Looking for a competent and trustworthy agent is no walk in the park. Before entrusting a valuable real estate asset with an agent, sellers must look for these skills:
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- The ability to price a home accurately
Pricing a home just right is essential to a successful sale. The agent must strike that delicate balance. If the price is too high, the home will get fewer offers and the seller may be forced to lower the asking price if the property remains unsold. But if the price is too low, the seller could lose out on a hefty profit.
In pricing a home accurately, the agent must look at recent sales and comparable properties (or “comps”) in the market. They should also take into consideration any unique features or upgrades that might drive up the price of the home.
Moreover, the quoted asking price should be backed with statistics and research. If an agent gives an asking price without showing anything to justify it, sellers should consider looking elsewhere.
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- Being realistic about the sales price
One of the main goals for selling a home is to make a profit. Then again, promising too-lofty returns will not do a client well. A truly experienced agent will not be able to tell the client exactly how much their home will sell for. However, they can give the seller a price range. This range is determined by several factors, such as location, home improvements, and the temperature of the market.
Pricing a home on their own, a seller can easily over estimate its value due to sentimental concerns. A good agent will bring objectivity into the equation and paint a clear picture of what the seller should expect.
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- Marketing knowledge
Marketing sells homes and any agent worth their salt knows how to put tried and tested marketing techniques to good use. When talking to an agent, sellers should ask for a detailed copy of their marketing plan and find out how they intend to make a sale.
Examples include:
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- Traditional signage
- Broker previews
- Lockbox and electronic monitoring of lockbox access
- Reports on showings and buyer feedback
- Home staging advice
- MLS listing with detailed description and multiple high-quality photos
- Virtual tour
- At least two open houses
- Updates on the neighborhood, real estate trends, and recent sales
- A robust advertising budget
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Each real estate company has its own set of marketing techniques and a set advertising budget. Hiring an agent with a sizable advertising budget will help sellers gain maximum exposure for their listing and reach the most number of potential buyers.
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- Networking skills
Real estate is a people business. A well-connected agent can use their professional network to attract qualified buyers and secure the best offer for home. They can also refer a client to professionals in related industries, such as lenders, pre-approval officers, stagers, and real estate photographers. This takes the burden of finding trustworthy individuals who can help in a real estate transaction off the shoulders of the client.
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- Excellent communication skills
Hire a good communicator who can take calls and return messages 24/7. Not only should the agent be available to the client at all times, but they should also be transparent. Any updates, both good and bad, on the transaction should immediately be echoed to the client so they can plan their next move.
Homeowners shouldn’t take risks when selling the single largest investment of their lives. Reach out to the Pagnotta Homes Team for assistance. Call 908.436.7947 or send an email to info(at)pagnottahomes(dotted)com to get started.