If you want to get the most out of your real estate agent, it’s essential that you not only ask questions, but ask the right ones. Whether it’s for the purpose of inquiring into their credentials, considering whether the proposed relationship is a good culture fit, or learning more about the house-selling process itself, learning to ask the right questions is an essential process for anyone looking to have a successful, enjoyable relationship with their real estate agent.
With that, here are the 7 most important questions to ask your potential realtor:
1. How long have you been working as a real estate agent?
Looking into your potential agent’s credentials, such as the length of time they’ve spent working in real estate and their work capacity (as a full-time or part-time contractor), will allow you to get a better feel for their competence, experience and dedication to their work. The more of these three qualities your agent has, the better chance you’ll have of nabbing a quick, profitable sale.
2. What makes you different?
The real estate market isn’t what it was like a decade ago, and while we’re not exactly working in 2008, a successful home-selling strategy will still require the use of unique marketing plans tailored to your geographical area, home style, and price range. Make sure your agent isn’t using a one-size-fits-all strategy for the marketing and selling of your home, and that they have particular assets in their toolkit that will be helpful to you.
3. Who controls your advertising- you, or your broker?
All things considered, it’s best if your agent is in control of his/her own advertising- if they’re not, then your home will have to compete for advertising space with the agent’s other listings as well as the listings of other agents in the brokerage. The more control your agent can exert over this process, within reason, the better.
4. How would you communicate with me?
One of the many components of a successful realtor’s job involves being able to communicate in accordance with their clients’ capabilities and preferences. If your realtor is either unwilling or unable to coordinate with you in a timely, appropriate fashion, you increase the likelihood of missing out on opportunities that may not come around again. High-quality communication is a priority for most home-sellers, and it’s important that you’re able to determine whether your potential realtor looks to it as a priority as well.
5. How long does it take for your average listing to sell?
Being able to gather information directly from your potential realtor on the speed with which they can sell homes is an important part of the realtor inspection process, as it can be increasingly difficult to sell a home the longer it’s been on the market. This information can also be acquired from the Real Estate Board.
6. What types of properties and geographical areas do you handle?
Experience in particular neighborhoods is key for home sellers, as neighborhood markets are likely to have their own quirks. Paying attention to what your potential agent is telling you about their expertise, as well as the way they brand themselves online, will help establish whether they’re better-equipped to sell your home than other prospects.
7. What recourse do I have if I’m not happy with the work you’re putting into selling my home?
While some agents allow for clients to cancel listing contracts, many choose to offer lengthy listing contracts which they, but not you, can get out of (by essentially ceasing to market your home with effort or effectiveness). Broker protection periods and penalties may exist to safeguard the agent’s interest, but will rarely protect yours. It’s important that your agent is confident in the service they’re providing to you, and that they’ll allow you to cancel the contract if so desired.
Sources:
https://www.daveramsey.com/media/pdf/realestatecenter_10_things_hiring_agent.pdf