The Role of a Listing Agent

In today's real estate market, two distinct types of agents have emerged – the buyer's agent and the listing agent. The typical image of an agent is of the buyer's agent who works solely for a client buying a new home. The listing agent, conversely, is an agent who specializes in preparing a home for the market and selling it.

The primary objective of a listing agent is to use smart marketing techniques that put the listed home in front of as many buyers and buyers’ agents as possible. This process goes far beyond putting up a sign and hoping that some interest is piqued. In fact, posting a sign is merely the start of a long and involved process. Where the buyer's agent deals mainly with prospective home buyers, the listing agent concerns him or herself with the marketing of a home to other agents. By marketing to other agents, the listing agent can create interest with potential buyers who are actively looking for a home in the area.

The listing agent utilizes a vast repertoire of experience and sales tactics to stir up interest. The most visual and widespread of these elements is the agent’s website. A good listing agent will use the latest in internet technology to market a home to as vast an audience as possible. This part of the marketing plan is vital to the success of a home sale, since about eight out of ten buyers use the internet to find homes for sale.

After a home is listed, the process of bringing buyers to the home begins. This is a step that has several facets, including open houses, local newspaper marketing, networking with buyers’ agents in the community, and utilizing a system of referrals on a nationwide basis. This step also involves the office and broker previews, where the home is shown to other agents in the same office.

For these reasons it is a good idea to employ the services of a listing agent in the sale of a home. The listing agent is trained in the skill of procuring as much attention for a home as he or she can. If you are looking to earn the highest possible profit in the sale of your home, a good listing agent is a necessity.