Finding an honest and competent real estate agent will be key to the successful sale of your home, yet with over 1.3 million licensed real estate agents out there it can be intimidating selecting one. Not all are created equally – some may be impostor agents disguised in sheep’s clothing – so approaching this process like any job interview must be approached carefully to avoid potential disaster.
Begin your search by speaking with friends and family who they worked with and whether they would recommend their agent, but it should go further than that. Consider how agents communicate with you and their overall personality traits when considering potential agents; since you’ll likely spend a great deal of time together, make sure it’s someone with whom you feel comfortable talking about what matters to you most in life.
Finding an agent who fits you best requires meeting them face to face and asking specific questions, like the following. Ask how many transactions they complete each year and their average list-to-sale price ratio; inquire about comps of properties recently sold in your neighborhood and also inquire about any clients they’ve represented previously.
Apart from experience, it’s also essential that an agent possess an in-depth knowledge of local real estate market trends and pricing dynamics; this will be key in selling your property quickly. Be wary of agents who do not belong to any reputable real estate associations nor possess extra training in negotiation strategies, pricing strategies or any other aspects related to selling real estate properties quickly.
Your potential agent must also understand the unique features of your home. For example, if it has an unusual layout or historic designation, finding someone familiar with these properties and with selling homes similar to them in your neighborhood will be key.
Begin your search now using StreetEasy’s expert network to identify licensed real estate agents specialized in your building or neighborhood. Once matched with an expert, we’ll call to set up an appointment. We will ask you questions about your property and goals, so that you can select an agent who best matches them (note that only licensed agents may be recommended.). (We only work with licensed agents who cannot pay to be recommended.) For tips on finding the ideal real estate agent to sell your home, take a look at our Selling Your Home Guide. Additionally, don’t forget about StreetEasy’s free listing alerts which notify you whenever a property that matches your criteria is listed for sale; and when it comes time to list your own property for sale quickly with StreetEasy!