Now more than ever, homeowners need professional help when they decide to sell their properties.
In short, says Berry Everitt, CEO of the Chas Everitt International property group, they need agents that really know how to reach potential buyers, have the latest market information at their fingertips and can handle tough negotiations while also maintaining excellent relationships with lenders.
He says the first thing sellers should look for when choosing an agent to market their home is someone who is in the real estate industry full-time. “It is difficult, for example, for an agent to give good advice about an asking price unless he or she lives and breathes real estate and keeps constant track of sales in your area.”
Everitt says other traits that make a top agent are:
Passion, enthusiasm and dedication - An agent that will go the extra mile to get the best results, even when the going gets tough.
Market savvy - Knowledge is key for attracting buyers and achieving consistent sales in a given area.
Creativity - An agent should be able to write offers to purchase that excite the buyer and be able to think “out of the box” to reach solutions if negotiations bog down.
Sensitivity and empathy - Tighter lending requirements are a primary concern in today's market. A good agent will know the right questions to ask buyers about money without offending them, and be able to make suggestions about how they can make the deal more attractive.
Technology savvy - Most home transactions today begin on the Internet. In addition, more and more people are conditioned to receiving information the moment it becomes available. You don’t want to lose a buyer by being slow to put your listing out there.
A team mindset - A good agent will have at least one good assistant and a strong network of other professionals and service providers such as mortgage originators, insurance agents, home inspectors and handymen to tap into.
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