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