Choosing the Right Agent
Critical Points to Consider
1. Choose an agent with an evidence of success
2. Assess the agents/salespersons level of skill and integrity – Remember - this is your most valuable asset you are placing in their hands
3. Request details of legitimate testimonials or even contact numbers of past clients
4. Beware of agents
who…
Overprice your property, lower their commission, don’t charge marketing
Promise everything and deliver nothing
…SIMPLY to secure your listing! This will not be a good outcome, they don’t care
what price you achieve only what they achieve.
5. A less than credible agent is determined to secure your business at any price. If the agent over-prices your property you will spend many months and in some cases ‘years’ on the market for sale; whilst the agent lowers your expectation from the figure they told you in the first place!
Are cheap agents worth it?
It may be tempting to hire an agent who offers the lowest commission rate, however in just about every case, you’ll be far better off investing a little more money for quality service and assurance. Like most things in life, you get what you pay for. See what our clients say about the service provided.
Some agents may have a high turnover rate and they may have low commission, however, these aren’t indicative of the quality of service they’re able to provide. A higher commission rate, on the other hand, suggests that an agent has the experience, credentials and skills to achieve a rewarding sale and back up their premium charge. For this reason, it’s worthwhile investing in a better agent for a higher commission, as the final sale price will most likely mean more money in your pocket.
"Some agents may have a high turnover rate and they may have low commission, however, these aren't indicative of the quality of service they're able to provide."
The
best outcome requires a lot of work to run comprehensive marketing campaigns,
open homes, buyer follow-up activities and successfully negotiating on your
behalf.
Your success is our success!
6. Ask who conducts the open homes/inspections and more importantly, who carries out the critical follow-up with potential purchases.
7. Ensure you feel comfortable and can establish a rapport with your agent/salesperson. If you feel uncomfortable DO NOT employ that person. You need to develop a healthy working relationship with your representative.
8. Ask yourself in the final analysis – do I trust this person to honestly represent your best interests in a professional and ethical manner?
9. If an agent can only offer you discounts, ask yourself how would they negotiate on your behalf, remember this is your biggest asset.
10. A sales price should not be based on past sales or history of another home, we are selling your home not the one down the road.
Advertising and marketing fees
As a rule of thumb, it’s recommended for vendors to set aside between 0.5% and 1% of the property value to cover the costs of marketing and advertising. For a home worth $500,000, it means setting aside a budget of between $2,500-$5,000.
Some agents might offer cheaper marketing packages, but if you’re spending less than $1000, don’t expect anything more than a simple online listing. Better, more comprehensive campaigns that have extensive reach will come at a higher price tag. To find the most interested buyers and achieve a great sell price, it’s recommended to not only invest in a top agent, but also in excellent marketing campaigns. This is generally your biggest asset worth hundreds of thousands of dollars and is not the time to scrimp on marketing, you can’t sell a secret.
