When you’re selling your home, you want to work with a real estate agent who can help you reach your goals and maximize your sale. But with so many agents vying for your business through online ads, newspaper listings and yard signs, it can be hard to know where to start. While word-of-mouth referrals are the most common way to find an agent, you can also vet potential candidates by looking at their sales history, client satisfaction ratings and more.
A good starting point is to ask friends, family members and neighbors who they have worked with in the past for a recommendation. Then do a little research on their professional websites and social media pages, as well as third-party review sites such as Yelp. It’s important to note, however, that the reviews you see on an agent’s website may be curated to showcase only positive feedback. And, as StreetEasy’s Senior Product Manager for real estate Sam Bianchi explains, “you’re probably not getting an accurate picture if you’re relying solely on online reviews.”
While it’s important to read all of the reviews you can, don’t let one bad review deter you from choosing a qualified agent. Rather, look at the trends you notice across reviews and try to gauge an agent’s problem-solving skills. In addition, pay attention to the tone of reviews—anger and profanity can be red flags that a person’s critique is biased. Also read https://www.housebuyers.app/alabama/house-buyers-near-me-troy-al/
Once you’ve compiled a list of potential candidates, it’s time to start interviewing. Treat it like a job interview, as you would with any other professional—and prepare by creating a list of key vetting questions that you can use to compare and contrast their answers. Some of the most important questions to ask include:
How long have you been in the industry? Do you primarily work with buyers or sellers? How many active clients do you currently have? What is your average sale price and closing speed? Do you have experience with special circumstances, such as a short-sale, first-time buyer or out-of-state relocation?
As you make your way through the interviews, listen for an agent who truly understands and supports your home-selling needs. For instance, an agent who is sensitive to the time-consuming tasks of preparing your home for market, such as staging it and clearing out clutter, can be especially helpful in getting the most value from your property. Must visit https://www.home-investors.net/alabama/investors-that-buy-houses-troy-al/
In addition, if you’re selling in a co-op, it’s important to work with an agent who has sold properties in your building and can provide you with detailed knowledge about the unique challenges of working in a cooperative. A seasoned real estate agent will also be able to give you a realistic idea of your home’s selling potential by analyzing comparable listings in your building that have recently sold and taking into account any special features or upgrades you’ve made. This will allow you to set a fair asking price and attract interested buyers quickly.
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