While some California homes are snapped up within hours of being put on the market, others linger unsold for months or even years. Some potential buyers may pass on a home due to its poor location or lack of curb appeal, but reactions like this are sometimes caused by the poor qualifying techniques of inexperienced or unmotivated real estate agents. Talented real estate agents match buyers with properties that they will likely be interested in rather than those that will pay the highest commissions, and it is important for sellers to be careful and selective when deciding which agent or agency to work with.
Experience is often the quality that sellers look for first in a real estate agent, but they may be wise to not be swayed too much by accomplishments in decades past. Selling homes successfully requires boundless energy and deep reserves of enthusiasm, and a less experienced but eager-to-impress agent may produce better results than a cynical seasoned veteran.
Sellers may be able to eliminate unqualified candidates by asking them for references from former clients or checking their credentials with organizations like the National Association of Realtors, but frank discussions may be the best way to find a real estate agent that has excellent people skills and works hard to put deals on paper. Real estate transactions can also be high pressure, and it is important for buyers to choose and agent who they get along with as communication may be vital when negotiations start to heat up.
Sellers who choose a real estate agent wisely may see their properties sold quickly, but much can happen between an offer for a home being accepted and the transaction closing. Experienced real estate attorneys may be familiar with pitfalls like documentation or title issues that can derail the sales process, and they may be able to avoid such problems by actively seeking them out and taking decisive action when they are discovered.