How to Choose the Best Real Estate Agent to Sell Your Home

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Selling your home isn’t something to take lightly, and finding the perfect real estate agent can help. A great agent does more than show houses and prepare documents. They run full-on marketing campaigns, conduct a comparative market analysis, and legally represent a seller’s interests.

So, you’re probably wondering, “How do I find the best Realtor® in my area?” In this guide, you’ll learn what tools and qualities to prioritize when picking the best agent to sell your home. 

What Qualities Should I Look for in a Real Estate Agent?

When searching for a real estate agent, look for a blend of experience and personality. Key areas to examine include market awareness, availability, industry knowledge, transparency, and communication skills.

Market Awareness

A real estate agent who is familiar with your neighborhood will help identify market trends. These trends are necessary when pricing the home to sell. When interviewing agents, ask for a comparative market analysis (CMA). These reports will cover the current listings, homes under contract, and homes closed within the last three to six months. 

Industry Knowledge

Real estate agents should be experts in their craft. A licensed agent needs professional experience preparing CMAs, staging homes, and reviewing legal documents. Effective agents know how to move sellers through the real estate pipeline swiftly. Review their professional website to explore accolades, testimonials, and recent sales before pulling the trigger.

Transparency

Great representation will not hesitate when questioned about Realtor® fees. Professionals know what they’re worth and aren’t afraid to ask for it. Find an agent who shoots straight and sets proper expectations—even if they aren’t what you’d like to hear. An agent who is too optimistic about selling your home above fair market value should set off alarms. To better understand their level of integrity, explore online reviews, and ask for references.

Communication Skills

Realtors® are a link between buyers, sellers, and lenders. If you’re searching for the best real estate agent to sell your home, check for communication skills. These are imperative as agents will negotiate, advise, and educate you throughout the process. A simple interview can determine if they’re efficient communicators.

Marketing Mastery

Look for a representative who’s an expert in marketing your home and can walk you through their action plan. This includes showcasing your home on personal and public websites, social media, and holding open houses. Real estate sells when agents deliver actionable exposure across multiple platforms. Once a home is listed in the right places, desirable agents work with sellers to nail the presentation to get your home sold.

How Can I Find the Best Agent for My Home?

Realtors® are humans with strengths and weaknesses like the rest of us. The agent that’s best for you might not fit the needs of other sellers. Once you identify qualities you value in a professional relationship, it’s time to begin the search.

Ask Friends & Family for Referrals

Trusted friends and family members are the perfect places to start your search. Ask them, “What was it like to go through a sale with that agent?” They can provide helpful information on the agent’s communication style, professionalism, availability, and job proficiency. In fact, over 60% of agents are referrals through friends, family, or prior sales.

These recommendations, in combination with other research, are an invaluable resource.

Scan the Neighborhood

Sometimes, sellers find the best real estate agent after driving around the neighborhood. Conduct online research or call the agent who keeps showing up on “For Sale” signs. There’s a good chance they have their fingers on the pulse of the community—and can sell your home with more significant insights and empowered knowledge.

Go Digital

Look for agents online with a solid resume. Our sophisticated search engine uses artificial intelligence to connect buyers and sellers with qualified agents in their local market. The platform displays recent home sales, top areas served, and many other features. We’ll also link you to their website and provide contact information.

Drop Into an Open House

If you’re shopping for the perfect real estate agent, what better place to go than an open house? An open house showcases the Realtor®’s ability to stage a home and communicate with buyers. They’re representing a client, so be mindful of their time. Pick a location near your home, comparable in size, price and type. This way, you’ll find an agent experienced in your niche.

Conduct Interviews

After completing all of the previous steps, it’s time to conduct interviews. Choose between three and six agents who you believe will sell your home as if it’s their own. During the interview process, ask questions such as:

  • What makes you qualified to sell my property?
  • How many clients do you currently have?
  • What is your preferred method of communication?
  • How do your Realtor® fees work?
  • Can you put me in touch with previous clients or provide referrals?
  • Why did you get into real estate?

The Bottom Line

Choosing the best real estate agent to sell your home is an art and a science. Sellers and buyers thrive when they find an agent with the right performance history in the right market. The selling process is simplified when selecting an advisor who has relevant experience and is known for the activity and movement in your market. Best practices include vetting all qualified applicants using online research, trusted referrals, and in-person interviews. Choose the person who sells you on their relevancy and character before you rely on them to sell your property. To achieve this, We’ve developed a proprietary technology to determine how well an agent’s history and performance matches your home’s unique characteristics.

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