I hope you will find this article to be helpful if you are in the market to buy or to sell.This article will cover how to find the best agent to help you with listing your home.

The most important thing to do when considering selling your home is to select the right agent who best supports your end goal of selling your home in the shortest possible time and getting you top dollar.

How do you go about selecting a listing agent?

1. Experience

When selecting an agent, you should select an agent with experience.Check for longevity, rather than quantity. A lot of agents may have a lot of closings and many listings, but how much time will they have to be there for you? Do they promptly call you back to inform you on how the showing went, and give you feedback? Ask your agent if they are on call for you at any time, within reason of course?

2. Knowledge

Are they knowledgeable of the market in your area? Ask the agent for a comparable market analysis of your home. Review the market analysis with the agent and ask questions on how the other homes compare to yours. Beware of an agent who will satisfy you by giving you an unrealistic price that will result in continuous price reductions.

3. Availability

Evaluate their availability. Availability can be very frustrating when you are not able to contact your agent. In your interview with an agent, ask them if they have an assistant to help them to free up their time to do the real work of selling your home. A question to ask during the interview is how they like to communicate with you. Phone calls, texts, emails, etc. Texts many times can be misinterpreted. Make sure it is your preference, not the agents.

4. Loyalty

What do I mean by loyalty? Your agent will have knowledge of a great deal of confidential personal information. So often the client will give the agent the bottom line needed to pay off the mortgage or may know something health related or personal information. Make sure you feel confident and comfortable that your agent has your best interest in mind. The agent will be representing you as a CLIENT.

5. Commission

We all know that paying a commission is a big factor. Select an agent that you feel will get you top dollar for your home. If you get the price you want for your home, think of it as a job well done by your agent.

6. Preparing Your Home

When an agent walks through your home, many agents will suggest “staging your home.” We think of it as getting your home prepared to sell. Many agents will have you make your home so sterile that it does not look cozy, warm and livable. Decluttering a home or preparing it for sale does not mean getting rid of all your personal décor. It is very important to pack away your personal photographs. No wall should have photographs of your entire family history. People become more interested in your personal life than your beautiful home. Don’t get into a tizzy thinking people with look into your dresser or drawers. A quick peak into the closet usually will do. A good agent will be there to help you get your home in order, especially if you are unable to do it by yourself.

Finding the right real estate agent is a critical relationship that you want to get right the first time. Make sure they truly listen to you.Have a list of things you find important about your home. It is very advantageous to the listing agent so when they list your home, they can present to the public the most important highlights of your beautiful home.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, wornor consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude. (Denis Waitley)