What Is The Role Of A Seller's Agent In Real Estate?

People often make the mistake of conflating the role of a seller's agent with that of a real estate broker. However, there are several major differences. If you're considering real estate selling services, you should understand the role of a seller's agent.

Serving the Seller

Foremost, a seller's agent has a duty to the client. During the home selling process, they represent only the seller's interests. In other words, it's their job to try to get the best possible return for the listing.

Conversely, a broker can legally represent the interests of both the seller and the buyer. If they feel it would help to get the two parties to compromise, a broker is welcome to do so. However, a seller's agent can only advocate for such a move if the seller expresses an interest in doing so to close the deal.

Bear in mind that buyers are welcome to hire a similar advocate for their interests. Unsurprisingly, the equivalent would be a buyer's agent.

Home Selling Services

Notably, a seller's agent provides several services. Even before you list the property, they can assist you in placing a value on it. They can conduct market analysis to determine what a comparable property would likely sell for in the same area.

Once you've set a price, you can begin setting up a listing. Real estate selling services at this point include copywriting, taking photos, adding the entry to the multiple listing service, and placing ads. If you wish to stage an open house or do showings, the agent can handle those, too.

When it comes time to make a deal, a seller's agent can assist with negotiations, reviewing draft contracts, disclosure forms, and other legal issues. They can coordinate with the buyer, financial institutions, title companies, and escrow services to handle the closing process, also. An agent also can verify that the parties have met all of the closing conditions before letting a seller know they can finalize the deal.

On the opposite side, there are real estate buying services, too. A buyers agent does most of the same things, but they look for listings that match a client's needs rather than drawing up a listing.

Why Use a Seller's Agent?

A seller's agent is a fiduciary. This means they have a legal obligation to represent your interests to the exclusion of all others. If you're worried that a broker might focus on their interests rather than getting the sale done, working with a seller's agent is a good option.

Contact a seller's agent today to learn more.