Selling your home is no easy task, so it is best to have a professional guide you through the process. Working with a VA or TN REALTOR will help make a smoother real estate transaction. When choosing a listing agent, 77% of sellers only contacted one candidate before picking their listing agent, according to a NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® report. Although this is the norm, you want to ensure you ask the right questions to choose the real estate agent that is the best fit for you. We’ve made a list of the top five questions to ask when searching for an agent to list your home.
How long have you been a REALTOR? While years of experience do not always equal skill, a lot of real estate is learned on the job. Generally, the longer an agent has been in the industry, the more familiar they will be with local market trends. However, at Highlands Realty, Inc., even our newest agents have been well-trained to understand local market trends and be a great coach for today’s sellers!
In the past year, how many homes have you sold in the immediate area? While finding an agent who specializes in your community is not essential, it is ideal. An agent who has recently sold homes in your local area will be more intuitive about the inventory and the best price range to get your home quickly. Highlands Realty agents receive in depth training concerning creating comparative market analysis to ensure your home is priced appropriately.
What are the average days on the market for your listing and your average sold-to-list price? The agent can easily pull these stats from the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS). These stats can help you determine if the agent and the company is a strong negotiator and marketer. Highlands Realty’s Days on Market stat is about 30 days lower than our nearest competitors!
What is your marketing plan for my home? After some agents are hired, they only stick a For Sale sign in the yard and enter it into the MLS and wait. A well-prepared agent should have a marketing plan for getting your home optimal exposure. It may include staging advice, having professionals photos taken of your home, using social media, other digital tools, and traditional marketing for promoting your listing, and marketing tactics to other brokers.
What’s your fee? An agent should be able to clearly explain their commission rate and the value they bring to the table for selling your home.
Will I be in direct contact with you, or with a team, during the selling process? Some listing agents work as part of a team and share client responsibilities among the group. One benefit of hiring an agent as part of a team is having multiple agents working for you for the same fee. However, if you prefer to have only one contact during the transaction, you may want to find a listing agent that can give you their sole attention. Regardless of whether you choose an agent or a team, ensure they will be as responsive as needed to you and your real estate goals.
Finding the right listing agent is the first step to selling your home in Bristol, TN/VA, Abingdon, and the surrounding Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee area. Understanding the questions to ask will help ensure you find an agent who will best represent you and work with you to achieve your real estate goals.