5 Secrets From A Real Estate Agent

In the real estate industry many clients are reluctant to put their trust in someone who’s handling their largest asset. The thought process is logical because entering this process can be stressful and overwhelming. As your agent it would be my duty to ensure you peace of mind during this time.

Here are 5 secrets agents won’t tell you:

Understanding expectations: This is the biggest and most helpful tip I can give anyone. Sit down with your spouse, your agent, whoever relevant, and talk numbers. Figure out what your budget is, the highest you can go, neighbourhoods, features, renovations etc. Take it a step further, come up with a plan B in case your first plan of action may not work out. Completing this step puts everyone on the same page.
Location, location, location: This might sound obvious but hear this out. If you’re thinking of buying an investment property, a smaller property in an ideal neighbourhood will bring in more benefits than a larger property on a less popular street. Being close to public transit and schools (including post-secondary) is always the best choice. You make the biggest investment when buying a property, but you realize this when you sell it, so it’s important to ensure you do your research in the buying stage.
Agent commission: This is a big one. For those of you who do not know, you can reduce your agent’s commission rate. However agents who allow you to bargain and offer discounts are typically doing that just to win the business over. It makes sense why clients fall for it, you think you’re saving money but down the line you may have regrets with the agent you chose. A results-driven agent will take care of the transaction flawlessly and will be worth every penny. In the end commission comes down to the worth of your agent.
Price it right: Pricing in this market to some may be tricky, but with a good agent and accurate research, pricing should not be complicated. In order to sell your home fast price it effectively from the beginning. Pricing it over fair market value and hoping for negotiations will not reap positive results. Most buyers will skip over your listing, dismissing it as over their budget and move on. True market value is found in the common ground where buyer and seller expectations meet

5. Agents aren’t all the same: Different agents get different results. Once a house is put on the MLS it will not sell itself. Okay, it could but it won’t sell for the results you expect. Did you know 50% of agents in the GTA don’t sell a house in a year while 20% of GTA agents sell less than 6 houses in a year? That’s a total of 70% who sell less than 6 houses a year. Is that important to you? Isn’t it important to find someone who belongs to the remaining 30%?