In the current housing market, with inventory levels still low, homeowners can find they are spoiled for choice when deciding who to list their home with. So how do you choose the right person to entrust with your biggest investment? When it comes to selecting an agent, what are the qualities you should look for and service levels you can expect?
Personality
Selling a home can be an emotional and stressful experience, so it is important to have a good working relationship with your agent. This starts from the first meeting - does the person communicate clearly, speak your language (quite literally), and understand how you like to be kept informed (phone call, email, text)? Do they take time to get to know your situation - for example, have they had experience working with families who are downsizing and need help to declutter? Do you share a common connection? You could be spending a good deal of time with your agent so make sure that you get off on a good foot. Clear communication, an understanding of your goals, and an empathy with your situation are all crucial to a successful relationship. A sense of humor around the process is also useful! If you are not sure where to start, check out our agents' bios to get a feel for their personality and interests as well as experience.
Local Knowledge
When selling your home you want to work with an agent who knows your town well. They should be able to accurately assess the market value of your home, and find comparable properties to back up their numbers. They need to be able to articulate the key benefits of your particular location to potential buyers, using specific examples that can’t be gleaned from a google search. They also need to be able to counteract objections or concerns from buyers and their agents, which is difficult if they are not familiar with the area. Barrett Sotheby’s International Realty has 7 offices covering the Metro West Boston area, so you are sure to find someone who knows your particular town.
Collaboration
Does your agent work in an office with other agents? Do they have the ability to call on those agents for help and advice or to promote your home to their clients? Our 150+ agents regularly share news of their new listings and lean on each other for support with pricing and hosting open houses to ensure they are providing the best service to their clients. It’s also important to ask if your agent works collaboratively with other offices and agents in your local area. A good agent fosters these relationships so they are able to maximize exposure for your property, engage in successful negotiations and ensure a smooth transaction for sellers.
Personalized Service
Communication is key when dealing with any real estate transaction, and you want to know that your agent is giving you their full attention throughout the process. From first meeting to closing, your agent should be there to hold your hand and walk you through each stage. Even before your home hits the market, our agents will work with you to get your house ready for sale. With access to exclusive programs such as White Glove and Buy Before You Sell, you can be confident you will be able to get the best value from your asset and move on without delay. Our agents pride themselves on being available for their clients through all the steps to sold and beyond, fostering long-lasting relationships with those they work with.
Support
It’s important to know that your agent has the right support to assist them throughout the transaction. An agent based in a full supportive office will have access to marketing assistance to generate all the materials they need to fully promote your listing, and administrative support to ensure the transaction happens as quickly and smoothly as possible. At Barrett Sotheby’s International Realty we also have experienced Brokers managing each of our offices, who can offer advice to our agents, and training to ensure they are always up to date with the latest in real estate legislation and technology.
Strong Brand
The importance of a strong recognizable brand becomes key when you are dealing with a high-value transaction such as selling your home. You’ll want reassurance that the brand you are working with is reputable and trustworthy, and has access to market your home to its maximum potential. A brand such as Sotheby’s International Realty, which has over 24,000 agents operating out of 1,000 offices in 75 countries and territories, can offer you truly global exposure and the security of knowing your home is in trusted hands.
Whoever you decide to work with, it’s vital to do your homework to make sure your life’s investment is in good hands. Contact us today to find out how we can help you.
