How to Choose the Right Listing Agent
Hiring a listing agent is pivotal for home sellers seeking a quick, profitable sale. However, finding the perfect listing agent can be challenging. Because every listing agent has unique experiences, strong suits, and selling strategies, you’ll want to carefully consider your options before bringing one on board to sell your listing.
Choosing a real estate agent is a huge decision. At Mark Spain Real Estate, our expert listing agents have years of valuable industry experience in some of the southeast’s most prominent real estate markets. If you’re in the market for a listing agent, we’re here to help you make an informed decision. Below, we’ve created a guide on choosing the right listing agent to sell your home.
How to Choose the Right Listing Agent
Determine Your Goals
Your search for a listing agent should start with some self-reflection. Before finding an agent who meets your needs and goals, you must determine what those are. Perhaps you need to sell your home in a short period of time, or maybe you’re selling a home as is. 
Whatever your circumstances may be, you’ll need an agent who can cater to your specific needs. For example, if this is your first time selling a home, you’ll want someone who is a strong communicator to help you navigate the uncharted territory of real estate.
Ask for Referrals
Whether it’s your neighbor, friend, or colleague, asking around for listing agent referrals never hurts. Because selling a home is a huge financial and life commitment, you want to have a listing agent you can trust. Hiring an agent vetted by a loved one helps with peace of mind and assures you that your home sale is in good hands.
Review Listing Agents’ Experience
Experience is everything when it comes to hiring a listing agent. As mentioned above, you want someone with industry experience relevant to your needs. For example, say you’re selling a fixer-upper. In this case, you’ll want a listing agent with a background in selling these kinds of properties and are willing to go through the grunt work of getting your house in the best shape it can be.
You can measure a listing agent’s experience by viewing their recently sold listings. When looking at agents with experience selling similar properties in your area, pay attention to their previous listings’ price range, sale-to-list price ratio, and average days on the market. Doing so will give you a good idea of the agent’s capabilities. You may also consider looking at each candidate’s websites, social media, and client reviews, as this will give you a feel of their public reception and personality.
Interview Candidates
Once you’ve gathered a pool of candidates, you’ll want to ask each agent some important questions. Whether you’re speaking to them face-to-face or over the phone, you have a conversation with each candidate to better understand their experience, work ethic, communication skills, and overall personality. 
Consider asking questions such as:
- How long have you been in the real estate industry?
- How well do you know the area?
- What sets you apart as an agent?
- What experience do you have selling properties comparable to mine?
- Do you work with a team or independently?
- What marketing strategies do you use for your listings?
Request References
Lastly, you’ll want to ask your final candidates for client references. Doing so will give you an unbiased, first-hand account of a client’s experience with your prospective agent. When speaking with former clients, inquire about their listing agent’s response time, listening skills, and overall efficiency in selling a home. What were your listing agent’s strengths and weaknesses? Was your listing agent a strong communicator? Would you work with your listing agent again? Asking these critical questions will help you find the best-fit listing agent.
Sell a Home with Mark Spain Real Estate
Are you searching for a listing agent to sell your home? Look no further than Mark Spain Real Estate! With decades of industry experience, our real estate professionals promise a smooth and stress-free home sale! Check out our Guaranteed Offer Program for the potential to receive a competitive cash offer on your home in only 21 days. Contact our agents today!
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