Listing agents know the ins and outs of the market. The wrong agent might not be able to identify hot neighborhoods or find listings that meet your needs. It is essential to ensure that you choose the right agent.
1. Get a referral
When choosing between listing agents, ask your friends and family whether they can recommend anyone. Word of mouth is a powerful source of information when selecting an agent, since your friends and family will be honest with you about their experience with a particular agent.
2. Interview the agent
Get to know the candidate and find out if their experience suits your needs. Ask if they have experience in the market you wish to live in and get details about how many houses the agent has sold in the last six months, broken down by category and price range.
3. Compare different agents online
You can find websites of real estate companies that list properties for sale or rent. You should also use the internet to compare agent reviews as an extra tool to help you choose a listing agent.
4. Evaluate their marketing
Ask the agent whether they will do an aggressive full-page advertisement for your property or write a letter to their clients. A well-done full-page ad can bring you to double the number of offers as a poorly written one and cut your time on the market marginally. Also ask how often you will receive updates about your property like how many have viewed or inquired about the home.
5. Ensure the agent will follow up with prospective buyers
Find out how often your listing agent will be contacting potential buyers. Make sure they know you want to know as soon as a person expresses interest in your property, so you can get in touch as quickly as possible. For example, if an agent promises to call clients twice a week, ensure they set aside time to do that and follow through on their promise.
There is no perfect way to choose a listing agent for your property. However, doing your research and being clear with your broker about your wishes can go a long way to make this a satisfying partnership.
