How to Choose the Right Realtor to Sell Your House

Posted on Oct 7, 2023 in Uncategorized

So you’ve decided to sell your house. Congratulations! This can be exciting as you prepare to move on to your next chapter. But it can also feel overwhelming – especially when finding the right realtor to guide you through the process.

Choosing a Realtor to sell your house is one of the most important decisions you’ll make during this journey. 

The right Realtor will majorly impact how smooth the experience is and how quickly you can sell for top dollar. 

The wrong one? Well, let’s just say it could turn into a nightmare.

The good news is, by researching, asking the right questions, and understanding what to look for, you can find the perfect realtor match for you. Here’s everything you need to know to find that real estate rockstar.

Start Your Search by Asking Around

The first step is simple – talk to friends, family members, coworkers, or neighbors who’ve recently sold homes. Ask them:

• Which Realtor did you use?
• Would you recommend them?
• What did you like best about working with them?
• How quickly were they able to sell your home?
• Was there anything you wish you had known going into the process with them?

Speaking to people who’ve been through the experience is invaluable. They can provide personal insights into what it was really like working with a particular agent.

Pay attention to which names come recommended repeatedly – those are agents worth looking into. And ask for specifics about why they were great to work with. The more details, the better.

Dive Into Online Reviews

Once you’ve compiled a list of potential Realtors based on word-of-mouth, it’s time to dive into reviews. Here are two great sites to check out:

Zillow

With over 100 million users, Zillow is one of the largest real estate portals. Search for agent profiles in your area and browse reviews from past clients. Look for real estate agents with a high overall rating (4.5 stars+ is great). Read the reviews closely – what do people praise about working with them? Any constructive feedback to be aware of?

Realtor.com

Similar to Zillow, Realtor.com publishes reviews of realtors. Spend time reading these to learn how responsive, knowledgeable, and helpful realtors are, according to recent customers. Sort by lowest reviews first to see if there are any concerning patterns for an agent.

Online reviews are so helpful because they give you unfiltered, transparent feedback. Leverage them to narrow down your pool of candidates.

See Who’s Active In Your Area and Neighborhood

Now it’s time to shift your focus to realtor activity in your specific area and neighborhood. After all, you want someone who knows the ins and outs.

Hop back onto sites like Zillow and Realtor.com and search for realtors actively listing and selling homes near you. For example, filter for “Active listings in Somerville, MA” or “Recently sold in Hyde Park, Austin.”

Pay attention to realtors who pop up frequently as the listing/selling agent for local homes like yours. The volume of related sales experience is valuable.

You can also search by neighborhood names like “Realtors who sell in Medford Hillside.” Local expertise is a huge bonus.

Qualities of a Great Realtor

As you vet potential realtors, here are the key qualities to look for:

Significant Local Experience

You want an agent who is a true local expert. They should have:

• Extensive experience selling homes in your neighborhood
• Knowledge of home values, demand, and buyer trends in the micro market
• Relationships with local contractors, stagers, inspectors, etc.

Verify their experience on their website bio/about page and on review sites like Zillow. Look for consistent home sales in the last 1-2 years, specifically in your area.

Strong Track Record of Sales

A great agent should have a proven ability to sell homes quickly and at a competitive price. Before deciding, browse sites like Zillow to:

• Look at the total number of houses they sell and their overall volume
• See the average number of days their listings stay on the market (faster is better).
• Confirm they have positive reviews from recent sellers

Look for consistent high sales and performance over the last 2+ years.

Specializes in Your Property Type

Even better than just local experience is an agent specializing in selling homes like yours. For example, if you have a condo, you’ll want someone who knows the condo market intimately. If it’s a multi-family, find an agent with rental property expertise.

This hyper-targeted experience will pay off when they know how to market and price your property correctly from the start.

Strong Communicator

Communication is key between you and your Realtor. Make sure they:

• Are responsive to calls/texts/emails within 24 hours or less
• Will give you frequent status updates on showings, feedback, next steps
• Have a proactive communication style

The last thing you want is an MIA agent once you sign the listing!

Effective Marketing Strategies

Your agent should have creative ideas to market your home beyond just putting your home in the MLS and a sign in the yard. Some effective tactics include:

• Professional home photography
• Compelling listing descriptions
• Targeted social media promotion
• Email blasts to buyer leads
• Open houses or broker events
• Showing your property as a Featured Listing on their personal real estate website — if it has SEO or they are driving traffic via Google Ads.

Ask them to explain their overall marketing approach during your interview.

Competitive Pricing Guidance

Pricing your home correctly from the start is crucial. This starts with getting the right home appraisal, but you also want an agent who will:

• Help you price your home competitively based on market data and recent sales
• Advise you on the right price range to drive buyers
• Prevent you from overpricing based on emotion

Overpricing by even 5% can greatly extend your time on the market.

Strong Negotiation Skills

When you get multiple offers, your agent should have the negotiation know-how to represent your best interests:

• Guiding you in selecting the optimal offer
• Negotiating with buyers to increase offer price and favorable terms
• Managing counteroffers and keeping leverage throughout the transaction
• Keeping emotions out of the negotiations

You need someone able to play hardball to get you top dollar.

Interview Questions to Ask Prospective Realtors

Once you’ve identified 3-5 promising Realtor candidates, it’s time to interview them. Here are some great questions to ask:

• How long have you been selling real estate, and what areas do you focus on?
• How many homes similar to mine have you sold in the past year?
• What will your marketing strategy be for my home?
• How many days are your homes on the market, on average?
• How will you determine the initial listing price and advise me on offers?
• What’s your availability like for showings and open houses?
• What’s your preferred method of communication and response time?
• What differentiates you from other realtors in the area?
• Can you share 1-2 past client references I could speak to?

Pay attention not just to their answers but to their communication style, expertise, and enthusiasm. Make sure you feel 100% comfortable with them.

Pro tip: Ask for references and actually call those past clients. Ask how the experience was and if they’d use the agent again.

Watch Out for These Red Flags

When interviewing realtors, keep an eye out for any concerning red flags:

• They can’t provide references from past clients
• They recommend pricing way above or below market value
• They push for you to sign the listing agreement too quickly
• They don’t have sufficient availability for showings
• Lack of social media and online presence

One big red flag? Bad reviews mention poor communication.

Your Realtor will be your partner – ensure it feels like a good fit.

Carefully Review the Listing Agreement

Before officially signing with your chosen realtor, carefully review the listing agreement. Look out for:

• Commission rate – this is negotiable
• Lock-in period – how long you are obligated to work with them
• Marketing plan – what services are provided
• Professional photography – how many photoshoots/photos are included?

Also, clarify:

• Expected response time for calls/texts
• Who will conduct showings and open houses
• How they’ll communicate feedback and updates

Understand everything before you sign.

Set Clear Expectations Post-Listing

Once your home is listed, communicate clearly with your realtor on expectations:

Tips: Go over any tips for selling your home your listing agent may have.

Updates: Agree on a cadence for updates – once a week, biweekly, etc. Updates should include viewer feedback, new potential leads, etc.

Showings: Be reasonable about needed access for showings. The more flexibility you give, the faster buyers can view.

Timelines: Understand a typical timeframe is 3-6 months, depending on market conditions. Don’t panic if it takes some time.

Pricing: Be open to feedback on price adjustments needed based on interest. Some reduction early on can ultimately get you a higher price.

Patience: Selling any home takes patience and time. Lean on your realtor so you don’t feel overwhelmed.

How to Be a Great Client

To get the best experience, be a star client by:

• Being honest about any issues with the home upfront
• Prepping your home for showings – keep it clean and clutter-free
• Allowing access for showings with reasonable notice
• Providing any helpful info about the property
• Responding promptly to your Realtor’s calls and emails
• Offering referrals or reviews if you have a positive experience

Top realtors want great clients who collaborate and communicate.

Key Takeaways

Finding the perfect realtor requires diligence and an informed search process. Take time to research reviews, credentials, and experience and interview multiple candidates before deciding.

Vet them thoroughly, ask smart questions, and don’t just default to the first realtor you meet. Prioritize local expertise, great communication, and someone who will represent your best interests in negotiations.

Setting clear expectations and being a responsive client yourself also ensures the best experience. With the right realtor partner guiding you, selling your home can be a smooth, stress-free process leading to your next chapter!