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According to recent reports, many real estate experts have said that 2020 is the best year for folks to put their houses on the market.
Are you considering taking this advice? If so, don’t try to sell your house on your own. Instead, consider working with a qualified real estate agent to simplify the selling process and get you a great price for your home.
Read on for some great ideas on how to choose a real estate agent for selling your house.
Why Work with a Real Estate Agent?
For many people, hiring a real estate agent when they’re ready to sell their house is a no-brainer. Some, though, are on the fence about bringing in a professional and might be wondering why they can’t just sell the house themselves.
Technically, they can. It’s usually not the most effective or efficient method, though.
The following are some of the greatest benefits real estate agents bring to the table when it comes to selling houses:
- Earn more money (even after giving the agent their commission)
- Get help with complex paperwork
- Get help marketing your house to the right sellers
- Get help finding a new house that meets your needs
- Enjoy better and less stressful negotiations
- Avoid the hassles of staging and showing your house
- Take advantage of their professional network
Remember, too, that agents are legally required to act in your best interests. They have a fiduciary duty to you as their client and must act in the way that’s best for you.
How to Choose a Real Estate Agent for Selling Your House
Okay, you’re convinced that working with an agent is the right approach. How do you choose the right agent, though?
Here are some factors to keep in mind when vetting candidates for the job:
Prioritize Experience
One of the most important things you need to consider when hiring a real estate agent is their experience.
How long have they worked as an agent? How many homes have they sold? What kind of homes do they typically sell?
Don’t be afraid to ask these questions and do your own research into how long a particular agent has been on the scene. In general, the more experience they have, and the more specifically their experience relates to your needs, the better off you’re going to be.
Consider Their Location
Location matters, too, especially when it comes to selling a house. Look for an agent who has lots of experience selling homes in your area.
If they have spent years working in your area, they’re going to have a better sense of what homes like yours tend to sell for. They’ll know where to market it to get the best response, too.
When asking friends, family members, or colleagues for agent recommendations, be sure to specify that you want to work with someone who’s sold houses in your area. This will help you narrow down your choices and ensure you’re hiring the very best person for the job.
Test Their Communication Skills
One of the hallmarks of a good real estate agent is good communication skills. This includes accessibility.
How easy is it for you to get in touch with them to schedule an appointment? Do they get back to you right away? Do they have multiple channels that you can use to reach them (phone, text, email, etc.)?
In addition to the way they communicate, pay attention to their actual way of talking, too. Do they seem eager to help? Do they give detailed answers to your questions?
Ask About Their Marketing Strategy
When interviewing potential real estate agents to help you sell your home, be sure to ask about their marketing strategy.
What platforms do they use to advertise your house? Do they have access to any exclusive networks that other sellers in your area might not be using? Do they use social media to help spread the word about the houses they’re selling?
Most people see the best results when working with an agent who uses a good mix of digital and traditional marketing methods. Be wary of someone who only relies on one or the other.
Don’t Go Cheap
Sometimes, sellers are resistant to the idea of hiring a real estate agent because they don’t want to give up a portion of the proceeds they receive when selling their house. To avoid having to part with more than they think is fair, they might seek out an agent who takes a lower-than-average commission.
This might seem like a good idea at first, but it can come back to bite you later. An agent who works cheap might not put in as much effort as someone who has a larger commission on the line, for example.
Ask for References
Before you settle on a particular agent, always ask for references. If they’re worth hiring, they’ll have plenty of past clients they can put you in touch with who will give them glowing reviews.
When they provide you with references, reach out to those people and ask about their experience. How did they like working with this agent? Would they hire them again?
Trust Your Gut
Finally, remember to trust your gut.
There are tons of real estate agents out there, but they’re not all created equal. Plenty of agents make mistakes that can cause houses to sell for less than they’re worth (you can read more now about common mistakes you’ll want your agent to avoid). Even if they seem great on paper, don’t hire them if something feels off to you.
Do your research and take your time; you’ll be much more likely to be satisfied with the person you hire.
Find the Perfect Real Estate Agent Today
As you can see, there’s a lot to keep in mind when it comes to figuring out how to choose a real estate agent for selling your house. If you remember these tips, though, you’ll find the process to be a lot less stressful.
Want more advice on selling your house and/or buying a new one? If so, give some of the other real estate articles on our site a read today to further your knowledge.
