If you are considering selling a home in the Miami area, your first and most important step should be securing the services of a real estate professional. The local market is hot right now and it may be a perfect time for you to sell, but if you don’t have the right agent in your corner you may not get as much as you hope to from your sale. If you have never worked with an agent or sold a home before you may have many questions to answer before you make your decision.
🤔 Why do I need a real estate agent?
A good real estate agent may be the single most important resource you will have available to you when you are selling your home. The internet may have resources to help you do legwork and research or even post a listing, but in today’s real estate market it is more important than ever to have a professional on your side to ensure that you receive your full share of market value for your home. Buyers will often have an agent to make their deal for them, and forgoing one yourself may put you are a decided disadvantage during negotiations.
💻 Where do I find real estate agents?
Finding the right real estate agent to sell your home for you may take some time an effort. It probably will not be as easy as just performing a google search and contacting the first batch of names that come up. There are several review sites available that offer transparency regarding how satisfied customers really are with the agent’s services, and this may help to weed out some candidates, but the tough part will come when you have your short-list of potential agents. This is why having a personal or telephone interview with your candidate is so important.
📝 What should I ask during an interview?
When interviewing your potential agent, you may ask any question that comes to mind. However, there are some essential questions that you should focus on more closely during the course of the interview. Make sure to ask the following questions:
- What is your level of experience in the industry?
- Do you offer any form of guarantee?
- Do you have any contacts that will be helpful (contractors, brokers, title companies)?
- What is the most important thing that separates you from your competition?
- Do you have a marketing plan or strategy for selling my home?
- How does your list-to-price sales ratio compare to the market?
- Do you have any references or testimonials?
- May I review your forms and documentation prior to signing a contract?
👥 What if I want to find a different agent?
Despite your best efforts, there is a possibility that your relationship with the real estate agent you choose will not work out. You may not be getting offers you find acceptable or any offers at all. While this may be a result of variations in the local market, a change of agent may be the only solution. It is best to begin your agent search discreetly unless you have already fired the agent, or they have quit. It may not be advisable to ask the agent for a referral as they may not be in the best frame of mind to be helpful. Losing out on business is always difficult in a high-stakes profession like real estate. Your search for a replacement should focus on qualities that were lacking in your original agent (communication skills, negotiating ability, availability etc.) while not compromising on the reasons that made you choose them in the first place.
👩 Should I hire a friend or family member?
While such an important decision in your life may be more comfortable when the person by your side is someone you have known and trusted for a long period of time, there are other things you should consider before turning to a friend or family member as your real estate agent. The adage of mixing business with pleasure may be an old chestnut but it has certain weight when it comes to balancing personal relationships and business relationships. Purchasing or selling real estate can be a stressful, time-sensitive, and very expensive endeavor. If you have difficulties with your agent you can always break away and work with another one. However, a friend or family member may find this particularly hurtful rather than just a business decision. In the long run, you may do them more of a favor by sending them business from others than working with them yourself.
Your real estate agent is the best source of information about the local community and real estate topics. Give MarieJoseeMiami a call today at 786-486-9216 to learn more about local areas, discuss selling a house, or tour available homes for sale.