10 Questions to Ask Your Realtor While Selling a Home

Selling a House- 10 Questions to Ask Your Realtor

1. Know whether or not your agent practices full time. By asking he/she if they are a full-time professional real estate agent, you can determine his or her commitment to your transaction. While this rings true with any profession, the number of years a person has been in the business does not necessarily mirror the level of service you can expect, but it is a solid starting point for your discussion.
2. Does your agent have a team or an assistant that works with him/her and handles different parts of the purchase? If so, be sure to get their names and means of communication. If your agent has an assistant, it is absolutely crucial that you get his or her contact information since that person will be overseeing all aspects of the transaction and the first point of contact between you and your agent.
3. Does your agent have a website that will list your home? Searching online for homes is very common amongst many buyers since it can be done at home and is available 24 hours a day. You will get a clear picture of how much information is available online by searching your agent’s website.
4. Be in sync with your agent by asking how your agent will keep in contact with you during the process and how often. Some agents will keep in touch weekly while others may email, fax or call you daily.
5. What is your agent’s average market time versus other agent’s average market time? By asking this question, you will learn the unique market skills that your agent has and what he or she dos to ensure that you are getting top dollar for your home.
6. Names of past clients? Treat interviewing your agent just as you would if you were interviewing someone to work in your office. Just as you would get references from someone who you were interviewing to work for you, you will want to make sure that your agent’s working style is compatible with your own.
7. Realty understands the significance of a win-win business relationship because the agent does not benefit if the client does not also benefit. Ask your agent if he or she has a performance guarantee!
8. How will your agent get paid and how are the fees structured? Do not sign any agreements until you are aware of the big picture and have an estimation of costs from your agent.
9. Ask your agent how they are going to develop pricing strategies for your home. While location and condition affect the selling process, price is the primary factor in determining if a home sells quickly.
10. Ask your agent to give you a clear plan of how marketing and advertising dollars will be sent. You might want to request case studies or samples of marketing strategies (internet websites, print magazines, etc) that your agent proposes.