Choosing the wrong agent can cost you weeks on the market and thousands of dollars in the final price. Here are the questions I recommend asking before signing with any agent, myself included, so you can make the decision with confidence.
If an agent gives you a price estimate much higher than everyone else, that doesn't necessarily mean your home is worth more. Sometimes it's a tactic to win your trust and get the listing, and after a few weeks without offers, they'll ask you to lower the price. A good agent explains the price with real comparable sales data, not with a number that just sounds good.
Listing it on the MLS and waiting isn't enough. Ask how they plan to reach real buyers in your area: professional photography, video tours, social media, open houses, and whether they have a network of other agents and clients to reach out to directly.
Ask them to tell you about their most recent sales, what worked well and what surprised them. How they answer tells you a lot about how they work as a seller's agent and how honest they are about the challenges of the process.
A good agent will ask you for specific things: staging, certain repairs, a deep clean before showings. If they don't ask for anything, that's a sign they're not thinking about your home from a buyer's perspective.
Commission is always negotiable. Ask directly what their rate is and what it includes. Don't be afraid to ask for adjustments, many sellers who do end up getting better terms.
On top of all this, I offer something few agents in the GTA do: full support in Spanish, at every step, from pricing analysis to closing. I work with a team of mortgage broker and lawyers who also serve clients in Spanish, so you never have an unanswered question because of a language barrier.
It's a good practice, especially if you've never sold before. It helps you compare approaches and identify who really knows your area.
Not necessarily. What matters is how well they'll market and negotiate your sale, not just what they charge.
It depends on the contract you signed. That's why it's worth understanding the terms well before signing, including the length of the agreement.
If you want to talk about your home and how I'd market it, send me an email with your question at contact@nataliarendon.ca.