How do you pick an agent to market your home?  You want it sold, really that is what you care about, right?  Sold, for the highest price, in the shortest amount of time, with the least inconvenience.  All good agents know this.  BUT, how do YOU know who has the best chance of achieving this goal?

Knowing the right questions to ask is important! Here is what you should know before choosing an agent to represent you in the sale of your home:

How long have YOU (not your company) been in the business? Then, ask how long the office has been in your area. IS IT IN YOUR AREA???  HIRE LOCAL!!!

We give a 10 year list (we have been selling for 15 years) to every potential client. We also give a specific list to their neighborhood.  Make sure when interviewing agents to ask about office market share in YOUR area. Make sure to ask :

How many homes do you typically sell in a year?  (We sell around 40 on average).

Do you have another job?  You would be amazed how many people who call themselves "full time" are teachers, cops, office workers, ect.

Don't assume the company the agent works for is located in your area!  Everyday, I see owners who list with a franchised office, assuming it is the local office down the street, only to find out later, it is located 5 towns or more aways (30-80 miles!)  ASK, what is your office address? How many agents work there FULL TIME, not just licensed but not really there.  Again, ask to see office market share. You want to know who is listing AND selling your neighborhood.

Ask if they can be reached 7 days a week, and what hours!  What about the office, is it open with a secretary 7 days a week? It doesn't do you any good to list with a small company who doesn't have any one there to set appointments to show your house everyday!

You want an experienced agent with lots of negotiating under their belt.  Someone who has seen it before, so to speak.  You are hiring someone to take care of your largest asset (probably).  We have sold over 625 properties.  What this means to you is: whatever situation comes up, be it a house inspection issue, mortgage question, appraisal issues, relocation companies, short sales, foreclosures, new construction, we have done it, seen it, negotiated it before. 

We have the budget to advertise your home. This is OUR business.  Internet marketing is key, virtual tours and interior photos are vital in a market where 87% of buyers are shopping on line.  Don't let that fool you into thinking anyone can put a house on the Internet and so then it should sell.  As the #4 company in the country, our Internet presence is unsurpassed!  Company websites, agent websites, deals with Yahoo and NY Times, NY Post, NY Newsday, Cable TV and website, Trulia, and SO MANY MORE.  I am not talking just about my company here. This is an example of what you should be looking for in your area.

Communication is so important in this day and age.  Of course your agent has a cell phone and will give you the number, right? ASK.  Do they have a smart phone?  I mean, since most buyers are shopping on line, does the agent have a cell phone that gets their emails instantly, like a blackberry does.  If they aren't getting their emails, the buyers won't wait.  They may ask about your home, but if the agent takes 2 - 24 hours to respond, too late. The customer has moved on to another agent, property where they got instant info!

Does the agent do any print advertising?  Many don't.  If they do, find out where. If they are an out of area office, they may only have print ads in the office's town, not yours.  Never assume anything. ASK!!!

Look closely at the prepared market analysis the agent provides.  Did they pay attention to detail?  Does it seem specific and accurate to your home and neighborhood?  Don't list with someone just because the speculate and tell you the highest price.  You want to sell right?  NEVER list with an agent who PROMISES to sell your house!  Unless they are buying it themselves, they can't promise that!

Don't try to use Zillow, Trulia or other online site to price your home. They are notoriously inaccurate! They don't differentiate neighborhoods, just distance or zip codes.  In my area, they can be wrong by hundreds of thousands of dollars based on not understanding the differences from one street to another in the same town.

Don't list with someone just because they charge the lowest commission!  Again, Be wary of agents who cut their commissions.  If they can't negotiate and hold on to their own dollars, do you really think they can get the most money for YOU!!!  That one percent you think you are saving can cost you tens of thousands in REAL MONEY!  Desperate agents who charge low fees may try to get you to take ANY offer that comes along because any commission is better than no commission.  You want an agent who has many deals and therefore, they can afford to give you the best advice for YOU and negotiate from strength when it comes to your deal.  You want the most you can get for your house right?  For example, you ask $400,000 for your house and are paying 5% commission. An offer comes in at $370,000 and the agent talks you into taking it, saying in this market it may be the best you can do and you are lucky to get any offer in this day and age.  OR, you pay a seasoned agent 6%, the $375,000 offer comes in and the agent says lets negotiate, the buyer wants the house, and you end up selling for $385,000.  Well, that 1% difference in commission you paid MADE YOU $4,350 real money in your pocket!   I can't tell you how often we see homeowners list with the cheapest rate company and end up selling for tens of thousands less than they could have gotten. 

Just like everything else in life, you get what you pay for!