When it comes to selling your home, understanding the role your real estate agent plays is paramount, according to owner and Director of The Property Exchange.
Ms Peinke believes the role of a good real estate agent is to help the seller add value to the property with sound preparation and presentation advice.
“The difference between good and bad presentation is about 10 per cent of the actual selling price, so on a million dollar property the wrong advice could cost you $100,000 or more,” Ms Peinke said.
Managing expectations
The other important role of a real estate agent, according to Ms Peinke, is to manage the expectations of potential buyers.
“It’s important you do not set them up for a disappointment, as this will never result in a sale. A classic example of this is overpricing.
“Another example is misrepresenting the property on the internet, by using lenses that make rooms and outdoor areas appear bigger than they actually are,” Ms Peinke said.
Listing price
Determining a listing and selling price for your home can often be difficult for sellers, agents and buyers to agree upon because it’s so subjective.
Ms Peinke said that it’s important for all parties to understand that no property has one set value because it will always be worth different amounts to different people.
“The job of your real estate agent is to elevate that value in the buyer’s eyes. This involves finding ways to overcome or minimise what are likely to be objections to the property, making suggestions to buyers as to what they can do to overcome drawbacks, and to emphasise the positive points to create a balanced view,” Ms Peinke said.
Finding the agent that’s right for you
Ms Peinke believes that real estate agents require good instincts and foresight to be able to ensure the seller is protected at all times during the process.
“Your real estate agent should not just be a middle man in the process of selling your home.
“To be at the top of their game and the greatest asset to the seller, they must be a great marketer, a top communicator, a trusted advisor, a psychologist, an interior decorator, a diplomat, and have the confidence to give their sellers the advice that they need to hear, not what they want to hear,” Ms Peinke said