When it comes time to sell your home, it is crucial to find a real estate agent who you trust will get the job done effectively and efficiently. Take the time do your research, and narrow in on some real estate agents that truly appeal to you. The more agents you meet, the better informed you will be about the process of selling your home. Then you can schedule a listing presentation with those you’ve selected. A listing presentation is essentially an interview with the real estate agent so you can gain a better understanding of their personality, skillset, experience and industry knowledge. There are some key things to look for that can help you choose the best agent for your house and needs.
1. Experience
Experience is by far one of the most important things to look at during a listing presentation. However, that’s not to say that new real estate agents can’t do the job for you, and in this case, you want to consider their background within the industry, such as education and certifications. If you are meeting with an experienced real estate agent, review their records of sales to see if they are familiar and successful with the type of property you’re listing. You also want to see if they are familiar with your area, as this can be a huge selling factor.
2. Good Listening Skills
If a real estate agent is rushing through their listing presentation without dedicating time to address any questions or concerns you have, this is a red flag. To have a positive experience selling your home with a real estate agent, the agent needs to be open to hearing your opinions, requirements, and desires. Furthermore, you should check to see if he or she is taking notes as you talk, to ensure that what you say is being fully absorbed. If they aren’t paying attention to you during the listing presentation, this could also be an indication of how they will treat you during the actual sales process.
3. Sales at Listing Price
Your real estate agent should be able to provide the average difference between the listing price of homes they have sold and the actual sales price. Although this doesn’t always give you valuable knowledge pertaining to their expertise and can have a lot to do with the market, it will give you a better understanding of the agent’s level of success with setting listing prices and negotiations.
4. Marketing
Selling your home isn’t just about taking pictures and posting them online or in a real estate magazine. There is a lot more involved in marketing a home, and your real estate agent should have a thorough knowledge of marketing tactics. Marketing trends have changed, so ensure your real estate agent is up to date with the current processes, including the various forms of social media marketing. Some additional questions to ask include where your home will be marketed, and if open houses will be held. Be sure to have your agent explain the reasons for each answer provided.
Since marketing is such a crucial factor in selling your home, this is where meeting with several different real estate agents can be beneficial. Some have different tactics than the others, and it’s all about choosing an agent who shares your point of view.
5. Personality
You should be able to connect with your real estate agent and feel comfortable sharing your thoughts. Clear communication is key to a positive and successful experience between an agent and seller. While you may not be friends, you do want to make sure that your personalities work well together.
With these ideas in mind, you can start checking over real estate agents and evaluating their listing presentation. Finding the perfect real estate agent is easy when you follow these tips.