7 Factors To Consider When Choosing A Listing Agent
1. Integrity. Of course, it can be difficult to establish whether or not someone has integrity. If you’re unsure, during the interview process, request referrals from the Realtor you are potentially going to hire. Also, be sure to interview more than one Realtor. This will ensure you are finding the right fit for your family, and will send a message that you are serious about having the best care and service possible during the sale or purchase of your next home.
2. Use an agent who is local to the area in which you are selling. They will have the best understanding of what the market value is for your house, and what homes in your specific neighborhood should be sold for.
3. Cost. Unless the Realtor you are hiring is related to you, a discounted commission rate often means a discount in the level of service, care, and marketing that you and your home will receive. Knocking down a commission rate is an easy way for a Realtor to set themselves apart from their competition on a surface level. A Realtor who is confident in their own value and ability to negotiate, market, and sell your home will not be quick to discount their services. They know it will be financially worth it for you to hire them. Not to mention, if a realtor is quick to discount their own value, they also might be quicker to discount the value of your home during negotiations too.
4. When getting ready to list, hire a Realtor who doesn’t just tell you what you want to hear. Make sure he/she provides evidence of the price that they say they can get for you, and action steps they will take to fulfill any promise. If an agent overprices your home because they told you a number you wanted to hear rather than a realistic expectation, your home won’t sell quickly, you won’t have multiple offers, and it will end up sitting on the market longer than it should have if priced properly. Homes don’t last long in West Michigan, so anything that is on the market for more than a few weeks is generally looked at suspiciously by buyers.
5. Availability. Does your potential Realtor answer your calls and questions themselves? Do they have a team working for them? And if they do, find out who will be the person you will be interfacing with the most. Do they work weekends? Can you call and text at night? Every buyer and seller will have different expectations for the availability that you want your Realtor to have. Find someone who matches what you are looking for.
6. Negotiation skills. When selling your home, you want someone who can negotiate strongly and confidently to get you the absolute top dollar for your home. You will want a Realtor who won’t encourage you to just accept the first offer that comes your way, but someone who will work hard to create a multiple offer situation. When buying, you will want a Realtor who is advocating strongly on your behalf during the inspection negotiations. This can be the difference in a new roof, new furnace, foundation work, or that great pool table in the basement being something you receive or something you end up paying for yourself.
7. Finally, find a Realtor you like working with. Selling your house can be a stressful process and it will involve very important conversations and decisions. Find someone that you can work with, someone you can trust, and someone who you know will have you and your family’s best interests in mind.
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