The best way to start the process is to interview agents you might consider using from among your recommendations, existing knowledge of local real estate agents, or online search. There are many ways of finding a good agent. Personal recommendations from friends and colleagues are often helpful. If someone outside the real estate business with nothing to gain is bringing up an agent, you can be pretty sure you are on to a winner. The best agents—the top 10%—do 80% of all the business. Who has the most listings in your area? A first meeting need not be a formal one and can be noncommittal. Through the conversation you will learn a lot about the agent. This will also give you time to know how the agents treat their clients. Through the informal interview, you will have the chance to ask about each agent’s selling record, how well they understand the local market, and how each agent can help you sell your house. You want someone with enthusiasm and drive, someone who will give you the attention you need, and someone who will steer you through the whole process with courtesy and professionalism. These are appropriate topics to be discussed prior to making a real estate agent selection:
HOW MANY TRANSACTIONS DOES THE AGENT HANDLE PER YEAR? ER YEAR?
This is supposed to give you an idea of how fast the agent can get a deal. A competent agent who has some experience in the field of real estate should have a respectable number of sales under their belt. However, do not rate the agent simply according to the number of transactions per year, as you should also note that more transactions do not necessarily reflect the agent’s capability or compatibility. An agent may have a lot of transactions, but their service could still have left the sellers or buyers deeply unsatisfied, so you need to also look for other signs of expertise
23
Powered by FlippingBook