Real Estate
Guide to Hiring a Good Realtor
March 14, 2010 by Marc Rasmussen · Leave a Comment
Are you thinking about selling your home? The sale of your home may be one of your largest transactions. Make sure you don’t leave it in the hands of an amateur. Here are 8 tips to picking a good Realtor.
1. Business decision
This is a buyers market and it is not easy to be a seller. A professional Realtor can make the sales process much easier than someone who just got their license or who does not work full time. This is a big transaction so make a smart choice, not an emotional one.
2. Ask for a referral
Ask your friends and family members to refer you to a good Realtor. Someone you know has probably used a good real estate agent. Ask around and get a list of good Realtor’s to interview. They will probably tell you a few not to use.
3. Interview More Than One Agent
Most Realtors hate this tip. Meet with more than one agent and have them do a listing presentation for you. This usually consists of their marketing plan, backgrounds, background on their brokerage and a valuation of your property.
4. Hire the biggest producer?
Superstar agents are good agents for a reason. They run a good business. That does not always mean that they provide the best service. The two don’t always go hand in hand. Interview a superstar and Joe average and compare them. The superstar agent might be just what you need.
5. You get what you pay for
Have you ever noticed how many discount broker start up and then fail? That business model generally does not work. The market decides what is a fair commission. If it was unfair the general public would not use Realtors.
Have you ever noticed how many discount real estate brokers start up and fail? There is a reason for that. The business model generally does not work. There are a lot of expenses in real estate that the general public never sees.
6. Don’t decide on a Realtor based on the asking price
This is fairly common occurrence. Realtors are fighting to get listings and they could tell you an unrealistic price for your home just so they list with you. Realtors either know that they are doing this or they are just horrible at pricing property. Make any agent you interview substantiate their valuation with market facts, data and trends. Often times, the Realtor with the lowest valuation is your best choice because they are most honest or most in tune with the market.
7. Interview a Realtor that works your area
Some Realtors only work a small niche. Those agents typically know their niche or market area more than their competitors. They are good to have on your side. However, the process of valuing and selling real estate is essentially the same in all segments of market with slight variations. You don’t have to hire a specialist or niche Realtor.
8. Be Cautious
Some agents tell you everything you want to hear only to get a different story after you list with them. When interviewing a Realtor ask them to be brutally honest. Most sellers need that. It may sting initially but you will be better off in the long run.
Hopefully, you will find these eight tips helpful. Time is money in real estate. Generally, the longer it takes to sell your home the less you will put in your pocket. A good Realtor can get your home sold quickly and headache free.
Marc Rasmussen helping people buy or sell Sarasota real estate.
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