Choosing a Listing Agent

One of the most important choices you'll have to make when selling your home is finding the right listing agent. There is no hard and fast rule about tracking down the best listing agent for you; there is, however, a lot great advice and things to keep in mind as you go about looking for one. If you're planning to sell your home in Omaha, Nebraska and want to increase your odds of hiring on an exceptionally talented, professional and experienced listing agent, be sure to ask him or her the following questions when you interview them:

• What kind of education, certificates, experience and other credentials do you possess?

• Will you provide a written marketing plan for my convenience?

• Do you maintain an active profile on any of the major social networking sites? Do you keep and frequently update a real estate blog or other online newsletter or any kind?

• What methods will you use to keep in touch with me - email, telephone, or other?

• What are the basic components of your overall marketing strategy?

• What kinds of technology do you use to enhance your marketing capabilities? Will you be using that technology when marketing my home? If so, how?

• How will I know for sure that my house will be easily found on the Internet? Which websites do you plan on listing my property on?

• Will you give me an idea about what my competitions' homes are like so that I know what I am going up against in today's market?

• Will you have a professional photographer take photos of my home? How many photos will be taken?

• Can I have references from your past clients? If so, may I contact them?

• Will you provide a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to me? Are you willing to look it over with me to ensure that I understand it?

• Do you have any recommendations about improvements that I can make to my home to increase its value?

• Do you offer any kind of performance guarantee?

• Can you give me an idea about your track record and past performance? What is the average DOM, or days on market, of the homes that you've sold in the past?

In addition to these questions, you might have region- or neighborhood-specific questions to ask a prospective listing agent about as well. Also, be sure to perform a Google search on the prospective listing agent's name to see what kind of information comes up. Optimally, they should have a strong online presence and might even have some online testimonials that you'll be able to look through.

Finally, make sure that you are comfortable with your listing agent as a person. The two of you will be in constant contact while your home is on the market, so it's smart to work with somebody that you like and respect.