
How you can get a short sale listing agent
As the real estate business booms, sellers do not struggle to get agents willing to list their homes and advertise them to get buyers fast. It may, however, not be easy to get a short sale listing agent. These agents do a lot of work compared to a real estate agent. They have to manage negotiations with banks, therefore, short sales need people experienced in the field.
Closing one short sale is the same as selling at least five standard homes. Some short sale listing agents may have to sell a home more than once since buyers tend to flake a lot. Some agents handle their own negotiations while others outsource the negotiation.
The high number of short sales makes some real agents market themselves as experts in the field. Unfortunately, not all real estate agents have the experience to close a short sale. It is therefore essential to choose the right short sale listing agent to help you close the transaction.
You can do this by looking for referrals from friends and family. People who have sold houses before may be aware of an agent who has been able to close a short sale successfully. Such a seller can refer the agent to you easily. Talk to families that are in the real estate business and find out if they know such an agent.
Ask a real estate agent for a referral. Most agents that don’t list short sale transactions know specialists who deal with short sales. Since most agents in the field know each other, they sometimes pay each other referral fees. This means that the agent who refers you to the short sale specialist might get an incentive from it. According to their rules, the agent can only get the referral fee if the transaction is closed. This means that they will do their best to put you in the best hands.
Visit short sale open houses. Open houses are different, and some are specifically meant for short sales. Attending such an event can connect you to the right agent. Try to find out if the person behind the open house is the listing agent. Talk to them to find out if they have handled a lot of short sales before and if they have enough knowledge to go about it.
Alternatively, make use of the internet to get a short sale agent. Some of the agents blog about their experiences on the internet. They use blogging as a way of sharing their experiences with people. Dealing with different negotiators can also be tough thus, some blog to express their feelings. Go through different agent’s websites as you view their listings.
You should also run MLS searches. Get a friend who has access to multiple listing service and run a search. Ensure that you limit your search for short sales. Go beyond focusing on a specific neighbourhood but instead concentrate on a wide area since most short sale specialists sell in different towns. Choose a short sale agent with a low DOM then check out more information about them on their website.