For many people, buying or selling a home is the largest transaction they will ever make. If you consider hiring a real estate agent to sell your property, you must find the right one for your unique needs. With so many options out there, how do you know which Realtor is best suited for what you’re looking for? In this blog post, we will discuss some tips to help you find the right Realtor to sell your home.
Deal with Realtors directly. When you list with a realty firm, the company will take away your owners’ representation. Get multiple offers to review so you can negotiate on your own behalf. Be cautious of any Realtor who assures you they’ll sell it for a predetermined dollar figure within a set time period. If they make the sale, they make the commission.
Never sign a blank contract or one that has blanks left to be filled in later. Have your Realtor send you an email confirming all details of the contract before signing and returning it. Never accept verbal agreements on anything about the terms of your agreement with a Realtor or their broker.
When interviewing Realtors, ask them to send you the forms they’ll be using. Look at their past sales and recent listings for comparable (properties similar to yours) to make sure they know what your home is worth. You can use Zillow.com or Trulia.com, but only if the comparable properties are not listed with a Realtor. If they are, compare them using the “sold” listings distinction.
Once you have decided on a particular Realtor, ask for three references from past clients who were happy with their service and fees. Contact those people to confirm how diligent the Realtor was in promoting their home, whether or not they sold in a reasonable time and if their fees were competitive with the industry norms.
In conclusion, I advise that you shop around until you find the best Realtor for your needs. Just because a company has an office in your neighborhood doesn’t mean they are the best fit for you. Do some homework, check out their online reviews, and remember to take time to think things through carefully before making any decisions.