Admin

IT’S NOT ABOUT ME: Three Questions to Ask Yourself Before Choosing a Real Estate Agent

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Home Solution Real Estate Services SC 64867

IT’S NOT ABOUT ME: Three Questions to ask Yourself Before Choosing a Real Estate Agent

Thinking of selling your home, and getting ready to “interview agents”?  What questions do you plan to ask
them?  I’m sure you’ve read lots of internet articles with lists of questions and “right” answers – all most likely written by real estate agents! And we real estate agents have read those same articles, and same questions, and most likely have all the “right” answers for you! 

Thinking about selling your home?  Interview agents any way you like, but ask yourself these three important questions afterward to help you choose the agent that’s right for you!

 

1.      Was the agent ENTHUSIASTIC about selling your home?  Genuine enthusiasm about the product, i.e. your home, is key to getting your home sold.  That enthusiasm will show up in all the marketing descriptions, photos, and even the energy put into the process itself.  It’s undisputable that enthusiasm sells!  Does this agent have it?

2.      Did the agent give you any written guarantees or promises about their service to you? Read the listing agreement carefully and thoroughly, and make sure you understand all the things you as a Seller are promising to do.  And then, review the duties that the agent promises to provide you.  Most likely, you want the agent to contact you frequently to keep you updated. Do you want the agent to assist you with referrals for all the services you’ll need as you sell your home? Do you want the agent to help you figure out “the bottom line” on offers? Do you want the agent to advise you on the best way to achieve your goals?  Did the agent provide those guarantees or promises in writing, and are they willing to be held accountable to you for fulfilling them? And by accountable, I mean are they willing to allow you to cancel the listing agreement if they don’t fulfill their promises? And is that promise in writing?  Or are you locked in to the listing agreement regardless of what the listing agent does?

3.      At the end of the interview, did you learn more about the listing agent, or did they learn more about you? Is it really important in getting your home sold if the listing agent was “Rookie of the Year”, or was Top Producer in their office last year, or sells their home listings seven days sooner than the MLS average?  If you want to play the Vegas odds, it may be.  But you are unique, your home is unique, and your goals and reasons for selling are unique.  Did the listing agent ask you about your goals, about what you and your family enjoys most about your home, and your neighborhood? Do they understand what’s important to you about getting your home sold?  Getting your home sold is not about adding an achievement trophy to the listing agent’s wall of fame – it’s about YOU! 

 

 

 

As a Home Solution agent, I bring genuine enthusiasm to every listing agreement – or I don’t list it. I give you my personal written GOLD STAR GUARANTEE to communicate with you, to assist you with needed services, to help you figure out the bottom line when analyzing offers, and more.  I am so committed to your satisfaction that if you’re not happy with my efforts in getting your home sold – for any reason – you can cancel the listing agreement, no questions asked. And most of all, understanding your goals, addressing your concerns, and getting you to where you want to be are my priorities when I list your home.  Thinking of selling your Lowcountry home?  Let’s talk.

Posted by

we do more than just put a roof over your head!

 
Wondering what you'd NET on the sale of your home, or looking for a Realtor® who can help you get your home SOLD?  Tired of throwing away your money on rent, and want to consider all your options? Contact me for a free professional consultation to discuss your choices, and let's get started.

 

Teresa B Cooper, CPA Emeritus, Realtor® of Distinction
1-888-485-4356
teresabcooper@gmail.com

 

Show All Comments Sort:
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Teresa - Great post about what a home seller should ask themselves before choosing a real estate agent.

Jun 03, 2015 05:54 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Teresa, what great information for sellers to think about when they are interviewing.  I have been told I was enthusiastic.

Jul 07, 2015 10:34 PM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Teresa, these are perfect questions.  It is all about the seller and how we can meet their needs.

Aug 09, 2015 09:18 AM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Very good advice Teresa, I think that most do not have a clue how to qualify an agent and this should help people to select the agent to get the job done right.

 

Aug 14, 2015 07:25 PM
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale

Teresa Cooper - its important that the seller knows about the agent more! Good question to ask - specially - "Did the listing agent ask you about your goals?"

Aug 15, 2015 02:39 PM
Kim Johnson
Signature Realty Inc. - Coral Springs, FL
Selling South Florida

Good morning! I caught this on a re-blog and I'm glad I saw it! This is a great refresher for the rest of us when we go on a listing appointment!

Aug 15, 2015 11:02 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Great post, Teresa. I caught it on a re-blog, but wanted to come over and say "great job."

Aug 15, 2015 11:33 PM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Teresa

I stopped back to bookmark your post.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Sep 06, 2015 11:24 AM