Choose the Right Agent If You Are Serious About Property

[Michelle Alden]

The US National Association of Realtors (NAR) compiled a document detailing all the tasks that real estate professionals must complete to close a single deal. The list contains 184 tasks ranging from the pre-listing activities to the conclusion of the sale and relates exclusively to the activities relevant to the sale of one property.

“The list of activities compiled by NAR provides an insightful overview of the complexity involved in today’s property transactions and is certainly a detailed justification of the sales commission earned by estate agents, which has often been called into question by those who believe that sellers can save money through DIY property sales,” says Lee Siebert, Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Helderberg.

Siebert explains that what an estate agent actually offers is the knowledge, industry and market insight, expertise and experience that ensure a property is sold at the best possible price in the shortest possible time, and that the interests of all the stakeholders in the transaction are protected.
So if you are serious about buying or selling a property, Siebert offers the following tips:
• It is critical to find the right agent: Due to the intricate nature of real estate transactions, it is essential that a buyer or seller is able to get on and relate to their agent. A transaction might take several months to finalise, and as such it is important that the client can see eye to eye with their agent and trust them impeccably in order to achieve a satisfactory experience from the process.

• Look for agents that go the extra mile: Buying and selling real estate is a complex undertaking, lined with many potentially complicated and unforeseen hitches. Apart from an agent, buyers or sellers need to work with a whole host of other professionals, such as movers, bond originators, inspectors, appraisers, contractors, and so on. A professional agent can go a long way in making the process easier by not only ensuring that their job is done as efficiently and professionally as possible, but also by predicting what needs to be done beforehand and making recommendations and referrals of trusted professionals to their clients.

• Marketing should be the primary focus for sellers: Sellers ought to pay particular attention to the tools agents use to market their listed properties. When choosing an agent, be sure to find out about their approach to show houses and online marketing in particular. It is a well known fact that many potential buyers search for real estate online long before they engage with an agent or attend a show house.

Please feel free to share your tips and experiences about choosing estate agents.