How to Select a Real Estate Agent
As you prepare to sell a home, one of the most important professionals you will work with is your real estate agent. Choosing the right one can mean the difference between a quick sale, and having a house that is sitting on the market waiting for months on end. You want someone who is knowledgeable, competitive, and professional, but finding that individual in the sea of available agents is not always easy.
Start with Referrals
The first step towards finding a real estate agent is getting some names. Talk to people you know who have recently used a real estate agent, and find out what their experiences were with the particular agent. Ask any friends, co-workers, and family members in your area if they have a real estate agent they recommend. Compile a list, and then check out the agents' websites to see if they have the expertise you are looking for. Use this to compile a short list of potential candidates.
Schedule a Market Analysis
Once you have a short list, schedule a market analysis with each agent on your list. A market analysis is a time when you meet with the agent in your home and learn what he or she thinks your home is worth. Even if you know what the home is worth, this gives you the chance to see how the agent works, what preparation is done, and how professional the agent will be. It also gives you the chance to chat with the agent and learn a little about his or her personality. This is a good time to ask some questions.
Ask Questions
Asking the right questions will not only give you an idea about the methods the real estate agent uses, but will also give you some insight into the present market. At the market analysis, the agent will show you similar properties in the area that have recently sold. The agent will use this information to tell you a particular selling price to use when you list your home. Ask questions about those properties. Find out what updates the agent thinks you should do to your home in order to make it sell quickly. Find out what competition is in the area. A good agent will be well prepared with this information before hand.
Once you have discussed the potential selling price, ask the agent what he or she will do to help your home quickly. Find out what marketing materials are commonly used, how the property will be promoted, and how actively involved in selling the property the realtor will be. Finally, be sure to ask about the commissions. Most agents will bring a net sheet, which is a sheet that shows you how much you will walk away with if you sell the home for a certain amount. This will show you the amount of closing costs you will pay, including the agent's commission. These are typically very competitive, but make sure you are not considering an agent that charges an extremely high commission.
Go With Your Gut
Once you have had a market analysis done by several agents, figure out which one you feel the most comfortable working with. You will find that there are a few agents that you simply do not get along with, mostly due to personality. You will spend a lot of time with your agent, so do not choose one whose personality grates on you. However, you want to balance personality with professionalism and rate of success. You also want an agent who is experienced, particularly when working in a competitive market. Choose a real estate agent that has successfully sold homes similar to yours in a similar market. This shows that the agent knows what marketing and staging is necessary to get your home sold!
Terry Mitchell is the owner and operator of Foxrater - http://www.foxrater.com - the web's top free insurance quote site. It allows people to enter their zip code and compare the rates of auto, homeowners, health, and life insurance companies doing business in their area. Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/how-to-select-a-real-estate-agent-1499730.html