When you need to sell your home, having an experienced realtor on your side can make all the difference. And no matter where you live, there is likely no shortage of realtors eager to make you their next client. Before you choose a realtor to trust with selling your home, however, there are a few special considerations you'll want to keep in mind.
Ask About Marketing
Find out what lengths the agent will go to in order to market your home. These days, there are so many platforms that can maximize exposure for your listing and potentially reduce the amount of time your home sits on the market. Ideally, your agent will be posting not only on popular real estate listing websites but on social media platforms as well to generate extra attention.
Check Out Their Current Listings
You can get a good feel for the quality of a realtor's listings by checking out some that are currently on the market. When reviewing listings, be sure to look specifically at the detailed descriptions to ensure that they're well written, creative, and error-free. Another important aspect of a realtor's listings that you'll want to look at is the quality of the photos. These days, excellent photos can really draw in potential buyers — so you'll want to make sure your realtor has a knack for taking pictures of properties (or is willing to hire somebody who does).
Test Their Communication
Having a realtor who will get back with you promptly when you have questions or concerns is a must, so don't hesitate to "test" a prospective realtor's communication skills. Send them a text or email with a question and see how long it takes to receive a response. If it takes more than a few hours, it may be time to look elsewhere for a more responsive realtor.
Look Beyond Commission
The average realtor's commission is around 5%-6% of the total sale price of the home, but many factors can affect this. Don't "shop around" for the cheapest commission, because in the world of real estate, you truly get what you pay for. However, if you are looking to buy and sell a home at the same time with the same realtor, you might consider asking about a fee negotiation.
Finding a realtor to represent you as you sell your home will take some research on your part, but it will be well worth it when you're able to sell your home quickly and for a great price. Start reaching out to local real estate agencies to find the best realtor in your area.