While
you are selling a house, even a tiny factor can change the entire scenario. One
of those factors that matters the most is the kind of agent you have given the
job to for the processing. However, an agent is not the only factor that
affects the real estate market, this market, in general, is not performing well
in several countries currently. India is currently seeing a slump of its own
through various assets that are unsold and under construction which is costing
the sector at least 4.5 trillion rupees across the seven major cities. Apart
from this, certain factors can still tilt the particular market in your favor, and
there are some signs you can interpret to understand if your real estate agent
is up to the mark.
1.
Communication
Communication
is key. This is true for a lot of aspects, especially relationships; in this
case, in your relationship with the real estate agent, this statement rings
true. Regular communication is required with your agent, if this is not the
case with you, then search for a better agent. Even without your house not
getting shown to potential buyers, called for a showing, or even if the agent
has found no potential buyer that meets your requirements, you should still be
informed. If you’re just proceeding into the market, make sure that you and
your agent decide on a schedule of communication for regular updates or simply
to catch you up on the work being done for a successful sale. Think about the
importance you give this sale and expect the same treatment from your real
estate agent as well.
2.
Your best professional representation
The
real estate agent should be the right compromise between someone who is willing
to consider your input on related matters and who is more of an expert to
contest the viability of the options that you offer. Anyone who is willing to
nod along to all your schemes and asks for your valuation before setting the same
price is not someone who has the leadership qualities and the right skill set
that you will want on your side. On the other hand, someone who is dead set on
following their instinct and is not willing to incorporate your input, no
matter the hard work and research you have put in, is also not the kind of
inflexible real estate agent that fits you. If the agent takes in your
suggestions and requirements and reflects this while selling the house on your
behalf in the form of the best representation, this is the ideal kind of agent
you would want. A unique strategy is where you can ask your agent to use a
research form that best fits them when setting pricing strategies,
advertisement plans, and more regarding the sale of your house. Let them take
the lead while you should be informed enough to know if they are taking an
accurate path that provides you profit.
3.
Utilize available resources
There
is a certain appreciation for effective resource utilization which should make
you demand a real estate agent with this specific quality. The ideal real
estate agent will use all the resources at their disposal before proceeding
forward with the sale of the house. Only experience-required skills and the
willingness to adapt to every new challenge by growing further will allow the
agent to be aware of all the existing resources available in the market. He/she
should then proceed to study the viability of such ideas in practical scenarios
and then use them for upcoming customers, like yourself. Other real estate
agents will take the least effort possible and even divert your work to other
real estate agents who do the work of marketing your house and making it
appealing to potential buyers according to your requirements. Real estate
translates to a lot of research that provides the best market, the best buyer,
the best outlook of a house, and the best time and season for selling and
buying a house; every real estate agent is expected to know such information of
the particular market they engage in, at the least.
4.
Efforts for marketing and researching
List
out certain standards that you expect your Real Estate agent to uphold and
stand by them, no matter any flimsy excuse. Make sure they take adequate photos
of the property in all its flattering angles, take down the necessary
information and write the required descriptions for your house in its sale.
Also, ensure that they provide advertisements in all mediums where the property
has the best chance of being noticed by a potential buyer. List everywhere that
you may think there is a chance, including distributing flyers and putting the
information on various real estate websites and local newspapers. Any real
estate agent could convince you that all of these are efforts too small to make
any difference, but as the owner of the house, you are depending on the
smallest action to reap possible rewards.
5.
Unnecessary pressure
Look
out for unprecedented and out-of-boundary pressure on yourself to sell to a
certain person or buy a certain property. Such compulsion could generally indicate
vested interests, wherein the agent is working for both such sales. By law,
they are required to mention this to you beforehand, but if these facts are not
publicized to you but you are bombarded by an unnecessary amount of pressure,
do some background research from your side. You could potentially be pushed
towards a sale that is listed by the same agent or the company, where there are
additional commissions involved. This is acting against your best interest and
if you get to know about such an incident, do not hesitate to present your
unhappiness and displeasure with such an outcome. Don’t mistake a knowledgeable
and educated opinion to be a compulsion. If you have a real estate agent who is
confident enough to express their opinion to inform you, then that is the kind
of individual you want operating your purchase or sale.
Following
up is always positive
In
every aspect, follow-up is a great initiative and ensures a lack of trouble.
Most real estate agents believe that their responsibility
is over when the sale of the house is done – buying or selling. This means
their payment is complete as is the transaction of the house and the respective
payments concerning the same. Beyond this date, if any real estate agent calls
you up and asks about your happiness with the transaction, he/she goes above
and beyond to ensure customer satisfaction. This is a pretty good indicator of
having an agent that was concerned about your experience rather than simply
getting over it. If the agent recommends crediting such an after-sales
experience, it makes them the best option to go forward with. This is ensuring
that further businesses and good customer relationships are made for the future
benefit of both parties.
General
tips
Some
other clear signs include the major fact that there has been no progress on
your sale despite it being months. Of course, it depends on if you’re being
highly critical of the potential pool of buyers or possible choices of houses
you could buy from. Think from an objective sense and attempt to analyze if
your real estate agent is to blame as well. If there are no showing of homes
and if every time you call up your agent, they give you weak excuses of not
having come across options that are suited to you after such a long period, it
is guaranteed you should be suspicious. If they are showing you home with
obvious negative factors that you had detailed to them before, despite repeated
instructions, it is high time to change your agent in this instance. Before
selling the house, an agent who first ventures to provide you with an overall
view of the market you wish to step into and an analysis of the local market
trends is the perfect agent. With this, you can rest assured that they will
take the required steps to price your home correctly, make sure the marketing
targets the intended buyers, ensure that the maximum number of people is being
exposed to your sale, etc. Generally, less than two years of experience can be
a bummer but do give out some time to interview the individual and judge their
qualifications, and ideas before stepping forward with a final judgment. Look
out for any sort of bias dependent on the sale that you are giving your agent;
if they’re providing more attention to another client because of the larger
commission they’re receiving from their bigger house, this is a case of
professional bias and you must immediately change the agent.
These are only a few of the many red flags that you must look out for when choosing a real estate agent. In scenarios of local real estate markets, an experienced and knowledgeable real estate agent is highly essential for a successful sale, so take the time to browse through the available options and make your choice carefully. Once you fix one, you can be assured to some extent of a successful sale or buying a house.
