It’s always a good idea to sell your home through a real estate agent, but picking the right one for you can be difficult. If you’re having trouble deciding whether to list your real estate investment with a large firm or a local agent, here are a few words of advice that might help tip the scales:
- National Agencies. Most of the real estate agents working in your area will likely operate as representatives of a national franchise like Re/Max or Century 21. Rather than setting up their own offices, these agents secure the support and resources of established companies in exchange for a portion of their commission. As a result, franchise realtors tend to take a higher commission – but that can be worth the network of contacts, proven business methods and extensive services offered by their organization.
- Independent Agents. On the other hand, there will always be a few independent agents that choose to run their own businesses rather than joining a franchise. Although you don’t get the extensive network and other amenities afforded by national agencies, independent agents often take a lower commission and can be more knowledgeable about their area and the online markets than their national counterparts.
- How to Choose? When deciding between franchise and independent realtors, the biggest thing to consider is how confident you are that your real estate investment will sell quickly. If you’re going to depend on the range of services and amenities that only a franchise office can offer, then it’s worth taking the cut in your profits. However, if you’re confident that your property will receive offers and you only need someone to help you close the deal, an independent agent will be your best bet.
If you really can’t decide between an independent and a franchise realtor, then trust your instincts. Sign with the real estate agent that best understands your needs and seems the most interested in helping you sell your home.
