The success of your home sale largely depends on you choosing the right listing agent. But many home sellers are unsure about the expectations they should have for their listing agent.
Here are five things you should expect from your listing agent.
1. A Custom Marketing Plan
No house is the same as any other house. Even in a subdivision of cookie-cutter homes, your house occupies a unique piece of land and is decorated in your personal style, making it different from all other properties on earth. So your listing agent should bring a custom marketing plan to the table.
Your listing agent’s comprehensive marketing plan should include:
A pricing strategy based on recent sales of similar local properties
Features of your home that will attract buyer attention and should be highlighted
Strategies for preparing your house for the market
Marketing channels for promoting your listing (websites, social media, mailers, print ads, etc)
2. Many Hours of Work Behind the Scenes
Your listing agent will be putting in lots of work that you never see. Here are just a few examples of the many, many tasks that your agent will be working on for you:
Contacting their professional network to personally notify colleagues of the new listing so those colleagues can notify their buyers
Contacting each of their buyers to promote the listing directly
Researching county records to confirm the property details
Writing the listing description and entering the property data on all relevant websites
Creating property-specific marketing materials like flyers, brochures, mailers, door hangers, and social media graphics
Fielding inquiries from unqualified buyers
Coordinating showings with buyers and their agents
Collecting feedback from showings
Fielding inquiries from buyers’ agents
Working with the many professionals involved in the due diligence process once an over is accepted
3. Proper Communication
Communication is paramount. You need a listing agent who keeps you informed as you move through the selling process. Your agent should communicate:
Honestly. There is no room for half-truths, purposeful omissions, or lies.
Frequently. Frequency is a matter of preference, so discuss your preferences with your listing agent upfront. Do you want weekly updates? Updates after every showing? Or do you just want a call once you have an offer?
Professionally. Professional communication can be warm and friendly or cool and straight-forward. The important thing is that your agent treats you, their colleagues, and the buyers with respect.
Clearly. When it comes to a big move like selling a home, confusion is frustrating! Your listing agent should be able to communicate complex real estate concepts in easy-to-understand language so you always know what’s going on.
4. Strong Negotiation
Your listing agent will be negotiating on your behalf with the buyer’s agent. Negotiations start with the sales price and terms of the contract. But after the inspection, there’s often a second round of negotiations regarding the buyer’s request for repairs. Your agent should be an expert negotiator.
This is why it’s a red flag if an agent offers to take less than the local standard commission. If they can’t negotiate their own earnings, how fiercely will they negotiate to get you the best price and best terms?
5. Transaction Management
Completing a real estate transaction requires several industry professionals. You need a listing agent who can coordinate with the:
Listing photographer,
Home stager (if necessary),
Buyer’s agent,
Home inspector,
Appraiser,
Tile rep,
Surveyor (if necessary)
Escrow officer,
Attorneys (if necessary)
And any contractors needed to complete necessary repairs.
Real estate transactions are complex, and a good listing agent knows how to smoothly manage all these moving parts.
How to Find the Best Listing Agent
Whether you’re ready to sell today or you just have questions about the process, contact the experts here at Sequoia Real Estate. Our experienced listing agents are happy to answer all your questions and help you strategize for a successful sale. There is no charge and no obligation for our friendly consultations. Contact us today!