How to choose a listing agent

Hiring a listing agent is vital to your entire experience as a home seller. The person you pick will be involved in arranging your home for sale, figuring out a listing price, marketing your home and facilitating the transaction.

While you might be lured to hire a friend who has real estate experience or your co-worker’s brother, be reminded that the person you enjoy meeting for lunch isn’t always the best listing agent to represent your best interests. That person could turn out to be the right listing agent for you, but before you pick him or her, take the time to get recommendations for some agents and interview them.

Remember the agent who assisted you to buy your home? If you were pleased with this person, consider using him or her to help sell your home (if this agent has experience listing homes). If your previous agent mainly deals with buyers, ask for a recommendations for a seller’s agent.

Family, friends, and co-workers: Make sure these are not just agents who are friends of friends, but listing agents who have experience and recently and successfully sold a home for one of your contacts. Your attorney, accountant or other local professionals: They have probably worked with agents and may have good recommendations.

Search for real estate teams/groups in your area that represents a lot of homes like yours. If you come up with fewer recommendations, you can do some more research online. Look for websites of real estate teams/groups that looks like good prospects based on the number of homes they listed and sold; you can find a lot of details on homes that the they have sold including how long on the market, for what price, and any other details you need

Once you have at least two or three possible prospects, check out the agents’ websites for details on his or her experience,  background, testimonials and success in selling homes like yours—both in terms of type of property and geographic area. Call all the agents and describe your needs over the phone. Saying you’re satisfied with the call, next step is to schedule interviews with the agents before choosing one who seems like a good candidate.

Here are some questions you can ask during the interview

A listing agent naturally has a marketing plan he or she provides for sellers. Some of your questions can be answered during the meeting, but if not, you may want to ask the following:

• Do you have any advice for me about the state of my home?

• In what price range do you sell most of your homes?

• How many sales did you complete last year?

• What is your marketing plan for my home?

• Where will you look for buyers?

• How often should I expect to hear from you once my home is on the market?

• Are you going provide me with regular feedback and updates about potential buyers?

Also, here are five ways you can find out more about your agent before you hire.

1. Talk with recent clients
2. Select an agent with the right credentials
3. Research how long the agent has been in business
4. Look at their current listings

Choosing a listing agent might be a daunting task but it’s the most crucial thing you have to do if you want to sell your home. Remember that you are paying for your agent’s knowledge and expertise, so listen carefully to the guidance you receive and choose your agent thoroughly.

If you’re in this position now and Need help? Feel free to call THE AKKUS GROUP  at 201-280-4462 and we’ll be more than happy to sit down with you and discuss how we can help you sell your home.