Working with a Real Estate Agent to Sell Your Home

Before you choose a real estate agent, determine your wants and needs and create realistic goals. Even though your agent is the one with the expertise, the tools, and the know-how, no one knows your home like you do, and the clearer you can communicate your aspirations, questions, and concerns to your agent, the more you’ll inform their decision-making process. Even something seemingly small, like sharing your preferred method of communication, can help them understand how you can best work together.

A great first step is to determine your pricing goals for your home. Your agent will conduct a comparative market analysis (CMA) to determine the value of your home, which will allow them to price it accurately. If there is a large discrepancy between what you were hoping your home would sell for and its actual value, your agent will be able to explain the factors that influence home prices and clarify whether it’s the right time to sell.

Prepare a list of all remodels and renovations you’ve completed on the home so your agent can understand how much you’ve invested in the property and the scope of work it took to get it in its current condition.

You should also set expectations for open houses and showings. Your agent will go to great lengths to effectively market your home, but by understanding your schedule ahead of time, you’ll be able to better communicate your availability when it comes time to engage with buyers. Talk to your agent about how to prepare your home for open houses and tours, the process for screening potential buyers, and which safety precautions to take before conducting walkthroughs.

Once you’ve found a buyer for your home, your agent will work with you through the purchase and sale agreement. This contract will outline the terms of the agreement between you and the buyer, spelling out the finer points of the transaction, such as the receipt of earnest money, any addendums and/or contingencies, inspection terms, etc. Your agent will also negotiate with the buyer’s agent to determine a closing date and will communicate which settlement fees you may incur, if any.

Benefits of Working with a Real Estate Agent

Working with an agent is the best way to ensure that your home is accurately priced. Incorrect pricing can be one of the costliest mistakes in selling a home. Beyond their talent for number crunching, your agent will be there to hear your ideas, answer your questions, and allay your fears. Selling a home can be an emotional roller coaster but having an agent by your side through it all can make it a much smoother ride.

Not only are real estate agents licensed professionals who possess a wealth of knowledge about the process of selling a home and how to navigate your local market conditions, but they are also well-connected. Selling a home requires looping in multiple professionals from a variety of disciplines. Whether it’s a lawyer, home inspector, appraiser, remodeling contractor, etc., your agent can help you find the professionals you need throughout your home selling journey.

Now that you know what to expect when working with your agent, learn more about how you can identify the right agent for you.

Ten Qualities to Look for in Your Real Estate Agent