Questions to Ask Real Estate Agents (for sellers)

These are great questions to consider asking agents you are considering:

• Tell me about your negotiating skills.
• What fiduciary, client level duties you would owe to me if I chose to hire you as my agent?
• Do you have a list of home inspectors, insurance agents, and reputable lenders and other relevant contacts (e.g. painters, landscapers, general contractors) for me to consider?
• Specifically, how will you protect my interests and why should I hire your rather than another agent?
• How many other sellers/buyers are you representing now?
• How many transactions did you close in the last year?
• Do you have a list of references?
• Do you have an assistant or support staff?  Are they licensed?
• Will you handle all aspects of my transaction or will you delegate some tasks to a sales associate or an administrative assistant?
• Are you a full-time or part-time agent?
• How accessible are you?  What hours do you work?
• What happens when you go on vacation or take time off?
• Will you listen to my needs and get a complete idea of my situation so that you will represent me well to buyers and their agents?
• Are you a broker or an agent?   Tell me about the additional experience, qualifications, and/or certifications you have.
• How many of your own listings do you sell? 
• Will you represent only my interest in all situations? 
•  Is there ever a situation that you or your company might represent the buyer?  How will that work?
• Will you attend closing/settlement?
• Will you meet the appraiser?
• What are the critical points in the home selling process?
• What kind of marketing do you do?
•  Will you provide a written marketing plan?
• How much knowledge do you have about mortgage markets?
• Do you call each lender to verify information provided by the purchaser?
•  Will you prepare a detailed net sheet for each contract I am considering?
•  How often will you be communicating with me during the sales process?
• Where will you advertise my home for sale to attract buyers?
• What listing price do you recommend and what is that price based on?
• What does the listing agreement entail, what are the beginning and expiration dates, and what are the fees that I will be paying?
• How often will you hold open houses? Why?
• What happens if my house doesn't sell?
• How many agents are there in your company?  Office?
• What market share does your company have in the area?
• Why should I list my home with you?

Agents, if you don't know how to answer these questions, it would be a great way to sharpen your listing presentation and build your self-confidence!

There are no right or wrong answers...it depends on the agents services and the sellers needs.  For example, a seller might prefer an agent who closes 10 transactions rather than 100 transactions a year.

Also See: Questions to Ask Real Estate Agents (for Buyers)

http://activerain.com/blogsview/178210/Questions-to-Ask-Real