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How To Choose a Great Local Real Estate Agent

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Selecting the right real estate agent can make a world of difference when buying or selling a home. But how do you find the best one? Here are some tips to help you make that big decision as you determine your partner in the process.

Check Their Reputation

Start by gathering information about agents in your area. From there, try to narrow down the list. Ask the people you trust if they have someone they’d recommend. You’ll want to find an agent with a strong online presence, plenty of positive reviews, and someone whose great reputation truly precedes them. As Freddie Mac explains:

“. . . you may want to look for a real estate agent who specializes in the type of home you’re searching for. For example, if you are looking for an energy-efficient home, look for an agent who has experience with finding and negotiating offers for those homes. If you are looking for new construction, you’ll want to find an agent who has experience with new construction and isn’t affiliated with the builder . . .”

Look for Local Market Expertise

A great agent should have in-depth knowledge of what’s happening at the national and local level. That way they can clear up any misconceptions sparked by what you’re reading or hearing in the news. And they can tell you how your area compares to the national data. As an added perk, they’ll also be familiar with the neighborhoods you’re interested in and community amenities. As a recent article from Business Insider says:

“Spend some time talking with prospective agents about the local real estate market and how it could impact your purchase or sale. You want to get an understanding of how knowledgeable they are about local market conditions. Whether they’re helping you sell or buy, their strategy for you should account for those conditions.”

Get a Feel for Their Communication Style and Availability

Effective communication is key in real estate transactions. Choose an agent who listens to your needs, answers your questions quickly, and keeps you informed throughout the process. If an agent is juggling too many clients, they might not be able to give you the attention you deserve. You want someone who will be readily available and responsive. So, what’s the best way to get a feel for their communication style and preferences? Bankrate offers this advice:

Interviews also give you a chance to find out the agent’s preferred method of communication and their availability. For example, if you’re most comfortable texting and expect to visit homes after work hours during the week, you’ll want an agent who’s happy to do the same.”

Trust Your Gut

Last, rely on your instincts. If you feel like you do or don’t click with one of the agents you’re talking to, that matters. Choose an agent you feel at ease with and who inspires confidence. The right agent should be someone you trust to guide you through one of the most significant transactions of your life. As Business Insider says:

“As long as you’ve properly vetted the agents you’re considering and ensured they have the necessary expertise, it’s ok to go with your gut . . . Maybe you have a better rapport with one of the agents you’re considering, or you just feel like they’re easier to approach. You’re going to be working closely with this person, so it’s important to choose an agent you’re comfortable with.”

Bottom Line

By following these tips, you can pick an agent who’ll provide the support and expertise you need to help make the process as smooth as possible. Connect with local agents to see if they’d be a good fit for working together.

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Agent Value

The Rooms That Matter Most When You Sell

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Now that buyers have more options for their move, you need to be a bit more intentional about making sure your house looks its best when you sell. And proper staging can be a great way to do just that.

What Is Home Staging?

It’s not about making your house look super trendy or like it belongs in a magazine. It’s about helping it feel welcoming and move-in ready, so it’s easy for buyers to picture themselves living there.

It’s important to understand there’s a range when it comes to staging. It can include everything from simple tweaks to more extensive setups, depending on your needs and budget. But a little bit of time, effort, and money invested in this process can really make a difference when you sell – especially in today’s market.

A study from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows staged homes sell faster and for more money than homes that aren’t staged at all (see below):

Which Rooms Matter Most?

The best part is, odds are you don’t have to stage your whole house to make an impact. According to NAR, here’s where buyers’ agents say staging can make the biggest difference (see graph below):

a graph of a number of peopleAs you can see, agents who talk to buyers regularly agree, the most important spaces to stage are the rooms where buyers will spend the most time, like the living room, primary bedroom, and kitchen.

While this can give you a good general idea of what may be worth it and what’s probably not, it can’t match a local agent’s expertise.

How an Agent Helps You Decide What You Need To Do

Agents are experts on what buyers are looking for where you live, because they hear that feedback all the time in showings, home tours, walkthroughs, and from other agents. And they’ll use those insights to give their opinion on your specific house and what areas may need a little bit of staging help, like if you need to:

  • Declutter and depersonalize by removing photos and personal items
  • Arrange your furniture to improve the room’s flow and make it feel bigger
  • Add plants, move art, or re-arrange other accessories

A lot of buyers can use the agent’s know-how as the only staging advice they need. But, if your home needs more of a transformation, or it’s empty and could benefit from rented furniture, a great agent will be able to determine if bringing in a professional stager might be a good idea, too. Just know that level of help comes with a higher price tag. NAR reports:

“The median dollar value spent when using a staging service was $1,500, compared to $500 when the sellers’ agent personally staged the home.”

A local agent will help you weigh the costs and benefits based on your budget, your timeline, and the overall condition of your house. They’ll also consider how quickly similar homes are selling nearby and what buyers are expecting at your price point.

Bottom Line

Staging doesn’t have to be over-the-top or expensive. It just needs to help buyers feel at home. And a great agent will help you figure out the level of staging that makes the most sense for your goals.

Which room in your house do you think would make the biggest impression on a buyer?

Get an agent to walk through your home with you and go over what will make your house stand out.

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Agent Value

Home Projects That Add the Most Value

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a screenshot of a phone

Some Highlights

  • Whether you’re planning to move soon or not, you want to be strategic about which home projects you take on. ​Because not all of them will be worth it.
  • Before you decide what upgrades to tackle, talk to an agent who knows what’s in demand in your area and where you’re most likely to recoup the costs
  • Connect with a local agent so you know which projects are actually worthwhile.​

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Agent Value

The Secret To Selling Your House in Today’s Market

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A few years ago, homes were flying off the shelves and getting multiple offers well over their asking price. It felt like you could name your price and still have buyers lined up at the door.

But today’s housing market is different. Buyers are getting more selective now that inventory has grown. Homes are sitting a little longer. And more sellers are having to cut their prices.

So, how do you still come out on top? It all starts with one thing, pricing your house right from the start. Today, that matters more than ever – and it can make or break your sale.

There’s a Real Price Disconnect Between Buyers and Sellers

A recent survey from Realtor.com shows 81% of home sellers believe they’ll get their asking price or more. But the actual sales data shows there’s a growing gap between what sellers expect and what buyers are actually willing to pay.

In fact, an annual report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows 44% of recently sold homes went for less than the asking price. And 1 in 3 sellers had to cut their price at least once before the home sold. It’s a sign that expectations may be a little out of step with today’s reality.

Check out the graph below. It uses data from Redfin to show that asking prices (blue line) are higher than actual sales prices (green line) by a wider and wider margin:

a graph of sales and pricesThis tells you something important: not all buyers are willing to pay what many sellers are asking. That doesn’t mean you can’t sell for a great price – but it does mean you need to start with a price that reflects what people are willing to pay in today’s market.

What Happens When You Overprice Your House?

Pricing your house high initially may seem like a smart move, so you have more room to negotiate. But the reality is, an overpriced home can sit on the market and turn buyers away. 

Buyers are smart. And when they see a house that’s been sitting for a while, they start to wonder what’s wrong with it. That can lead to fewer showings, less interest, and eventually, a price cut to re-ignite attention. As Realtor.com explains

“By getting the right price early on, you can increase the odds buyers will be interested in the home. In turn, this decreases the chances the home will sit on the market for a lengthier timeline, also reducing the odds you’ll need to lower the listing price.”

The longer a house sits, the harder it can be to sell.

You Still Have a Great Opportunity – If You Price Your House Right 

To avoid making this mistake, it’s important to lean on an agent who knows what’s happening locally when you set your asking price. 

Your agent will look at recent local sales, buyer trends, and inventory levels to find that pricing sweet spot for your neighborhood – because it’s going to be different based on where you live.

And here’s something else to keep in mind, home prices have climbed more than 57% over the past five years. So, even if you price a bit below the number you had your sights set on, you’ll likely still be in a great position profit-wise.

With a local real estate agent’s help, you’ll attract more attention, avoid seeing your house sit on the market too long, and maximize your chances of getting a strong offer.

In today’s market, the right price works. As Mike Simonsen, Founder of Altos Research, explains:

“. . . the best properties, well priced are selling quickly in most of the country.”

Bottom Line

The market has changed, but your opportunity to sell hasn’t. You just need the right pricing plan. Talk to a local real estate agent to go over what’s happening with prices in your area and determine what price would help your house sell quickly and for top dollar.

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The information contained, and the opinions expressed, in these article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. Let's Talk Real Estate, Mark Sincavage, Landshark Mark, LLC and Keeping Current Matters, Inc. do not guarantee or warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions contained herein. Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice. You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision. Let's Talk Real Estate, Mark Sincavage and Keeping Current Matters, Inc. will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on the information or opinions contained herein.