When it's time to say goodbye to your present home, you probably want a quick and easy sale so that you can move on to something better. You should realize that the level of expertise your agent exhibits can make or break those plans for an effortless and fast sale, so you would do well to know what to look for in an agent. For help, use the below checklist for evaluating potential candidates.
Good Qualities in an Agent
- Make sure your agent has experience selling homes in your neighborhood (or area) and in a price range that is pretty close to your home. While many agents are completely capable of selling homes anywhere and at any price, it can be comforting to know that they are personally familiar with your situation.
- Make sure your agent is a full-time agent. You might be surprised at the number of agents who work a full time day job and then attempt to be an agent after hours and on weekends. Having agents with a lot of other responsibilities could mean problems with showings and communication issues.
- Make sure your agent is familiar with not only the real estate business, but in other closely related businesses. Bankers, home appraisers, home inspectors and lenders are all connected to the real estate business.
- Make sure your agent has a stellar reputation with other agents, and check for complaints with the BBB. While you are at it, make sure your agent is licensed to be a real estate agent by checking with your state. In most cases agents are required to undergo training, testing and to spend time working under other, more qualified agents. You might come across the term "broker" in your research, and this is someone with an advanced level of experience and education and who has the ability to oversee other agents.
- Make sure your agent listens carefully to your home buying wishes and understands them. You don't want to waste your time looking at properties that only have 2 bedrooms if you need at least 3.
- Make sure your agent is a member of valuable trade associations, like NAR (the National Association of Realtors). They may have access to marketing information and other data that sets them apart from others.
- Make sure your agent can provide you with references from recent and similar home sales. Query those references on ease of communication and more.
For more information, contact a business such as Mckee Kubasko Group Real Estate.
