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6 Things to Consider When Selecting Your Real Estate Agent

Selling your home isn't just a property transaction; it's a huge life event that demands smart planning. Unfortunately, the real estate market is largely unfamiliar territory for many homeowners and that is why selecting the best real estate agent is a must.
Here are six things to consider when selecting your real estate agent:

#1 Interview Each Potential Agent
Working with a real estate professional who is experienced and trustworthy is the best way to ensure you sell your home for top dollars. I recommend interviewing each potential real estate agent you are thinking of hiring. Consider the fact you will likely be working with this individual very closely. Do you have the right chemistry? Do you like the individual?

#2 Are They in Good Standing? 
Established in 1997, the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) is a not-for-profit corporation that regulates the trade of real estate in Ontario in the public interest. On behalf of the Ontario government, RECO administers and enforces the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act, 2002 (REBBA 2002) and its regulations. Go to http://www.reco.on.ca/realestate-pro-search/ to search for the agent’s name to ensure they are registered and in good standing. 

#3 Determine Their Credentials
Think of the interview as being like a job interview. You'd want to know that an employee had the necessary skills before you hired them, and the same goes for your Mississauga real estate agent. Your real estate professional ought to be experienced, professional and trustworthy and, in my opinion, they should:

•Have a website where you can view their work
•Have successfully sold homes in your area in the past
•Work as a full-time real estate agent
•Possess references you can contact and
•Be educated above and beyond the minimum license requirements.

#4 Will They Stage Your Home? 
Home staging is the process of getting a home ready to sell. It may include improving kitchens, bathrooms and other areas that increase appeal.  Sellers should stage their homes so that they look appealing to the majority of potential buyers. Real estate agents who provide staging services—including furniture and accessories— are better equipped to portray your property in the best possible light. They also understand which improvements contribute to heightened sale prices and less time on the market. 

#5 Ask Them if They Will Market Your Property
Staging isn't the only essential aspect of preparing a home for buyer attention. Your Mississauga real estate agent should have a marketing plan that reaches out to online and traditional buyers across the area and worldwide. 
Methods vary, but many effective advertising plans incorporate professional photos and walk-through videos, intelligent write-ups and open houses. Remember that you're not simply looking for an agent who produces all of these materials but rather one who uses them effectively to create a polished representation of your home.

#6 Ask Them To Walk You Through the Listing and Selling Process
One solid test of a real estate agent's knowledge is whether they can explain what goes into selling your home. Asking for this clarification is also a great way to remove some of the mystery and increase your own confidence.
You've invested a lot in your home, so shouldn't your Mississauga real estate agent be equally invested in selling it? 

Learn more about the process by contacting Sam McDadi Real Estate today at 905-502-1500.