The 3 most important
factors in choosing an agent
How
many Real Estate agents do you have to choose from? The term “a dime a dozen” comes to mind, doesn’t it? The truth is, yes, there are a ton of
Realtors available at your disposal.
There may not be many however who can provide all you need to obtain
your buying or selling goals. Protect
yourself and take these three factors into account when selecting your next
Realtor.
Honesty & Ethics
There
may be no more important factor then that of honesty and ethics when choosing a
Realtor. Working with an agent
with low ethics or one that you cannot trust to be 100% honest throughout the
process is a recipe for disaster.
It is imperative that you work with an agent with strong ethics and an
inherent character of honesty.
Many agents will skew the truth to obtain business. I’ve seen some go as far as to pose
with someone else’s wife and children to give the impression of a “family
based” agent. I can’t imagine how
this person would react when asked about their wife and kids. Starting a business relationship based
on misleading advertising is a surefire way to create future issues during the
transaction. If you’re not working
with an agent who is 100% honest and ethical, how can you truly be sure you have
obtained an agent with your best interests at heart?
Advertising &
Marketing
When
selling your home it is crucial that you work with an agent whom firmly
understands the importance of advertising and marketing. While the MLS alone can drive sales, having
an agent who knows how to implement an advertising campaign personalized for
your home is essential. Many
agents will tout the campaigns offered by their firm and most will count on
this marketing alone as the only means to promote your property. In these scenarios the home never
receives any true personalized campaigns, and simply obtains “cookie cutter”
marketing. Selling at a high dollar in a short period of time requires constant
promotion in new and unique ways; and more importantly personalized to the
subject property. When
interviewing or searching for an agent to sell your home, be sure you delve
into their own personal marketing strategy, find out what they as an agent
bring to you, the client.
Knowledge of your
area
Selling
a product that you are unfamiliar with is a fool’s errand. I’ve seen time and again agents with
listings in areas they have zero knowledge of. Without a firm understanding of the locale you are
selling in, there is absolutely no way to obtain top dollar for the inventory
you hold. When selling, be
sure that your agent is well versed in the area you reside in. Knowledge of your area’s schools,
shopping, entertainment, etc are crucial.
The convenience an area provides can often add value to a buyer’s
perception of the home, in turn, netting you a higher sales price.
These
3 simple factors will help you decide which agent is the right fit for
you. The wrong partnership is a
disservice to the entire process; be sure to conduct your own personal research
prior to hiring your next Realtor.
When you find the right fit it just may be a match made in heaven,
brining along with it an attractive sales price in a short amount of time.
