Finding the Right Real Estate Agent

One of the first and possibly biggest steps you should make when selling your / home is finding the right real estate agent.  A flashy sign or website doesn't necessarily mean that they are a good fit for your real estate needs.  Here are a few tips to help you find the perfect agent to sell your / home:

Experience - Someone who has been in the real estate business for years has most likely done so because they are good at what they do, especially if they have been able to weather the roller coaster ride of the last few years.  However, that isn't always the case.  Find out what their level of experience is and what their specialties are (first time homebuyers, seniors, foreclosures, short sales, etc) to see whether your / home might fit into one of those categories.

References - Ask if you can speak with past clients about working with the real estate agent.  Read through testimonials.

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly - Discuss the good, the bad and the ugly of the last few real estate deals the agent worked on.  This helps you see how the agent handles different situations, which will give you insight into how they would most likely handle your real estate transaction.

Sales Price - Have several real estate agents do a walkthrough of your / home to give you an estimate on what they believe you should sell it for.  Just because an agent gives you a high number doesn't necessarily mean they can sell it for that.  Some agents will pad the real price just to get your business.  Ask them to back up their estimate with comparable sales figures from other recently sold homes in your area as well as homes that are currently on the market.

Marketing Strategy - Since most of today's homebuyers are turning to the internet in their / home search, it's important to find a real estate agent who has a comprehensive marketing plan that includes the world wide web.  Find out what marketing strategy your real estate agent is going to implement to get your home sold quickly and as profitably as possible.

The bottom line is that the successful sale of your / home may come down to finding the right real estate agent for the job.  Interview several different agents before deciding on which one is best suited for your needs.  Let me know when you want to consult with me and I'll be happy to sit down with you anytime!