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 in our market, for example, where a seller picks an agent from Knoxville, Kingsport, or Chattanooga to list their property. Those cities can be an hour, or more, from our Cherokee Lake market, which consists of Grainger, Jefferson, Hamblen, and Hawkins Counties. It is difficult to promote and represent an area that you are not very familiar with. And by familiar, I mean, know it well. Not just sold one or two houses in your vicinity this past year. An agent doesn’t have to live in your neighborhood, but they should be able to answer questions about it. They should know your neighborhood, school systems, utility providers, the land, Cherokee Lake very, very well. With Cherokee Lake, they should be familiar with how the lake fluctuates at different times of the year. Our terrain will look different as the seasons change. Also, if the agent’s office and/or home are an hour away, showing the property several times a week can be a logistical challenge which does not bode well for you. 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.
Most agents you interview will want your listing and tell you they know your market very well. Tell you how successful they have been. Well… ask for proof. Have they given you a list of the properties they have sold in your area this past year? Only one or two sold? I don’t think so. If you’re having foot surgery, you don’t want a dermatologist performing the surgery. If you need an attorney on a real estate matter, you don’t want an attorney representing you that has only handled criminal cases. Recently, I had hip replacement surgery. I chose to go with a newer method where they go in from the front instead of the rear to perform the surgery. The best advice I received was to find a surgeon that had performed quite a few surgeries with this newer anterior method, was very familiar with the technique, and rule out the ones that were not. Again, find a specialist.
Bottom line, your home is probably the largest investment you will ever own. It is your pride and joy. The world we live in has become a very technical, specialized place. So, find yourself someone that specializes in your area and can demonstrate they have been successful.
