How to Select a Sellers' Agent

Many of the same criteria come in to play when selecting a realtor to list you house. You should definitely schedule several agents to make a marketing presentation. The Realtors should provide you with a detailed market analysis of the value of your home. It should include listings of properties currently on the market that are comparable to your home and homes that have sold. The agent should point out the days each house was or has been on the market ( a long time on the market indicates that the price may be too high or that there is something objectionable to buyers about that home). It is helpful if the agent has toured the homes that are on the market in your area so that they can give you an idea of how your home compares. They can also call the listing agents on the sold properties to find out more details about those homes. It may be helpful for you to ask the realtor take you on a tour of the homes that he or she feels are comparable to your home. A marketing presentation should also include how each agent intends to advertise your home. Currently most homes are sold off of there Multi-Listing Service listing. If the agent does not intend to put your home on the MLS they should be able to demonstrate how they have sold homes in the past without listing on the MLS. Additionally, 80% of buyers use the Internet to begin their search for a new home. Does the agent or their brokerage maintain a website? Is it user friendly? Does the agent intend to do open houses? How often? Will the realtor provide direction in staging your home? In the current buyers market these are all very important questions. The absolute LEAST important factor in the presentation is the percentage of commission the realtor intends to ask for. The difference of 1-2% in commission is of little importance if the home never sells. Currently only about 50% of the homes listed actually sell. Beware of realtors who price your home high and then ask to reduce, reduce, reduce before seeing any offers. Most of the traffic through a new listing comes in the first month. Having your home effectively marketed, properly staged, and priced right are crucial!