Finding the right agent – a good agent – is critical when you’re selling your house. A good agent can not only help you sell faster and at a better price, but can make the whole home-selling process less stressful. Finding the right agent means asking the right questions. So check out these 5 important questions to ask your agent when selling your house in Atlanta.
1. How many transactions have you completed in the past year?
When selling your house in Atlanta, you need to know that your agent has a track record of success. So a good place to start in the interview process with a prospective agent is with this question.
Ideally, you want an agent who has done more than 10 transactions in the past 12 months. Fewer than 10 should be a red flag because it typically means one of two things: 1) that the agent isn’t very successful or 2) that the agent is working only part-time.
It’s very likely that an agent who has completed few transactions is out of touch with what’s going on in the local market. So you should look for an agent who has completed more deals, at least 10 in the past year, according to industry pros.
2. What neighborhoods do you specialize in?
Another important question to ask your agent when selling your house in Atlanta concerns the neighborhoods she specializes in. An intimate knowledge of the local market is one of the most important things an agent has to offer.
Some of the benefits of using a true neighborhood expert include . . .
- Knowledge of recent transactions in the area
- Insight into why certain homes sold quickly or slowly
- What is desirable about the neighborhood
- Ability to properly price your home in line with market value
Finding an agent with knowledge of and plenty of experience selling in your neighborhood and local market is critical. To discover more about this, you can contact a Atlanta agent at (404) 977-5054.
3. What will your marketing strategy be for my house?
Even with plenty of experience and neighborhood knowledge, an agent who doesn’t or can’t implement an aggressive, effective marketing strategy won’t do you much good. Selling your house calls for effective marketing, so be sure to find out about a prospective agent’s marketing strategy for your property.
A prospective should be able to describe a clearly defined marketing strategy specifically tailored for your property and the local market. And today an agent must be well-versed in all the effective online marketing strategies. It’s a good idea, then, to also ask an agent about successful marketing campaigns she has mounted in the past.
4. How and how often will you communicate with me?
Clear and frequent communication with an agent is critical for sellers.
Your agent should be willing to communicate by your preferred method, whether by phone or email or text. And you should be able to expect your agent to be available to communicate with you often. In fact, a good agent will communicate proactively, often providing daily updates and certainly responding quickly to your questions.
When asked about it, an agent may claim to be a good communicator, but you run a test to see if the claim is true. After your initial meeting/interview with an agent, send a follow-up text or email to see how quickly the agent responds. Also, the agent should respond personally and not delegate the response to someone else on the team.
5. What sets you apart from other agents?
When selling your house you definitely want to know you have a top-notch agent, so ask prospective agents what sets them apart from other agents. A prospective agent should be able to make a great case for herself because that demonstrates sales ability.
Look for clear, convincing answers to this question and avoid agents who can provide only vague answers. A prospective agent should be able to produce an answer something like this: “I live in the neighborhood and understand the market thoroughly”; or “I have sold more houses in this neighborhood than any other agent.”
The Easy Way to Find a Good Atlanta Agent
The only drawback of using this method to find the right agent – that is, interviewing and asking the right questions – is that its labor- and time-intensive. There is, though, an easier way. And that is to go directly to a premier Atlanta agency known for its knowledgeable and experienced agents. So when selling your house in Atlanta is your goal, contact us today at (404) 977-5054.