Most sellers spend a long time considering whether they should sell their home. These same people who have considered all the financial and personal pros and cons of moving hire the first real estate agent they like. While certainly it’s important to find an agent you can communicate with, the right agent brings more than a pleasant demeanor to the transaction and it’s critical to choose the right one.
Before signing with an agent, ask friends and neighbors if they have any recommendations and arrange a sit-down visit with the agents. Ask questions, such as:
- How many homes have you listed and sold in the past year?
- How do you handle the marketing of the home?
- Will you hold open houses?
- What kind of offer should I expect? How will you handle multiple offers?
Ask for specific examples of how they have handled difficult situations in the past. What if the appraisal comes in low? How do we negotiate request for repairs? Most importantly, ask what list price they recommend and why. You should expect a full comprehensive analysis and the agent should be able to answer any questions you have.
Finally, ask for references and call them. Ask the references the tough questions – what did they like and dislike about the agent? Buying or selling a home is typically the largest financial decision of someone’s life and hiring the right listing agent is the most important aspect of a successful transaction.
