SELECTING AN AGENT

When appointing a real estate agent, look for someone you can trust and feel comfortable with. A good agent should have extensive knowledge of local market conditions and be able to apply this information to your own property. When making a decision on who to appoint, look for a professional who will take responsibility and work for you.

A professional agent will

·        Provide comparisons of properties similar to yours that are on the market or have sold recently

·        Help you determine a realistic anticipated selling price for your property

·        Advise you how best to present your home to attract buyers

·        Develop a strategy to sell your home, including a marketing plan

·        Review the marketing progress at regular intervals

·        Use modern agency techniques such as multiple internet listings and email database marketing

·        Promptly advise you of any changes in the property market which may affect your sale

·        Be able to demonstrate a track record of great results

·        Ideally be part of a large office team that promotes cross selling

·        Present contract offers to you promptly and assist you with evaluating them

·        Monitor the progress of your contract through to settlement

You may also want to ask two or three agents to present their marketing campaign and appraisal for your property. Beware of agents trying to list your property well above market price to secure an exclusive agency, (buying your listing) - it only wastes time for everyone and negates the critical first four weeks of marketing.