While having a “For Sale” sign can generate a lot of buzz around your home, there is a lot more to real estate than just plunking a sign on the yard. This is where a listing agent plays a vital role. A listing agent is a specialist in selling real estate. They will advertise the property (both in print and online), hold viewings, help negotiate offers and best of all: close that perfect deal for you.
This all sounds well and good, but how do you know you have found the right listing agent for you? When looking into how to choose a listing agent, I suggest creating a list of questions to ask each candidate for the position.
- How much do you want to list the property for?
This is a question that is best answered when you have a decent sample size. If you only ask two listing agents and the difference between their suggested prices is $100,000 it will be hard to tell who is the best-suited for the position. Remember, a listing agent will not be able to tell you exactly how much your house will sell for. They can only show you comparable sales and pending sales to provide an idea of what the value of your property is. Going for the highest appraisal is not always the best idea as they may have over-valued your home just to get the listing. - How will you market my home?
Listing agents will like to tell you how they can market your property online in several classifieds, that they can even put it in magazines and host an open house. These are all expected answers – they should not be the only answers. The right listing agent will be able to discuss with you what kinds of people are likely buyers and how they hope to reach out to them specifically. - What is your speciality?
If you have not gleaned this answer from your cursory research on the person, this will ring alarm bells. In addition, this is also a good question to ask because you can hear from them personally why they are specialised in the area they chose and how they can help you with your needs. - How many people are you selling homes for right now?
This is a question with several right answers. Some people feel comfortable hiring a REALTOR® who is high-powered and juggles selling multiple properties at a time. Others prefer more undivided attention from their real estate agent. In either situation, ask the listing agent directly what they are doing personally for each property that is for sale so that you can better gauge how involved they are in the process. An agent with no other clients who is fumbling around with their words might not be the undivided attention experience you were seeking. The same goes with a listing-agent who is selling so many properties that you might not even see them involved in your process at all. - What do you expect of me?
This may surprise you, but when figuring out how to choose a listing agent, your involvement speaks to their level of sales skills. Just by looking at the house they may say that all you need to do is walk the dog during viewings, others may suggest you paint the garage or rearrange some furniture. If the listing agent can think like a buyer then it will be to your benefit. - What is your fee?
Though certainly not the last nor the least important question, this is the one that most people get hung up on. Ask your potential listing agent why they charge what they do and always make sure that you feel good about the amount and think it is fair. Keep in mind that asking for a very low fee can mean that the level of service will go down as well.
I hope that when it comes to understanding how to choose a listing agent, these questions will help you navigate your options. Good luck finding the right listing agent for you, and make sure that you feel confident with your choice!
