Welcome to Part 3 in the series on Demystifying the Selling Your House process: Working with a Real Estate Agent. If you have conquered the decision process that you want or need to sell – the next logical question is likely “how?” As I always advise – there is no right or wrong answer to any of these questions. Today, let’s take a moment to learn about working with a Realtor, understanding the benefits and how to find the right real estate agent to support your home sale.
What to Expect When Working with a Real Estate Agent:
Expectation-wise – you should find an agent as serious, if not more serious, than you are about your home sale. The end goal here is to sell your house – whether because you need to or because you want to. Realtors are independent contractors who hang their license under a brokerage – every agent brings a different set of skills and experiences to the table to support their clients. I would further offer that not all agents are created equal.
Ask for a seller consultation. Here, look for the agent to walk your home and to come prepared to answer questions you might have. This may also be referred to as a listing consultation and you will see different approaches from all agents. Inside tip: Look for someone familiar with the area as they will be able to offer the greatest level of support in selling your home. Many agents will bring listing contracts with them and should walk you through the documents explaining the process.
Why Work with a Realtor?
Experience, insight, knowledge are top reasons I often share with prospective clients. I would further add to that – marketing skills, negotiation tactics and emotional support as you go through the home sale process. Look for an agent who has eyes on the entire process – talking about how to ready your home, the team that will support your sale (photographer and title company at minimum), what will be required and expected of you with your home on the market (keeping the home in show-ready condition, appointments for showings, open houses), what the offer process will look like and what happens with an accepted offer up until closing day. Your agent is your advocate – the one who will demystify the process and support you.
Experts in the Process
Buying, selling and renting property is truly a process. There are steps to follow and you want someone skilled and adept every step of the way. You want someone skilled at marketing, negotiations and helping to remove the emotions from the selling process. That said – selling a home can be an emotional process – so look for someone who you feel comfortable to work alongside.
How to Find a Real Estate Agent?
Unpopular opinion – even if you know an agent – don’t hesitate to look around. Again, you want the best person for the job. This is a time where I would encourage business before friendship. Also, friendships can complicate sales (as some of the objectivity gets removed). I’m not saying avoid your agent friends – I’m suggesting to do your homework, finding the best person for the job.
Remember, you want someone who represents you and your home professionally, who is available and will get the deal across the finish line. You’ll find some agents work part-time and others full-time. If this matters to you, remember to take that point into consideration.
Ask friends for recommendations, solicit opinions in Facebook Groups and look for a sellers consultation with a few agents.
What’s Next?
Tomorrow we will continue the journey on demystifying how you will sell your home and discuss going it alone – selling your home on your own. From there, we will progress into establishing the team (assuming you go the agent route), contracts and paperwork (Round 1) and outlining timing (to help with expectations), getting ready to list, marketing your home, understanding how people will see your home, the offer process, accepting an offer, price reductions (if necessary) and lastly closing.
Since You Decided to Sell Your House:
If you plan to sell your home in Northeast Florida (St. Augustine, St. Johns, the Jacksonville Metro and surrounding areas) – I would love to help. Please feel free to contact me for a seller consultation. Outside the Northeast Florida area? Please reach out as I have a network of agents across the country and am happy to connect you.
Finding this information helpful? Please share with anyone who would benefit and check back daily for the balance of the series. Tomorrow I will address working with an agent to sell your home. Additionally – please follow me for relevant content over on Instagram @LiveinJax.