Earlier this week we looked at two red flags to watch out for when choosing a listing agent.
Here are three more signs that a listing agent is not the right one for you:
1. He lets you out-negotiate him
Your agent may have to handle some tricky negotiations in order to sell your house for its full value. So his ability to negotiate is critical—being flexible and pleasant to work with on minor points while staying firm on important things.
So while you and he are negotiating your contract, he shouldn’t let you talk him out of his commission or other items that should be high priority for him and his family. If he caves in to you now, how well is he likely to do in a high-pressure situation?
A smart agent will be straightforward and firm (but not pushy or manipulative) when working through his contract with you. That process is a good way to see the kind of negotiator he’ll be.
2. She’s not willing to help you with relocation
Closing day on your home is an exciting time—unless, of course, you don’t have another home to go to when you hand over your keys. Your agent should be willing to help coordinate the purchase of your next home, whether that’s by handling it directly or working with a trusted colleague.
Talk to your potential agent about the timing of your move. You should be able to close on one house and move directly into your new one. If your agent isn’t interested in helping or doesn’t have a plan to make that happen, take that as a warning sign.
3. He’s afraid to tell you the truth
In an ideal world, your listing agent will always deliver good news. But that’s not usually the way life works.
Your agent needs to be committed to the big goal—selling your home—even if that means he occasionally has to give you news that’s less than ideal. Perhaps your expectations about pricing aren’t realistic (see part 1), or the inspection comes back and you need to invest in some major repairs. Or maybe he knows your house won’t make the right impression on buyers until you clear away some of your personal items.
You don’t want an agent who won’t address issues because he’s afraid to hurt your feelings—especially if these issues could prevent you from successfully selling your home. A good agent will be able to deliver tough news in a way that’s honest and helpful in order to help you toward your ultimate goal—getting your house sold.
Willing to put The Haro Group agents to the test? Contact us to request a consultation and ask us your questions!
Photo and source credit: Keeping Current Matters 2015