You know the drill: the market is tough, the buyers are few, and the homes for sale are plentiful. So, what’s a seller in today’s market to do?

Well, the first -and arguably the most important – thing to do is obtain a qualified real estate agent. This is not the time to get stuck with a less-than-experienced agent who makes all the wrong moves.

How to Find an Agent Who Will Get the Job Done

• Ask friends, family members and neighbors for referrals. Often times, you may find the best real estate agent through a friend or family member who recently bought or sold their home. Remember: a great referral goes a long way!
• Look around the neighborhood at the homes for sale. Often times, the best way to snag a popular agent in your neighborhood is to simply look at the other homes for sale. It may also be a great way to find an agent with a good knowledge of the area and the homes in the area.
• Interview at least two or three agents from different companies. Compare each agent’s experience, background, education and continuing education, and see which agent comes out ahead.
• Ask a potential agent about his or her philosophy on selling homes. The agent’s answer can often indicate whether he or she is a good fit for you.
• Determine if you have a good rapport with the agent. An agent can have all of the education and experience under the sun, but if you don’t feel comfortable talking with him or her, it is probably not a good decision to dive into a business relationship. Remember: you will need to communicate with this individual over the course of several months, so make sure you have a good rapport with him or her!
• Determine which marketing strategies the agent will use to sell your Coppell home. More importantly, make sure you are in agreement on the strategies that the agent will use. A red flag may be an agent who does not have an active marketing strategy for selling a home.
• Ask for references and follow up. Ask others who have bought or sold homes with the agent about their overall experience. Ask them what they liked most about the agent, and what they didn’t like about the agent.

Some Questions you May Want to Ask a Potential Real Estate Agent

1. How long have you been in business?
2. Are you involved in continuing education? What certificates and qualifications do you hold?
3. Are you familiar with the area? How many homes in the area have you sold?
4. How many Coppell homes have you sold in the past year?
5. Will I deal directly with you throughout the process, or will I also deal with an assistant/ colleague?
6. How do you plan on marketing my home?
7. How many clients do you currently have (too many clients may mean the agent may not have enough time to properly market your home)?