You've decided to sell your home and everyone is recommending a real estate agent to help you. But which one do you hire to get the job done? Choosing a listing agent does not have to be a long, tricky process, but you should know that putting up a “For Sale” sign and hoping for the right buyer will not get your home sold, so it may be worth taking time to find a real estate agent who can smooth the way for you. And, hiring the wrong real estate agent can not only cost precious time, but it can cost you thousands of dollars. Some of the biggest mistakes sellers make when choosing a listing agent are hiring the agent based on the following: Experience & Brokerage Highest Price, Lowest Commission Experience does not always means higher quality service. An experienced agent may be in demand and have less time to devote to you, and often times you end up working with a team member and not the agent you shook hands with. Using an inexperienced agent may be worrisome, but an inexperienced agent is hungry and should have plenty of time to devote to getting your home sold. When choosing a listing agent, some sellers believe not only must an agent have experience but they must work for a big box brokerage. When interviewing and choosing a listing agent, remember it is not the brokerage you are hiring to sell your house, it is the agent. So does it really make a difference which brokerage the agent works for as long as you like, trust, and respect the person you believe best suits your needs and can sell your house? Sellers often want the highest possible price while paying the lowest amount of commission. In actuality, these two have very little, if anything, to do with hiring a competent agent and may in fact impact the sale of your home. You and your agent will be working closely together to reach the ultimate goal of getting your home sold. It is best that you like, trust, and respect each other, and here are some characteristics to look for when choosing a listing agent: How familiar is the agent with your neighborhood? Your agent should speak from the heart, not pressure, hassle or sell you. How does the agent prospect and network for a qualified buyer? You want someone who will negotiate on your behalf and protect your interests, not just someone wanting to make a quick sale. Communication is key. How often will your agent communicate with you and will the agent provide feedback? Does the agent either answer your phone calls right away or return them promptly? Try it and call right now! In today's market, the right real estate agent makes all the difference and you and your home deserve agents who are not anything like the rest, who will give you and your home the attention and respect you both deserve. To determine which agent is right for you, interview at least three and have them submit legitimate results. Anyone can promise you anything. The test is in the results. If you'd like to learn more aboutRandy and Beth Middleton of Realty Executives Suncoast or how they get homes sold with their "Power of Sold" strategy, give them a call727.487.1655 to get started on the journey to your next home.
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