Real EstateTime to List in Charleston SC? How to Choose a Real Estate Agent

By Terry Bell-Aby, Realtor, CNE, Luxury Simplified Real Estate

Here in Charleston, there’s one word that comes to my mind when people ask me about selling their home, and that is “professionalism. ” With more than 5,000 real estate agents in the Charleston SC market, you might ask, “how should I choose an agent? ” While the current “hot ” real estate market may be regarded as a “sellers market, ” there are still important steps in the listing and selling process that require the skills of an experienced Realtor.  Here’s a check list to consider when hiring someone to sell your most valuable asset.

DEDICATION

Because the Charleston market is hot and inventory is low, great properties move quickly and often have multiple offers to manage. Will a part-time agent be able to meet deadlines and execute transactions in a timely manner? Will a situation occur where you need to take immediate action and your part-time agent may have to prioritize another job over your sale? Ask yourself if a part-time agent is likely to be up-to-date with the most current version of contracts and the law in order to protect you. A real estate transaction is not the time for mistakes.  

OBJECTIVENESS

While it may be true, “everyone knows someone in the business, ” hiring a friend or family member can sometimes lead to tension. Will your friendship or family relationship suffer when issues arise? Can the family member or friend navigate what is always an emotional transaction? Consider the benefits that can come with hiring an expert – after all, it is a business.

NEGOTIATION

Hire a Realtor® and/or a Certified Negotiation Expert CNE®

• Realtors® are held to a higher ethical standard than real estate agents.
• Realtors® are required to have more advanced continuing education than real estate agents.
• When interviewing an agent, ask if he or she is a Certified Negotiation Expert. It can be a huge asset to have someone on your side that is more effective in using a variety of techniques to achieve your best outcome.

Professional representation

This just may be one of the singular most important points when looking for a listing agent for your home – assess the agent’s personal investment in selling your property.  Ask these key questions: 

• Will the agent hire a professional, architectural photographer to showcase your home’s best features and make your property “click bait?”
• Will the agent hire a professional writer to best describe your home and build interest?
• Will the agent hire a professional stager to advise you about where to invest money toward improvements that will help in getting it listed & sold,  and where it would be wise to not spend?

It’s Not Just about Price

Don’t hire a selling agent solely on the list price they are recommending. There is so much more that goes into understanding how to properly price a house than just the neighborhood “comps, ” and it takes an experience Realtor to understand the details of the macro and micro segments of the market.  It is no surprise to learn that many agents offer to get you substantially more for your home than other agents just to get the listing.  But overpricing your home can hurt your listing over time and cost you valuable time during the peak selling season.

Additionally, don’t hire a Charleston SC real estate agent solely on commission rate.  When commission rates are lowered it is generally on the buyer’s side. Did you know buyer’s agents can rule out houses for buyers to see based only on commission rates? Your perfect buyer might never receive your listing if the agent doesn’t like the commission rate.  Have ever been in a situation when you made a decision based solely on price and regretted the choice? Very often discounted brokerage commissions equals discounted service. Everyone deserves the Luxury Simplified level of service.

This blog is written as Part 2 of our 2-part series on choosing an agent.  You can read Part 1,  “Time To Buy In Charleston SC? How To Choose An Agent. ”  HERE. 

NOTE: Selling what is often the most valuable asset you have is not the time to risk the possible mistakes that come along with poor representation.  With all of the real estate agents in Charleston SC, in the end, what really matters is simply choosing a Realtor that lines up with your interests and meets your needs. Our team at Luxury Simplified Real Estate is well-versed in Charleston real estate, and highly experienced in negotiations.