Well, there is a lot of advice I can give. But if you are asking what is number one, then it is this… Choose an agent that knows your area. Inside and out.
I have seen too many instances where in our market, for example, someone picks an agent from Knoxville, Kingsport, or Chattanooga to list their property. Those cities can be an hour from our Cherokee Lake market. It is hard to promote an area that you are not familiar with. And by familiar, I mean, know it well. Not just sold one or two houses in the county this past year. An agent doesn’t have to live in the neighborhood you are looking at, but they should be able to answer questions about the area. Know the neighborhood, the land, Cherokee Lake very, very well. With Cherokee Lake, know how the lake fluctuates at different times of the year. Our terrain will look different as the seasons change. If the agent’s office and/or home is an hour away, showing the property several times, a week can be a logistical challenge. I have seen For Sale signs lying on the ground for weeks, because the agent doesn’t drive by on a regular basis to monitor the property.
Bottom line, your home is probably the largest investment you will ever own. It is your Ferrari. It is your pride and joy. If you’re purchasing a Rolex, for example, you want the sales rep to know everything about that watch and be able to answer your questions. What makes it tick, how is it manufactured, what is the history, why should you buy it over any other brand. Your home, neighborhood, the land it sits on, is no different. If you don’t know it well, how can you represent it?
