How do I pick an agent to sell my home

How Do I Pick an Agent to Sell my Home?

Hiring a qualified, experienced and hard working agent is the first step towards your goal of selling your home for the best price and in the best time frame. The best agent makes all the difference in terms of how quickly your home sells, getting you the most profitable return and making the entire process successful. One of the first questions you should ask before listing your home is “How do I pick an agent?”

The answer is NOT… help your friend out who just got her license, hire your family member or friend (without checking references and experience), or blindly picking someone off the internet!

The biggest mistake home sellers make when choosing a listing agent is selecting an agent based solely on two factors: the highest list price for your home and the lowest commission. At first glance you may think “but wait…don’t I WANT the highest list price and lowest commission…?!” Once you have a clear understanding of how the listing process works and how you maximize your profit, you’ll agree that these two criteria have very little to do with hiring a competent agent and, in many instances, are completely irrelevant. Let’s look at why:

The Highest Suggested List Price

No agent has a crystal ball which means NO agent can answer the question “how much will my home sell for?” To say that they can is a fallacy. A listing agent can show you comparable sales, pending sales, and active sales and can work with you to determine what upgraded or special features your home may have that sets it apart in your specific market. Every neighborhood is unique and an experienced agent will guide you as to which nuances may impact your list price. Like a busy street, a new school, a zoning change, or new construction down the block. Pricing your home CORRECTLY is critical to attracting buyers and, ultimately to getting you the highest price in the shortest amount of time. I work with my clients to ensure they understand my pricing recommendations. However, at the end of the day, the list price is always the decision of the seller.

So, the question becomes:

“How do I pick an agent that will help me price my home RIGHT?“

Here are some tips worth considering when shopping around for the right agent:

Expect honesty…and evidence! The sad reality is – some agents will distort the truth in order to get your business. Finding one agent offering to set your list price at a number that seems wonderfully should be a red flag. Ask the agent to show you and explain the data that supports the suggested list price. If the agent has no recent comparable sold homes or the home sales are located in a different neighborhood, the price is likely not defendable. Always remember, agents cannot guarantee your sales price. Pricing too high will result in a loss of time and potential buyers.
Ranges are good. After doing a thorough market analysis, a great agent will usually (not always) present you with a suggested price range. Many factors will influence where your home price lands in the range including recent updates to the home and property, the current market conditions in your area, your urgency, and any number of other factors specific to your situation and neighborhood.
Pricing is an art. If the home is priced right, you’ll likely get showings and showings will lead to an offer. If it’s priced too high, you’ll have less showings or, you might not get any showings at all. You’ll eventually end up having to reduce the price, leaving buyers wondering what’s wrong with your house. The longer a home stays on the market translates to less showings. Less showings means you have a lower chance of getting an offer at your asking price.

I will offer you an honest price recommendation based on a thorough market analysis, current market conditions and my understanding of your specific home. I will never tell you want I think you want to hear just to gain your business.

The Lowest Commission

Real estate agents are not equal and neither are their services- each is unique. Each has their own marketing plan, techniques and advertising budget. If finding an agent who will offer you the lowest commission is your top priority, consider what you’re giving up by prioritizing this criteria. A high level, professional real estate agent will be investing a significant amount of money in quality photographs and marketing of your property. So, the question becomes:

“How do I pick an agent that will invest in preparing my home to sell, marketing my home at a high level and in completing the transaction?“

I am not a discount broker. Having the “lowest commission” is not part of my marketing plan. I strive to serve my clients at the highest level. I know that first impressions matter… A LOT! The first thing a buyer sees/smells/hears/feels when they walk through your front door can determine whether or not your house “feels like” home- or not. Because of this, I will never skimp on preparing your home for market.

My standard services include

Professional Staging,
Market shine cleaning,
Photography,
Professional measurements and floor-plans,
A 3D Matterport video tour,
And extreme online exposure.

These services are an upfront cost to me (not my clients). And, they help ensure my listings are presented in the best possible way. Did you know?

A professionally staged home sells 2x faster and for up to 10% more than one that has not been staged
95% of people are more likely to call about a listing with a virtual tour?

Most importantly, this translates to MORE money in your pocket. In fact, on average, we (Porchlight Real Estate Group) will get you 2.2% more (thats $11,000 more cash in your pocket on the sale of a $500,000 home). The sale of your largest asset is not a time to cut corners!

In conclusion, the question to ask is:

“How do I pick an agent who will help me price my home RIGHT and will invest in preparing my home to sell, marketing my home at a high level and in completing the transaction?“

I take exceptional care of my clients and I will invest in the sale of your home. I make sure your home is 100% ready before it goes on the market to ensure it sells quickly and for the highest price. The sale of your largest asset is not a time to cut corners!

If you have further questions about selling your home, please feel free to email or call me any time. I’d be happy to talk to you! If you’re ready to take the next steps in your home selling process and you’d like a Realtor that takes social responsibility and impact to heart…know that I will advocate for, support and educate you every step of the way and I’d LOVE to be considered for the job!

Sincerely,
Jessica