Whether you’re a first-time seller or a seasoned pro, selling a home can be a difficult and stressful process. It’s unsurprising that 83% of sellers choose to list their home through a residential real estate specialist, according to the Consumer Housing Trends Report.
The capacity to discover potential buyers (85 percent), their ability to help sellers through the selling process (80 percent), and their handling of contract negotiations (80 percent) are the most valuable services that sellers attribute to their agents.
While the majority of sellers believe that using a real estate agent is advantageous, nearly one-fifth believe that finding the right real estate agent is difficult or extremely difficult (18 percent). Continue reading for tips on how to choose the best real estate agent for you in Real Estate Agents San Martin CA.
Online comparison of real estate agents is helpful
Using Zillow’s Agent Finder tool to search for certified agents in your region and compare ratings and number of houses sold is one of the most effective methods to find agents. You can also use additional online search tools to determine an agent’s online presence once you’ve narrowed down your top selections. Recommendation: Keep an eye on how an agent reacts to possible negative or neutral feedback. Obtain a referral
Get a referral
A personal recommendation from a trusted friend or family member is highly recommended. According to Zillow data, nearly one-fifth of sellers (22%) get their agent through a recommendation from a friend, relative, neighbor, or coworker.
Personalize your visit by inspecting the local housing market.
If you have some more time, take a drive or walk around your neighborhood looking for repeat agent names on real estate signs (plus points if they’re next to a “sold” sign!). According to our findings, 5% of sellers find agents through a for-sale sign, while 16% employ an agent based on a recommendation from a friend or neighbor.
Alternatively, visit a nearby open house and observe the agent’s interactions with potential buyers. Spend time interacting with the real estate agent — do not simply collect a business card and leave. Keep an eye out for personality compatibility and professional compatibility. 7% of sellers discover their agents at an open house.
Meet with a minimum of three agents
According to Zillow data, 56% of sellers only contact one agent, however, chatting with many agents allows you to compare and contrast and choose the best fit. Approach it as if you’re going on a job interview because that’s exactly what it is. Compare each of the three agents’ responses to the identical questions, even if you have a front-runner based on a recommendation or local reputation.
When selecting a real estate agent, avoid hiring the first person you meet. According to Zillow’s research, 56% of sellers contact only one agent, but by speaking with multiple agents, you can compare and contrast to find the best fit. Approach it as if it were a job interview — because it is! While you may have a front-runner based on a referral or local reputation, compare each of the three agents’ responses to the same questions.
Pose the appropriate questions
By asking critical vetting questions, you can get a sense of their business style.
- How long have you been in the real estate industry?
- Are you primarily a buyer or a seller?
- At any given time, how many active clients do you have?
- Are you a team player?
- What is your area of expertise?
- Are you prepared to deal with my particular circumstance?
- How are you going to market my home?
- Are you able to put me in touch with some references?
Your communication preferences.
Make sure you’re on the same page from the beginning. Talk about how the agent will contact you and how often you should expect to hear from them. You may not be a good match if you prefer email while the agent favours phone conversations. If, on the other hand, you expect to have a lot of questions and expect rapid responses, but the agent only sends out bi-weekly updates, you might want to look for someone who is a better fit.
Know the desire to sell
Ascertain that you have clarified any requirements unique for your house for sale. Are you working on a tight schedule? Do you have a specific bottom dollar amount in mind? Are you looking to avoid capital gains taxes by falling within a specific timing window? Share these details with your agent from the start so they are aware of what to expect.
Discuss the strategy for selling and the number of showings.
Ascertain that you and your prospective real estate agent agree on their approach to selling. Are you planning on hosting open houses? How many screenings are you planning? How much notice will the agent provide you with before the showing? What marketing strategy will be used to sell the property?
Agree on all critical details
The best agent-seller relationships are those in which expectations are clearly defined. Ascertain that you have agreed in writing on the commission structure, list price, and contract duration (i.e., what happens if your home does not sell after a specified period).
Checklist: What to look for in a real estate agent
Consult the checklist to guide you like sellmyhousefastforcash.org through the process of finding a real estate agent. Consider the following characteristics of a seasoned real estate professional:
- Acquaintance with the immediate area and neighborhood
- Takes the time to familiarize himself/herself with the characteristics of the home he/she is selling
- Friendly and approachable
- Excellent reviews, as well as a professional attitude toward negative feedback.
- Local reputation for successfully closing deals quickly and efficiently
- The negotiator with a sense of humor and a proactive approach to problem-solving
- Has experience with the selling scenario you’re describing
- Attends to your requirements
- Provides you with a quote upfront