You’ve taken the proper steps to create a healthy, energy efficient, high-performing home and now you would like to pass it along to someone who will truly appreciate it. What are the steps you should take to find a REALTOR® who can help you maximize your investments by leveraging these features?
It’s no secret that inventory levels are at historic lows. There is a lot of competition to earn your business. As a matter of fact, according to The Wall Street Journal, “In January, there were more real estate agents than homes for sale in the U.S.” With the number of agents vying to sell your home, how do you choose the right one?
Here are three easy steps to identify a real estate agent that can effectively sell your green home:
1. Credentials
All agents go through rigorous training to become licensed. However, there are several additional designations and continuing education that agents can tap into to become true experts in selling a green home. In fact. National Association of Realtors (NAR) offers a “GREEN” Designation that teaches agents how to properly price and market a high-performing home. Is it a “must” to have one of these designations to sell your home? No. But what you DO need to look for is an agent who has the knowledge to bring your home’s unique features to the forefront of the transaction.
2. Marketing Chops
At Pearl, we like to say “unique homes require unique marketing.” Finding an agent who has in-depth knowledge of your home’s features is half the battle. The other half is figuring out which agent has the best plan to leverage these features to differentiate it from other listings.
What to look out for:
Does the agent fill out all the data fields, including the green data fields, in the MLS? Pro tip: search their previous/current listings to ensure they are checking off all relevant features including green fields.
In the property description, does the agent create a story around the home’s special features to articulate the living benefits to the buyer in a compelling way? Pro tip: Make sure your agent is using the property description to the home’s advantage by highlighting what can’t be seen, such as: “The HVAC system is both the lungs and circulatory system of this high performing home, impacting your comfort and the air you breath as well as reducing your energy costs.”
How does the agent leverage social media? Your home really needs to shine! By connecting with buyers on an emotional level, it paints a picture of the benefits of living in the home. Are they doing more than just posting another home for sale? Social media is a space for agents to show off their creativity and find innovative ways to “sell” the experience of living in the home. Does your agent successfully do this?
Lastly, does the photography work to enhance the special high-performing features of your home? Have they captured a great pic of that smart thermostat or tankless water heater? Make sure they pay special attention to all of these types of features — especially if your listing has solar panels.
3. Value Support
Does your agent understand the financial value of the high-performing features of your home? Do they understand how to price a healthy, energy-efficient home? Is the agent knowledgeable about the Appraisal Institute’s Green and Energy Efficient Appraisal Addendum and the process to successfully leverage it to get the value you deserve for your unique home?
By asking these kinds of questions up front, you will be able to find and hire the agent — and advocate — you need to sell your high-performing home quicker and for more money. Bottomline? Make sure sure to take the time and do your due diligence to find the most qualified agent to sell your home.
If you need help locating an agent, Pearl Certification can help. We have over 3,000 Pearl Real Estate Network Members who have experience selling homes just like yours! Please email us at [email protected] or fill out the form below for more info today.
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