Kristin Brown Explains What to Look For in a Listing Presentation

July 18, 2013 - PRLog -- You’ve decided to sell your home. So … now what?

There are a lot of decisions to make and tasks to accomplish when you sell your home. If you’re buying a new property, you’ll likely contact a mortgage broker or lender to help you determine how much new house you can afford. You’ll also start thinking about how to stage your home for showings. As you sift through years of accumulated belongings in an effort toward de-cluttering, you will also be looking for a real estate agent to list your home for sale. What are some of the key considerations you should take into account when meeting with different agents? Here are just a few things to look for in a listing presentation:

First Impression. Does the agent seem professional? Well-groomed, organized, and authoritative? You can size up a lot of intangibles the moment the agent walks through your door. Trust your intuition.

Honesty. This can be a difficult trait to assess in a brief presentation, but it’s important to evaluate whether the agent seems honest. If possible, ask for references and testimonials so that you can be sure an agent has your best interests at heart when representing you. Having an idea of the agent’s reputation will give you an idea of his or her professional integrity.

Knowledge. Is the agent knowledgeable about the real estate market in your community? Is he or she able to educate you about the finer points of a home sale? Remember that your agent will be your guide through the entire sale process.

Experience. Your agent should be able to provide you with credentials and proof of work experience. You’ll want to find out whether he or she is a certified Realtor and what other credentials he or she may hold that would be useful to making a sale.What materials has the agent brought to the presentation?  A professional portfolio detailing experience and past sales is a must. Providing testimonies and/or references from previous satisfied clients is also important.

Listening Skills. A good listing agent realizes that you know your home better than anyone else. He or she will want a tour of the property and should request your input, asking questions about what you see as the features to highlight as well as determining any remodeling, improvements, or upgrades you have made. An agent who is a good listener and asks for feedback is a must.

Pricing. How does the agent go about determining your home’s sale price? You should be sure that he or she is aware of comps in your area and has a “feel” for the neighborhood.

Marketing Strategies. Do you agree with the agent’s approach to marketing your home? Does he or she make a good case for why methods like open houses, print ads, and Internet listings will work?

Just because a real estate agent has a flashy listing presentation doesn’t mean he or she can close a sale. Evidence of results is your best indicator of his or her ability to sell your home. Whether or not you mesh well personally is also important.

Most sellers meet with anywhere between two to seven agents to hear their listing presentations before making a final decision. By comparing presentations, you will be able to determine which agent has provided you with the most compelling reasoning to choose his or her services.

Contact: Jillian Gregoriou

Email: Jillian@exposeyourselfpr.com

Tel: 617-797-9869