Selecting an Agent

When you are selling your house, you have two very important decisions to make:

1. Selecting your agent
2. Establishing your price

Many people make the mistake of establishing their selling price first, without any market knowledge, then finding an agent who agrees to sell at that price. That often leads to listing with the highest bidding agent instead of the most skilled and competent agent. An agent who lists a house at a significantly higher than market value price from the start will simply require a series of price reductions in order to get the property sold. By the time the house is listed at market value, it has been exposed to the market for a very long time and buyers are wondering what's wrong with it. Then the seller is dealing with bargain hunters and low ball offers. 
Choosing an agent who tells the truth will have a better outcome than choosing the agent who agrees to list at an inflated price. Great agents believe it is better to loose a listing by telling the truth than to waste everyone’s time by overpricing.  
You want your doctor, financial adviser and lawyer to give you good honest advice and you should expect the same from your real estate agent. Having good, professional advice is the only way to make sound decisions and realistic plans for the future. Real estate professionals do not create the market, they simply report on it.  Choose your agent wisely. The agents role is to sell your home, not to price it. Ideally, you should select your agent first. Your agent should provide you with current market data and then together, you determine how to price your home. Pricing should be done by the seller, based on the information and advice of the agent.

How should you select your agent?
Before discussing the value of your home, your agent needs to understand your situation, motivation and timing.  These three critical factors will determine your pricing strategy. The agent you are interviewing needs to understand these factors before he/she can make an educated proposal. Then during the listing presentation evaluate your agents ability to manage these elements. 
Here are 6 Things they must do well to get your house sold for the best price in the shortest period of time.

1.  Managing the marketing of your home
2. Getting the maximum exposure to buyers
3. Securing and managing buyer leads
4. Communicating during the listing period
5. Negotiating the final agreement
6. Closing the transaction

The agent who is most competent in these areas will help you get the highest price for your house.

Jim Perks is a REALTOR in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He uses his expertise in Internet marketing and real estate experience to service both his buyers and sellers throughout the city of Calgary. He can be reached at RE/MAX Real Estate (Mountain View) 403-247-5178 or by email at [email protected]. His website is www.calgaryrealestateagent.ca