How To Select The Best Real Estate Agent

The job of the real estate agent is, quite simply, to ensure that the seller gets the best possible price for the property being sold.

In such a competitive field as real estate, some less scrupulous agents may well resort to underhand business practices in an attempt to gain your trust and custom.

So how do you select the right agent?

One of the simplest ways is through the recommendations of family and friends. However, this method lacks the personal impressions that you'll gain through personal contact and can actually be detrimental to your sale. To clarify this, imagine the times you've been to the cinema to see a film that a friend recommended and found that it was nothing out of the ordinary? People have different requirements so "word-of-mouth" isn't always the most reliable method to use when selecting a professional partner, especially not when a lot of money's at stake.

In order to assess the suitability of your potential real estate agent it's worthwhile arranging meetings and interviews as part of the selection process. A few things to be aware of during these interviews are:

• The first few weeks immediately following its listing are the most crucial so it's therefore important that your property is competitively priced from the moment it goes on the market. For this reason you should be wary of any agent suggesting an unreasonably high listing price as he's probably trying to lure you into placing a contract with him, knowing full well that he'll eventually need to drop the asking price if he's to have any chance of generating a sale.
• As in all professions, experience is important. Only an agent with in-depth knowledge of the market and the sales process will be able to sell your home quickly and efficiently. Questions to ask are: Is real estate his full-time occupation or is he just a part-time amateur? How many completed transactions has he handled recently compared to his competitors? Is he actively soliciting new business? The answers to these questions will help you assess his commitment to the profession and the sale of your property.
• Try to establish whether your potential agent has a strong affiliate network with agencies in other areas. If you're selling a home in one city but plan to move to another, it would be helpful if your agent is able to co-ordinate the buying and selling process through well cultivated business relationships.
• Finally, and most importantly, you need an agent who is straightforward and reliable. Will he keep you informed regarding the market for your property? Is he honest about the market conditions or is he simply telling you what he thinks you want to hear? Your ability to distinguish between honesty and insincere flattery will help you further judge your potential agent's capabilities.