Choosing the Right Listing Agent

When getting ready to sell your home, it is SO important to choose the right Realtor to list your home. How do you do that, when there are so many out there? Here are a few tips to help you choose the Realtor that will work best for you.

Choose an agent who is familiar with your area. This is probably THE MOST IMPORTANT TIP I can give a seller. All too often, as I browse listings online, I run across a property that just seems out of place. The price may be way too low or way too high for the neighborhood or the pictures aren’t up to the standard for our area, but I can always pick out properties that are listed by agents outside of Nassau County. What does this mean for you as a seller? It means you are losing valuable time and money. Your home may sell for less than it should or it may sit on the market longer than it should, all because your Realtor didn’t want to admit they were unfamiliar with your area.

A Realtor who knows their stuff will be able to value and market your home so that you get the most money in the shortest amount of time. But, how do you know if your Realtor knows their stuff? Well, you ask them. Don’t be afraid to ask your friend in the business about their business. Trust me, we love to tell people about our business!

Some great questions to ask: How many homes have you sold in the area? How long have you been in real estate? What is your average sale-to-list ratio? What is your average number of days on market before going under contract? What percentage of the homes that you list make it to closing?

Watch out for agents who are too eager to discount their commission. Everyone loves to get a deal, but we also know that you get what you pay for. All Realtors may discount their commission for close friends or family, just because we love you and want to help. However, there are hungry agents out there who will offer to discount their commission, whether they know you or not,  just to gain your business. Why is this bad? Because if they aren’t willing to fight for their own money, they probably aren’t willing to fight for yours either. For those agents, you are a number, a statistic, a notch on their sales belt. All they want is the sale, and they don’t care how they get it. They do not have your best interests at heart, and probably aren’t giving your their best effort either. These are the Realtors I see out there who are always “hustling,” too busy to take a phone call or answer an email. They are playing a numbers game, and you getting what your home is worth is secondary to them getting a commission.

Find an agent with a backbone. Your Realtor should be willing to tell you if you are making a mistake. “You want to list your house $20,000 higher than everyone else in the neighborhood? Sure, lets do it! We can always come down.” NO! That is not how that conversation should go! Your Realtor should be a real estate expert and a strong resource for you as you sell your home. A good Realtor will tell you if you are making a choice that will cost you money in the long run, and they will stand by their knowledge and experience. If they will stand their ground to you, they will likely stand their ground for you when it counts.

Your agent should have a strong marketing plan. Beyond the “Three P’s,” (Put a sign out front, Put it on the internet, and Pray), your Realtor should have a marketing plan tailored to your property so that your listing reaches the people who will be most interested in buying it. Ask your Realtor how they plan to market your property differently than the competition. What will they do to make your listing stand out against all the others? If they don’t have a clearly defined answer, their plan probably stops at the Three P’s.

The first month on the market is crucial! If a property isn’t properly priced or doesn’t have good pictures, it can cost you dearly. As with all things in life, first impressions matter. The need for professional pictures, an accurate price opinion, and a strong marketing plan before a listing hits the market is a hill I will die on every time!

Your agent should care about you and your best interests. Buying or selling a home is a big life event. It is an emotional process, full of joy, excitement, anxiety, and frustration. Your Realtor should be able to support you and guide you through the process. They should also be ready to tell you if an offer isn’t in your best interest, or if an offer may be your best chance, even though it isn’t what you were hoping for. You should be able to rely on your Realtor, get in touch with your Realtor, and trust your Realtor.

Now that you are armed with information, I hope that you will use it wisely when it comes time to sell your home. Remember, choosing a Realtor is a business decision that is worth careful consideration. The right list agent is the key to a quick and successful sale.