The team of real estate professionals at Meservier & Associates includes listing and buying specialists, licensed administrators, and technology experts. We have a high standard of service, expertise, and personal care for each and every client we serve. Selling your home is a very personal experience. We understand choosing a real estate agent to sell your home is an important decision. We welcome clients who do their homework. Discerning clients are happy clients. Here are some tips for choosing a real estate agent to sell your home.
Shopping for a Seller’s Agent
Referral: You have built relationships with neighbors and local community members after living in your home throughout the years. Reach out to the friends, colleagues, and neighbors you trust for a personal referral. According to Zillow, 22% of home sellers find their agents through referrals. A referral is a valuable tool and a great place to start your search for an agent.
Open House: Do your homework and check up on the referral you were provided. Stop by a local open house to watch the real estate agent working the room. Watch and listen as the agent interacts with buyers. You will gain valuable insight into the seller's agent's standard of professional service. If you like what you see and hear, talk to the agent. This is a great time for introductions.
Compare: When hiring a seller’s agent, take the time to meet with more than just one agent. Have a list of questions, and ask the same questions to all the agents you speak with. By speaking with three or more agents you will get a good sense of their marketing strategy, communication style, expertise, and rate of success. You can decide which agent will best serve your needs. Real estate agents are not all alike.
Questions to Ask a Seller’s Agent
What is Your Marketing Strategy? A qualified agent will have a clearly defined strategy to sell your home. This will include MLS listing service, photography, and home staging. We offer a free in-home listing presentation at Meservier & Associates. We will visit your home and provide you with our marketing strategy specific to your property. You will get a great sense of our professionalism and expertise when we sit down together. The presentation also includes a CMA (comparative market analysis) to determine the fair market value of your home by comparing it to recently sold homes, and homes currently for sale in the area.
How Many Clients Do You Represent? A good agent will have multiple clients. It’s a good sign the agent is successful and professional. An overwhelming number of clients would suggest you might not receive the personal care and attention you deserve. We provide our clients with personal care and attention at Meservier & Associates.
Are You Part of a Team? You will want to know who you will be communicating with. When agents are marketing several listings during the same time frame they will likely be working with a team of professionals. It’s important to establish who you will be working with, and communicating with, on a daily basis.
What is Your Sale-to-List Ratio? This is very important. The sale-to-list ratio shows when homes sell for the asking price, below the asking price, or above the asking price. You need to do your homework and see how the individual agent’s sale-to-list ratio compares with the local market. When compared to the local market average you will get a clear picture of how that agent is performing (or underperforming) for the seller.
Meservier & Associates has been serving Maine home sellers with a collection of resources, agents, and market data since 1988. We look forward to working with you. Contact us today!