You’ve decided to sell your home. There are so many emotions involved when putting up a home for sale- whether it’s excitement, tension, anxiety, or fear, the first decision to be made is choosing a realtor who will guide you through the process. It’s hard to choose a realtor to sell your home. How do you know which agent will evaluate the home correctly? Do you know which real estate agent in Los Angeles will bring top dollar for the home? How do I trust the realtor understands the current real estate market in Los Angeles? How do you ensure that this process is the smoothest possible?
With so many questions and doubts, and a lot of money and energy invested, it’s important to identify the most important aspects to look out for in a real estate agent in Los Angeles.
Here are our top tips for choosing a Realtor:
1. Do Your Research Online:
When choosing a realtor, you have to look for a full-time agent who specializes in your market. Whether you’re selling a home in Miracle Mile, Hancock Park, Wilshire, West Hollywood, or Beverly Hills– there are agents who know the current real estate market in your specific area. Check out the Agent’s website, social media, and recently sold listings on the MLS to see their expertise. It is important to check the agent out on Zillow. Read the agent’s reviews and try to get a sense of who they are, and to make a better decision on which agent to choose to list your home.
Look for agents who communicate effectively and develop a sense of trust with their clients. Agents who have many repeat clients are more likely to have developed positive relationships with clients. Look for agents who get top dollar for homes, and invest effort into their work. Choose a realtor who has a reputation for being honest and trustworthy in their market.
2. Checkout The Local Housing Market:
Drive around the neighborhood and look for the real estate agents that have signs around. Check out how they market their properties. Are there directional signs for their open houses? Do the listings present well online? What is the average number of days on the market for their listings?
Walk into an open house and see how it is set up. Does the agent create a positive ambiance in the house? Does the house present well? Speak to the agent who’s showing the open house and get to know the agent and brokerage!
You want to choose a real estate agent who markets properties well, invests effort into creating a positive open-house experience, and has open communication, which will ensure a smooth process of selling your home.
3. Interview Qualified Real Estate Agents:
According to the National Association of Realtors, 80% of sellers pick the first agent they meet with. Knowing which questions to ask and which qualities to prioritize allows you to make a proper judgment of the real estate agents you are meeting. Interviewing multiple candidates allows you to compare and contrast key information.
Here are the most important questions to ask when interviewing a potential Agent:
“How did you decide the list price for my house?“
Any agent can propose a very high (often inflated) price for your home, which may sound exciting. A qualified, experienced realtor will be able to tell you a last price that can be explained by a number of factors. An agent who can explain their price-point to you, and back it with neighborhood comps and experience is a qualified real estate agent.
“What is your selling strategy?“
Ask the agent to fully explain their strategy for selling your home. A competent realtor will have a thought-out strategy to attain top dollar for your home. According to the zillow group consumer housing trends report, 80% of home sellers qualified their agent based on their ability to guide them through the process of selling. Be sure to include additional questions such as “How do you plan on preparing my home for sale?” and “How will you market my property?” and “How often will you hold open houses at my property?“
A qualified realtor should be able to answer all these questions with confidence. Your real estate agent must be someone who you can trust to devote their full time, energy, and effort to get you top dollar for your property.
4. Clarify Your Motivation to sell
In order to choose an agent who can help you reach your goals, you must first clarify and understand your motivations for selling. Make sure you understand your requirements for your home sale. Do you have a specific time frame for selling your home? Make sure to share all the important details with your potential Real Estate Agent.
Choose an agent who listens attentively to your needs and concerns. Pick an agent, with whom you feel comfortable and whom you feel understands your individual motivations and concerns.
Sheri Bienstock-#1 Listing Agent in Los Angeles:
The Bienstock Group, led by Sheri Bienstock, is an expert real estate group in Los Angeles, Hancock Park, and Miracle Mile. Sheri is committed to her clients and will invest all her effort to get you the best results possible. Sheri has 235+ five-star reviews on Zillow, and has been ranked #1 listing agent in 90036 since 2009 and in Hancock Park since 2016.
Industry and Area Experts-Sheri has been a specialist in the Los Angeles Real Estate market for the past 17 years and has developed a reputation as being honest, trustworthy, and committed to her clients.
Client First- The Bienstock Group always puts the client first and we work hard to get you top dollar for your home. Our dedicated team serves you with unmatched attention to detail, ensuring the process of selling your home is smooth and efficient-from start to finish.
Marketing Investment: The Bienstock Group holds Open houses each Sunday and Tuesday, with 100 directional signs placed across the Los Angeles Neighborhood. We market your home with social media, print advertising, weekly blogs, and online SEO.
