Whether you’re selling your family home, a first apartment, or an investment property, selling is a big undertaking - not to mention both a financial and emotional commitment. So having the right real estate agent to guide you through the process is critical.
The right agent will bring the experience, knowledge, and skills needed to walk you through the sale process with minimal stress to get you the best result. But finding the right agent for your property can be tricky.
Here are five things to consider when deciding on which real estate agent is right for you.
Go for local knowledge
Find an agent who knows your area. The right real estate agent for your property will have the local knowledge needed to answer any questions a potential buyer might have about both the property and the area.
Knowing schools, demographics, zoning, public transport, and local community spaces is invaluable when dealing with prospective buyers.
Do your research
As with anything in property, research is key. Look at how many listings an agent has, previous sales, and how those previous sales were marketed. Combine this with online research by looking at their website, testimonials, and reviews or recommendations. Once you’ve done this, the next step is to meet them personally!
Get out and about
One of the best ways to research an agent is to take them for a test drive. Stopping in at an open home is an opportunity to see a potential agent in action. Whether the property is similar to yours, this is simply an opportunity to see how an agent presents an open home and deals with potential buyers. It’s also an excellent time to say hello and get some contact details.
Ask lots of questions
Remember that the more you know, the better prepared you’ll be throughout the process. Your agent will walk you through the sales process and talk you through any case studies relevant to your property. But if you would like more information but aren’t sure what to ask, here are a few key questions that might work for you:
- What is the best way to market my property, and why?
- What can I do to improve the value of my home before it goes on the market?
- How should I best present my property for sale?
- Should I sell my house by auction, expression of interest or private treaty?
- What is included in your fees?
- What should I expect during the selling process?
- What else should I do to prepare?
Trust your gut
While it may be tempting to pick an agent based on sales record alone, the essential factor in a stress-free sales process is choosing an agent you feel you can trust. There is potential for plenty of bumps in the road when selling a property, so developing a good relationship built on trust and open communication is key.