Houston area single-family home sales fell 16.9 percent in August compared to a year earlier. August sales are down 5.0 percent compared to three years ago.

According to Houston Association of Realtors, days on market grew slightly, from 26 to 31 days on a month-to-month basis and from 27 to 31 days year-over-year. . Inventory is at a 2.5-months supply compared to 1.7 months a year earlier. This is the greatest supply of homes on the market since August 2020. The current national inventory stands at 3.3 months.

Per HAR / MLS:

Many times it is difficult to know what to expect from a real estate agent. Real estate professionals have a fiduciary duty to represent the interests of the client. The license holder must also exercise integrity  in the discharge of his/her responsibilities and be knowledgeable and competent as a real estate brokerage practitioner.

Sometimes consumers engage with licensees that are not fulfilling their duties. If that is the case, it may be time to speak to the agent’s broker or find other representation.

Some common red flags are:

• They don’t communicate well: Your agent should be reachable and communicative with you. If they take a long time to get back to you, it can impact your ability to see listings and put in offers before the competition. If you feel like they’re not being straightforward with you, or possibly even lying, that’s a deal-breaker.
• They are overly pushy or aggressive: An agent’s job is to advocate for you — not against you. Someone who is argumentative or tries to pressure you into things you feel uncomfortable with is not a good fit.
• They act unprofessional: Everyone has a different work style, but there are a few behaviors that just won’t fly. Showing up to appointments late (or not at all), being unprepared or not seeming to have time for you shows a lack of respect for you as a client.
• They are unfamiliar with the market: A good agent stays informed about their local market. If they don’t know about current market trends in your area, how can they help you find the best place or make the best deal possible?
• They demonstrate a lack of skills: Whether it’s marketing your home for sale or negotiating on price, you want an agent who knows what they’re doing. No one likes to feel like they left money on the closing table, whether you’re the buyer or the seller.

(adapted from Emma Woodward/Michele Petry for Bankrate)

TIPS FOR HIRING THE RIGHT AGENT

When looking for an agent to represent you, do your research. Make sure the agent and/or brokerage are full service versus MLS only. You need an agent that markets your home through the local MLS,  takes nice looking photos, puts a professional sign in the yard, uses an electronic lockbox that can be monitored and is available to schedule showings. Most importantly, you need an agent that will respond to your needs, understands all the paperwork involved to protect your interests and can communicate effectively with all parties involved.

Leslie Lerner Properties offers all the above and more for a flat fee when listing and rebated commissions when purchasing. For more information, please contact us at 713.489.9900 or follow this link to our website.