Before you start making hard-to-meet demands of your listing agent, it’s essential to understand what the agent is responsible for. We’re not saying you’re high-maintenance; you just need to know what you can and can’t ask the agent to do.

By setting realistic expectations, you’re likely to leave the home-selling process feeling like your agent did all they could to get you the best deal—even if you didn’t see or hear about every little thing they did to market your home. In the interest of transparency, let’s dive into what a listing agent is responsible for once you sign a contract.

What role does a listing agent play?

A listing agent's role is to guide the seller in preparing the home for sale, promote the property to buyer's agents, and manage the offer and transaction process to close the sale successfully.

So, when you think about your expectations for your agent, ensure they fit within that scope.

However, the specific responsibilities can vary from agent to agent. A good listing agent will help you price your home, attend pitch sessions, recommend a photographer and stager to make it look its best, and put your home on the multiple listing service.

Some agents may hesitate to accommodate all your requests if they believe certain actions won’t contribute to selling your home. For instance, you might want to advertise your property in the local newspaper, but in some areas, print advertising is rarely used.

Set expectations from the start

To make sure you’re both on the same page, you should discuss your expectations from the get-go with any real estate agent you plan on hiring. Find out how often you’ll communicate and by what means.

Don’t be afraid to be upfront and to the point with your real estate agent. It’s good for them to know when you’re unhappy.

Once you agree, put it in writing as a listing agreement.

A listing agreement should be a collaborative partnership. Both parties need to clearly define their expectations upfront, in detail, and in writing. This is the only effective way to conduct business.

You won’t see all the agent’s work

Just because things seem quiet doesn’t mean the agent isn’t working on your behalf.

Much of the work real estate agents do—such as networking with other agents, managing the listing, responding to inquiries, and sharing information—often goes unnoticed by sellers unless the agent keeps them informed.

However, if more regular updates will make you happy, speak up.

When things go wrong

Sometimes, your expectations aren’t met even after you’ve agreed on everything in writing with your agent. What then?

Before you send that angry email, be honest with yourself and see if you’re holding anything up.

Evaluate your home's condition—how well does it present? Are there too many restrictions on when or how it can be shown? If you’re confident your home is show-ready and easily accessible, it may be time to reassess the pricing, as this could be the reason for a lack of interest.

Other ways to troubleshoot your stalled sale?

Request a detailed list of all the marketing strategies your agent is using, and compare it to the efforts made for other properties currently on the market or recently sold in your area.

If you’re unsatisfied, talk with your agent and try to be receptive to the agent’s feedback. If you believe your agent isn’t taking your concerns seriously, your next action is to speak with the agent’s agency.

Original post courtesy of realtor.com.

Rich Dallas/Sharon Fincham

(c) 412-365-4622

(o) 724-941-3340

The Dallas-Fincham Team and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Rich@DallasFinchamTeam.com

Looking to buy a home or sell a home in the Greater Pittsburgh area?

*We are your trusted Real Estate Agents!*