How to choose real estate agent ??

[Daniel Miller]

I've been renting out a house in San Jose, CA for many years now.  The current tenant is moving out soon, and I've decided to sell the house, rather than continue to rent it.  The house is just so far away, I really don't want to deal with driving all the way there to keep dealing with issues.

Originally, I had expected the tenant to buy the house, and we had discussed it at some length, but they've ended up choosing to buy a house in Georgia instead.  I suspect that the prices for housing in this valley were too ridiculous for them...

Anyway, I would appreciate any advice on how to choose a reliable agent to work with on this process...
Thank you once again for your insights!

[Celine Crestin]

Great question! I recommend interviewing 2-3 agents in your area and choosing one you feel most confident with. Ask local friends/family or other trusted contacts in your sphere for a referral. Even if you do not live locally, someone you know knows an excellent Realtor in the area of your property (I know Realtor partners all over the country and frequently connect clients). 

Experience is only one piece of the puzzle FYI. I know many brand new agents who work 5x harder than experienced ones and lead to an outstanding service model for their clients. When interviewing, definitely ask what their marketing plan is. Yes, homes are selling fast, but marketing still matters! Professional photos are a must. 

What supports do they have in place to communicate with you and potential buyers? Will they be proactively searching for buyers daily or just placing a sign in your yard and waiting on someone else to do the work? How long on average do their listings take to sell and for what price (asking, 5% over, 10% over, 5% under)? 

Above all - do you feel comfortable with them and have a good report? You will need to work with them for a bit of time through what can be a stressful transaction at times - you want someone you feel confident and comfortable with. 

Hope this helps and best of luck!