Choosing the agent who is going to represent you in the selling of your property is the most important decision you will have to make when selling your property even more important than setting the listing price. Here are a few of the most important facts that one needs to take in to account when choosing your agent.
Choose An Estate Agent Backed By An Agency
By choosing a agent that is backed by an agency, it does not matter if it is large or small so long asit is well known and has been operating in your area for at least a couple of years.
Choose An Estate Agent That Is Qualified
It is important that the agent and the company is registered with the Estate Agents Affairs Board (EAAB) you can ask the agent for a copy of his certificate or can go to the website of the EAAB and see if your agent is licensed. It is also imperative that your agent either has a NQF4 or a NQF5 in Real Estate, remember that the more qualified your agent the better for you. If I was choosing an Estate Agent that was going to sell my house I would only choose an agent that is CRS qualified. (Certified Real Estate Specialist)
Experience
Even more important than qualifications is the years of experience the agent you choose has in the area that you are selling and if they do not have years of experience then they should be working in partnership with an agent that does have years of experience.
Reputation Of The Agent
How long has the agent been with his current company and how many companies has he worked for in the past. If the agent is jumping from company to company it could be due to dismissals from the previous companies and are factors that should raise suspicion.
Questions To Ask Agents when Interviewing Them.
- What Geographical Area do you cover?
Make sure your area is mentioned.
- Are you a fulltime Real Estate Agent?
You do not want to choose a part time agent.
- What is the listing verses sales price ratio in the area at the moment?
If the agent is very active in the area they will know what the average percentage is buyers are bringing sellers down by in the area.
- How many websites will my property be advertised on and what are their names?
Your property should be advertised on at least 5 websites of which three should appear on the 1st page of any search to do with buying of Property in your area.
- Are you or your company a member of any Multi Listing System and how long will it be before my property is listed on the system?
If an agent is working in your favour he will Multi List your property in the 1st week.
- How will you keep me informed on the marketing of my property?
- What is your marketing plan for my property and can I have a copy?
Any good agent will have a marketing plan for your property.
- Do you have any references I can go through and if not do you mind if I can contact 3 of your past clients to ask about their experience?
- What is your performance guarantee?
A good agent will be prepared to add a clause to your mandate where you may cancel his mandate on your property from if he does not carry out his marketing plan. |
