Selling Your Home? Investigate Your Real Estate Agent!
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Chapter 1: Understanding the Importance of Agent Communication
When it comes to selling your home, being in the loop is crucial.
It's often said that no news is good news, but when you're trying to sell your house, silence from your agent can be a cause for concern. Hearing nothing is usually worse than receiving offers that you find unsatisfactory. At least in the latter scenario, your agent is actively working on your behalf, even if the offers don't meet your expectations.
If you’ve put in the hard work to pay off your mortgage, it’s vital to ensure you have the right real estate agent on your side.
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Section 1.1: The Concept of "Spying"
What do I mean by "spying"? No, I’m not suggesting you bug their office or disguise yourself to gather intel. Instead, think about leveraging your network—friends and acquaintances can serve as valuable resources.
Much like spies in an operation, you can use your circle to gather insights about your agent’s performance. The question is, when should you consider this covert mission?
If you find yourself receiving lowball offers or, worse, no offers at all, it might be time to investigate further.
When discussing your situation with your agent, be cautious of their typical response: “Your asking price is too high.” The real issue may not be the price; it could be the effort your agent is putting forth.
Agents should be proactive in marketing your property and should not be relying on you to cover their advertising costs. You're there to pay them a fair commission for their work, not to subsidize their business expenses.
Subsection 1.1.1: Gathering Information
If you’re experiencing a lack of communication from your agent, consider sending a friend to inquire about similar properties in your area.
Have them express interest in purchasing a home slightly below your asking price. Their feedback on what the agent says can be invaluable.
If your friend doesn’t receive any mention of your property, they can casually bring up noticing your "For Sale" sign and ask about its pricing. This can reveal whether the agent actively promotes your property and if they have a sales strategy beyond simply pushing for a price drop.
The insights your friend gathers can be crucial for making informed decisions about your agent’s capabilities.
Section 1.2: Ethics of Investigating Your Agent
You might wonder, is it ethical to gather this information? Is it wrong to seek the truth about someone you're paying a significant commission to?
Consider whether the relationship you have with your agent is more important than your family's financial future. Being lazy in your duties as an agent is not ethical, and uncovering the truth is always justified, especially when your family's well-being is at stake.
Chapter 2: The Value of Information
In the first video, "Home Sellers Spying On Home Buyers - Is it Legal?", we explore the ethical implications of gathering information during the selling process.
When you're not receiving feedback from your agent or if you keep getting lowball offers, utilizing these investigative techniques can reveal crucial insights about your agent's true opinions on your property.
The second video, "NEVER Say This To A Listing Agent When Selling Your House," offers tips on what to avoid saying to your agent to ensure a smooth selling process.
Ultimately, the information you gain from this approach can significantly influence your decisions regarding your agent moving forward. Remember, what your agent says behind your back is indeed your business.