Published July 29, 2021
Using the Right Real Estate Expert In this Market
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You likely already know that the real estate agent you choose to sell your home will make or break your sale. That’s why it’s so important to take your time during the initial process to find the right real estate agent for you. And, after all the changes we’ve experienced in the last year, it’s crucial that this person knows and understands the challenges of the current market.
If you should choose the wrong listing agent, the experience
could end up being extremely stressful or you might make less money in the transaction
than you should!
To avoid a sticky situation like this, do some research up front
and compile a list of agents in your area to consider. Then, interview at least
three at the top of the list. Only speaking to one real estate agent will increase
the probability of you picking the wrong listing agent.
The National Association of Realtors recently reported that 77%of people selling a home chose their agent without meeting with others.
Here are a few points to consider when deciding which agent is best for you.
It Really Is All About You
There is much to be said about an agent with a long list of credentials, but it is equally important to choose someone who will work with you and for you. Don’t choose an agent based solely on experience. During the interview process, pay close attention to how each interacts with you. Are they listening and asking YOU questions? If an agent would rather talk than listen, it might be best to cross them off the list. When the negotiating starts, you want to be sure it’s not about what’s best for the agent, but what is the best price for you.
Passion & Conviction
Make sure you have done some extensive research on those top three. Google them. Yelp them. Check out their website. Look at the agent’s work. The easiest and most valuable way to review an agent is how they’re marketing other properties. Look at their listing materials, brochures and signage. Pay attention to their personal appearance. If you see passion and pride in their work, you can be confident it will carry through your transaction as well.
A Great Strategy
One of the top 5 real estate agent concerns people have is making sure they offer value for money. A good real estate agent will be clear and concise about what you will get for your money and how they will sell your home quickly. The best plan has these 3 parts:
-Identify the ideal buyer
-Compile a list of selling features that are attractive to that
ideal buyer
-Choose the marketing channels used to maximize reach to that buyer
Once this plan has been determined, the agent, at a minimum, should be including these to market your property:
·
Posting to MLS and syndication of listing on all
major sites
·
Hiring a reputable professional to take photos of
your home
·
Professionally written property descriptions
·
Scheduling open houses and broker tours
·
Using signage to attract potential buyers and help
others find your home
Additional things that could help separate your property from other houses for sale would include:
·
Video
·
Drone photos/video
·
Custom brochures
·
Floor plan
· Plans to improve your value before listing
These are great marketing tools that could make your property
stand out to your ideal buyers. The right agent will know how to determine which
of these options, if not all, is best for you.
Honesty + Chemistry
Find a real estate agent who is honest about the best route to sell your house. Throw out the flattery and fluffy agents. You want someone who is realistic. When interviewing agents, pay attention to those using real data in their answers when it comes to neighborhood-level market performance, and long-term impact of your decision to sell.
Additionally, you need an agent who is patient with you and your circumstances. Ideally, they should have the same emotions, outlook on life, personality, as you do. You need to feel completely comfortable talking and communicating with the real estate agent. If it feels awkward or if there is undue pressure placed on you by a real estate agent, this is not the right fit.
Knowing the Current Market
In our last blog/newsletter, we shared staggering recent market statistics from ABoR.com in Austin-Round Rock MSA and Hays County.
To sum it up in just a few words, Austin’s housing market is booming. The rapidly expanding economic industry is driving more people to our area which is increasing the housing demand. A surge of people moving in from other parts of the country, combined with rapid population growth and low mortgage interest rates, have turned Austin and its surrounding area into a sellers’ market. Low inventory, high buyer demand and rising pricing will continue throughout the year, sustaining the competitive market.
When interviewing your top candidates, ask questions about how they are managing bidding wars and navigating through multiple offers to find the best buyer for you.
Your goal shouldn’t be to only find a good real estate agent. You want to find the right real estate agent!
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