Choosing the right agent to list and sell your New Orleans West Bank home has become more important than ever. Inventory rates are at historic highs in some neighborhoods and choosing the person who is responsible for helping you move on to the next phase of your life should NOT be based on:
- The fact that they charge the lowest commission
- The fact that they are your sister-in-law's cousin twice removed who just got their license and could use the business
- The fact that you've seen their picture in the newspaper and they just look like a such nice person
Instead, here are 4 things that choosing your West Bank REALTOR SHOULD be based on and what you have a right to expect from them:
- A killer Internet presence. According to the National Association of Realtors, over 84% of home buyers begin their search on the internet. Before you find yourself married to an agent for the next 6 months, take 2 minutes to Google their name and see how they rank in the search engines. This is a good indicator of how actively they are advertising on the internet and networking with other agents who may have buyers relocating to your area. You are welcome to check me out here.
- Up to date, local market knowledge and information. Sorry, but I cringe every time I have to call a long distance number to set an appointment for a property. No matter how good that listing agent may be in their own market, that knowledge doesn't necessarily transfer from the North Shore to the West Bank and don't you deserve a local West Bank real estate expert?
- Advertising that draws buyers in. Sadly, too many agents still think that putting just one photo of a listing in the MLS is sufficient. They couldn't be more wrong. Even our local REALTOR association has gone on record encouraging agents to upload all 8 photos that are allowed, but I continue to see listings with one or even (gasp!) NO photos. Why not choose an agent that goes above and beyond and creates a website for every property with multiple photos and community information (see a sample here) and includes virtual tours as a standard service?
- Honest advice. I'm not talking about being Dear Abby or your therapist. I am talking about someone who is willing to possibly disappoint you with the real selling prices in your neighborhood and doesn't sugar coat the market realities. Someone who will tell you the truth about the things that need to be fixed or changed in your home before it goes head to head with the other homes already listed and you learn the hard way what buyers are saying about your house.
All of the real estate gurus out there will tell you to interview at least three agents before making a choice. Truthfully, I completely agree with that. But, before you decide who to invite into your home, be sure you are interviewing three agents who can give you everything you should expect.
Copyright 2008. Lisa Heindel and West Bank Living All rights reserved.
Excellent! I agree 100%
Lisa,
4 good points to consider when selecting an Agent. They really apply to all areas especially the Internet piece.
Lisa, that is good advice anywhere!
Lisa, I really like your guy...where'd you find him? Seriously, great suggestions! All of us should have a killer internet presence. ;-)
LISA - This post is one of the many reasons that you are the only REALTOR that I would even call if I had someone moving to the New Orleans area. As far as the photos are concerned, it makes me crazy when I see one or no photos. It is the equivalent of malpractice for agents. Our MLS just increased from 9 to 12 photos. Why not use them all? It is one of the few marketing tools that has no incremental costs.
Lisa, fantastic advice which should help you get many calls to "come list my house." Don't be surprised if lots of members here decide they wish to reblog your post.
Lisa - all good points. Although sometimes no photos would be better than some of the photos you find on MLS
Lisa, well said. All points deserve attention. The picture exposure thing hits at me. I have been very successful in my practice of real estate for some time. I often do not want my photo taken. That is just me. So the thought because this one is in the paper with photo is not always true. I been told by several clients that I am so low under the radar, go figure. That is my style. Yet, they keep sending the referrals. As far as hiring a newly license friend well good luck. Great post. We should all get together for lunch in the near future.
Lisa, excellent list. If only sellers checked people out on line before signing on the dotted line. I have folks google me, hey my husband even did the other day and he was amazed. One thing I would add is be avaiable and don't make it hard to set up showings. That is frustrating if you are trying to set up a tour and can't get a call back. Sometimes I feel bad for the sellers when their agent is not available to return calls.
Lisa you hit the nail on the head. Sometimes I scratch my head in disbelief how consumers pick their agent and then they wonder why the house isn't selling.
Very Nice and to the point. good read.
Lisa: You hit the nail on the head (again) with this one. I often see situations where the REA chosen by the homeowner is not doing a great job of marketing the home. After we stage, we always provide the REA with 15-20 really nice photos of the home. Sometimes it will take weeks for them to show up in the MLS or on sites like Trulia. Sometimes they never show up and there is just one lonely picture of the front of the home used.
Thanks for posting this. I may just have to reblog it!
Love it! great post and I feel like the guy in the photo some times!!! lol
your friend in Charlottesville!
Lisa, very good points for choosing a real estate agent. You are right on target. Thanks.
Lisa, A wonderful list and I absolutely agree with a KILLER internet presence. AR has helped me very much in that and some of the other wonderful sites I'm on!
We are always telling sellers, we won't tell you what you want to hear, but more what you need to hear!
Well-said. You have to take time to make sure you have the best person for the job. One thing I would say is not to always count OUT the newer agent. Most have access to a wealth of knowledge and experience and the word I always hear about most is "hungry". Sellers want to make sure their house gets sold asap. The agent and the market go hand-in-hand to make that happen.
I really previewed listings in one particular community where there has been one very dominant real estate agent for a number of years. NONE of the current or past listings had more than 1 photo, much less a virtual tour and all of them had essentially the same descriptions, which were very strangely written. And, to top it off, they ALL were priced in the same price range, even though they varied wildly in their conditions, updates and upgrades. I would laugh, but it is not funny because sellers have been paying the price for this poor service for years and don't even realize the damage she has probably done.
Lisa,
Great post. I completely agree.
Lisa, they don't need to interview three agents...they just need to interview one, YOU!
Lisa, you hit it dead on! I love your website presence for your listings – very very classy! And your photography is amazing. Well done!!
Raleigh Realtor – Pamela St. Peter
These are great points! If only every agents would give honest advice instead of sugar coated.
BethAnn, thanks!
Brian, they do apply across the board, no matter what area you are selling in.
Teri, I found him on iClip Art - isn't he a dream? LOL!
Adam, thank you for those very kind words :) No photos to me just means someone was too lazy to do their job. You couldn't take a picture while you were there getting the listing signed?
Brian, hopefully the sellers are paying attention :)
Mike, I think we have a duty to present our listings in the best possible light and agents should be diligent about taking as many photos as it takes to get a good one. Digital pics are free!
Frank, I'm not crazy about having my picture taken either! I just don't want sellers to choose an agent because they spent a few bucks for a photo ad. Anybody can write a check, not everybody can market a property.
Missy, you are so right! I've had that problem recently and obviously others have too given the number of posts I've seen about "please answer your phone".
Bill, just trying to educate them so they don't make those mistakes in the future :)
Sharon, thank you.
Michelle, only once has anyone else provided me photos. A seller had a father who was a professional photographer and you can bet I immediately was all over the net changing the photos out. Who wouldn't want to put their best foot forward?
Charles, you are far from the guy in the photo...LOL!
Michael, thanks for stopping in.
Carole, I know that hanging out here has given you the tools to choose the agent of all agents when you are ready to move again in addition to increasing your own business.
Jeremy, I took a page from Broker Bryant's book and started pulling the comps at the table with the sellers, that way they know exactly what goes into the numbers and that I'm not blowing smoke.
Latonia, I'm not trying to count out new agents - I was one once! But, the fact that a seller has a distant relationship with someone should not influence how they choose the right representation for themselves. If a new agent can offer full service and is a good fit for the seller, then go for it!
Susan, oh my gosh! Aren't any of these sellers looking online at their own listings and the competition? I send new listings to my sellers everytime something comes on the market that is even close to comparable so they can be as up to date as I am.
Gabe, thanks.
Kelly, awww...you are too kind to me...thanks for making me smile!
Pamela, thank you. It's easy to do and allows me much more freedom to describe a property than the limited space in MLS along with the opportunity to talk about the community as well.
Anna, we aren't doing our sellers any favors when we sugar coat the truth. As a matter of fact, it usually bites us in the rear later on when if we knew something up front and weren't truthful with them.
Lisa - very good points! Seems as though sellers in today's market are price oriented, and it is sometimes difficult to explain "value" compared to "price" - your ideas certainly help with that objection! Terri White Broker/Owner Las Vegas Properties
Terri, it can be hard to overcome seller objections to the market and what buyers are looking for today - with value being on top every time. It doesn't matter what neighborhood they are in, they are searching for the best perceived value and if this house isn't it they are off to the next one.
Excellent post and right on the money for consumers! I was thinking of doing a piece exactly like this. Thanks for the ideas about the 'killer internet presensce'.
Good tips, I have heard of the three items of who not to use too, Love the one, they look like a nice person!
Great post...thanks for sharing.
Dave
Lyn, we should all have something like this for our consumers - do it!
Mary, LOL!
Dave, thanks.
Lisa - Excellent post! I just saw it in my email from Activerain with a list of all the features! I am glad I didn't miss it. Congratulations!
Great job lisitng the importance of a listing agent. I would hire you for sure...you have your !?!? together!
Terrie, I don't think it's a feature, but it IS important information for sellers. The more information, the better, in my opinion.
Lisa,
Excellent practical words of wisdom. Even as I find various Realtors at my local Women's Council of Realtors meeting, it really is about those staying culture current and walk the talk that makes a difference as I refer and work with various listing agents. Very important to remember. Thank you!
Have a Colorful Day!
Lisa, this is why you are the Queen of NOLA! You know exactly how to make things happen regardless of market conditions.
Irene, thanks for stopping in!
Mandy, awwww...you're too sweet to me. It's good to be the queen :)
I agree, all 4 are very important when deciding on an Realtor to list your home. #1 is key and I know from personal experience. On-line marketing has expanded my business, it allowed me to brand myself and at the same time make my clients happy. Most on-line services track activity and find my clients love to see numbers. Numbers you can't get from print advertising!
Great Post!
Lisa, I think that all of us in the Rain have seen the power of the net in providing more exposure for our listings - it's getting the word out to the sellers that the web is the place to be! I love being able to google the address of one of mine and seeing the entire page filled with places it can be found!
Jean, that's a wonderful addition! If we can't play nicely...then nobody will play with us :)
All excellent points, Lisa! A must have checklist when choosing a listing agent! Especially point #3 - it annoys me when looking for houses for a buyer client and there are listings that have no pictures, not enough pictures, or poor quality pictures. They go in back of the line. C'mon now! These days, there is no excuse to not be able to upload some decent pictures, is there?! If the house is not in the best shape, it's still best to have pics to attract the right buyer.
Vanessa, a lack of pictures or poor pics are one of my pet peeves too. I work hard to get the best photos of my listings and am left shaking my head at agents that don't take the time to do the same for their clients.
Very well written and a good advertisment. I agree on everything you said there... In this market, a good agent can make the difference of selling a home or not.
Billie, thank you! When a seller places their trust in me (and that's exactly what they are doing) to market their home, I try to pull out all the stops for them every time. I only wish more agents would do the same.
Its amazing to me how many sellers pick the realtor that gives them the highest price and don't seem to pay enough attention to a realtors marketing plan and track record.
Morris, I know that I've lost listings before for being honest about pricing, but I always tell the sellers that my job is not to market their house, it's to SELL it and I can't do that if it's not priced to get buyers in the door.