Questions To Ask Your Realtor
Choosing the right Real Estate Agent is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. It is important that your agent have a consistent marketing presence in your community. Here are some important questions to ask your Realtor.
Your agent should automatically and consistently:
1. Give you up-to-date information regarding prices, financing, terms and conditions of competing properties, and the housing market in general.
2. Market your property to other real estate agents, as well as to the public, in the most effective ways.
3. Give immediate feedback when your property is shown.
4. Help you objectively evaluate buyer proposals.
5. Help you close the sale.
Some of the questions you might ask your potential agent:
1. Are you a full time agent?
Yes, absolutely! We have two full-time Agents & office support!
2. How long have you worked in real estate?
Since 1982, with over 40 years of experience combined.
3. How does your team rank in the industry?
RE/MAX enjoys a 29.8% market share in the Denver Metroplex (2nd is at 14.9%).
4. Do you have any references I can call?
Absolutely, and we welcome you to contact them.
5. Do you have any advanced real estate designations or education?
Yes, and that’s so important. Those designations are ABR, CRS, GRI, MRE, e-Pro, CLHS .
6. How much real estate have you sold in your career?
We have helped over 1,870 families.
7. Do you have an aggressive, proactive advertising and marketing program?
Our marketing campaign gets results—it’s tremendously effective.
8. Do you have professional staff to see to it that no details are overlooked?
Yes, as should any truly committed business person. We have an Office Manager & Transaction Coordinator to oversee all the details of your transaction from start to finish.
9. How many referrals do you receive?
60% of our business is generated from repeat customers and referrals of people who learned about us through our past clients and people referred to us from out of area agents.
10. How will you give interested buyers 24-hour access to my property?
We promote your house 24/7 through the Internet, our personal Web site, and the MLS— to name just a few.
Additional items you should consider:
1.Where is the agent’s market concentration?
2. Where do the agent’s buyers come from?
3. Can the agent bring you buyers that are upsizing or downsizing?
4. Can they cover the market beyond your immediate area?
5. What services does the agent provide for his/her fee? Agents with higher fees may offer more selling mediums, resulting in a higher selling price.
6. How will your agent establish the price and promote your home? Each agent will execute the sale differently. What promotional tools are relied on?
7. Is the agent a member of the MLS (Multiple Listing Service)?
8. Does the agent have a strong internet presence, website, and other online marketing abilities?
Check out our related article: What We Do To Sell Your Home
9.Will the agent review marketing materials with you?
10. In what ways can your agent keep the marketing of your home “fresh” and updated for any market changes?
11. DID THE AGENT ASK YOU TO COMPILE AN INFORMATION SHEET, FEATURING YOUR HOME’S STRONGEST SELLING POINTS? A top agent will, for it creates the most accurate platform to write an eye-catching, attractive listing description that will aid in the sale of your home.
12. Does The agent’s offices offer accessibility to meet your specific needs, offering multiple locations for your convenience and the convenience of buyers?
AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INTERVIEWING PROCESS ASK YOURSELF:
1. Do you trust the agent? Before you decide make sure to read: How Not to Hire a Realtor
2. Could you have a solid working relationship with the agent? Note: You’ll be working intimately with the agent through the duration of your home’s sale.
3. Does the agent make you feel comfortable? If you are unsatisfied with the agent’s plan or personality, thank the agent for his/her time, and repeat the process with another agent. If you are happy with the agent, make the commitment to yourself to stick with him/her, for it can be time-consuming to switch agents. In addition, it may leave a negative impression upon your home.
REMEMBER: This is your home… you make the FINAL DECISION!