The world of real estate can be challenging and a bit confusing at times. Hiring a real estate agent is a great way to navigate the real estate market in your area.
Before hiring an agent, you need to assess your needs. First answer, do you need to acquire a selling or listing agent? What will the commission fees be? What kind of personality and experience do you need to make the process as coherent as possible?
Listing agent vs selling agent
If you want to sell your home, consider hiring a listing agent. Listing agents represent the party selling a property. They will promote your home and find the right ways to make your property more competitive within your target market.
A selling agent, also known as the buyer’s agent - which may sound counterintuitive, acts on behalf of the potential buyer to buy a property. A seller’s agent will do research on local properties that best suit the buyer’s budget and search criteria.
Until the contract is signed, this agent is referred to as a buyer’s agent and post-contract signing, they are referred to as the selling agent.
Commission fees
The selling agent commission price may seem daunting. However, paying this fee ensures you have a proficient real estate professional on your side to help navigate the legality of real estate transactions.
Once a property is sold, the home seller pays the brokerage of the listing agent. The brokerage will then give the listing agent a portion of the commission fee. The national standard commission rate hovers around 6% total for buyer and seller agents.
Finding your perfect real estate agent
Whether you are searching for a listing or seller agent, it is important to assess their credentials and make sure their expertise fits your criteria. Do they understand your local market? Are they a good negotiator? Can they market your home for the best price to get it sold quickly, so you can continue with your journey?
Overall, the cost of hiring a listing or seller's agent is worth the expense. Both of these real estate agents will mediate between the buyer and seller and keep the situation calm when emotions run high.
About the Author
Marsha Charles
Consistent top listing and selling agent receiving Chairman's Club award for superior sales achievement almost every year while associated with Preferred Properties, Inc. Consistently receive the International Presidents Premier award for sales volume since joining Coldwell Banker Realty and ranked in the top 1% of agents in Connecticut and Westchester County. In 2021 I received the International Society of Excellence award for sales volume in excess of $100,000,000. I have been named a Top Five Sales Agent for customer satisfaction since 2010 (longer than any other agent in Connecticut) and listed in Connecticut Magazine. Named one of the Top Agents in Connecticut by Real Trends since 2018.
I work with sellers and buyers and also have a strong understanding to needs of those who are relocating . Background and experience in advertising, public relations and photography offer creative and innovative marketing plans for sellers.
Realtor designations include: Graduate Real Estate Institute, Certified Residential Specialist, Certified Residential Marketing Specialist, and Pricing Strategy Advisor. Served as President of New Canaan Board of Realtors (two terms), Director (three terms) and currently serve on Professional Standards Committee. Named Realtor of the year by the New Canaan Board of Realtors in 1994and again in 2022.
Married and mother of other of four children who attended and graduated from the New Canaan School System, Member of New Canaan, Darien, Greenwich and Statewide MLS systems. Areas covered include New Canaan, Darien, Greenwich, Rowayton, Norwalk, Wilton and all of lower Fairfield County.
