When you are selling your home, hiring a realtor can be a huge advantage. They will be there to guide you along every step of the way, so that you can make sure that your home is set at the ideal price and that you are able to find the right buyer. There are many real estate agents to choose from, but finding the right one to sell your home can be a challenge. Selecting the right agent can mean a lot of difference in money when your home sells.
However, many home owners will make a few common mistakes when they find real estate agents to sell their home. Here are some of the typical errors that you should avoid when hiring a real estate agent:
Not Checking References
One of the major mistakes that many people make when they are choosing a realtor is that they fail to check references. Usually a real estate agent will provide references to a potential client, but many people don’t actually call them. It is a good idea, because talking to references can give you a lot of insight about what it is like to work with the real estate agent. Before you make the call, come up with a list of questions or just ask the reference to share a little bit of their experience.
Hiring Someone Who Only Works Part Time
A part time real estate agent is someone who only works some of the time and might make a deal once every year or so. Hiring anyone who isn’t a full time professional is usually not a good idea. An agent who is fully dedicated to the field full time is aware of the market conditions, how to properly market and sell a home and what the competition is. They are up to date on the current real estate trends in the area and they are fully aware of the legal details of making a home purchase. They also take the time to attend real estate workshops and seminars, continue their education and stay on top of their profession. A full time realtor is so much more connected and well educated about their profession, so they will be able to provide you with a much better service.
Not Reading the Contract Carefully
It seems like common sense that you should read over all legal contracts carefully before you sign on the dotted line. However, many people will enter into an agreement with their real estate agent without reading what they are agreeing to. This can backfire later, if you decide to cancel the contract and realise that you are still locked into an agreement. Make sure that you read your listing agreement before you sign it and ask questions if there is anything that you don’t understand – a good real estate agent will be happy to clarify anything that isn’t true.
Choosing the Only Agent Who Agrees With Their Selling Price
If there is only one agent who agrees with your selling price and all of the other agents have said that it is too high, the chances are that the agent who agrees is just telling you what you want to hear. Pricing your home too high can be a big mistake, because no one will buy it and it will sit on the market for a long time. Even if you finally drop the price later to reflect the real value of the house, the listing will be old and buyers will think you are desperate – so they will offer even lower prices for the house. You will eventually find yourself accepting a price for your home that is much lower than you might have possibly received if you had priced the house properly to begin with.
These are just a few of the major mistakes that many home owners make when they are hiring a real estate agent to sell their property. Think carefully about your decision and avoid these mistakes, so that you can hire a real estate agent who will be able to meet your needs and help you sell your property quickly and effectively.
About the Author: Kelly Rossi is a mother of three who is currently looking to relocate to a larger home. She is working with a real estate agent to sell her home, so that she can find the right buyer at an ideal price.
