The process of selling your home starts with finding a good listing agent. This individual will be your guide in having a successful home sale. What are the qualifications and qualities you should be looking for in a listing agent? 

If you are reading this blog, chances are you are in the East Bay area and you are looking for a full-service reduced fee listing agent. This is a listing agent who offers a discount on their listing commission while still providing full service, without compromising on quality.

Once you start searching for reduced fee, low commission realtors, the next step is to identify the specific qualifications of that agent. It’s important to focus on the individual agent, not the company they work for. 

The individual agent will guide you through the entire sales process, not the corporate name like Coldwell Banker or Century 21, which primarily represents corporate branding.

A telephone interview is a good preliminary step to verify the agent’s experience, expertise, and track record. Communication style is crucial, as this is someone you will be dealing with throughout the sales process. The next step is typically to interview the agent at the house that is to be sold.

A good listing agent will typically satisfy three goals upon meeting with you at the house: 

(1) They will view the home to provide a Comparable Market Analysis and suggest a list price, understanding upgrades, location, and attributes of your home. 

(2) They will give you advice on preparing your home for sale, offering suggestions on furniture layout and general presentation.

(3) They will provide an overview of the entire home sale process, making it easier for you to know what to expect at each stage. This meeting is also a great opportunity to ask questions and determine if the agent is a good match.

In closing, when choosing a listing agent, whether a reduced fee full-service agent or a regular commission agent, look for the same qualifications. An agent who can achieve the highest market value for your home while providing excellent professional service is ideal. 

The added advantage of working with a qualified reduced fee realtor is the significant savings at the close of escrow.