Can you feel it? The Asheville real estate market is just starting to cool off a tiny bit. The last few weeks have shown an increase in homes listed, and a welcome chance to take a breath if you are a buyer. For homeowners who have been considering selling, now is a great time to jump on board.
And you will want to find the best realtor to sell your home.
While several weeks ago the thought process might have been “hire any agent and go away for the weekend while they collect multiple offers” – our best advice now to anyone who wants to sell is, hire an agent with a great reputation and experience, to get ahead of this changing market.
Most sellers spend a long time considering whether they should sell their home. For most people, a home is one of our largest assets in life. Hiring someone to manage the sale of your biggest asset will hopefully be a business decision, and not a favor to a friend or relative.
While certainly it’s important to find an agent you can communicate with, the right agent brings more than a pleasant demeanor to the transaction and it’s critical to choose the right one. Before signing with just anyone you know with a license, ask friends and neighbors if they have recommendations, or do some online research and read their reviews. Arrange a sit-down visit with the agent. Ask questions, such as:
- How many homes have you listed and sold in the past year?
- Do you work full time? Do you have a business partner who is available when you are not?
- What is your plan for marketing the home?
- Who do you think the target market will be and how will you reach them?
- What is your usual form and frequency of communication?
- What kind of offer should I expect? How will you handle multiple offers?
- What will you do if it doesn’t sell right away, to get it sold?
Ask for specific examples of how they have handled difficult situations in the past. What if the appraisal comes in low? How do we negotiate request for repairs? Most importantly, ask what list price they recommend and why. You should expect a full comprehensive analysis, and the agent should be able to answer any questions you have. Finally, ask for references and call them. Ask the references the tough questions – what did they like and dislike about the agent?
Buying or selling a home is typically the largest financial decision of someone’s life, and hiring the right listing agent is the most important aspect of a smooth and successful transaction.
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About Asheville Realty Group
Established in downtown Asheville in 2009, Asheville Realty Group is a boutique brokerage firm offering full-service real estate services. We have locally experienced agents who specialize in residential homes, luxury homes, investment properties, country-side acreage and everything in between. Asheville Realty Group has grown – from a handful of agents, to over 40 brokers serving all of Western North Carolina. We love Asheville and the surrounding mountain communities that we call home, and we love sharing it with you!
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