How do I pick a Real Estate Agent?
Most people don’t have a plan when picking an agent to sell their property and make a few common mistakes when choosing i.e ‘they’re the agent I bought through’ or ‘they sold next door’.
Interview your agent either through their presentation or simply without them knowing.
Personality;
While your agent doesn’t need to form a part of your new friendship group, the personality of the agent must be suitable to engage with buyers. Look for positive personality traits. This may be as simple as, openness , honesty or sincerity.
Two schools of thought are;
‘if somebody wants to buy the house, the agent won’t matter’
Incorrect. I have heard time and time again of purchasers who won’t engage with certain agents for varying reasons, and some who will seek certain agents out for both good, and bad reasons.
An example of a good reason: the agent is easy to deal with, honest, available
An example of a bad reason: the agent is desperate for a sale, easy to bargain with
‘The agent will convince someone to buy my house’
Not necessarily, it would be a magical agent who convinces someone to spend $2M one simply doesn’t have. What a good agent will do is sort the buyer from the pack of potentials and help put them in the best position to buy, this is where a sincere agent will prevail.
Appearance;
This is simple.
You’re selection of agents these days is many, don’t settle for an uninspiring person to represent your no.1 asset.
Ability;
This is important, I would recommend a role-play with your agent.
This might seem like a silly idea and may put you out of your comfort zone, but remember, the idea is to see how the agent feels outside of theirs – or in it.
When meeting, or during the agent presentation, ask the agent pressing questions on your home and bargain like a buyer – see if they have the goods.
The main reason you are employing an agent is for the negotiation of sale price on your home, make sure they know how to do just this.
Most agents will have a similar marketing package and should provide great photographers, copywriters etc. but this is only the first step for a buyer.
Don’t let commission make the decision.
Often this is a reflection of the agents confidence or track record. If an agent is going to sell for $X and charges $Y and you’re happy, great.
However, if an agent charges $YY and can get you $XXX then you’ve made your choice.
Do you want a Mercedes or a Camry?
With this being said, don’t pick the agent promising the highest sale price. Often this is a tactic to make an agent look like they will perform the aforementioned and it’s likely not the case.
A good agent will get you the highest price, not just promise it to you.
Lastly, Visit open homes;
The easiest way to pick is to see the agent at work, do they know their product? Do they know the suburb? Are they engaging?
And more importantly, would you buy a property from them?
A lot of what you will be looking for won’t be planned, simply a ‘gut instinct’ will be the main deciding factor, but let these things form part of that, as you may spend a lot of time with, or talking to, your agent.
Good luck.
Thomas Merriman
Thomas Merriman 