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What questions will my real estate agent ask me when I interview them?

By Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty

Real Estate Agent with Bucci Realty, Inc. BK3064647

June 01, 2012 12:14 AM

When interviewing a real estate agent to sell your home you should expect to receive a lot of background questions from the real estate agent. If you don't get any questions about your home and your desires, you may have the wrong agent!

Most of these questions are targeted toward finding out about your property and may include general information like...

Reason for selling.
How long lived in your home,
Whether leaving the area or buying a new home,
Your time line,
Your experience/familiarity with the real estate sales process,
Any improvements made to your home,
Your favorite things about your house.

The answers to the above questions are all useful to any real estate agent who is trying to get hired by you to market your home.

Don't Answer This Question First When Interviewing A Real Estate Agent to Sell Your Home

How much do you think your is worth in this market?

So how should a seller respond to this question?

By asking the real estate agent the same question first.

Any real estate agent being interviewed to sell your home should be able to tell you a reasonable market price or list price without being influenced by your answer.

And if that answer is different than what you had in mind you should request an explanation of how the agent derived the recommended price. Better yet ask them to provide you with a written comparative market analysis to review.

If you are considering selling your Melbourne or Rockledge home contact me for a free market analysis. I will answer "the question" first instead of asking you!

Here is a list of questions you may want to ask any real estate agent you interview to sell your Brevard County home.

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Kimo Jarrett

Cyber Properties - Huntington Beach, CA

Pro Lifestyle Solutions

The most important question a Realtor should get from the seller is their time line to close. This will usually indicate their motivation and the ultimate strategy to market the property. The next series of questions, many that you have listed and more shall determine if both seller and agent can be successful in the pursuit of closing the sale. As Alan, #44 discovered in his comment, sometimes sellers are reluctant to accept the reality of the market, aren't they?

Jun 02, 2012 04:10 PM

Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty

Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL

Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

Alan - This sounds like one of those situations where having the seller tell you up front would have saved you gas!

Tammie - Mortgage status is key as well. Sounds like one more to add to this post. Thanks.

Kimo - Time line to close and future plans are key to meeting the seller needs, for sure. Thanks.

Jun 02, 2012 09:25 PM

Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty

Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL

Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

Lyn - Excellent questions. I guess phrasing the question with "fantasy" is a nice approach. Thanks.
Gene - Thanks for the re-blog!
Debbie - Knowing their expectations is key. Love your name...has a Hollywood-esque ring!

Jun 02, 2012 09:27 PM

Amanda S. Davidson

Amanda Davidson Real Estate Group Brokered By Real - Alexandria, VA

Alexandria Virginia Homes For Sale

Gary- Great post. I think the dialog back and forth is really important. It creates a rapor while both sides get answers to their questions. Hitting them with what do they think their home is worth as the first question is definitely not the way to go. Very well written

Jun 02, 2012 10:25 PM

Bob Miller

Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty - Ocala, FL

The Ocala Dream Team

Hi Gary, great post. I often will go through my listing presentation then ask seller how much they think their home is worth. They may come in lower thus helping get it sold quick.

Jun 02, 2012 10:52 PM

Karen Steed

Tallapoosa, Bremen, Waco, Buchanan, Temple, Carrollton - Tallapoosa, GA

Associate Broker Haralson Realty

Great info. I think asking what price they have in mind is a good question to ask. It allows me to get inside the sellers head. In our area it is difficult to find true comps for many rural properties - like the one with 51.77 acres and two homes. It all goes back to "a home is worth what a buyer will pay".

Jun 03, 2012 01:41 AM

Carla Freund

Keller Williams Preferred Realty - Raleigh, NC

NC Real Estate Transition & Relocation 919-602-848

Gary - good advice for home sellers. I ask a ton of questions. I only ask what they think their house is worth so I can see if we're on the same page or if we're far apart.

Jun 03, 2012 03:09 AM

Pat & Steve Pribisko

Keller Williams Greater Cleveland West - Westlake, OH

Gary:

I like your suggestion to ask the Sellers what they think their home is worth first.

Jun 03, 2012 03:09 AM

Maggie Wong

Keller Williams Realty - Cupertino, CA

Great post and thank you for sharing with us.

Jun 03, 2012 06:04 AM

Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty

Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL

Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

Amanda - Thanks. Two way communication is critical in this process.
Bob - Thanks. It is good when they are realistic.
Karen - I am all for asking them as long as the list price isn't accepted by the agent just to get the listing if it is not realistic. Thanks.
Carla - Thanks. The more questions, the more info.
Pat & Steve - Thanks
Maggie - Thanks, have a great week!

Jun 04, 2012 01:30 AM

Travis "the SOLD man" Parker; Broker/Owner

Travis Realty - Enterprise, AL

email: Travis@theSOLDman.me / cell: 334-494-7846

I agree with some above and disagree with you - I ask THEM how much they are "trying" to get for their home. The answer will quickly determine which way to go from there. If realistic, the short presentation. If too high, or even low, a little more into the "Pricing" part of the Presentation.

Otherwise, a very good article. Nice reverse approach in writing from the Client's standpoint.

Jun 04, 2012 01:35 AM

Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty

Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL

Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

Travis - I am all for asking them the question but not so it serves as a basis for the entire listing presentation. I do not ask up front though.

Jun 04, 2012 03:40 AM

Stephanie Stringer

First Choice Loan Services NMLS#210764 - San Antonio, TX

Mortgage Loan Originator

Gary, Interviewing our clients is very important in listing and also in buying a home. I am a loan officer for over 15 years and I see myself as an employer having to interview my future clients for a job (loan of course). Especially with the ever changing real estate market, it's vital we interview for an red flags that could occur down the road.

Great article and best of luck to you.

Jun 05, 2012 05:47 AM

Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty

Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL

Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

Stephanie - Thanks!

Jun 05, 2012 11:07 PM

Jairo Arreola #SOLDBYVETERAN

PRG Real Estate - San Jose, CA

VA Home Loan Specialist - SF Bay Area

Great Points. Agents need to ask questions to learn about the property and the seller.

Jun 07, 2012 08:54 AM