Deciding to sell your home is a very big decision. Whether it’s the home you’ve lived in for 30 years, a rental property, or a secondhome…..it’s a big decision with a lot of implications. Choosing the right realtor is critical. It’s not necessarily just about getting the highest price (although that’s usually the priority) but also about who can make the process the least stressful, who you can trust to put your best interest ahead of theres, who can help you navigate the challenges that lie ahead.
While all of that is very important the bottom line is usually…..the bottom line. Getting the most for your home means doing what it takes to stand out, to look sharp, to capture the attention of prospective buyers. It’s important to do a little research…even when a friend or colleague gives you a name.
So where to start?
Our advice as to the first thing to do when researching a listing agent is look up some of their old listings. There’s such an obvious disparity between the good listing agents and mediocre (or just plain bad) realtors that it’s usually not too difficult to determine which is which. Ask to see their past listings to see how they helped prepare the home, how they presented the home, and whether they took pride in their work. Every agent wants to get a home sold, but great listing agents understand that each listing is a reflection of them and their level of expertise and professionalism. Looking over past listings it’s easy to see…..did they simple snap a few pictures or did they use a professional photographer, did they create any video to make your home stand out, did they take the time to prepare the home for both photos and showings/open houses (i.e. did they have everything looking it’s best or were they too lazy to move the trash can out of the photo).
Once you see who puts the extra effort you can start interviewing from there. You’ll know the good or great ones quickly and equally important…you’ll know who is just going through the motions or just plain bad at what they do.
Contact us for any questions or to find out how we work and how we can help.