When you want to sell your home, and have decided to enlist a real estate professional to help you, there are a few things you should know about your agent before signing the binding agreement.Experience is one factor but there is more to selling a home than finding an agent with years on the job.
Being the listing agent means that you could, theoretically, just list the property on the MLS and a few high traffic web sites, and then just wait to get contacted by potential buyers and their agents. And that is all… In that case you could as well list the property yourself for a flat fee and save thousands on commissions.
How many properties has you agent sold? Was he/she the sellers agent, or the buyers agent? How many properties were sold at, or near, the asking price when agent acted as sellers agent? That is an important question. Some agents will prompt you to reduce the price substantially when negotiating with the buyer. That can mean you lose a lot of money, but it is a quick sale and fast commissions for the agent.
Real Estate agents are like the rest of us. Some do not have the confidence to ask for things as in negotiating the best deal for you. Some may just not have the skill or personality. Selling a house involves a large sum of money. You will want to know that your agent can and will negotiate well on your behalf.
What will the agent do for you besides placing the listing on the MLS? Where else will there be ads? Will there be open houses where people can come and see the property?
Is your potential agent available seven days a week? Amazingly, some agents do not work, nor return calls on the weekends. Weekends tend to be the busiest time in real estate… What will be the average response time? This can be crucial not only when a new potential buyer makes contact, but also during negotiations when time is of the essence due to contract expiration’s.
What is the personality of this potential agent? Is she optimistic, upbeat, solution oriented? Or is she pessimistic about your property, about the market in general, unmotivated to have open houses or to otherwise show initiative?
An agent should be chosen with care. All contracts have a time limit, and you could be forced to stay with an agent for months. Make sure it is an agent you like, trust and find competent.
Related posts:
- The Advantage Of Hiring A Real Estate Agent
- Of Real Estate Agents and Why Hiring One is the Smartest Thing to Do
- Selling Your House? Consider a Flat Fee MLS Listing
- Real Estate Agents Sources Of Listings And Clients
- Steps To Become A Calgary Real Estate Agent
