Spring is coming. There will likely be the usual flurry of new properties for sale. They are as reliable as the snowdrops and daffodils here in the Catskills.
But some things are new.
The pandemic, remote work, and concerns about climate change have all focused the attention of buyers from outside this area on the Catskills and neighboring counties. And, unsurprisingly, the out of town real estate companies are following.
Some big downstate names now have agents who live, even if it’s only part time, in the hills. And some other big corporate names take listings here, though the agents have to travel hours to meet with their clients.
Working with a local agent and a local company can have real advantages. But not always. Sometimes a sales pitch is just a pitch, without much behind it. There’s a way to find out what you need to know. Ask the right questions.
My hope here is to help you, the potential seller, filter out the noise and find the right representative for your property.
First, ask about the listing agent.
Do you live near here? For how long? Do you know this area? Do you belong to the local MLS?
Is your company local? How big of an area does this company cover?
How long have you been a realtor? Are you primarily a listing or a selling agent? How often do you sell your own listings?
If I list with you, are you the person I will be dealing with, or will another agent be my primary point of contact?
Then discuss the company this agent represents.
How long have you been with this company? Did you switch from somewhere else? Why?
What advantages does this company offer me as a client?
How does this company handle inquiries that come into the office about my property? (Hint: some put the caller in touch with the listing agent, while others send leads to other agents in the office.) Please explain how that benefits me, as the client?
What commission rate does your company charge a seller? How is a buyer’s agent paid? If it’s one rate, split between listing and buyer’s agent, how is that split?
Then drill down into expertise.
What type of properties do you specialize in? What type of property is your company known for? What types of properties do you LIKE to represent? What is your strong suit as a real estate professional? If this agent is part of a “team,” have them explain how their “team” works for a seller client.
What trends do you see in the local market? What is the hottest town in this area right now? Why? Which towns are up and coming? Where does my town fit on this continuum?
How many properties like mine have you sold?
Do you have suggestions to help me maximize my sale price? What particular things does my property need to get it ready for market?
Then, ask about marketing.
What does your company do to market my property? (Note: This is vitally important! The expertise, styles, and skill in marketing real estate vary hugely from agent to agent and company to company.)
Does your company market properties, or rely mostly on branding ads?
Do you have to pay to advertise your listings? Where do you advertise it?
Who designs the marketing? What is their experience? Can you show me some examples of your ads?
This is by no means a complete list of questions to ask a prospective listing agent, but I hope there are some questions here you may not have known to ask before.
Ask. A good agent will have answers, and a great agent will be happy to tell you everything you want to know.
And if you have a second, I would love to hear what you think about listing with companies that are from out of the area.