Choosing a realtor is one of the most important decisions you will make during the selling process, and it isn’t a decision to be made lightly. Your choice of realtor is an important decision and can’t be relied upon by guesswork. Choosing a Realtor is like an interview process.

Realtors can assist you as a buyer in many ways.  They are committed to treat all parties to a transaction honestly. They also must subscribe to a strict code of ethics and are expected to maintain a higher level of knowledge of the process of buying and selling real estate.  Realtors have also undergone extensive training and are licensed and governed by the state.

When making your decision, ask realtor candidates about their track record with homes similar to yours. Have them guide you through the entire home buying process, from finding homes to look at, to getting the best financing available.

Sales records show that the median home price for Sellers who use a Realtor is 16% higher than a home sold directly by an owner. While unrepresented sellers may be motivated to save on paying a commission, the price difference speaks for itself.  Getting the highest price for your home means curb appeal is critical and could make a difference whether people stop and take a look, maybe pick up a flyer, or drive right past. Make sure your realtor has a plan and that the plan includes what you need to do for appearance sake.

When an offer does come in, your realtor is there to negotiate on your behalf to get you the highest price possible and the best terms. Never select an agent solely on the price they tell you they can get for their home. Some will over price it and this may be good for your ego but its suicide by price for your sale.

Buyers now use the Internet in searching for a home and rely on professionals to provide context, negotiate the transaction and help with the paperwork. Buyers are savvy, having access to the market at their finger tips through the Internet.  The #1 reason for using a Realtor to sell your home is they are supposed to have the buyers so ask your agent what they plan too do to attract those buyers. Sellers often look only for reasons their home might be worth more. Your realtor is there to advise you on pricing your home to sell, and getting the necessary market exposure to bring the maximum number of buyers in the shortest period of time.

Choose a top performer for your area and type of property. Find a real estate professional with the marketing expertise and sales experience to deliver proven results for your type of property. Choose a realtor whose track record consistently exceeds expectations. Be sure to choose a realtor with the marketing resources needed for success so ask about this in the interview process. Your choice of realtor must be someone that you trust and who understands your needs.

Sellers often look only for reasons their home might be worth more. Selling your house is disruptive and can be intrusive into your every day life, but your agent will work hard to minimize this. If your potential realtor says things that just don’t sound right to you- for example, claiming they can sell your house for much more than its appraisal value- think twice before investing time and money with this person. 

If you don’t trust them, you’re not going to be happy during the selling process and things can go badly very quickly. A realtor can be a major benefit during the house selling process… or they can create major problems. Each sale is important to the realtor, as well as the seller, and if you’re made to feel like a number, it’s time to look somewhere else.

You want to choose a realtor that will actively work to help you buy/sell your home, and not depend on the MLS to do the work for them. When you have developed interest in a particular property, your realtor will be able to provide information about comparable sales in the area to help you determine value.

Choosing a realtor is a decision many people take lightly but it is of vital importance in the process of buying or selling real estate. Making the smart move of choosing a realtor is your first step, finding the right realtor ensures that your investment in your home will pay off.