How a Real Estate Agent Can Help Before, During & After Your Home Sale

The vast majority of people hire a real estate agent to help them sell their homes. In fact, 92% of homes sold in the U.S.in 2021 were sold using an agent or a broker. Of course, most people know how invaluable and helpful a real estate agent is during the selling process. But most people don't realize that real estate agents are extremely helpful to you before, during, and after the sale goes through.

Want to learn how to maximize the benefits of working with an agent? Check out these often-forgotten ways we can help throughout the entire home-selling process — from point A to point Z.

Before the Sale of a Home

Before selling your home, your real estate agent can help you determine a listing price. Based on an assessment of the market and competition, your agent can help you find a reasonable and competitive price to offer your home at. Correctly pricing a home is one of the most critical things in producing promising results for the sale of your home — getting it to sell fast and for a price that makes you as much money as possible. 

In addition to pricing your home correctly, an agent can help you stage your home for prospective buyers looking at the house. Staging is important for buyers to visualize the property as their future home. Research has consistently shown that well-staged homes sell faster. Ask your real estate agent for suggestions to help stage your home well. They often have connections to other helpful resources, including professional stagers.

During the Sale of a Home

Once you’ve listed your home for sale, your real estate agent's talent gets the chance to really shine by marketing your home and attracting as many potential buyers as possible. Your agent's role is vital in promoting the house on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service). In addition, they can list it on their website. Your agent should help promote the property for sale through personal connections, blogs, social media sites, etc.

An essential component of effective marketing of your home is professional photos and video. Photos often attract a buyer to want to learn more or run the other way! Bad pictures can seriously hurt your chances of selling your home. And video gives prospective buyers an event better idea of the flow and feel of your home. So, be sure to select an agent who has connections with top-notch photographers specializing in real estate photography.

An experienced real estate agent can also help you find a qualified buyer. With years of experience comes the ability to vet candidates properly. Your agent should be helping you look through prospects and offers, answer any questions you may have throughout the process, and advise you through choosing the best candidate and offer.

After the Sale of a Home

Congrats! Your home has sold! If you’re asking yourself, “now what?” you’re not alone. Your real estate agent still has a job to do, even after you’ve identified a buyer and accepted an offer. Your agent can help you negotiate any terms with the buyer including repairs, allowances, etc.

Other things can get complicated when selling a home, such as closing dates or contingencies. Many sellers often think that the agent's job is done once a buyer has been found. This is far from the truth! An agent has an important role right up until the sale is finalized. Other things they should help you with after the offer has been accepted are negotiating through and coordinating any inspections and appraisals.