Selling your home is a big step, and it’s crucial to hire an agent that’s up to the task. But sometimes, you get so caught up in your enthusiasm for becoming a homeowner that you hire someone who might not be able to meet your needs.
When that happens, it’s essential to know when to cut your losses and look for greener pastures. Delve into some of the primary indicators that you might need to hire a new real estate agent and ensure they set up your sale for success.
Promises Are Broken
An integral part of a real estate agent’s job is following through on the promises they make concerning the sale of your property. It’s not uncommon for agents (especially newcomers) to over-promise without delivering. This is especially true concerning the amount of money they say they can snag for your home.
Perhaps your agent says your property value aligns with two stories in the upscale suburbs of Scottsdale. But they didn’t account for the way your surrounding neighborhood impacted market value. As a result, you likely won’t get the value they originally promised you. To be fair, this isn’t always a malicious tactic. Sometimes agents lack the proper expertise or experience to determine home values correctly.
Regardless, selling your home is an enormous undertaking. That’s why it’s crucial to have an agent that can meet your specific needs and follow through on what they promise. For these reasons, if your agent feeds you visions of high asking prices and quick turnaround times but can’t seem to deliver, it’s likely a sign it’s time to fire your real estate agent.
Communication Is Severely Lacking
One valuable skill that all real estate agents share is effective communication. An accommodating, friendly, and informative approach is key to being an excellent agent. After all, one miscommunication could lead to the loss of thousands of dollars or a sale falling through altogether.
Plus, there is significant and lengthy paperwork involved in a real estate transaction, such as contracts, inspection reports, and home loans. For these things to go smoothly, ultimate transparency and clear communication are crucial. That’s why it’s wise to observe whether or not your agent is dodgy about:
- Feedback from other buyers
- Potential issues with loan approval or processing
- The status of inspections, appraisal reports, or counteroffers
If you do notice that they are reluctant to share this information, or if they’re not calling you back promptly, it’s probably a strong sign it’s time to fire your real estate agent.
Marketing Is Non-Existent
Another red flag you should watch out for is a total lack of marketing. After all, how will your house sell for an excellent price if no one knows it’s on the market? Hence, note whether your agent has had professional photos taken of your home. Moreover, check to see if your home is on any listing services or even on your agent’s brokerage website.
Believe it or not, real estate agents can do most of their marketing by listing your home. Thus, if your agent doesn’t bother putting your home on the market by an agreed-upon date, it’s undoubtedly a cause for concern. Moreover, if they fail to perform the one task that will lead to offers (listing your home), it’s worth considering what else they might be letting fall through the cracks. Better yet, it’s worth it to start looking into other options.
