Now that you have decided to sell your home,
how should you select a real estate agent?
Begin by searching for an agent experienced in the residential market, as
opposed to one who specializes in leasing commercial property or selling
businesses.
Right after "location, location, location"
comes "service, service, service"
You want to establish rapport with the agent, to feel that you can trust
him or her. It is absolutely essential that you feel comfortable in this
relationship.
Ask for references. Do others feel this agent is capable? How do those in
related businesses (escrow, title, etc.) feel about the agent? When you
are given references, take the time to call those people and ask questions.
Look at the agent's background. What kind of education has he or she had?
any special designations, awards or other recognition?
Do not make the mistake of selecting an agent just because he or she will
accept a reduced commission to obtain the listing. You get what you pay
for, and no one gets a dime until the property is sold.
Real estate agents work out of all types and sizes of offices: Small, medium,
large and even one-person offices. Bells and whistles are great, but remember
that you are putting yourself and your property into the hands of just one
person -- the listing agent. This is the person who controls your listing,
deals directly with you, and represents you under all circumstances. You
want to be sure the agent is hard-working and dedicated.
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Does this person know how to solve problems? Many times
things come up during an escrow that could interfere with the successful
closing of the transaction. An experienced agent can usually overcome these
obstacles.
When you do list your property, listen to the advice of your agent when
pricing the property. An agent has comparable sales that can be analyzed
to determine the best price for your property. Do not deliberately overprice.
You will lose many potential buyers. They may be long gone when you finally
reduce the price.
You may want to know the difference between a Realtor and a real estate
licensee. All Realtors are real estate licensees but not all real estate
licensees are Realtors. A Realtor is a member of a trade organization that
adheres to a special code of ethics and strives for professionalism in the
industry. Some issues that develop between real estate agents and customers
may involve practices that are unethical, though not illegal. The Realtor
has a venue in which these issues can be settled.
The Realtor is pretty up to date on legislation that affects the industry
through his or her affiliation with both national and state associations.
Realtors also have access to a "legal hotline" that enables them
to quickly obtain opinions about questions of law that may develop about
a transaction that is being or has been negotiated. Belonging to a trade
organization that fosters professional growth and provides the tools, services
and products to achieve this goal shows a willingness and a seriousness
to be the best that one can be.
In most businesses the recipe for success is service, price and quality.
A real estate licensee is successful if the recipe is service, service,
service! Service in dealing with the consumer, service in marketing the
product, and service in successfully closing the transaction. In many cases,
that service will continue long after the transaction and the agent will
be called on the next time a real estate professional is needed. |