5 Simple Ways to Play Well With Your Agent

Establishing a solid, trusting relationship with your real estate agent can make a big difference in your life -- at least the next few months of it. And just like any relationship, it's important to set some ground rules. This is especially true because you're trusting the agent to guide you through a major financial, and possibly emotional, transaction: Selling your home.

Given the stakes, there are bound to be opportunities for high tensions. These five tips should help you be the client every agent dreams of, and help you realize your dream of selling your home quickly.

Be honest

To help sell your home quickly and for top dollar, your agent needs to know everything about it, warts and all. Sharing what's right and wrong with your home will help your agent come up with a fair listing price. Discuss with your agent whether you should have a professional pre-inspection to assess what you need to fix. Your agent may be able to recommend contractors to fix a moldy basement or faulty plumbing. Remember, it's all about making your home attractive to the right buyers. Unless you're selling your home as a fixer-upper, be honest with your agent and be ready to fix what's in need of repair.

Get your home sale-ready

In addition to doing needed repairs, your agent can appeal to more buyers if your home is clean, clutter-free and in tiptop shape. Move what you don’t need into storage, or give it away. Talk with your agent about hiring a professional to stage your home to make a big impression on home shoppers. Fresh paint, updating light fixtures and window treatments, and adding curb appeal can have a great return on investment.

Listen to expert advice

You know your home better than anyone else, and your agent should appreciate that. But your agent should know your market better than you do, even if you've done the homework of researching your neighborhood comps. If you've chosen well, your agent will be experienced in guiding both buyers and sellers in your market.

That especially comes into play when it comes to a listing price. If you disagree with what your agent suggests, you should be ready to share comps to support your price. If there aren't any, consider that you may too emotionally invested in your home to see it clearly and that your agent's expertise is worth listening to.

Keep it clean

Keeping your home tidy between showings will make everyone's life easier. If your home is show-ready 24/7, your agent can be more responsive to potential buyers by scheduling a showing quickly. Make quick cleanup easy by designating a storage bin or a place in a closet to stow day-to-day clutter. Keeping up with the clutter will also ease the stress of preparing for an open house.

Do a disappearing act

It might be tempting to stick around for showings or open houses to answer questions or check up on your agent. But that would put a real strain on your agent relationship. You need to have faith that your agent is doing the job. Plus, being around potential buyers could make them feel a little awkward as they poke around your home.

It's just best for everyone if you – plus any kids and pets – head out so your agent can do what he or she does best: Talk to buyers about your home. If you simply must point out features that a buyer shouldn't miss, leave a list for your agent. But if you've fixed, cleaned and staged your home, it should speak for itself. And your agent – your partner – will be there to answer any questions.