As we prepare a condo we own to sell we are wondering how to choose the right agent. We have spoken with an agent who has a listing in the same complex but we are not sure if it is wise to list our unit with an agent who is selling a unit a few doors down. Would it be better to work with a "competing" agent? There are only two units currently for sale in the complex and this agent is listing a unit which is priced higher than what we will be trying to get for our unit (other unit is same 2/2 layout and is also a downstairs unit but has some interior upgrades our does not have - wood floors vs. our older carpet, refaced cabinets vs. our originals, granite counter tops vs. our originals, etc.). Any advice is appreciated.

You should ask people (friends, family, co-workers) about their experience with Realtors and hire one from a referral.

May be wise to list with an agent that has SOLD one in the same complex recently.

I agree with Kevin. You want someone with closed transactions not just listings. Talk to several agents and compare and if you need a referral, talk to friends and others that have bought or sold recently. If you still need a referral contact one of us. Many of us have a network of preferred agents throughout the country that we can put you in touch with.

One of the unique things about condos is that there can be a myriad of obstacles when buying or selling a unit. There are management companies, condo boards, buyer applications, seller fees and other little things that usually don't apply in other types of housing. And many states have specific laws that apply to condo sales.
Someone who had sold in a particular condo complex has already passed the learning curve necessary to sell your unit. Someone who hasn't may miss a step necessary to effect a smooth sale. And this applies specifically if you don't presently reside in the unit.

First you need to see if you even CAN sell your condo right now. What other properties are listed for means nothing. It's what has closed that means everything because that shows what a buyer is willing to pay in your market.

If there are no recent sold's then you either have a high demand in your condo and no inventory or what does get listed expires as buyers in your market are closing on another product in demand.

Their might be a ton of reasons you need to sell right now but they have nothing to do with market values.

Just remember to sell you need marketing,timing,and price relative to your properties condition.

Price to high and no amount of exposure will sell the listing.
Priced correctly and no marketing buyers won't know you exist.

So it's creating a "perfect storm" of marketing,timing,and price by an experienced broker/agent who will tell you what you NEED to hear not what you WANT to hear to get your property sold.

Remember a huge seller mistake is when a property is outdated just reducing the listing price based on material costs.

Example: Competing listing with all new stuff is priced at 100k.
You figure to do all your updates it would take 10k in materials so you list at 90k which you believe is an awesome price.


Example: Here is what the buyer thinks.
This listing that is outdated needs SO MUCH WORK. Not only am I going to have to fix these things BUT I will have to get the materials,take off time from work,etc.,etc.

So 10k in materials,5k in labor and aggravation,and 10k I want in extra equity for going through this trouble.

I will pay 75k for this property.


Of course in this example we are assuming the example with the upgrades already is not overpriced and is correct. If it was overpriced then this offer price for the one that needed updates would be even lower.


So in short get an evaluation from an experienced broker/agent who will show you what options you have in the marketplace.

You might decide you do not want to put your property on the market at this time.

Make sure you are offered a multiple-point marketing program,an early termination clause if they are not performing,and a weekly communication update at a specific day and time. Even if there is no activity or good news you still need to have the meeting to talk about buyer or agent response and market pricing changes where action steps on your property might need to be taken for the following week.

What are these agents going to "compete"?! Dropping the price to each other or.......?! If this agent has a listing and sales in this neighborhood and you like him, just higher him........

Thanks to everyone for your input, I appreciate your advice. Quick update: We are still weighing the options and have not fully committed to selling, but I think the fact that no one responded that we should definitely NOT list with the same agent who has a comparable listing pretty much answered my question.

Just to clarify as some of the responses seemed like they didn't quite understand my basis for asking: my concern was that the agent might be motivated to lead a potential buyer to the higher priced unit due to a higher commission, or some similar scenario. I'm not meaning to imply that all agents would do naturally do something like that, I really just wondered if other agents would recommend it as a "no-brainer" to go with that agent or the opposite way and list with someone else.