Making the decision to sell your home can be one of the most important decisions you will ever make. And yet, most people spend far more time planning a holiday than they do deciding which Calgary Real Estate agent to hire! But finding the right agent can be a daunting task! After all, this isn’t something you do every day. How are you supposed to know what to look for?

Consider the following:

1. Educate Yourself.
   You could start by reading all ten "Why Hire Ted?" articles on this website. Of course it's biased towards hiring me! But it's also solid information. In fact it's been called "the most informative and candid advice about Real Estate on the Internet". It will take you only about 20 minutes to read every article. When you're done, you'll be very well-informed about how Real Estate really works.
2. Interview at Least 3-4 REALTORS® (including me).
   Go ahead and hear what the others have to say first. Then you'll be blown away by my unique, educational presentation that makes it easy for you to make the right decision!
3. Avoid "Slicksters" and "Celebrity" Agents.
   You know who I'm talking about. These folks are very, very good at convincing you to sign the listing contract. In that regard they are excellent salespeople, but it's all a numbers game to them. Their primary focus is to get as many listing contracts signed as possible, and then hope that at least half of them sell. Their focus is NOT on getting YOUR home sold.
4. Avoid Hiring a "Newbie".
   I hate to say this because everyone needs to start somewhere, and I personally know several very intelligent young agents with high integrity and the very best of intentions. But the fact is that we all learned this business the hard way – by making mistakes. So I suggest you let the "newbie" make their mistakes with someone else's listing. By the way, sometimes the "newbie" and the "slickster" are one in the same! Be careful! Yes, it's possible to appear polished and professional, without having any real skills beyond your "image".
5. Avoid Agents Listing at Unrealistic Prices.
   Don't be fooled by the "charming" agent who is overly enthusiastic and seems to believe that your home is worth considerably more than any of the other agents think. This agent is probably A) not very smart; B) not being realistic; or, worst of all, C) attempting to "buy" your business. I cringe when I hear these agents comment, "You can't drop the price on a listing you don't have!"
6. Don't Ever Hire a Friend or Relative.
   There are a thousand things that can go wrong in a Real Estate transaction. I've seen so many friendships end over this issue: it's just not worth it. The old adage is so true, "NEVER mix business with pleasure".
7. Don't Be Afraid to Ask Tough Questions.
   "What exactly differentiates you from all the other agents? How exactly are you going to keep me informed on an on-going basis? Which services are you bringing to the table that are going to help get my home sold for the highest possible price? Who else on your team will I be dealing with and what exactly are each of their roles? When do you recommend that I list? Why exactly should I hire you?" You should NOT be afraid to ask any of these questions or any other questions you have, and you should be completely satisfied with the responses you get.
8. Be Realistic.
   Understand that every home (including yours) has a balance sheet of assets and liabilities. You want your agent to be enthusiastic about the good stuff, but also realistic about potential drawbacks. On the other hand if the agent is negative about everything and doesn't appreciate the positive features that your house has, don't hire them! You're looking for a balanced, realistic approach and honest advice.
9. Understand Your Agent's Marketing Strategies.
   How your agent discusses the pros and cons of your property with you is completely different from how you want them to MARKET the property to others. Ask for examples of how the agent has successfully marketed and sold other similar properties. Look at the photos. Read the descriptions. Is this how you want your home to be portrayed?
10. Comfort Is Important.
    Do you feel comfortable with the agent? Do they come across as sincere, knowledgeable, skilled, experienced, enthusiastic, confident, and hard-working?

Even if I'm only one of five agents you interview, and even if you decide to work with a different agent, I can guarantee – if nothing else – you will learn some very valuable and useful information during our first meeting. I call it a "strategy discussion".

Just fill out the form at the top of the page and I'll get right back to you! Or, simply give me a call at 403-973-9730.