If you have decided to sell your home, it could be for any number of reasons. Perhaps you just need more space for an expanding family or your lifestyle has changed, and your current house just doesn't fit your needs anymore.
Sometimes, the reason is much more stressful, such as a divorce, death, or unexpected job relocation. Regardless of your personal reasons for selling, the last thing you need is a high-pressure salesperson or someone who is unprofessional or doesn't understand the current market.
Our team has represented clients from virtually every walk of life and of varying ages and cultural identities. We can handle almost anything when it comes to selling your home. We list and sell properties throughout Austin and most of the surrounding areas.
Am I the right listing agent for you? Frankly, I am not sure - we haven't met in person yet.
When you are selecting an agent, make sure you find someone whose personality doesn't grate on you from the beginning.
Do they bore you to tears during your conversation?
Believe me, THIS IS A CRITICAL POINT. Even if an agent has terrific credentials and has sold a lot of homes over the years, they may not make you feel very comfortable or they may be just "phoning it in" (i.e. not trying very hard anymore). This is a HUGE red flag, because you will be dealing very closely with whomever you choose, so you will want to choose wisely.
Along the same lines, it's also important to note that this person will be your representative and your "face" to other agents and to any potential buyers throughout the period of time when your home is on the market. If you don't feel comfortable around the agent, I can assure you that no one else will either.
Also, you want an agent who will tell you the TRUTH about your home, both with regard to the price and the condition. Many agents just want the listing so badly that they will just go along with whatever price you select, with no regard for the market. The mentality here is, "I'll just take the listing, then we'll work on getting it reduced later." This is a huge mistake, since you will end up losing out on the initial buyers who might have seen your home when the price was too high. Our team is skilled at pricing homes to sell as quickly as possible yet at the maximum market price. I am not afraid to be honest.
In a competitive real estate market like Austin's has been for a number of years now, you also need a Realtor who will assist you in staging the home to sell. I have a couple of terrific professional stagers that I can recommend for you.
Experience counts (I have 11+ years of full-time experience myself), but it is not as important as the level of service that you will receive. Many experienced agents put their name on the sign, and you will never see or hear from them again. Instead, you may be dealing exclusively with a team member of theirs. Ask them.
It doesn't hurt to also find out what the agent's policy is if you are unhappy during the process for whatever reason. I would rather release someone from a listing agreement than deal with an unhappy client, or a strained and difficult relationship.
To put it simply, there's no magic formula for choosing the best agent. It's usually a combination of factors that go into the decision making process. We would love the opportunity to speak with you and/or meet with you if you are considering selling your home in the general Austin area.
Please feel free to call or email me anytime with questions. I hope to hear from you soon. Thanks!
Copyright 2008 Austin Real Estate
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I have been working as a full-time Austin area Realtor since January 1997. My years of experience serve me well as the broker and co-owner of Austin Texas Homes, LLC, which began operations in 2004.
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You've got my vote! If I wasn't a Realtor(R) already and lived in the Austin area I would be calling you for help. ONLY though if you brought your sweet little Abby with you on every appointment! :o) How can you resist that cute face?
CHARITY - I appreciate that. Thanks for the vote! Perhaps I should just bring Abby along no matter what.
Well done, Jason! I am of the opinion that everyone should be comfortable with their agent - if you can't sit and have a cup of coffee and chat with them, then you won't feel comfortable enough to be honest with them throughout the process. It's a joy to work with people you like and a huge hassle to find out that your personality and a client's don't mesh.
Jason- I like the photo of the seated couple. Is that copyrighted, or did you get it from a Creative Commons site?
LISA HEINDEL - I am amazed at how often you and Lisa Hill comment near each other on my posts. I completely agree with your take on this subject. Congrats on hitting 100k in points!
LISA HILL - As I mentioned just above, I am amazed at how frequently you and Lisa Heindel comment near each other on my posts. The photo was found on Google Images under "want to sell house".
Hi Jason,
Yes, there needs to be a level of comfort, trust and respect. It is not a "one fits all".
Jason, I have to say this is some great information. I think people need to make sure they are getting the best for them.
Great post... Just like today's customer can be picky about their choice of realtors, we as realtors have to be selective also. Their has to be a good fit for it to be good partnership.
Jason... I agree, there needs to be a level of comfortability. And yes, even though you and I were new at one time, experience does count. Yes, some excel in the beginning, but many that are new, aren't as good as the experienced ones. Some good insight and info here.
Jason, will you list my home? Nice, no nonsense approach dude! Again, I'm glad you're not in my area...You would be tough competition! ;)
CYNTHIA - I agree. The factors you mentioned are incredibly important, in my opinion.
DANNY - Thanks! I thought it was good info, too.
JUDY - That has always been my take on this topic as well. Thanks for stopping by to comment! Have a terrific week -
JEFF - Thanks for your encouraging words. I hope this one is found by a few sellers over time. I got a call today from someone who found my "open letter" post that you liked. Hope you're doing well - have a good one!
DON - I will be happy to list your home. :) Thanks for your compliments! I appreciate that very much. I hope you have a great week, my friend.
Jason:
I am very picky about who's home I will list. First they have to actually own the home they want to sell. Next they need to be breathing. That is pretty much it. Ha
ALAN - Sounds like some wise criteria to me. Talk to you soon -
Jason: Once again you give us great info. You set the bar high for those who wish compete with you!
To your success,
Susan
Jason, I totally agree with you about releasing someone from a listing agreement if they are not happy. I always write in special provisions that either seller or listing agent may terminate at any time with a 48 hour notice. I actually do that for myself as much as for them as I got in the middle of a NASTY divorce once. I have been in the middle of a lot of divorces but only one that really turned nasty.
EXCELLENT job on this Jason ! How are you by the way ? I am so sorry I haven't called or emailed. I have been swamped this week and can't even tell you what day it is ! Let me know if you all have any specfic needs okay ? Like I said, Great, informative post to your consumers. This questions / thoughts should be raised by a consumer wanting to hire an Agent. You have outlined them well !
Jason I really like this post. If only sellers thought about what is most important more often. There are far too many that get caught up in their own misgivings about what their home is worth.
Jason, this is a very well-written and honest piece to help consumer pick the right listing agent. Sometimes sellers don't even know the right questions to ask or how to get started.
Jason, you are absolutely correct. You bring valuable information to your clients and fellow agents. Thanks!
I'm glad you said that Jason. If a seller feels they must pull a listing, I would prefer to let them go than to pressure them. This happens rarely so it's better to let go with a smile and handshake. I know Brokers around here that won't even consider it. That's a toughy. Everything usually blows with bad feelings. I don't like to burn bridges. I hope you're feeling okay. Later in the rain~Deb
Jason: Well written. I think you did a great job of explaing why a buyer or seller should use you and your team.
SUSAN - As usual, thanks for your kind comments. I hope you are having a great week!
MARCHEL - That is an excellent idea - I have always focused on their ability to do this, but not me. Good stuff!
MELISSA - Thanks for your thoughtfulness. I am doing pretty well this week. We'll talk soon, I'm sure. Glad you liked the post - it got featured on Localism, so that was cool.
BILL - Thanks! Of course, I could not agree more with your take on this. Have a good one -
BRIAN - Thanks for saying that. I had some similar content on my website, so I fleshed it out a bit here. You're right - often sellers don't even know what or how to ask.
PETRA - Thank you! I am certainly trying.
DEB - This has been my opinion since I first started in real estate 11 years ago. Why pressure a client who is clearly unhappy? It won't work out well if you do.
LINDA - Thanks for your compliment. I appreciate that.
Or you could just choose the guy with the name Jason Crouch. Six of one, half dozen of the other.
PAUL - Good point.
Jason- Great post! Covering all the things to look at in your possible agent not just one or two!
Jason- You would be my agent in Austin too! I just found out that one of my sons might be moving to Austin. He is going to be there in April to check it out.
VANESSA - Thanks! I hope a few sellers see this one.
KATERINA - That's great! I would love the opportunity to help him if he is looking to buy a home here.
Jason, you make some good points here... We handle all of our "presentations" very differently depending on who we are meeting with and the depth of our relationship with them. However one thing consistent through all of them is dialogue. We have to talk with them and even figure out if we are a match. It's not just about them employing us, it's also about us taking that contract. If we don't know what thier hopes, dreams, expectations are we really can't work with them... I guess this is why I feel like we need to be focusing on a relationship rather than a transaction...
I'm not horribly sophisticated with this stuff...I just go with my gut. I REALLY resonate with what you said about "Do they bore you to tears." On a subconscious level, we can tell if someone cares about us or is just in it for themselves.
Wierdest thing...when my band was choosing a producer for our last record, we met with one who had done great work for many famous bands. We had lunch and talked for over an hour, but in the end, I just didn't feel right about it.
Then, when we went to the train station to meet another candidate, Ed Stasium, I knew who he was before he introduced himself. I just saw a guy get off the train and thought, 'That is the guy we want to work with.'
And I have no regrets.