I think that everyone recognizes that they probably need to conduct some kind of "interview" with agents to determine if they should hire one... but they're kind of stymied, 'cause they have no idea what kind of questions to ask... Finding agents at an open house is an excellent way to meet a few, and a good referral from someone whose opinion you respect is valuable... but once you've found them... what should you ask.
I'm asked this question all the time, so I figured I'd create a post, and be able to direct my clients here to view it.
So here are some questions that I recommend asking someone you're considering hiring as your listing agent:
• How many homes, of my type, have you sold? (recently, 6 mos, 1 year, 5 years)
• How many of your listings have "canceled" or "expired" in the last 12 months?
• What is your list / sale ratio? (ie: you listed for $300,000, but how much did it end up selling for?... and what's your "average"?)
• What is your average "days on market" (how long do your properties stay on the market before selling).
• What is your marketing plan for my home? (get it in writing) does it include internet (which sites?), do you offer multiple photos, virtual tours, color brochures.
• Do you conduct open houses (why / why not / how often?)
• What listing price do your recommend (why / how did you arrive at that / do you have the comps to back that up?... do you have a "quick sale" price, and a normal sale price")
• What is your plan if I'm not under contract in 30 days / 60 days / 90 days ...etc.... (reduction schedule?)
• Why should I hire you? What do you bring to the table that's different than the myriad of other agents out there who want my listing.
• Will you offer a reduced commission (why / why not?)
• Are you a full-time agent? (this might, or might not be important to you).
• Do you practice dual-agency?(or whatever it is in your state where the agent represents both the buyer and the seller) (why / why not?)
• What do you think of Agent A and Agent B (the two other agents you're interviewing... this is optional)
• Are you planning any upcoming vacations or are you going to be unavailable, and who is your back-up when you're gone?
• What weekly communication can I expect from you, and how will you contact me... (phone, e-mail, texting?)
• What do you think of my property... what are the positives and negatives that might impact it's sale... what (if any) updates or repairs should I make in order to sell?
and lastly:
• Are there any questions, that you think I should have asked you, that I didn't?
I'm sure there are plenty of other questions you could ask, but this at least would get the conversation started, and give you the ability to have apples to apples comparisons from agent to agent.
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