Whether you own a million-dollar mansion or a humble beach shack, when it comes time to sell your home, the person who sells it really does make a difference. I suppose it’s like any industry; When you have inside knowledge, you know exactly what you want.
When Isaac was four, Merryn and I decided to enrol him in swimming lessons. If it were up to me, I would’ve just signed him up for whatever I could get at the closest pool. Merryn however, spent 10 years as a swimming teacher and she knew that the right swimming teacher makes all the difference. She turned up to three swim schools in town and conducted on the spot interviews (bordering on interrogations) with the coordinators of each one. She toured the facilities and watched the swimming instructors with a close eye before enrolling him in the swim school of her choice with the teacher of her choice. Isaac benefited greatly and he’s now on the cusp of becoming an elite surf sport athlete.
It’s exactly the same when it comes to choosing the right agent. I’ve been in the industry long enough to know that not all agents are created equally. Finding your right agent, in my opinion, comes down to 2 things: Doing some stalking, and feeling the vibe.
Do some stalking.
Get out your phone and scope local homes similar to yours. Pour through the sold listings and see which agents are making great sales. The next thing you need to do is start attending lots of open homes and take note of the agent. Is the agent friendly, respectful, happy to answer any question about the home? Which agents make buyers feel more comfortable?
Feeling the vibe.
Once you have your shortlist of agents, make an appointment with each one to see which one gives you the best gut feeling. When you sit down with a potential agent, you should feel comfortable asking any seemingly dumb question that is on your mind. They’re the experts and they should take the time to explain the process to you. Ask them questions about how they have achieved their sales and what their confidence level is for your property.
You want a confident agent who has the skills to back it up. One way to gauge that special combination is to ask for a ‘no fee until sold’ arrangement. Ask for a deal where no fee is paid until your home is sold, and sold for the price you want. You will quickly find out which agent is for you.
Don’t be afraid to look around when selling your home. The outcome means a lot to you and your family. You have every right to take your time and find the best one for you.