Thinking of selling a home? What makes the biggest difference when homes don’t sell in a day?
First, selling a home is not fun, let’s be upfront about that. It’s time-consuming and stressful. Some say the stress level is right up there with some really big life-changing events.
OK, now that we disclosed that, how can you make it a little less stressful? Finding the right agent!
There is an equation for selling a home in a traditional real estate market.
Market conditions + agent quality + price/condition = Sold.
If you talk to ten different realtors, what you will find is that everyone does a few things in common. Everyone is going to stick a sign in the yard and everyone is going to put your home on the multiple listing service. In some markets, this is enough, but not today and not for the foreseeable future. So, if 10 realtors do the same thing. What needs to be different in the agent you select?
First, they need to be acting in YOUR best interest and not theirs. You can feel this in the first phone call or meeting. Everything your agent does, from the marketing to the negotiations, needs to be with you in mind. They should be able to remove some of that stress. Some ways top agents do this is by offering their clients: staging, a guaranteed sale number, cash offer, amazing photos, and strong industry presents. 99% of buyers find your home online, first, the online presence needs to be A+. There is a narrow path to a successful sale when your online marketing is lacking. Interview an agent that has a past trajectory of success that dates back at least 3-5 years.
How do I know if the agent I select has these qualities? Ask to see a list of homes they’ve sold in the past, look at their online google reviews, and google their name. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 20% of new businesses fail in the first two years, 45% during the first five years, and 65% during the first 10 years. An incredible 87% of real estate agents don’t make it 10 years in the industry. Incredibly eight percent of the realtors are responsible for ninety percent of all homes sold. There is no accident when it comes to a realtor making it 10 years in business. They have to be good with clients and provide successful client outcomes.
Do your research and interview a couple of agents if necessary. This is a huge financial decision! Take your time and find the one you trust, it will make or save you thousands of dollars.
