For homeowners the thought of listing their home for sale can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be an overwhelming experience if you have an excellent REALTOR® guiding you through the process from start to finish. So what should you look for in the person you will be entrusting to sell your home? In my 30-plus years as a real-estate agent in the greater Saint John area, I’ve sold a lot of homes and I’ve worked with a lot of agents. I know what makes a great REALTOR®. Choosing who will sell what is likely your biggest asset is a decision you should not take lightly. To sell your home, you want a real-estate agent who:
Knows the market. Your REALTOR® should have a strong knowledge of the local real-estate market and demonstrated experience. They should provide you with an in-depth, comparative market analysis, and they should take the time to explain this to you and answer any questions you may have.
Understands your home and neighbourhood. Your REALTOR® should do a thorough walk-through of your home and property to understand your home’s strengths and any deficits, which will help in determining the list price.
Recommends a realistic, competitive list price. It’s important that a home be priced properly from the get-go to attract buyers and so that it doesn’t sit on the market for an extended period of time. Your REALTOR® will use market analysis to determine the value of your home relative to others that have sold in the area and should explain to you their rationale for their recommended list price.
Communicates their sales and marketing strategy clearly. Good REALTORs® articulate a solid plan for how they will go about listing and selling a home. What is their marketing plan? Do they use social media? Do they have a website where their listings are showcased with professional photos and listing descriptions? Do they use print advertising and direct mailing? Top-notch real-estate agents use all of these tools to effectively market their listed homes.
Keep all of this information top of mind when selecting a REALTOR® to sell your home. Avoid the common mistake of simply choosing the person who suggests the highest list price; and remember, the real-estate agent you ultimately choose should be prepared, professional, accessible, and should pay attention to detail!
By: Don Ketchum