Buying or selling a home is probably one of the largest investments you will make. That is why finding a REALTOR® that will work tirelessly to your benefit is crucial. Your equity and your future is on the line – take the time to find the perfect Real Estate Professional for you. Use these questions to ask a Real Estate Agent to see what they can do for you:
Question #1: Do you have any personal marketing materials I can review?
Asking for a REALTOR® to send you their marketing materials will give you a good insight into how they present themselves. Every agent will have brochures, direct mail, and listing presentation books where their image and brand is portrayed. Reviewing these materials will give you a glimpse into the agent’s style and level of professionalism. How they market themselves professionally will be an indicator of how well they will market your home. Keep track of this person’s communication with you – did they respond in a timely fashion? Were they friendly and helpful? Did you have a positive interaction with them? How they handled your request for the materials will give you an idea of how they would handle requests from potential buyers for your home.
Question #2: What is your schedule like; do you work as a full-time agent?
One of the best questions to ask a real estate agent is about their commitment to the business. Get a feel for how much time the agent will have for you by asking about their availability, and how many clients they are currently working with. Working with a full-time agent might be preferable – a part-time REALTOR® may not be able to keep up with the pace and complexity of today’s market and they may not be available when you need them the most. Ensuring an agent will have time to devote to you and your needs is important. If an agent seems like they have a lot on the go, find out if they have support staff or assistants working with them.
Question #3: How many homes have you sold in the past six months, in the past year?
A REALTOR® may have demonstrated their ability to list homes, but the real test is finding out how many deals they have closed. This is also a good place to start a conversation about the agent’s career – how long they have been a REALTOR® and whether they have received any awards or accreditations. Finding someone with experience and a proven track record will help to ensure you receive the assistance and support you need.
Question #4: How do you ensure my home sells for the best price; what sets you apart from other agents?
Understanding how a REALTOR® will market your home is important. Find out what you are getting for your money. Will there be professional photography? A video or virtual tour? What type of flyers, feature sheets, or other marketing materials will be made? Ask the agent what makes them different/better than other agents – it may be their work ethic, their connections, their expertise on a certain topic. Decide what qualities or skills are most important to you.
Do not be shy, if you have some questions to ask a real estate agent on your mind, please ask! Getting to know a REALTOR® before you decide to hire them is important in ensuring you get the most out of your partnership. Find someone that makes you feel comfortable and that will put your needs first.
Want more information about selling your home? Learn a little about me here, and reach out to get your questions answered.
