Finding the best real estate agent to sell your home in Utah, or any location for that matter, requires a thoughtful and systematic approach. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you identify and choose the right real estate agent for your needs:
Research and Referrals: Begin by asking friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors for recommendations. Word-of-mouth referrals can provide valuable insights into agents who have provided exceptional service. Additionally, use online platforms and review sites to gather a list of potential agents in Utah.
Check Credentials: Verify that the agents on your list are licensed to operate in Utah. You can usually check their licensing information on your state's real estate regulatory website. Look for any disciplinary actions or complaints against them.
Experience and Expertise: Not all agents are the same. Some have a better understanding of how to properly market a home in order to increase the chances of it selling faster and for top dollar. Some agents may put money towards additional marketing strategies (Online/Offline Ads, target marketing, professional photography/videography, virtual tours, etc.) while others may simply list it on the local MLS and hope that does the trick. Look for agents like myself (John Quijano REALTOR®) who have a lot to offer for the hard earned money you will be spending on commissions. As a Bilingual REALTOR® and one of the TV personalities on "Utah's Real Estate Essential's" which airs on ABC4 as well as on the Telemundo network, having your home featured on our show to over 20,000 viewers is just the cherry on top of everything I offer my clients. I can be reached anytime via call/text at 801-885-6901 if you'd like to discuss the sale of your home.
Interview Multiple Agents: I always tell my clients they should speak to at least 3 different agents and conduct interviews. Ask about their experience, recent transactions, market knowledge, and their approach to working with clients. Assess their communication skills, responsiveness, and whether you feel comfortable interacting with them. You may see that some agents may offer to do "it" (sell your home) for as low as a 1% sellers agent commission. If you come across an agent like this, be sure to ask them what doing "it" includes. You may discover the marketing plan or experience the agent has may not be the best if you would like to have a better chance of selling fast and for top dollar. Look at it this way, if you hired a lawyer to represent you in a serious case, would you hire the cheapest one? or would you hire the one with the most experience? Although no one loves paying a higher commission, sometimes the experience and marketing an agent brings to the table speaks for itself and makes it easy to see why they charge what they do. This is why it's so important to interview multiple agents.
Client Testimonials and Reviews: Look for client reviews and testimonials online. These can provide valuable insights into the agent's professionalism, negotiation skills, and overall client satisfaction. If you can find any on your own, don't hesitate to ask the agent where you could see their online reviews.
Local Market Knowledge: A knowledgeable agent should be able to provide you with information about the local real estate market, recent sales, current listings, and market trends. They should also be able to give you a comparative market analysis (CMA) for your property if you're selling. Depending on the agent you choose, you may even come across some (like myself) who even offer better perks in this area as a benefit of choosing to work with them.
Communication Style: Effective communication is crucial in real estate transactions. Ensure that the agent you choose is responsive, proactive, and willing to keep you informed at every stage of the process. I couldn't tell you how many times I've worked with clients who say my communication is better than they've experienced while working with other agents. I pride myself on always being available for my clients be it day or night, I always try to answer my phone and texts in a timely manner, I feel this is one of the reasons for my success in real estate, the other being my marketing skills.
Negotiation Skills: The ability to negotiate effectively can make a significant difference in the outcome of your real estate transaction. Inquire about the agent's negotiation approach and past successes in securing favorable deals for their clients.
Marketing Strategy: If you're selling your property, ask about the agent's marketing strategy. How do they plan to promote your property to potential buyers? what is it that they are willing to do that others wont or that you couldn't do for yourself? A strong online presence and marketing plan can help attract more interested parties. But it doesn't stop there, there are also other marketing strategies available that some agents my be willing to put their money into to ensure your home gets sold, that other agents wont. Again, this is where you will sometimes see why some agents charge more than others. Experience and Expertise in Marketing are extremely important, especially in a market like the one we are in today.
Compatibility and Trust: Choose an agent with whom you feel comfortable and have a good rapport. Trust your instincts and select someone who understands your preferences, needs, and goals.
Fees and Contracts: Understand the agent's fee structure and contract terms before committing to working with them. Make sure you're clear on how commissions are handled and any other fees involved. Be sure to ask what happens if your agent ends up being asked to represent the buyer as well. Ask if their brokerage allows it, ask if they are an agent who would take on that liability, and if so, don't be afraid to ask if you would get a discount for allowing them to work both sides. Remember this is a tricky situation for an agent where there would be limited agency and they would not be able to disclose things to you (the seller) about their other client (the buyer).
References: Don't hesitate to ask the agent for references from previous clients. Speaking directly with past clients can provide you with a better understanding of the agent's strengths and areas for improvement.
By conducting thorough research, asking the right questions, and assessing your compatibility with the agent, you can increase your chances of finding the best real estate agent in Utah who will guide you through a successful and seamless buying or selling process.
By now you should know that due to being able to have your home featured on TV, on "Utah's Real Estate Essentials", I myself offer a unique marketing campaign that cannot be offered to you by any other agent outside of my brokerage in the entire state of Utah. I myself spend thousands of dollars making sure your listing experience with me goes as smoothly as possible and that your home gets the amount of exposure it needs. Not only am I a top performing agent, but my negotiation skills have also saved clients of mine tens of thousands of dollars in their real estate transactions. I also help my clients understand why it is that marketing matters and why most of my listings go under contract in less than 2 weeks. If you're interested in selling and/or buying a home in Utah, please feel free to reach out to me directly via call/text. Allow me to show why you shouldn't settle for the basics when selling your home.
John Quijano REALTOR®
Top Equity Realty
Utah's Real Estate Essentials
ABC4 / Telemundo Utah
801-885-6901
I'M ALWAYS AVAILABLE.
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