Thinking of selling, but don't know where to start? Recently I've been asked by a number of potential sellers, "How do I choose a REALTOR®?" Here is what I recommend in a step by step process:
1. Choose up to 3 REALTORS® to interview. The most common way to pick is by referral from a friend or family member. If you don't have a referral you can choose based on online reviews and profiles.
2. Set up appointments with the REALTORS® to come out and give you a Comparable Market Analysis (CMA) on your home and present a Marketing Plan, this may be a 2 step process. They may need to view your home and go back to do research and prepare the CMA.
3. Review their Comparable Market Analysis. Upon the REALTOR® viewing your home they should provide you with a written CMA which shows you what comparable homes to yours have sold for in the past 6-12 months and what is currently on the market, which will be your competition. Pricing is the single largest factor in selling your home, so pricing it right and not over pricing is extremely important. One of the most common misconceptions is that you should choose the REALTOR® that tells you the highest price your home will sell for. Do not do that!
4. Choose based on qualifications. Make sure they are licensed, full-time, a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and a member of the MLS. Ask how many years of experience they have and how many homes they have sold. This is important because some REALTORS® have all these qualifications but only sell a couple homes per year.
5. Ask how they will market your home. A good REALTOR® will have a Marketing Plan prepared for you that lays out where they advertise and what marketing activities they will be doing to get your home sold!
6. Choose a REALTOR® who listens and understands your needs and desires. This person will be assisting you with possibly one of your largest financial transactions of your life so you should enjoy working with them and trust them.
Any further questions or comments? Don't be afraid to ask!
