Six Myths About Choosing a Listing Agent
  1. Open Houses are just for “looky loos” and nosy neighbors. Most of today’s buyers start their search on the internet, and the majority either haven’t yet selected an agent or are planning to represent themselves. For those buyers, they have no way of seeing your home other than contacting the listing agent or going to an open house. Most people are too intimidated to call “off the sign” and so open houses are more important than ever before to get the most potential buyers through your home as possible.
  2. I need to make sure the agent I choose advertises my home in XYZ publication.  When asked where they first learned about the home purchased, 34 percent of buyers said a real estate agent; 32 percent the Internet; 15 percent from yard signs; 7 percent from a friend, neighbor or relative; 7 percent home builders; 3 percent a print or newspaper ad; 2 percent directly from the seller; and 1 percent a home book or magazine. In today’s technology era, print advertising is not where you’re going to find the buyers. 
  3. I need to choose the agent who has sold the most homes in the past year.  Every agent is an independent contractor, and therefore the variety of services offered can fluctuate dramatically even within a single brokerage. You need an agent who has enough time to attend to the details of your transaction. Quantity does not equal quality.
  4. I should choose the agent who puts the highest value on my home. Some agents will quote a high listing price just to get your business, but an overpriced house will not sell. If you choose to work with me, I will conduct a comparative market analysis prior to recommending an asking price for your home. I will explain how I arrived at the price, but ultimately the decision is up to you. I will offer my professional opinion on how the market will value your home.
  5. I need to choose my “neighborhood specialist.” Typically buyers look in more than one neighborhood, so you may have more success listing your home with an agent who understands what buyers want. A good agent will know more than just your neighborhood--they will know all the neighborhoods where your competition will be, and where buyers will be looking!
  6. I need to choose a “broker” instead of an “agent.” After gaining some years of experience in real estate sales, a sales person may decide to become licensed as a real estate broker in order to own, manage, or operate his/her own brokerage. Brokers typically take on management or "back office" duties. Agents, on the other hand, focus exclusively on their clients. If you are dissatisfied with your agent, you always have the option of contacting their supervising broker.