There are lots of agents out there. They all say they want to work for you and will do “whatever it takes!” But how do you know when you’ve found the right one? What should you look for in a Realtor?
Ask your friends, family, and people you know who have recently bought or sold a house. Not just for the names of agents they know, but people who have recently gone through the process and worked with someone great. Read online reviews and see what people are saying about them. An experienced agent should have plenty of 5-star reviews on the different real estate sites. Do your homework and research a few agents before you settle on one. Remember, you will be committed to this agent for months at a time while they attempt to sell your home, so you need to be sure you are working with someone you can count on!
People shop online for their homes. Your agent should have a visible presence on the major real estate websites. They should know how to get your listing seen by the right people, which platforms work the best, and how to use photography to sell the house. They should be able to text or email back and forth with you without any communication issues. How they are presenting themselves online, is how they will present your house. If they have only set up basic profiles, have missing information of photos, they could take the same approach with your listing. Make sure they have the skills to present your property in the best possible light!
Real estate can be cut throat. Your agent has to be someone how is working hard, all the time! They should be someone with big goals and who shows an impeccable drive. How you do one thing is how you do everything, and someone who appears to be chasing down a dream, will likely be someone who works hard to make you happy. They should be sending you information at 2 am when they think of something new. (By email of course!) They should be keeping you updated and checking in with you often as new buyers come forward.
Better yet, they live in the neighborhood or nearby. Having a real knowledge of the area will help them to best market your home. They will have an understanding of the local demographics and what they are looking for in a home. They will be able to answer all questions about the neighborhood and really be able to sell the location to potential buyers. If they love the area, they will be able to convey to others why they will too.
Professionalism goes a long way. Working with someone who is always punctual, who keep their appointments and who follows through goes a long way. If you agent is frantic, running around and appears scattered… they probably are. Work with someone who properly manages their time, and is focused on you and your needs when you are meeting. They should be able to update you on nearby sales, interest in your home, and what they are doing to actively sell your house!
Remember, at the end of the day, real estate agents are salesmen. They want to sell your home to make their commission. Make sure you do not fall for false promises or over inflated listing prices. Instead, look for agents who are knowledgeable, have great reviews and who are able to educate and walk you through the entire selling process!
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