When looking to sell your home or investment property, it’s crucial to find the right agent. After all, the right agent will lead you to the right buyer. But who should you choose, the knowledgeable local agent or the out of area agent with a strong performance record?
The Local Advantage
A local agent offers a depth of knowledge of both the area and local market. They have the ability not just to sell your house, but to sell the lifestyle that your location offers! Even better, if an agent has sold three houses on the same block already, there is a good chance they know the value of your home and the best way to market it. However, local knowledge can also lead to complacency and an agent that doesn’t follow dynamic market changes. Even a local agent needs to be energised. Luckily, many of them love their local area enough to keep their finger on the pulse of the local market.
The Specialist Outsider
In comparison, an out of area agent might have a diverse history of sales rather than one specific to your area, and a motivated, proactive agent will quickly learn about your property and location. These days, online tools can give an out of area agent a good idea of sales history and location in a matter of minutes, but good negotiating and marketing skills can take a lifetime to build, and shouldn’t be passed over just because an agent works in a different area. Even more, buyers are loyal to their dream homes, not to agents. If your home is marketed well and buyers connect with it, it doesn’t matter if the agent is a local name or not.
How to Decide
Ultimately, it is smart to shop around. Speak to a few different agents, remembering that your choice of agent should rest on who has the best skills to sell your property. Does your property have unique features (for example, a large land size primed for subdivision) that require an agent well versed in that kind of property? Or is location and lifestyle its strongest selling point? Whether the agent is a local favourite or an out of town expert, look for their motivation, their market knowledge and their willingness to go the extra mile for you and your property.
At Wills Property, we pride ourselves on over 90 years of sales experience in the Eastern Suburbs that comes alongside our present work in diverse areas of the real estate industry. If you would like to get in touch to find out whether we are the right agent for you, reach out today and call John on 0467 443 838.
