Considerations For Choosing A Listing Agent

Considerations For Choosing
A Listing Agent
Provided by Jay Burnham, VP
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

The most important element in the sale of one's home is the agent you hire to represent you. It is more important than the company, the number of agent's in the office, the so-called "market share", the location or even the price. It is not unlike hiring the right attorney or the right doctor. After all, a person's home is often the single most valuable asset they own. And the standards of the agent should be the means by which you make your choice.

Listing and selling a home is hard work. It can also be stressful. That's why picking the right agent to handle your home sale may be you most important decision and can make the difference between a mildly disruptive experience and a hair-raising nightmare.

Credibility is one of the most important factors to consider when selecting an agent. A trustworthy agent is someone you can count on to do the job and do it well. He or she is sensitive to other's needs and does not act purely out of self-interest. He or she is committed to providing quality service. A trustworthy agent is reliable, steady and dependable. He or she is open and innovative, never dogmatic or rigid.

One of the best ways to find such an agent is to ask for recommendations from acquaintances that sold recently. If you're interviwing agents who weren't referred to you, be sure to ask for recommendations or testimonials.

The most informative recommendations come from an agent's most recent clients. Ask for their names and phone numbers. Find out what the sellers liked about working with the agent and if they would hire him or her again. Ask if there was anything they didn't like about the agent's work habits or ethics. Be sure to find out how the agent got along with the other parties in the transaction.

When you list your home for sale with an agent, that agent will represent you in dealings with numerous parties involved in the transaction: the buyers, their agents, attorneys, inspectors and lenders, to name a few. Select an agent who works well with everyone. Avoid agents with over-inflated egos or other personality disorders. A successful real estate transaction depends on good communication between all parties involved.

In addition to integrity and good communication skills, you want an agent with years of experience and a good track record of selling homes in your area. Ask what recognized designations they have achieved and awards they have earned. Does the agent have a Transaction Coordinator and sufficient support staff to assist in tracking your transaction? An agent should have enough time to give you the attention you deserve.

Good listing agents help sellers get their homes ready for sale. They suggest fix-up for sale work and they know tradespeople who can do the work. They advise you on which inspections to order before marketing your home.

In addition to checking out the agent, find out about the agent's company. Does it have a good reputation? Can the company provide maximum exposure for the property?

IN CONCLUSION: Although it's tempting to list with the agent who tells you that he or she can sell your home for the highest price, this shouldn't be the over-riding consideration. Pricing residential real estate is not an exact science. In most cases there's a range of market value for a home.

It's unethical for an agent to knowingly overstate a property's value in order to obtain a listing. But there are unscrupoulous agents who will do just that. If you pick such an agent, you may be badgered for price reductions when the buyers don't materialize.

If you're considering working with an agent who came in low on price, ask him or her how high he or she would feel comfortable going on the price. An ethical agent would decline a listing if he or she thought if would be impossible to give the property a good marketing effort because of a high list price.

JAY BURNHAM, VP
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
PREVIEWS International® Property Specialist
54 Dodge Street
Beverly, MA 01915
978.233.2828

Designations Earned: CRB, CRS, GRI, RECS, SRES