CHECKLIST FOR CHOOSING AN ESTATE AGENT !

Which would be good advice, if only it were accurate.

You should not base your decision for listing a property with an agent or agency on something like commission fees, but rather on an agent's ability to sell your home in the fastest amount of time and for as close to full-value as possible.

Do not let money blind you. The highest evaluation is not necessarily the most accurate, and the lowest commission will not necessarily end up saving you money. Homes that sit on the market for long periods of time, either because an agent is not doing enough to market the property or because the home is priced incorrectly, lose more and more appeal over time. You are eventually forced to lower your initial asking prices and sell your home for a lot less than what you would have received if the home was marketed correctly and priced accurately at the start.

To help you choose a real estate professional that you can relied upon to deliver on their promises, ask the following questions before agreeing to market your home with any real estate professional:

The very first question you need to ask is whether this person is qualified with a valid FFC and registered with the EAAB that regulates the industry. Dealing with an estate agent who doesn't have these credentials puts you at risk of working through somebody who may not be up to date with all the necessary requirements in handling property transactions.

Next, you should ask whether this estate agent has a proven track record of completed sales. The best way to know if an agent can live up to his/her promises is if they've been able to do so for others in the past. Ask them how long it took to make their last sale and whether or not they have any sales achievement awards to prove their merit."

It is also helpful if an agent is affiliated to an established brand whose resources can be tapped into in order to help sell the home in the quickest amount of time. Brands with a large national and international reach give properties the widest amount of exposure which tends to help sell homes faster

Once presented with an evaluation, you should ask to be walked through how the estate agent arrived at the number, and then carefully consider if it makes sense. An accurate evaluation will factor in things such as specific features of the home, value of properties sold in the suburb, and current economic conditions affecting buyer's ability to purchase.

Lastly, you should consider whether this specific real estate professional has the kind of personality, knowledge, and internal drive to make sure your property sells at the highest accurate price and in the shortest amount of time. Consider how easily contactable this agent is, and whether this person is knowledgeable about the local market and the real estate industry in general. Remember - an agent's commission is not just for selling a home, but also for his/her time in helping you navigate through all the complicated realities of presenting an offer and finalizing the paperwork.