3 Key Factors to Consider Before Hiring Your Next Listing Agent in Alexandria VA
In I0 years of real estate, I have had the pleasure of working with some awesome listing agents. Not only were they a pleasure to work with, they respectfully represented their seller clients and took extreme care in protecting the interest of the sellers from beginning to end. What I admire most about these agents is their ability to work diligently on behalf of the sellers, while maintaining mutual respect for the buyers and the buyer's agent. However, all listing agents are not the same. As a home seller, there are many qualities you should consider before selecting an agent to facilitate your Alexandria home sale. To assist in making this decision, here are 3 key factors to consider before hiring your next listing agent in Alexandria, VA.
Reputation. If you are considering selling your Alexandria home, it is important to hire a real estate agent who is respectful and respected in the industry. A respectful agent is one who is polite and courteous to his or her peers. A respected agent is one who is highly-regarded by his or her peers. Make sure your listing agent is one who is respectful and respected in the industry. This factor is of great relevance as your listing agent can easily sabotage the sale of your home if he or she is rude and disrespectful to others. To ensure that your Alexandria listing agent maintains a respectful relationship with other agents during your listing period, simply request the name, phone number, and brokerage of every agent who inquires about your property. When in doubt, you are free to inquire at anytime.
Education. Real estate agents come with varying degrees of education. In fact, the minimum requirement for obtaining a real estate license in Virginia is 18 years of age and a high school diploma. When selecting a listing agent to facilitate your Alexandria home sale, would you trust the expertise of an 18 year old, high school graduate? Of course not! Education is extremely important for real estate agents as each listing or sale symbolizes a unique transaction. With short sales and foreclosures dominating the Alexandria real estate market, it is important to hire an agent who has dedicated his/her time and resources to acquiring the education, credentials, and designations needed to successfully facilitate your home sale. Before hiring your next listing agent in Alexandria, check to ensure that he/she has meet the necessary educational requirements.
Service. In today's economy, listing your home requires the services of a full-time real estate agent. Part-time agents are just that…part-time! They represent your interest part-of-the-time. Who is representing your interest when your part-time agent is working his/her full-time job? No one! In most cases, when you list your Alexandria home with a part-time real estate agent…that agent is nearly 70% nonresponsive to inquires about your property. Why? Because his/her full-time job takes priority. If you are serious about selling your Alexandria home, hire a full-time real estate agent. Without a doubt, this will be one of the best decisions you ever make.
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