If you want to get more listings, build your marketing plan and listing presentation to answer these questions. If you don't, know this: Your competition is.
21 Questions to Ask an Agent Before You Hire One.©
Don Phelan
Copyright 2003
Finding a real estate professional that´s right for you requires asking a few questions. You deserve to know what you´re getting for your money.
1. What commission percentage do you charge? Is it negotiable? Under what conditions?
2. Does your commission cover a full range of services, from marketing and advertising to processing and closing the sale?
3. Does your company charge "transaction fees" in addition to the commission or is the commission the entire compensation your company will receive?
4. Will you prepare, review and sign an estimate itemizing all of the costs to get our home sold and/or to buy a one?
5. How easy will it be to reach you? How quickly do you return phone calls? Do you have an e-mail address? Cell phone? Website? Pager?
6. How often will you be in touch with us to recap your marketing activities, feedback on showings, and updates on the progress of getting the sale closed? Will you put that in writing?
7. Will you call us with feedback or will we be hearing from a less-experienced assistant or title company processor?
8. Does your company invite your agents to tour our home on so all the agents in your office see our home?
9. What is your specific marketing plan for our home? When and where will our home be advertised? How many internet real estate websites will have information about our home and how popular are those web sites?
10. Do you recommend open houses and, if so, how often? Will you advertise the open house with a photo ad? Will you send an announcement to our neighborhood announcing the open house and will you promote the open house on the internet and through e-mail? Will you, personally, be present for our open house or will you delegate that job to another agent?
11. Will you offer a guaranteed sale or trade-in on our home? If not, why?
12. If we´re unhappy with your service or marketing efforts, what will you do to resolve the problem?
13. Are you a full-time agent? For how many years? How many homes have you sold in the past five years?
14. What is the average time on the market for the homes you´ve listed and how does your average time-on-market compare to other listings on the Multiple Listing Service?
15. What percentage of your listings actually sell? Compared to the MLS?
16. Are you a good negotiator? What is the average actual sales price for homes you have sold?
17. In addition to experience, what are your real estate credentials? Are you licensed as a salesperson or have you achieved the higher level of "broker?" Are you a Certified Residential Specialist? Graduate, Realtors´ Institute?
18. Are you part of a nationwide real estate franchise with the largest referral network in the world?
19. Do you know our area? How many homes have you sold in our neighborhood or school district? Are you familiar with prices and market times in our area?
20. What is the one thing about our home you believe will make it sell? What will make it sell better?
21. Do you have a list of references with telephone numbers?
The best choice is to choose an agent who will work well with you and your family. Find someone who is eager to get the job done, but not high-pressure. Select an agent who is diligent and knowledgeable, and able to negotiate well with all parties. To schedule a personal visit to find out if I'm the right agent for you, call me today!
Don Phelan, Realtor
RE/MAX of Grand Rapids, Inc.
Associate Broker
Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)
Real Estate Electronic Marketing Professional (e-PRO)
Graduate, Realtors´ Institute (GRI)
616-791-0110 ext. 2121
616-648-0800 (cell)
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