Selling Your Home? Here Are 8 Tips to Choosing a Realtor

Are you looking for a Realtor to represent you in the sale of your home? Here are 8 tips that will help you make a good decision on choosing a Realtor.

1. Business decision, not a personal one

Selling a home is not easy in today’s environment. You need to hire a professional that can give you good, honest advice. Even if it is not what you want to hear. Use a professional Realtor that is experienced. You can save yourself many headaches by hiring someone good.

2. Ask for a referral

You probably have a friend or relative that can recommend a good Realtor. Ask around for names. Chances are you can find the name of someone good to use or even someone not to use.

3. Interview

Most Realtors hate this tip. Meet with more than one agent and have them do a listing presentation for you. This usually consists of their marketing plan, backgrounds, background on their brokerage and a valuation of your property.

4. Is the biggest producer the best?

Superstar agents are good agents for a reason. They run a good business. That does not always mean that they provide the best service. The two don’t always go hand in hand. Interview a superstar and Joe average and compare them. The superstar agent might be just what you need.

5. If you pay peanuts you work with monkeys

I am just as frugal as the next guy. However, often times you get what you pay for. The market dictates what Realtors charge for services. It is a negotiable item and there are discount brokerages out there.

From the outside it appears that Realtor make way too much money. 6% of $400,000 is $24,000. That is a lot of money. However, when you break it down and spread it around it isn’t as much as you think. That commission is usually split between the listing agent and selling agent. The Realtors have to split with their brokers. Brokers have to pay their staff, rent, advertising, light bill, utilities, etc. Promoting your listing to find a buyer costs money so there are expenses like photography, advertising, direct mailers, signs, websites etc. The agents belong to one or several Realtor Associations. We have to pay dues to all of those Associations. To promote the listing on the MLS we have to pay dues to access the MLS. The expenses go on. Realtors probably don’t make as much money as you think.

6. Don’t let the Realtor buy your listing

It is common for a home seller to list with the Realtor that gives them highest asking price. Don’t do this. Have your Realtor defend any price they come up with. Have them show you comparable sales and be objective.

7. Interview a farmer

You may want to speak with an agent that works only in your area or neighborhood. Depending on where you live your property might be unique and need a unique Realtor. During a contract negotiation it is good to have a Realtor on your side that has sold many of the homes in your area. However, the process of valuing and selling real estate is essentially the same in all segments of market with slight variations. You don’t have to hire a specialist or niche Realtor.

8. Second guess

Some agents tell you everything you want to hear only to get a different story after you list with them. When interviewing a Realtor ask them to be brutally honest. Most sellers need that. It may sting initially but you will be better off in the long run.

Hopefully, you will find these eight tips helpful. Time is money in real estate. Generally, the longer it takes to sell your home the less you will put in your pocket. A good Realtor can get your home sold quickly and headache free.

Marc Rasmussen helping people buy or sell Sarasota homes for sale.