Many experts say that while it is more than possible to sell your home on your own, especially now with the help of online resources, a seller's greatest asset for selling quickly and for the best possible price is getting the right agent. Whether you're selling a condo in Toronto or a property among Windsor homes, you can get lost in the competition very easily if you aren't familiar with the process. There are literally thousands of other listings currently on the market and you need to know how to make your home stand out and get the right potential buyers in the door. Here are some tips for finding the ideal real estate agent.

Ask around and see if anyone you know has sold a home in your area lately. If you see that there is another home on your street that is on the market and the sign changes from "For Sale" to "Sold" within a matter of weeks, than you might want to look into working with that selling agent. Make sure that they're someone who frequent deals with homes in your neighbourhood. Having a great agent that works with Toronto condo listings for example, to help you sell your home in Oakville isn't going to be the best choice.

Think like a buyer. One of the keys to getting your home sold is for the right people to find the property and attend a successful showing. Search online for homes on the market in your area and see which agents have the best marketing tactics and which sites come up first in the results. When people are searching for a particular type of property they start their search online and go from there. So, choosing an agent that appears at the top of the search results is already a step in the right direction. If you happen to be interested in Leaside, for example, we think you'll find that Mr. Rocca has a very high profile and extensive experience in that particular community. While there's nothing wrong with working with a young and enthusiastic agent, there's something to be said for going with the well-connected.

Attend a home showing and watch that agent at work. Check out the state of the home that they are showing and look for clues as to whether or not they have given the seller's good advice on how best to prepare their home for sale and what is the right listing price. When marketing any property you want to make sure that you're choosing an agent who is going to be honest and fair with you at all times.

Once you have narrowed the choices down to a couple of agents you should check out their credentials and selling history. Not all agents are created equal. Agents that are members of the National Association of Realtors have signed a code of ethics for their work. When you enter a branded realty office or independent branch you will know these people because they are permitted to use the name "realtor" instead of just calling themselves a real estate agent or broker.


Be sure to avoid this list of the Top 10 Mistakes sellers make when choosing a realtor. Good luck!