For added insight on what constitutes a \u201cgood agent,\u201d we interviewed top real estate agent Jason Farris<\/a> who completes 11% more home sales than the average agent in Fresno, California. Good communication<\/a> is essential for maintaining a successful working relationship with your real estate agent. Farris advises that your agent should provide you with regular updates about the steps they are taking to sell the property.<\/p>\n \u201cIf your real estate agent isn’t communicating with you \u2014 if they\u2019ve basically kind of gone MIA after signing the listing agreement \u2014 that’s a good sign that you should be concerned about whether or not you hired the right one,\u201d he warns.<\/p>\n As a general rule of thumb, your agent should respond to your questions within 24 hours on business days.<\/p>\n When it comes to agent-initiated updates, Farris notes that the appropriate level of communication largely depends on your market conditions. If you\u2019re selling in an area where homes are getting scooped up in a week or less, your agent should be touching base at least once a day. Your real estate agent should provide an objective and honest<\/a> assessment of your home\u2019s condition and styling. If your agent doesn\u2019t offer advice on pre-listing repairs, staging, and light improvements, they\u2019re not doing a good job.<\/p>\n A great agent knows what home improvements are worth investing in to attract local buyers, Farris says. They\u2019ll know which projects will yield a high return on investment by adding value to your home (and sale price, by extension). It\u2019s not uncommon for real estate agents to have support teams<\/a> to assist with administrative tasks \u2014 this allows them to focus on the more critical aspects of your sale.<\/p>\n Regardless of if your real estate agent has a support team or not, they should:<\/p>\n If it feels like your agent is delegating these tasks to support staff or more junior agents on their team, then you\u2019re likely not harnessing their expertise to sell your home. A good agent knows how to craft a killer listing and generate a buzz on social media to stimulate buyers to schedule showings. Since 97% of home buyers used the internet<\/a> to search for their homes, your Realtor\u00ae must have a robust digital marketing strategy.<\/p>\n Here are some signs that your agent is executing a strong marketing strategy:<\/p>\n The paperwork to sell a home is seemingly endless \u2014\u00a0 you\u2019ll need to review and sign a listing agreement<\/a>, seller\u2019s disclosure form<\/a>, purchase agreement<\/a>, and more. These documents are packed with legal jargon and industry-specific verbiage that can even confuse a seasoned seller. Your real estate agent should take time to walk you through each form and contract and promptly answer any questions you may have before signing.<\/p>\n \u201cI wouldn’t want to go under contract to list my home with an agent who doesn’t know how to explain a purchase agreement or disclosures that protect me in case of a lawsuit three to four years down the road,\u201d Farris comments.<\/p>\n If your Realtor\u00ae is doing a good job, they should:<\/p>\n Homes that aren\u2019t priced right don\u2019t tend to sell quickly, and it takes a bit of research to figure out the sweet spot list price. While you have the final say on the listing price, your real estate agent should provide you with a recommended price based on extensive market research.<\/p>\n To arrive at a competitive listing price, your agent should conduct a comparative property analysis (CMA) that compares your home\u2019s attributes to those of recently sold properties. The agent should suggest a price that\u2019s close to the determined \u201cmarket value<\/a>.\u201d Overpricing<\/a> is the number one mistake sellers make, so it\u2019s a major red flag if your agent doesn\u2019t push back when you want to list significantly higher than comps.<\/p>\n Here are six signs your agent missed the mark with the listing price<\/a>:<\/p>\n If you answered \u201cyes\u201d to most of these questions, your agent is likely doing what they can to sell your home.<\/p>\n There may be other reasons why your home isn\u2019t selling as fast as you\u2019d hoped for, such as:<\/p>\n If you answered \u201cno\u201d to many of these questions, there\u2019s a chance that your real estate agent isn\u2019t performing to their best ability.<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t believe that your real estate agent is doing everything in their power to sell your house, take action with the following steps:<\/p>\n Before letting your Realtor\u00ae go, have an in-person conversation with them about your concerns<\/a>. Provide specific feedback on how the agent is not meeting your expectations.<\/p>\n Gauge how the agent responds to your points. If they come back with an action plan, you may be able to salvage the relationship and get your home sale back on track. If they get defensive or provide excuses rather than proposed solutions, you may want to consider parting ways.<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t want to continue working with your real estate agent, you can ask them to terminate the listing agreement<\/a>.<\/p>\n One caveat to consider is that this will involve taking the home off the market until you find a new real estate agent. However, Farris says that \u201cGoing off the market is better than your property potentially being misrepresented by the wrong agent.\u201d<\/p>\n Depending on the fine print on your listing agreement<\/a> with your real estate agent, terminating the listing agreement early could cost you a fee<\/a> (though many agents will work with you on this depending on the situation). Some brokerages may give you the opportunity to switch agents on their team<\/a> without breaching the contract.<\/p>\n If your first real estate agent didn\u2019t work out, learn from your mistakes and take time to vet your next agent.<\/p>\n The agent you choose to represent your home sale can significantly influence your experience and final sale price. Our research reveals the top 5% of real estate agents sell homes for as much as 10% more than the average agent<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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<\/a>Does your real estate agent answer your calls, texts, and emails within 24 hours?<\/h2>\n
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\nConversely, if it\u2019s a slower market or you\u2019re selling a luxury property<\/a>, your agent may have fewer updates to relay, making weekly or biweekly updates sufficient.<\/p>\nDid they suggest how to improve your home\u2019s appearance to enhance its marketability?<\/h2>\n
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\nFor example, our research indicates that spending $486 on decluttering can yield a 432% return<\/a>, while exterior painting can provide up to a 51% return on investment<\/a> \u2014 with the added bonus of boosting curb appeal to attract more buyers to your home.<\/p>\nDo you primarily interface with the agent rather than their team?<\/h2>\n
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<\/a>Does your agent have a comprehensive marketing strategy for your home?<\/h2>\n
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Does your agent help translate required paperwork and relevant real estate laws?<\/h2>\n
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Is your home priced similar to comparable properties in the area?<\/h2>\n
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![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/is-my-realtor-doing-a-good-job-desk-1-666x381.png\")
<\/a>Final verdict: Is your Realtor\u00ae doing a good job?<\/h2>\n
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Next steps: Weigh these options if you\u2019re not satisfied with your Realtor\u00ae<\/h2>\n
1. Communicate with your agent<\/h3>\n
2. Leave your listing agreement if necessary<\/h3>\n
3. Hire a new agent for a second chance at a successful sale<\/h3>\n