take your listing | | | | keep you regularly informed about all aspects |
| at the lower amount to sell it fast, maybe | | | | of the buying or selling process. |
| costing you thousands of dollars. If you | | | | |
| think it is worth more, the agent might | | | | 10. When will the services that the agent is |
| simply agree with you to gain the listing and | | | | offering to provide be delivered? A Virtual |
| cost you months of time while your home sits | | | | Tour is a great tool, but if it takes the |
| on the market un-sold before eventually | | | | agent a month to produce it, it's not doing |
| having to lower the price. You eventually | | | | you any good for that first month when you |
| determine the listing price of your home. | | | | can expect your most activity? For buyers, |
| However, home pricing is one of the most | | | | when can you expect the agent to show you |
| important pieces of advice your agent can | | | | your first homes? |