Many vendors say they find it hard to decide which agent to use to sell their home.
Choosing an agent is not very different from choosing a doctor or any other service provider. If you were new to the area and were looking for an accountant or a plumber, you would ask local residents to make recommendations based on their experiences. The best source of first-hand information about local agents is someone who has recently bought or sold a house in your local area.
If you don’t know anyone who has recently bought or sold, searching the internet as well for testimonials and reviews on local agents and agencies is also a good way to assist you. Google the agent you are considering and read their reviews. This is an ideal way to get independent reviews from agents’ past clients.
Check out the agency’s website. Do they have hundreds of happy client reviews or is their website lacking in this area. Both provide an insight into that agency.
The obvious question on every prospective vendor’s lips is whether the agent in question sold the house for the best price and in a reasonable time. But research shows that an issue seldom raised at the start of marketing becomes the main cause for concern when things go wrong: lack of feedback.
One of the key questions vendors should ask of those who have sold is whether their agent stayed in constant communication and provided regular feedback at every stage of the marketing process. Knowing what is going on every step of the way reduces vendor stress and contributes to the successful sale of the property. It can help the property sell faster and for a higher price.
If your checks reveal that an agent has a first class reputation in terms of service, feedback and results there is no need to look any further. Above all, vendors should take their time when selecting an agent and not let themselves be put on the spot by pressure selling techniques designed to get them to sign up now.
After all, for 97% of local homeowners, their family home represents their single greatest asset and as such their most significant financial transaction.
Everyone has heard the three most important criteria for choosing a house to buy “Location! Location! And Location!” and choosing an agent can be summed up in a similar way, “Reputation! Reputation! And Reputation!”
