How to choose the right agent to sell your house

Choosing who to trust with the business of selling your home can be hard, but it needn’t be the nightmare you fear if you just keep these few simple things in mind.

1. Experience:

Including skills/education, local market knowledge, resources/contacts. Relevant sales history in your area – or one like it – is essential.

It may seem a little odd, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with asking to see their resume or references, in fact you have every right as someone who will potentially be making them a lot of money.

Make sure they have at least a few years’ experience in real estate, and be wary of someone whose past employment varies wildly – they may just be drifting and trying this job on for size.

You cannot afford to go with someone who doesn’t know what they are doing, or who is not serious about their job. Google them. It is amazing what you can find out about a person from a simple search!

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2. Attention to detail:

From their business card, to their listings, to the way they present themselves online, on the phone and in person. This will all reflect their attitude to their job, and will be a great indicator of how they will treat you as a client.

You want someone who will be able to offer you great tips on staging your home, who has an eye for the things potential buyers may or may not like, and who will sell themselves as well as they sell your home.

3. Honesty:

To some, real estate agents may well be up there with used car salesmen and mechanics when it comes to trustworthiness, so it may be difficult not to be somewhat sceptical when going into things.

Go into your meeting with any potential agents with your internal lie detector turned way up. A real estate agent that you can keep an open dialogue with is more likely to understand your needs and, as a result, can better accommodate you.

4. Communication:

You want someone who will keep you in the loop at all times, who will answer your phone calls and emails promptly (during reasonable work hours) and with clarity, and who won’t keep you dangling.

5. Word of mouth:

You want an agent whose reputation precedes them.  Ask anyone you know (and trust) who has bought/sold recently for their honest opinion.

This is possibly the best way to make sure you are going to get an agent who knows what they are doing and who won’t take you for a ride.

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This article does not constitute advice; readers should seek independent and personalised counsel from a trusted adviser that specialises in property, a tax accountant and property design specialist.