subject: Finding The Right Real Estate Agent To Help You Sell Your Home [print this page] There are several things to look for as you are trying to find the right real estate agent. You should be sure that he or she has actually sold houses, and that you are not the very first client. You should make sure that he or she knows how to stage a home, and it is also important to look for someone who does not charge too much of a percentage for commission.
The experience of actually selling a home is important. If a real estate agent has never even gone through this process, then he or she needs a little more experience before you invest in their sevices. You may wonder how an agent can ever get experience if no one ever wants to be the first house, which is a consideration. To solve this dilemma, an agent should join with a more experienced agent to sell a home, so that he or she is not heading out without any support whatsoever. You should be able to trust one who has had some joint experience with another more experienced agent.
It is also important that an agent knows what a home should look like in order to sell. One aspect of this is called staging. Staging is the way a home is set up to make it inviting to the individual looking for a home. It might mean having a bouquet of flowers on the table along with a bowl of fruit. On the other end of the spectrum, it is also important to leave a home somewhat neutral so that those looking at the home can try to imagine what their items would look like in the home. This means taking down family pictures and painting the walls in neutral colors, for example.
The fees of a real estate agent are also a consideration. Make sure you hire someone who does not charge an exorbitant percentage for commission. You should try to find out what the going rate is, and use that as an example of what you should be looking for as you choose an agent.
After considering these areas, you might want to try to talk to people who have used particular agents to see what they have to say about the particular individuals. The reputation of the professional you are considering is an important deciding factor. Some real estate agents might be lazy, and not schedule as many showings of your home as is necessary in order to get it to sell. It is important to have a hard-working agent that will take your schedule into consideration, and will schedule showings and open houses accordingly.
