Last week, we looked at the role of the buyer’s agent and the services that agent provides to his or her client, the buyer. This week, let’s take a closer look at the seller’s agent.
The seller’s agent is sometimes also called the listing agent and represents, of course, the sellers of the property in question. Their work with the client begins long before the home is listed! In fact, the seller’s agent is quite a jack of all trades, says real estate website Redfin. This agent will help sellers with many parts of the listing and selling process, including:
- Giving you tips for preparing the home for sale, including suggested improvements
- Discussing your home’s selling features (and then highlighting them!)
- Helping stage the home
- Hiring a professional photographer to take pictures
- Conducting a comparative market analysis so you can properly price your home
- Marketing your home to bring in prospective buyers
- Representing you in negotiations
- Guiding you through the selling process
The seller’s agent receives a commission when the sale is closed. This commission – as well as one for the buyer’s agent – are paid by the seller.
