If you’re thinking about selling your home in Lafayette, Broussard, Youngsville, or elsewhere in Acadiana, finding the right listing agent can feel overwhelming. This is probably one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make, so you want to be careful about who you trust with it.
But not all real estate agents are equal, and the wrong choice can mean your home stays on the market far longer than it should.
Communication is Everything
How well your agent communicates with you will make or break your entire selling experience. You’re going to be dealing with this person for weeks or even months, so you need to know they’ll keep you in the loop every step of the way.
Look for someone who responds quickly, treats you like a person (not just another commission), and doesn’t make you jump through hoops just to set up a meeting. When you first reach out to potential agents, pay close attention to their turnaround time and how they communicate with you.
Do they reply within a few hours, or does it take days? Are their responses thorough, or do you feel like you have to pull teeth to get basic information?
This is the best way to gauge whether you’ll work well together, because frequent updates are crucial throughout the selling process. You don’t want to be left wondering what’s happening with showings, feedback from buyers, or whether any issues need your attention.
I’ve worked with sellers who had bad experiences with agents who just went radio silent for weeks. That kind of stress is the last thing you need when you’re trying to sell your home.
Experience and Average Listing Time Matter
This is where a lot of people make mistakes. They might meet an agent who seems great and has excellent overall stats, but they don’t dig deeper into whether that agent has experience selling homes in their specific neighborhood.
Does this agent know your neighborhood, or are they just winging it? If they’ve never worked in your neighborhood, they might not understand the local market trends, pricing, or what buyers in that specific area are looking for.
You should also ask for their individual stats. What would they recommend listing your home at, and can they show comparable sales to back it up? A good agent should be able to pull up sales in your neighborhood and explain their pricing strategy clearly.
Other questions to ask: What’s their average time from listing to closing? What percentage of their listings sold at or above the asking price? These numbers give you a clear picture of how effective they are at pricing homes and marketing them to the right buyers.
If an agent can’t answer these questions or seems evasive about their track record, that’s a red flag. You want someone who’s confident in their abilities and transparent about their results.
A Solid Marketing Plan is Non-Negotiable
When you ask about marketing, you’d better get more than just “We’ll put it on the MLS and see what happens.” A good agent should have a comprehensive strategy for marketing your house, from listing prep and staging to using every available channel to get your home in front of the right buyers.
This includes both online and offline marketing. Most buyers start their search online, so your agent should have a strong digital presence and know how to showcase your home on all the major real estate sites. But they should also understand the local market well enough to take advantage of offline opportunities that might work in your area.
Don’t forget to ask about services like professional staging and photography. Great photos can make or break a listing, especially online, where that’s the first impression most buyers get of your home.
A comprehensive marketing plan shows that your agent takes your listing seriously and has thought through every way to get your home sold quickly and for the best price.
Read more: Top Reasons to Use a Listing Agent When Selling Your Acadiana Home
Reviews Tell the Real Story
Look at reviews from previous clients on places like Google and Zillow. Don’t just check the star ratings. Read what people actually wrote about their experiences.
Pay attention to comments about communication, how long it took to sell, and whether clients felt their agent was working hard for them. If you notice patterns in the feedback, whether good or bad, take that seriously.
Read more: How Important is Curb Appeal When Selling a House in Acadiana?
The Bottom Line
The things I’ve mentioned above are just some of the key considerations, but definitely not all of them. Choosing the right listing agent is crucial to selling your home quickly and for the best possible price.
I’ve been one of the top-selling agents in Lafayette, Broussard, Youngsville, and the greater Acadiana area for several years. Since 2019, I’ve been the top producer for five consecutive years, and I’ll guide you every step of the way from listing to closing.
With my education and background in marketing, I’ve developed a comprehensive strategy that has helped me become one of the leading agents in Lafayette. I know this market inside and out and understand what it takes to get homes sold here.
If you’re ready to sell your home and want to work with someone who communicates every step of the way and has the track record to back it up, contact me. Let’s talk about how we can get your home sold quickly and for the price you deserve.
