Over the past couple of years, the housing market has been operating at all-time highs because the popularity of remote work has caused many individuals and families to move from densely packed regions into the suburbs.
The pandemic and shelter-in-place orders also caused many homeowners to stay in their existing homes, fueling an inventory shortage which in turn led to increased home prices.
Although many real estate agents don’t expect a buyer’s market in the coming months, they report seeing fewer bidding wars and homes selling above the asking price. Considering those details, in today’s housing market, it’s more important than ever to work with a real estate agent to sell your home for the right price.
If you’re planning on putting your home on the market now or in the near future, then look no further than this article for tips on how to choose the right real estate agent to assist.
Read more: First Time Home Buyer? 5 Things to Know
1. Setting up the Foundation for Success
Before you start speaking with real estate agents, you’ll need to think about what matters most to you in regard to a working relationship.
Do you want to work with an agent who keeps you updated throughout all stages of the transaction process or someone who is more hands-off?
Do you prefer communicating via phone, email, text, or in person?
Keep in mind that there’s no right or wrong answer to this question.
After identifying what you want from your real estate agent, you then want to identify red flags which indicate the agent isn’t a good fit. For example, if an agent is pushy and is just focused on closing a deal, then you might want to work with someone different.
The final major aspect to consider before reaching out to a real estate agent is to identify what you’re looking for in a home. Imagine the type of area your ideal home is in, if you’re living in a home or condo, determine your budget, and more. You don’t need exact details. You just want to get your thoughts going.
2. Effectively Interviewing Real Estate Agents
After laying the groundwork for a successful home sale, you can then begin contacting real estate agents for interviews. A few of the most important questions to ask an agent include:
- What is the ratio of buyers to sellers that you represent? This provides an indication of the agent’s expertise and focus.
- Will I be working with you individually or with a team? This is an important question because it provides visibility into the people you’ll be interfacing with when you sell your home.
- Do you have references I can call? You’ll want to check references from all agents that you engage with because they have first-hand experience working with the agent throughout the home-selling process.
- Do you see any major red flags with my house? What are your concerns? By asking this early on, your agent will be able to provide you with candid insights and suggested upgrades to help sell your home fast.
While selling your home is a complex process, the great thing is that by working with a real estate agent, they’ll handle most of the transaction for you.
