Sometimes no matter how much you prepare or how diligent you are when hiring someone, there comes a time when a change is needed. Sometimes changes need to happen more quickly. When you’re trying to sell your home, time is valuable. Express your concerns, but if no change is made, it’s time to fire.
Five Reasons to FIRE Your Agent Immediately:
1. Cell phone photos.📸
Photos are and will always be the most important marketing feature. If they’re not a good representation of the quality of your house, then buyers will pass it right by without thinking twice. There are many different types of cameras that are appropriate to use for real estate photos. A cell phone is never one of them. Even if it’s taken with the new $1,000 iPhone X! It has a lot more to do with the lens than the actual camera. When you are hiring your agent, research how current listings are being represented and ask specific questions regarding the equipment being used.
2. Lack of knowledge regarding the contract. 🤔
Making errors while communicating your contractual obligations is NOT okay. In fact, it could cost you, both in time and in money. The number one job of your agent is to make sure you (as the buyer or seller) are meeting your contractual obligations as well as your responsibilities under the state and federal laws. If you are reviewing the contract and have questions for your agent that cannot be answered specifically, there is a problem.
3. Using “liability” as a scapegoat. 🏡
I heard an agent say that he would not be attending a home inspection with his buyer because it was too much of a liability for him. I asked him to repeat what he had said because I couldn’t believe my ears! Yes, attending a home inspection and making statements that are not within our knowledge base can definitely be a liability, but again, if the agent is educated on his/her license boundaries and knows what is unethical to speak on, there should be no problem. I find it a larger problem if the agent does not attend the home inspection to help you navigate through one of the biggest hurdles in your home purchase. He/she should be present to help guide and support you!
4. Not understanding confidentiality. 🃏
Your agent knows all the cards in your hand, which means he/she needs to protect your next play. Be wary of the agent who talks too much, as this could be an indicator the agent doesn’t know when to talk and when to listen—one of the most important factors in negotiating on your behalf.
5. Poor online reputation or none at all. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
You look for everything else online to check reviews, why not also check out what others have to say about your agent? Let’s face it, being a good listing agent has a lot to do with being able to market something effectively. If he/she can’t market effectively, how will your home be marketed? Also, being a good buyer’s agent has a lot do to with networking and getting the scoop about prospective homes coming on the market. You will be able to tell very quickly if he/she has the ability to network by the amount of people who follow that agent and the amount of social media presence of the agent.
Your agent can make or break your buying/selling experience. Fortunately, you have the ability to choose. Do your own research and due diligence to ensure your agent is the best fit and will represent you and your home well!
