Knowing how to choose an agent is critical to having a successful transaction, and despite what you may think, we’re NOT all the same! We don’t have the same knowledge of the market, we have varying degrees of experience, and we certainly don’t achieve the same level of success.
You’ve probably heard about the 80/20 rule, where 80% of the business is done by 20% of the people. In real estate, it’s 94/6! That’s right – 6% of the agents do 94% of the business. And when the market is tricky, as this one is, I bet the numbers are even more skewed.
That’s because the bar to get a real estate license is pretty low and many treat it as a hobby rather than the important business it is. Most don’t invest the time and resources necessary to be an effective marketer, negotiator and advisor worthy of guiding you through the sale of what may be your largest single asset.
So you gotta ask questions – lots of them!
Things like:
- “How long have you been in the business and are you full-time?”
- “How many homes did you sell last year? How many of them were in my area?”
- “What’s your list-to-sale-price ratio?” How does it compare to the market average?”
- “What’s your average Days-On-market? How does it compare to the market average?
- “Do you practice dual agency?”
- “What’s your marketing strategy?”
- “How will you communicate with me? How often?”
- “What if I’m not happy with your services?”
- “Do you have references”?
These are just a few of the questions you should be asking. If you want a comprehensive list, just e-mail me at Kathleen@KathleenLayton.com for my outline on How To Interview An Agent When Selling Your Home.
Selling your home is too important to leave in the hands of an agent you met at an open house who could have gotten his license last week. Or your friend’s cousin that has a “real” job and sells real estate “on the side.”
The agent you choose matters, so choose wisely. Contact me anytime at 215-801-2019 or Kathleen@KathleenLayton.com and ask away, so we can see if we’re a good fit.
I’d love to meet you!