Time searching for a good agent is better than time unsold on the market.

Here’s some great advice for home-sellers, “It’s better to spend an extra three or four weeks to find the right agent than to spend three or four months stuck with the wrong agent.”

Legally, of course, you must tell agents you are recording them. Don’t be shy. Remember it’s your home and you are doing what’s best for you and your family. Simply say to the agent: “To be safe and to reduce any confusion or misunderstanding, especially if we decide to choose you as the agent to sell our home, we hope you are okay with us recording what you tell us.”

We see it constantly – homes sold far below what buyers are willing to pay. The worst cases often occur in auctions where inexperienced sellers are often delighted, they got a higher price than they expected, but they don’t realise they did not get the highest price.

You’d think it would be obvious. If you are a real estate agent, the essence of your job, the main reason sellers hire you is simple: To negotiate the highest price.

Of course, all agents will claim to be great at negotiation. You then make this request: “Please give me some examples of your negotiation skill – specifically how you can get us a better price than other agents.”

Unless you are impressed with how the agents respond to this statement, you have not got the right agent.

Make getting the highest price your highest priority.

By Neil Jenman