Buy Better Sell Better: Tips on Communicating with your Agent

Tuesday, 3 July 2012

It is in your best interests to reveal to your agent your real motivation for selling. This can help them work tactically with buyers, particularly if an urgent sale is required. It also allows the agent to be sensitive to your needs. Not everybody is selling because they want to. Often a change in family circumstances or financial hardship may mean you are forced to sell your beloved home. You will appreciate an agent who is able to empathise with your situation.

You and your agent are on the same team, it’s about working together not against each other. So don’t be afraid to give feedback to the agent if something is bothering you or if you feel their service is letting you down. It is better to speak up in the beginning to avoid the situation escalating.

Saying what you really think can avoid wasting time and a faster, more direct outcome is likely. This is particularly relevant when it comes to pricing. Be honest with your agent from the outset; if you know you aren’t going to sell below a certain figure then make sure your agent is aware of this.

During your home’s marketing campaign, you should expect to hear from your agent almost daily. Receiving regular buyer feedback is vital, it may reveal that you need to alter your price expectations or improve the presentation of your home before any more open houses are conducted.

Ongoing, honest communication between the agent and the seller helps to eliminate any nasty surprises that may hinder a successful outcome or create disappointment towards the end result. Once again, this is particularly relevant to your price expectations verse the reality of what buyers are willing to pay.

An agent should be available to speak with you at almost any time of the day (within reason). Most real estate agents understand that selling houses is not a 9 – 5 job. You should expect missed calls promptly returned and regular face to face meetings, so you can have a good indication of progress made, current buyer interest plus an opportunity to voice any concerns or anxieties you may have.

Buy Better Sell Better