Most sellers spend a long time considering whether they should sell their
home. These same people who have considered all the financial and
personal pros and cons of moving hire the first real estate agent they like.
While certainly it’s important to find an agent you can communicate with,
the right agent brings more than a pleasant demeanor to the transaction
and it’s critical to choose the right one.
Before signing with the nice agent who stopped by the community garage
sale, interview a few local options. Ask friends and neighbors if they have
any recommendations and arrange a sit-down visit with the agents. Ask
questions, such as:
· How many homes have you listed and sold in the past year?
· How do you handle the marketing of the home?
· Will you hold open houses?
· What kind of offer should I expect? How will you handle multiple
offers?
Ask for specific examples of how they have handled difficult situations in
the past. What if the appraisal comes in low? How do we negotiate request
for repairs? Most importantly, ask what list price they recommend and why.
You should expect a full comprehensive analysis and the agent should be
able to answer any questions you have.
Finally, ask for references and call them. Ask the references the tough
questions – what did they like and dislike about the agent? Buying or
selling a home is typically the largest financial decision of someone’s life,
hiring the right listing agent is the most important aspect of a successful
transaction. Choose the best agent, not just the one that seems nice.
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