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Replies (22)
- Wendy Goller, "WendyEthel"
- Contributions:353
Hire an agent who is savvy with all types of internet technology. Look for designations such as e-PRO which means the agent has extra training and a certification in online technology. Make sure your agent uses whatever form of communication her clients prefer... whether that is email, texting or calling.
Use an agent with experience in a shifting market. You want an agent with a postive outlook and upbeat personality; but one who is also realistic about selling your home in a tumultous market. Look for one who can be sympathetic to your plight and is willing to go through the short sale process with you (if that is necessary).
Take the time to verify the agents online presence. Check out the photos the agent puts on the web. Look for multiple photos and quality pics. A gorgeous, warm photo of the exterior of your home is the number one lure that your agent should be using to snag a buyer. A picture speaks a thousand words... we are a visual society.
Be realistic about what your home is worth and let the agent set the price.
- Rick Chumsae, "Rick Chumsae"
- Contributions:283
It's a very good question, and a very hard call. I personally would want someone just like me, but then that's just me.
I am sure that every year thousands of homes are "successfully" sold by unwitting sellers to unwitting buyers using unwitting agents, and everyone goes away happy (unless they randomly find they've been had.... most never do.)
We all want to work with people we like, but in real estate we should also expect some level of competency which to me would include:
1. A very well put together market analysis including well adjusted comparable sales, AND a quantified view of market balance for the city and the specific property (is it a buyer's market, seller's market, or balanced market for the city and the specific property?).
2. A very well put together marketing strategy encompassing the seller's objectives, market condition, competition, marketing channels, and marketing language.
3. An attitude of sincere servitude and appreciation for the business.
4. The skills to pull it off.
None of the above requires an agent with years of experience and none of the above disqualifies any agent at any stage in their career. Some agents seem to be successful just based on vaporous ethereal tangental abilities, but minimally I'd look for someone who could do 1-4 above.
This could be painful, but I suggest interviewing at least three agents before deciding. If all three seem iffy, then do another three.... it could make you thousands of dollars. You'll be paying your agent thousands of dollars and have every right to expect competent work.
I am sure that every year thousands of homes are "successfully" sold by unwitting sellers to unwitting buyers using unwitting agents, and everyone goes away happy (unless they randomly find they've been had.... most never do.)
We all want to work with people we like, but in real estate we should also expect some level of competency which to me would include:
1. A very well put together market analysis including well adjusted comparable sales, AND a quantified view of market balance for the city and the specific property (is it a buyer's market, seller's market, or balanced market for the city and the specific property?).
2. A very well put together marketing strategy encompassing the seller's objectives, market condition, competition, marketing channels, and marketing language.
3. An attitude of sincere servitude and appreciation for the business.
4. The skills to pull it off.
None of the above requires an agent with years of experience and none of the above disqualifies any agent at any stage in their career. Some agents seem to be successful just based on vaporous ethereal tangental abilities, but minimally I'd look for someone who could do 1-4 above.
This could be painful, but I suggest interviewing at least three agents before deciding. If all three seem iffy, then do another three.... it could make you thousands of dollars. You'll be paying your agent thousands of dollars and have every right to expect competent work.
- Erich Young, "Erich Young"
- Contributions:347
I have 2 things to add to other responses....maybe not so obvious...
Internet advertising. What's crucial is the reach and rich content of the house searching tool. This isn't necessarily the agent's personal website, but their broker's. Every marketplace differs, but there are usually one or two very strong websites that can claim the lion's share of searching traffic. And on those websites, your home SHOULD have bonus features, like extra pictures and extra descriptions.
The other is the Realtor's network with other agents. An agent on one side of a large metro area is not likely to *personally* know agents on the other side of the metro. These relationships are built through the years and create a link of trust to the client's property. Sometimes a property gets shown just because of agent relationships. And that's a good thing if your agent has those relationships.
Internet advertising. What's crucial is the reach and rich content of the house searching tool. This isn't necessarily the agent's personal website, but their broker's. Every marketplace differs, but there are usually one or two very strong websites that can claim the lion's share of searching traffic. And on those websites, your home SHOULD have bonus features, like extra pictures and extra descriptions.
The other is the Realtor's network with other agents. An agent on one side of a large metro area is not likely to *personally* know agents on the other side of the metro. These relationships are built through the years and create a link of trust to the client's property. Sometimes a property gets shown just because of agent relationships. And that's a good thing if your agent has those relationships.
- FRAN ROKICKI, "FRAN SELLS CT!"
- Contributions:309
I would contact your friends, relatives and co-workers to ask them, who they would refer as a Realtor. They will offer you the name of someone that they have worked with and trust. What better way to choose someone?
- Michael and Pam Potoczek, "The HomeTeam of IN"
- Contributions:83
I would say experience (they know how to negotiate and manuever through rough waters of inspection issues, financing troubles,etc.), a good reputation, and up to date and using on all current marketing available (needed to get buyers in the door). **Question...Are they spending a lot of money and time marketing themselves or your home? A good Realtor will receive a majority of their business from past clients and referrals. They're trusted and have a good reputation.
Hope that helps! Have a wonderful weekend! - The Potoczek Team w/Tucker
- SoCal_Engr
- Contributions:5667
You have a self-answering question posted by an agent in "Home Selling", with 5 responses - all by other agents. At some point in time, will it seep in that the mutual admiration society does little to really help people on this forum? Sounds good, counts towards Zillow score, but time would be better spent addressing real questions vice tossing softballs to yourself.
- Nathan Colmer, "NathanColmer"
- Contributions:257
While experience is important, I suggest giving some credit to innovation and the ability to change with a changing market.
Interview several agents and take the best combination of factors
Interview several agents and take the best combination of factors
- Beryl Eismeier, "Got Beryl"
- Contributions:31
Call 'em.
If they get back to you within 10 minutes, they're working hard in a difficult market, and they touch their business often.
If they get back to you an hour later: talk to them. But beware.
If they get back to you the next day: cross them off your list.
A realtor who is responsive, upbeat, informed, and with whom you feel you can build trust and rapport still has to have the skills, background, experience and drive to do the job. And they should have a listing presentation that's more about your property than about themselves.
But it's a good way to weed us out. Which one do you want fielding buyer questions about your property?
If they get back to you within 10 minutes, they're working hard in a difficult market, and they touch their business often.
If they get back to you an hour later: talk to them. But beware.
If they get back to you the next day: cross them off your list.
A realtor who is responsive, upbeat, informed, and with whom you feel you can build trust and rapport still has to have the skills, background, experience and drive to do the job. And they should have a listing presentation that's more about your property than about themselves.
But it's a good way to weed us out. Which one do you want fielding buyer questions about your property?
- Sabine Suessmann, "missionpacificrealty"
- Contributions:2
Interview several local agents and review each presentation. Compare their respective marketing approaches, suggested commission and, most importantly, the price recommendation, which should be supported by recent comps or a comparative market analysis. Pricing your home right will be one of the most important selling tools.
- The Morrisseys
- Contributions:621
Referrals! Experience! and check online sites to see what their current listings look like. Its amazing how many homes are online with only one picture or a few blurry ones! Buyers are on the internet and you need to make sure that in addition to recommendations and experience that your property will be shown to its best advantage through the online pictures.
- NTETS, "Mr Caveat"
- Contributions:6436
i look for reasons not to hire an agent.
first, you get several. you ask for CMAs, tell them that you are interviewing "several"
some will price the house "aggressively" so that the home sells faster with less effort on their part, others will give you a higher number so as to get you to sign with them "oh, i think we can get it"
personally, i would axe either one. there is merit to either stratagy, however. in a declining market, selling sooner v later limits the risk of price attrition and pricing higher invites higher offers, especially if you are expecting people to take 10% off, just to bid low,
if i want to employ this strategy, though i will employ it with one of the agents who fell within my bell curve.
anybody who wants me to spend more than 5k fixing the house up to sell is SOL. you get new carpets/ paint, but not privacy hedging, sorry.
anyone whose marketing plan is attached with a staple or paper clip, or anybody who's CMA is simply a print off of a MLS page, or anybody whose CMA doesn't include any information about my market over the past 2 years, gets the axe.
anybody that doesn't have references, or is behind on their continuing ed goes away
i ask some questions about my house, if i feel like you are blowing smoke, you go away
agents who arrive late, go away.
to sum up:
show up, be professional, look professional, act professional and be honest. from there, you cross your fingers and make sure you like the listing agreement.
listing agreement is no more than 1 month, then i can decide if i want to sign another one that lasts 3 or more.
first, you get several. you ask for CMAs, tell them that you are interviewing "several"
some will price the house "aggressively" so that the home sells faster with less effort on their part, others will give you a higher number so as to get you to sign with them "oh, i think we can get it"
personally, i would axe either one. there is merit to either stratagy, however. in a declining market, selling sooner v later limits the risk of price attrition and pricing higher invites higher offers, especially if you are expecting people to take 10% off, just to bid low,
if i want to employ this strategy, though i will employ it with one of the agents who fell within my bell curve.
anybody who wants me to spend more than 5k fixing the house up to sell is SOL. you get new carpets/ paint, but not privacy hedging, sorry.
anyone whose marketing plan is attached with a staple or paper clip, or anybody who's CMA is simply a print off of a MLS page, or anybody whose CMA doesn't include any information about my market over the past 2 years, gets the axe.
anybody that doesn't have references, or is behind on their continuing ed goes away
i ask some questions about my house, if i feel like you are blowing smoke, you go away
agents who arrive late, go away.
to sum up:
show up, be professional, look professional, act professional and be honest. from there, you cross your fingers and make sure you like the listing agreement.
listing agreement is no more than 1 month, then i can decide if i want to sign another one that lasts 3 or more.
- Shawn Spaw, "shawnspaw"
- Contributions:134
When interviewing an agent you should look for and agent that presents themselves well and takes the business seriously. If they are not working with the newest tools of the trade, smart phones, social media, websites SEO, etc., you might want to interview another agent. Remember it is an interview process. You also want an agent that is going to be available to you. Ask the agent if they are full time or part time. Do they work on weekends.
- Don McBride, "Don McBride"
- Contributions:13
Friends,family and co-workers who have recently bought or sold a home is great place to start. Ask who they used and interview those agents. Find an agent you feel comfortable with.
- Paul Kaplan, "Modern RE Group"
- Contributions:295
I totally agree with you. Pick an agent that has a very strong internet presence so that your property will get the most exposure.
- Dorothy Engel & Stella Logan, "Dorothy and Stella"
- Contributions:14
Every agent you ask will provide an answer referencing their qualifications. So check out all of the answers to your questions and make your own list of what is most important to you. Finally, make certain you like working with the agent you choose. With so many real estate agents from which to choose, don't spend your time with anyone you really don't like on a personal level.
- Shawn Spaw, "shawnspaw"
- Contributions:134
When you interview an agent see if they come at you will some scripts or if they ask you questions. A good agent will ask you questions and let you explain to them what your motivation is and what you are going to need in terms of service. You should also deal with a full time agent. Someone who is doing this for a hobby or to pay for a vacation now and then is not going to be able to give you the service you need in this market. Ask your agent how available they are to you. If they don't have a smart phone on them and they say they don't work on weekends, just smile and wait for the next one to come.
- Sarah Bond, "Sarah Bond 1"
- Contributions:131
I would definitely say interview several agents. But before you do that, figure out what is most important to you. Is it experience, is it being tech savvy, is it exposure? What is it you want to hear and then listen to what each agent is willing and able to do for you? If you find an agent you like and the agent is well known, make sure the agent you signed up with is the one who will be doing the work for you. Talk to friends and family and see who they have been happy with. Best of luck to you thru this process!
- Marco LaPadura David Lau, "Team MD"
- Contributions:263
I have to agree an aggressive internet marketing strategy is key to any successful sale but High tech with out high touch is a recipe for disaster. We as agents are in the business of matching buyers and sellers to homes. We all use different methods to get to the same place. You want an agent who is going to Market your home in a pro active way. Success and longevity mean a great deal in this business however there are many young agents less experience who will dedicate thenselves to getting your home sold. Get some recommendations and although you may want to hire the first agent see at least three before you choose.
Good Luck
Good Luck
- Sergio Hernandez, "Sergio Hernandez"
- Contributions:619
An honest Realtor that knows what he/she is doing and is motivated to sell your property.
- Shannon Aronson, "Shannon Aronson"
- Contributions:128
90% of buyers begin their home search on the internet. It is very important to choose an agent who is internet savy, is knowledgeable of the local market and has a good reputation with other realtors in the area as well as great testimonials from past clients.
- Elizabeth aHouseSOLD
- Contributions:60
Look for an agent that is an internet marketing pro. The National Assoc. of Realtors has a tough certification course for agents to earn the e-pro designation. Hire an e-pro certified Realtor so you know you are getting an agent that can market your house on the Internet... over 90% of buyers search for their house on the Internet. Buyers may see other forms of advertising BUT your house must be well advertised, with numerous photos and a video tour or buyers will click past it.
- Saul Zavala, "Century 21 Saul"
- Contributions:69
One word "honesty" you want a agent that's going to tell you the truth, not what you want to hear. He isn't there to list your property he is there to sell it and being completely honest with the price is probably the most important thing a selling agent can do!
What should I look for in an agent when selling my house?
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- 4.9/5.0
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