How Do You Get the Best Deal in Sun Coast Real Estate?

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Today, I’ll go over the number one step for the best real estate negotiation. This might seem obvious, but you need to hire a proven real estate agent.  When I say proven, I mean experienced. Experience doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with how long someone has been in the real estate industry. Experience is directly related to how many transactions an agent has done.

The average agent only sells 6 to 8 properties per year. That means they are only doing one deal every two months. I don’t know anybody who can be an expert at anything they only do once every 2 months.

As you might know from some of our previous videos, my team has been doing some recruiting. Some of the newer agents from bigger companies that we’ve talked to say that they’re being trained in time management or organizational skills, but not on how to put together a winning offer. Inventory is tight in our area right now, and it’s not so easy to get a buyer into a property. The ability to put together a winning offer is crucial, and these agents don’t know how to do it.

Another thing you should keep in mind is that 87% of all real estate agents fail in the first five years. That means only 13% of new agents will be successful. If you’re hiring an agent from one of these big companies, how do you know that you’re not getting one of these agents who won’t be able to get the best deal for you? How do you know you’re not getting an agent who is struggling and will quit in the next couple years?

You need to Google real estate agents before hiring them. Find their Zillow or Trulia reviews. Past customer experiences will show you how experienced these agents are. You will also want to know what their list-to-sales price ratio is. As a buyer, you want this number to be lower, because the agent will be able to negotiate the price down. As a seller, you want it to be higher so that you will net more money.

Don’t let this discourage you into selling your home yourself. For Sale By Owner properties sell for 15% less than properties that sell with an agent. You might think you’re saving money by avoiding the commission, but you will actually lose more money. If you're a buyer, don’t just call the listing agent. The listing agent is there to protect the seller’s interest.

Whether you’re buying or selling, you need a proven agent on your side. If you have any questions, give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!