Are you thinking of selling your house? Are you dreading having to deal with strangers walking through your home? Are you worried about getting the paperwork correct? Hiring a professional real estate agent can take away most of the challenges of selling. A great agent is always worth more than the commission they charge just like a great doctor or great accountant. You want to deal with one of the best agents in your marketplace. To do this, you must be able to distinguish the average agent from the great one.
If you plan to hire an agent to sell your home, require that they:
- Understand the Timetable with Which Your Family is Under
- Remove as Many of the Challenges as Possible
- Help with the Relocation
- Get the House SOLD!
You will be moving your family to a new home. Whether the move revolves around the start of a new school year or the start of a new job, you will be trying to put the move to a plan. This can be very emotionally draining. Demand from your agent an appreciation for the timetables you are setting. You must understand that your agent can not pick the exact date for your move, but you want them to exert any influences
It is imperative that your agent know how to handle the challenges that will arise, an agent’s ability to negotiate is critical in this market.
Remember: If you have an agent who was weak negotiating with you on the part of the listing contract that were most important to them (commission, length, ect), don’t expect them to turn into Superman when they are negotiating for you with your buyer.
If you haven’t yet picked your new home, make sure the agent is capable and willing to help you. The coordination of the move is crucial. You don’t want to be without a roof over your head the night of the closing. Likewise, you don’t want to end up paying two housing expenses (whether it is rent or mortgage) You should, in most cases, be able to close on your current home and immediately move into your new residence.
There is a reason you are putting yourself and your family through the process of moving. You are moving on with your life in some way. The reason is important or you wouldn’t be dealing with the headaches and challenges that come along with selling. Do not allow your agent to forget these motivations. Constantly remind them that selling the house is why you hired them. If they discover something needs to be done to attain your goal (i.e. price correction, repair, removing clutter), insist they have the courage to inform you.
Make sure you let your agent know what you and your family expect from him or her.
