What You Should Expect From a Great Listing Agent

There are various factors that you should consider when deciding on a new listing agent. Of course everyone has their own unique needs and criteria but there are some characteristics that should be considered into the mix when choosing your ideal listing agent to assist you with getting the most money for your home with the least stress in your life.

The Highest Suggested List Price

Agents can’t tell you how much your home will sell for. That’s a fallacy. A listing agent can show you comparable sales, pending sales and active sales. But ultimately you choose the sales price and a buyer will tell you if the price is right.

• Look for a listing agent who gives you a range. There is always a price range. It might be apart $5,000 on the low end vs. the high, or the spread might be greater. Many factors determine the range, among which are location, market trends and improvements.
• Pricing is an art. The best time for an offer is within the first 15-30 days on market. If the home is priced correctly, you’ll get an offer. If it’s overpriced you might not get any showings at all; buyers will shun your home and you’ll eventually end up reducing it, leaving buyers wondering what’s wrong with your house.

Should You Choose an Agent Based on Commission?

Realtors are not equal; each is unique. Each has their own marketing techniques and advertising budget. By choosing an agent with a large advertising budget, you will gain greater exposure to the largest number of buyers, which is ideal. Reaching greater numbers of buyers equals better chances of a good offer.

Sometimes agents can negotiate a lower commission under special circumstances such as:

• Buying and selling a home at the same time, giving both transactions to one agent.
• You’re willing to do all the legwork, advertising, and pay for expenses related to the sale.
• You’re selling more than one home.
• The agent accepts you as a pro bono case.
• The agent will lose the listing unless she matches a competitor’s fee.
• You don’t have enough equity to pay a full commission.

Importance of Agent Marketing

Ultimately how you price your home and performing the right marketing sells homes. Ask to review a complete copy of the agent’s marketing plan. Precisely, what is the agent going to do to sell your home? Here is the bare-bones minimum you should expect:

• Professional signage, including agent’s cell phone number.
• Sentrilock Lockbox
• Daily electronic monitoring of lockbox access.
• Follow-up reports to the seller.
• Broker previews.
• Incentives for broker / office previews.
• Weekly advertising in major newspapers or and sites
• MLS exposure with 8 to 12 professional photographs.
• Four-color flyers.
• Financing flyers for buyers.
• Minimum of 2 Open Houses
• Direct mail to surrounding neighbors, out-of-area buyers / brokers.
• Exposure at Board of Realtor meetings.
• E-mail feeds of new listings that compete.
• Updates on neighborhood facts, trends and recent sales.
• Virtual Tour

Characteristics of a Good Listing Agent

Here are some of the characteristics sellers say they want in agent:

• Experience.
• Education.
• Honesty.
• Networking.
• Negotiation skills.
• Great communicator.

Finally, ask for a personal guarantee. If the agent won’t guarantee performance and release you from a listing upon request, DO NOT hire that agent.