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when looking to sell your home the first thing you will need to do is appoint an agent. here are some tips to help you find the agent that’s right for you:
understand the benefits an agent should offer.
your home is likely to be your most valuable asset, so professional expertise and assistance with the sale is worthwhile. for this reason, most home sellers engage a real-estate agent.
working with an agent should offer you the following advantages:
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access to market appraisal data,
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advice on the most appropriate method of sale (e.g. auction or private treaty),
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the development and implementation of a marketing plan,
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advice on how to present your home to the public,
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access to a large numbers of buyers,
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screening of potential buyers,
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assistance when negotiating the best price, and
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effective administration of all legal and financial requirements.
build a list of possible agents.
you should meet with several real estate agents before electing your representative/s.
to find out which agents operate in your area, use our find an agent feature. also check through local newspapers for agents actively promoting houses within your area, ask neighbours to refer you to local agents and watch out for sale signs and make a note of the listing agent/s.
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handy tip
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don’t be alarmed if agents suggest meeting at your house. this will give them the opportunity to conduct a appraisal. this service should be provided for free and in no way obligates you to engage the agent.
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ask the right questions.
meeting with agents is similar to conducting job interviews. the agent wants to work for you, and you want to select the best candidate for the job. therefore, prepare a list of questions to ask of all the agents you meet.
questions to ask prospective agents include:
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for how long have you been a real-estate agent?
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how familiar are you with the suburb in which our home is located?
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how many homes have you sold in our suburb over the past 12 months?
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how did you arrive at the price you suggest we could sell our house for?
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what marketing plan would you envisage using for our house?
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will you provide weekly sales progress reports?
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do you place importance on high ethical standards?
other items you may like to review include the quality of the promotional material and the presentation of the salesperson. you could also ask for the contact details of recent clients, and then refer to these people for further insight into the agent’s operations.
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handy tip
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also take the time to ask your family, friends and associates for referrals. tales of first hand experiences with particular agents can prove extremely valuable when deciding which agent to appoint.
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enlist an agent’s services.
once you have decided on the agent you wish to have represent you, a written agreement should be drawn up. this will contain an estimate of the total fees, charges and expenses you can expect to pay when your home is sold.
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handy tip
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read this agreement carefully and if you are unsure of any aspects, seek legal advice before signing the document.
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