What makes a listing agent who really shines for home sellers?  We can bandy about terms like “ethical” and “hard working”, but what does a great agent actually do to be deserving of such terms? 

1. A great listing agent tells you what you don’t want to hear

A listing agent who truly wants to sell your home for the best price is going to tell you if you are flying way too high with your proposed listing price.  S/he is also going to tell you if your home looks like a sty, to get your kid’s drawings off the fridge, fix those cupboard doors and to repaint the kitchen.  You may be dismayed that hiring this person is resulting for more work for you, but obviously this agent cares about how your home looks, both on the market and to prospective buyers on a walkthrough.

2. A great listing agent spares nothing to get your home in the public eye

The photos will be well staged, clear and emphasize the best points of each room or area.  Extra points if the agent retains a professional photographer’s services.  The listings will be informative, correctly spelled and enthusiastic without stuffing an adverb or adjective before every noun.  Your listing will be on the top websites where home seekers go.  It may also show up local newspapers and magazines that your target buyers may read and the places they tend to go.  You will have big signs and flyers outside of your home to catch the attention of people passing by.

3. A great listing agent knows your area and your community

Knowledge of your neighborhood and city or town is essential for an agent to price your home properly and to determine the listing strategy.  Your home will be priced according to the latest market information on your area and type of home and will be advertised in local publications.  Your agent also keeps track of local real estate trends and will use them to guide the marketing of your home.

4. A great listing agent is ethical

A great listing agent will uphold the tenets of good home selling.  They will refuse to misrepresent your home just to get people to look at it.  They will honestly disclose what they are legally required to disclose.  They have a good reputation with other agents and real estate professionals in their area.

5. A great listing agent is polite

No matter whether it’s another agent or a home inspector or a difficult home buyer, a great agent is always polite and courteous.  They take the time to do those small things that smooth out communications with all the professionals involved with home sales.  They conduct themselves well and represent your home with the professionalism it deserves.

6. A great listing agent is willing to communicate

A smart agent balances their work/life time so that they have time with their families and for themselves while still making your home their priority.  A great agent will have clearly defined communication times set out with you and will not fail to keep up contact so that you know how the marketing for your home is going.  A great agent is also willing to explain what they are doing with your home, the ins and outs of their contract with you and any other points about the selling process that you don’t understand.

Amerivest is a realty company based in southwest Florida, and specializes in Naples real estate. To view properties in the highly coveted Lely real estate market, please visit us at NaplesGuru.com.