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The Lindsay Jackman Group

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The Crucial Step: Interviewing Multiple Agents When Listing Your Home

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Are you considering selling your home, or even ready to put it on the market? As a real estate agent with nearly a decade of experience, I have a few pieces of crucial advice I’d love to share with you! And if you’re selling in the Puget Sound region of Washington state, and you’re looking for an agent, I’d love to help–give me a call!

Read on for my advice.

#1: Ask Your Agent Lots of Questions!

It should go without saying that to get the most out of your home sale, you need to hire an agent who knows the market and has your best interests in mind. But once you have your agent, don’t be afraid to communicate with them! 

Your agent will help you with things like setting an asking price and assessing the features of your home that are potential selling points, or that could use improvement. So be sure to ask questions about anything you’re not sure of or want some more insight about. A good agent will be more than happy to help you.

#2: Look at Your Home With “Buyer’s Eyes”

Before you put your house on the market you should try to approach it like it is your first time seeing the home. A “fresh set” of eyes will pick up on things you may not have noticed in the past and can help you see things from the potential buyer’s perspective.

Several factors, including the appearance of your home, can have an impact on how fast you sell and for how much. When you are considering what needs to be done to your home before it goes to market, the best path forward is to focus on things that will bring a return on your investment.

#3: Make Worthwhile Improvements and Upgrades to Your Home

Don’t be tempted to fix everything you think is wrong with your house; you could lose money or price it out of competition in the market. When you prepare your house for sale, remember that your goal is to show its potential, not to polish it to perfection. Be sure to consult your real estate agent about what kind of repairs the market demands before you spend your time and money on fixing anything.

Read my post here about home improvements that are the best bets for increasing your asking price!

#4: Get an Accurate Sense of Your Home’s Worth

There are few situations more frustrating than struggling to sell your home after you put it on the market, especially when you may have expected a quick turnaround. If you tried to do everything right but something still isn’t clicking, there are a few common reasons homes don’t sell, like pricing too high or the need for updated photos.

Getting your home professionally appraised is also an important step. Here’s a guideline for how that might look:

  • Get appraisal done as early as possible
  • See if your real estate agent will attend the appraisal
  • Make a list of all the upgrades you’ve made to your home
  • Clean your home and yard for the appraisal

I also have a blog post all about how real estate agents help set listing prices, which you can read here!

#5: Get Your House Ready for Showings and Open Houses

Are you wondering how showings work? Typically, a prospective buyer will request a showing and the buyer’s agent will reach out to the seller’s agent to get approval. Once the approval is received, the appointment is set. This will alert you to start getting your house ready for showing. Buyers will look through the home with their agent and oftentimes have questions.  Once the showing is complete, the buyer’s agent should provide feedback. Showings don’t have to be intimidating if you know what to expect!

Getting your home ready to show may also involve staging. Staging is about showcasing a move-in ready home that creates an emotional connection with the buyer. 82% of buyers agents said staging helped their clients to visualize the property as their home. Sellers should try to define each room with a purpose, maximize each space, ensure the home is well lit and neutral, and maintain any outdoor spaces. It’s essential to give buyers the opportunity to imagine their own families moving in. Clearing out your personal items and removing any clutter helps greatly with this process.

Are you ready to sell your home? Give me a call today! I’d be happy to guide you through this process.

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Introduction: Selling your home is a significant decision, and choosing the right real estate agent is crucial to ensure a successful and smooth transaction. Many homeowners make the mistake of hiring the first agent they come across without exploring other options. In this blog post, we will delve into the importance of interviewing several agents when listing your home and highlight the benefits it can bring to your selling experience. Gain a Comprehensive Understanding of the Market: Real estate markets vary, and agents have different areas of expertise. By interviewing multiple agents, you can gather insights into the current market conditions specific to your neighborhood. Each agent will bring their unique knowledge and perspective, helping you grasp the pricing trends, buyer demographics, and strategies that can maximize the value of your property. Evaluate Experience and Track Record: Listing a home requires experience, negotiation skills, and a track record of successful sales. Interviewing multiple agents allows you to compare their experience levels, expertise in your property type, and their past performance. Ask about their recent sales, average days on the market, and their success rate in selling homes similar to yours. This information will enable you to make an informed decision based on actual results. Assess Marketing Strategies: Marketing plays a pivotal role in attracting potential buyers to your property. Each agent will have their own marketing approach, ranging from online listings, professional photography, virtual tours, staging, and advertising. By interviewing multiple agents, you can evaluate their marketing strategies and determine which aligns best with your goals and budget. A well-executed marketing plan will enhance the visibility and appeal of your home, increasing the likelihood of attracting qualified buyers. Determine Compatibility and Communication Style: Selling a home is a collaborative process, and effective communication between you and your agent is essential. Through interviews, you can assess the agent's communication style, responsiveness, and ability to listen to your needs. Compatibility and trust are vital for a successful working relationship. By meeting with several agents, you can find the one who understands your goals, communicates clearly, and makes you feel comfortable throughout the selling journey. Negotiation Skills and Expertise: Negotiating the best deal for your home requires skill and finesse. Meeting multiple agents allows you to gauge their negotiation abilities and strategies. A strong negotiator will protect your interests, secure the best possible price, and navigate any obstacles that may arise during the transaction process. Interviewing several agents will help you identify the one who can effectively advocate for your needs and achieve the optimal outcome. Conclusion: Choosing the right real estate agent is a critical step when listing your home. By conducting interviews with multiple agents, you can gain valuable insights, evaluate their experience and track record, assess marketing strategies, determine compatibility, and identify strong negotiators. Taking the time to interview agents ensures that you make an informed decision and select the best professional to represent you and your property. Remember, this is a significant financial transaction, and investing time upfront can lead to a more successful and rewarding selling experience.