We’ll be the first to admit it – Toronto is overflowing with real estate agents. Of course, as a constantly growing global city, it’s only natural that more and more agents join the workforce each year.
That said, no two agents are the same. If you’re planning on selling your home, choosing the right professional for the job is absolutely essential. Here’s why.
Looking for more tips about hiring the best agent for you? Start here.
Shop Around
Real estate doesn’t follow a template, and neither do agents. If you want to find the best agent for your home, you’ll need to do some research. In a market like Toronto, simply choosing the first agent you see on a billboard or bus bench could mean leaving some serious money on the table.
A great starting point for finding the right agent is creating a list of interview questions based on your individual needs, expectations, and anxieties. When it’s time to begin having conversations with potential agents, you’ll already have an understanding of what it is you are looking for.
In addition to your independent research, ask a friend or family member if they have an agent they can recommend. As a seller, personal referrals are extremely valuable.
Looking to maximize the sale of your Toronto home? We’ve got you covered. Check out these blog posts.
- How Long Will it Take to Sell My Home in 2022?
- Why You Should Never Skip Out on Staging
- Should You Wait to Sell Your Home After COVID-19?
Experience & Connections
When it comes to deeply understanding the intricacies of the local market, there’s no substitute for industry experience. In Toronto, some agents have less than a decade of experience, others have multiple. Beyond offering you the knowledge and wisdom they’ve accumulated over their career, an experienced agent can bring other advantages to the table as well.
For example, a well-established market presence often comes with strong industry connections. As a seller, your agent can use those connections to your advantage. Whether it’s hiring skilled local contractors to maximize your property value before entering the market, or setting you up with a trusted mortgage broker who can help you navigate the financial factors of your move, working with an experienced, well-connected agent will ensure a smoother selling process.
Real estate in Toronto is constantly shifting. Dive into these blog posts to learn more.
- A Realistic Look at Down Payments in Toronto
- Mortgages and Generational Impact
- Why “Now” is a Great Time to Sell Your Home
Market Familiarity
In addition to local connections, an agent with decades of experience will also know how to sell your home in any type of market condition. Over the past 20 years, real estate in Toronto has mainly revolved around a busy seller’s market. Today, as interest rates rise across the country, conditions are far more neutral. As a result of this stark change, most new and even intermediate real estate agents in the city are unfamiliar with today’s market atmosphere, having never worked in slow or balanced conditions. If you plan to sell your home in 2022, you’ll want to work with an agent who has sold homes in similar circumstances.
Want to learn more about how the recent interest rate increases are impacting real estate? Explore our blog post on the topic here.
Selling Strategies
Each agent will have their own unique approach to selling your home. To make your sale as successful as possible, you’ll want to find an agent who will leave no stone unturned in maximizing your home’s market performance.
A great agent will take a strategic and comprehensive approach to selling your home. Sales tactics like pre-market renovations, staging, pricing and marketing are all common techniques among leading agents.
Be Wary of Discount Agents
Our final word of advice – stay clear of self-proclaimed “discount” agents. While they may advertise lower commission costs, these agents frequently cut corners leading to unimpressive results. An experienced, strategy-driven agent will closely walk you through the costs of selling, ensuring you feel comfortable and confident in their approach. They will also maximize the final sale price of your home and provide an easier and faster selling process.
