So you want to get your home sold for the best price and in the best time. Some real estate agents are willing to go the extra mile, some are better are negotiating than others, and some will do the best marketing for that home and get you multiple offers. Point is, the decision to pick the right listing agent for you when selling your home is super important to not only how and when your home sells, but your experience of home selling in general! Keep on reading and we will give you the tips and tricks you need to pick the right listing agent for you!
DO YOU GET ALONG WITH THIS PERSON?
Being able to get along with your listing agent is important in your overall experience in this process. Now, we aren’t saying you have to be best friends with your listing agent, but being able to get along with them and work well with them is vital to it going as smooth as it possibly can. So, when you are first sitting down with them to discuss working together, evaluate their communication skills, if there is any tension or any other signs that this may or may not be a good person to work with. Throughout the process, you will be talking to and working closely with this person, so keep that in mind before signing that contract with them!
HOW DO THEY PLAN ON MARKETING MY HOME?
Marketing a home is one of the key factors to getting your home sold for the most and the fastest, because if people don’t know about your home, they won’t buy, and if there are multiple offers, it encourages those vying for the home to go over asking. So, ask the listing agent how they will go about this. Keep in mind that in the real estate world, digital marketing is super powerful, so them just putting it in the paper and hosting an open house or two isn’t going to cut it. Listen for them mentioning photography, videography, matterport, social media, email marketing, etc. You want a listing agent that will use different types of methods to market your home and get it sold.
WHAT WILL COMMUNICATION LOOK LIKE?
Communication is key. How would you like your listing agent to communicate with you? How often will they communicate with you? Setting this expectation and having open communication will make the process go smoother. Also set what method you prefer. Are you more of a texter? Caller? Want to communicate through email, or a mix of all methods? Make sure to set this with your listing agent prior to working with them.
WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM ME IN THIS PROCESS?
This goes back to having open communication with your listing agent and this gives both parties the opportunity to set expectations. For example, how many open houses would you like your listing agent to host, and what would the listing agent expect on your part to prep for the open house? (cleaning procedures, moving stuff around, etc.) Outside of just open house expectations, there are other things that the listing agent may expect of you as the seller, so go in with an open mind and set some expectations yourself too!
INTERVIEW A FEW, NOT JUST ONE
Before setting yourself on 1, talk to a few listing agents. Getting the feel for different ones, asking the same questions to hear their different takes on the answers, etc. will help you choose the best listing agent for you! Take notes during your meetings with each listing agent to review later, and you will be one step closer to getting the right listing agent for you and selling that home!