The Top 5 Questions You MUST Ask When Interviewing Agents to Sell Your Home
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Today we are discussing the top 5 questions you should ask a listing agent before you hire them. These 5 questions are rarely asked of us, but we feel they are very critical to understanding if your real estate experience will be successful. We recommend you ask these questions of every person you are considering hiring.
1. How long have you been selling real estate?
A lot of people will just hire a friend or family member without even asking or knowing the answer to this question. The listing process is a marketing-based experience and your agent needs to have experience. The agent’s tenure will give them the ability to navigate situations that newer agents won’t know how to deal with.
2. How many homes did you sell last year?
The number of homes an agent sells is usually a sign of things to come in terms of their selling ability. If someone is making hundreds of sales per year, it’s an indicator that they are experience and have systems in place to get you a great deal on your home. Someone who doesn’t do as many transactions is somewhat of a tossup.
3. What is your average list price vs. your average sale price?
If an agent has a good statistic in this area, they will be tracking it and will let you know personally, as well as through their marketing.
4. What is your average days on the market?
An agent’s marketing style will impact the days on the market through photography and staging. A good agent can decrease days on the market through marketing techniques and increasing the home’s exposure
5. How well will you negotiate and how will you get me a better price?
How well an agent negotiates is based on both experience and fiduciary function, which means they will do anything to put their seller’s interest above all else to get them more money in a shorter time . A good agent will have the systems in place for the negotiation process to start earlier rather than later.
Start with these questions, but be sure to also ask about commission, length of contract, and other standard questions. These 5 questions above are not standard, so they might throw the agent off a bit, which isn’t a bad thing. It might actually get you a more honest answer than you would have gotten otherwise.
If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call. We’d be glad to help.
I like how you mentioned asking about their negotiation style to know how they deal with the seller’s interest. My wife and I are wanting to buy our first home later this year and I’m worried about choosing the right agent to help us. I’ll be sure to ask some of these questions to potential Realtors and see which one we like.
Thank you, Taylor! We work with buyers this way every day and can help you too!
Yeah! you are well said. I agree with you. Everyone should know these questions. I think it’s very effective for them who want to sell their home. And they must have to read it. I have a site basic need I think this site can make you more informed.
I just came across your blog post and must say that it’s a great piece of information that you have shared.
I never thought to ask the realtor how many homes they sold last year. This would give you an idea as to how successful they are and how quickly they can sell your home. I will have to keep this in mind if I ever sell my home in the future.