When it comes to selecting a real estate agent to help sell your home, most of us only care about two things: how much can they sell it for and how much will their commission be. Experienced agents, however, say there’s a lot more sellers should be asking about. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, sellers should treat their first meeting with a listing agent like interview
ing a candidate for a job, asking a variety of questions before committing to a working relationship.
From Bankrate.com, here are seven questions that sellers should ask prospective real estate agents:
- What’s your experience? Sellers should look for agents who have successfully sold a decent number of homes. Be sure to ask them about their most recent listings.
- How do you plan on marketing my home? Find out the agent’s plan for online as well as print marketing.
- How will you communicate with me? Make sure the agent is able and willing to stay in touch in the manner you prefer: phone, text, email, etc.
- Do you represent both sides of the transaction? Although it isn’t usually a conflict of interest for the agent to represent both the buyer and seller, it’s important for you to know that from the get-go.
- Do you work with buyers in this price range? Find out if the agent has experience in working with buyers in your home’s price range. It’s important that the agent has a feel for the types of buyers that would be interested in your home.
- What do you know about home loans? Finding an agent with a solid understanding of home financing and the various options available to buyers is critical.
- What are your stats? Ask for specifics, such as the agent’s list-to-price ratio and how many days the agent’s average listing tends to stay on the market.
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