The financial and emotional commitment to selling your home is no doubt significant, so it is essential to have professional guidance to help you navigate the process. With an overwhelming number of decisions to make, finding the right real estate agent to suit your needs may feel daunting. However, LocalAgentFinder, a platform for connecting property owners with qualified agents, is helping homeowners feel secure in becoming equipped with the knowledge needed for a seamless selling experience.
To help home-sellers, LocalAgentFinder share their six strategies on how to smoothly begin the selling journey.
1. Understand your needs
Before appointing the right real estate agent, you have to understand what ‘right’ means to you. It’s not just about expertise in the market, but also about finding someone who genuinely understands the unique concerns and challenges you face when selling your property. For instance, if you’re selling a heritage-listed property, you’d benefit from an agent with experience in that niche.
Creating a criteria list that meets the needs of your property, what you want in an agent, including their expertise and market knowledge, can help streamline your decision-making process. Home-sellers can utilise platforms such as LocalAgentFinder to compare a range of data and insights on agents’ performance to find the right fit.
2. Prioritise experience and expertise
Experience and location-specific expertise are paramount when choosing a real estate agent. An agent with years of experience brings not just market savvy and strong negotiating skills, but also a deep understanding of local trends, neighbourhood nuances, and property values that you simply can’t glean from a textbook or an online search. In today’s ever-changing market, it’s vital to have an agent who can navigate the current market trends and shifts, offering guidance on the best-selling strategy for your property.
An agent who not only has proven performance in the industry but also has specialised experience in your specific type of transaction and in your geographic location, ensures they can provide insights tailored to your needs, making your real estate journey less stressful, and ultimately, more successful.
3. Check referrals, reviews and ask the right questions
Remember, the most valuable feedback comes from those who have similar property requirements as yours. Personal recommendations and online reviews can give you a well-rounded view of an agent’s capabilities. After compiling a short list of potential agents, make an appointment to speak with your top three choices. This will provide you the opportunity to compare and see if you prefer one over another.
Don’t forget to ask the right questions when speaking to your selected agents. Key questions could include who will conduct your viewings, fee structures, and how properties like yours have performed in the market. This comprehensive approach empowers you to make an informed decision.
4. Gauge communication skills
In the fast-paced world of real estate, timely and clear communication is often the deciding factor between capitalising on an opportunity and letting it slip through your fingers. Prior to formalising any agreement with an agent, evaluate their communication skills by testing their response time and the clarity of their correspondence. Make sure you feel comfortable with how they relate to you, answer your questions, and whether they meet or exceed your expectations, as effective communication will be key to a successful partnership and transaction. It’s worth noting that when an agent consistently reaches out to you, it often reflects their genuine commitment and desire to work with you.
5. Negotiate on commission
Real estate commission is the percentage of the selling price the real estate agent will receive in exchange for the sale of your property. It’s important not to shy away from discussing commissions upfront. As much as it may seem confronting, understanding your financial commitment from the outset can prevent misunderstandings later.
LocalAgentFinder allows you to research the commission charged by real estate agents upfront, which could be a part of your agent selection criteria. However, it’s important to remember that when it comes to choosing an agent, your decision should never be based purely on the costs, you need the best agent to represent you in the sale to get the best outcome.
6. Assess compatibility
At the end of the day, your agent is your partner in what’s often one of the most significant financial decisions of your life. Choosing the right agent is not just about credentials or listings, but about compatibility. Seek an agent who will be a partner that is both flexible in approach and aligned with your goals.
The journey of selling your home is a major undertaking, however, understanding what to look for in a real estate agent can ensure a better experience. LocalAgentFinder helps simplify this often-overwhelming process by offering the data, insights, resources and expertise property owners need to make informed decisions.
