What Every Seller Should Know About Choosing A Listing Agent
Do you remember all the emotions that came when buying your first home? Excitement, uneasiness, and jitters may have been a few of the many feelings that came along with the home buying experience. Well, get ready to feel them all again if you are planning to sell your Omaha, NE home.
One way to calm the nerves and to ensure the home selling process goes as smoothly as possible is to hire an experienced listing agent. In today’s blog post we are going to be discussing a few things you should know about choosing the right listing agent and a couple of questions to ask before they come on board. Let’s dive in:
First, let’s talk about what a listing agent is and what they do for a seller. A listing agent, also commonly referred to as a selling agent, is a real estate professional who helps the homeowner get the most money for their home and helps to find the most qualified buyer. They handle a number of tasks including marketing the home, vetting potential buyers, conducting showings and driving negotiations. The listing agent works in the best interest of the seller and helps them navigate the process from beginning to end.
How to find the best listing agent in Omaha, NE:
-Interview a couple of agents to make sure the one you pick is the right fit for you and your needs. If possible, it is best to do this in person. Take time during each interaction to make sure the agent is not only trustworthy but also has a knowledge of the local market and connections in the industry.
-Are they a certified realtor? Very important to know as many agents work in real estate but do not have the education or certification as a "Realtor".
-Getting referrals is a great way to vet potential candidates. Hearing another person's experience with a real estate agent can give you a feel for what it would be like to work with them and what you can expect in terms of communication, quality of work, and how they treat their clients. (Check out our client testimonials here!)
-Dig in and verify the experience of a potential selling agent. You can do this by simply searching their name and visiting their website, which will show their previous and current listings and client testimonials. This will give you a better idea of the homes they have sold and how they compare to yours, as well as if they are familiar with your neighborhood.
Lastly, it is important to be prepared with questions when meeting potential listing agents, so we have listed some questions below that you can use to better familiarize yourself with the agent:
-Are you a full-time listing agent? - This will let you know if this is what they live and breathe each day, or if it is a side gig.
-What do you think my home is worth? How did you get to that price? - This will help you get a sense of if you are on the same page, especially if you had a price in mind.
-What would be your marketing plan for my home? - A good selling agent will have a detailed plan of action to promote your listing. This can include things such as 3D virtual tours, open houses, professional photography, broker tours and/or “Just listed” mailers.
-What are the comps in my neighborhood? - Asking this question will give you a better feel for the agents' knowledge of the area.
-What is your commission rate? - This question will ensure you understand what you will be charged for their services so there are no surprises.
Learn more about our experienced and dedicated Heim-Berg Team here. Then let's talk and get your home sale started today. We treat all our clients like FAMILY!!
Be sure to check out our other tips for selling your Omaha, NE home here!
