If you are selling your home you want to prepare questions to ask a realtor when selling.
But where should you start?
When you’re selling your house, you must clearly know what you want and need from your realtor. They will be responsible for helping you get the best price for your home and ensuring that the sale goes through as smoothly as possible.
In this blog post, we will discuss the 10 most crucial questions that you should ask any potential real estate agent before signing a contract. By asking these questions, you can be sure that you are making the best decision for yourself and your family!
1. How long have you been working as a real estate agent?
When looking for a realtor, one of the things you should consider is how long they’ve been working in the industry. A real estate agent with years of experience is likely to be more knowledgeable about the ins and outs of the business, and they’ll have a proven track record of success. In addition, an experienced realtor will likely have a network of contacts that can be helpful when it comes to buying or selling a home.
On the other hand, the newer real estate agents may be more eager to please and to prove themselves, which could mean that they’re more responsive to your needs. Ultimately, the decision of whether to work with an experienced or inexperienced realtor depends on your preferences and needs.
☑️Learn how I work with my clients and a little more about my realty experience here!
2. How many homes have you sold in the past year?
Numbers are one of the best ways to gauge a real estate agent’s success, but not the only way.
If they’ve sold homes in the past year, it indicates that they’re good at their job. In addition, it’s worth asking how many homes they’ve sold in your specific price range and neighborhood/community.
This will give you a better idea of whether they’re familiar with the market conditions in your area and whether they have the experience to sell your home for the best possible price.
If a realtor cannot provide you with specific numbers, they may not be the best choice. An excellent real estate agent should give you a clear idea of their success rate, selling process, and how many homes they’ve sold in the past year.
Remember that it’s also essential to ask about the average days on the market for the homes they’ve sold. This will give you a good idea of how long it will take for them to sell your home. Real estate agents are gauged primarily by the number of homes they’ve sold, so this is an important question to ask.
3. Do you have experience selling homes in my neighborhood?
Familiarity in the current market is essential when working with a realtor. If they have experience selling homes in your neighborhood, they’ll likely be familiar with the average prices and the types of buyers who are interested in that area. This can be helpful when pricing your home and marketing it to the right audience.
Not only will this help you sell your home more quickly, but it will also ensure that you get the best possible price for your property. An excellent real estate agent will also be able to guide any necessary repairs or renovations that might help to increase your home’s value. By working with a realtor who understands the local market, you can rest assured that you’re in good hands and that your home is in the best possible position to sell quickly and for top dollar.
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4. What is your marketing strategy?
An old adage in real estate is that the three most important things are “location, location, location.” However, in today’s world, marketing is just as crucial as location when it comes to selling a home. A good realtor will have a comprehensive marketing strategy to help sell your home quickly and for the best possible price.
Real estate agents who treats your home like just another “real estate transaction” and focus only on the traditional methods of marketing are not doing their job correctly.
Access to multiple listing service is one of the essential tools a realtor has at their disposal. This service gives agents the ability to market your home to other agents and potential buyers across the country. Its worth asking your realtor if they are a member of the multiple listing service, and if they are not, why not?
In addition to traditional methods like print advertising and open houses, a good realtor will also use online tools to market your home. This might include creating a website or blog dedicated to your home, using social media to generate interest, and using online listings to reach a wider audience. By working with a realtor who has a good understanding of modern marketing techniques, you can be sure that as many people are seeing your home as possible.
When interviewing potential real estate agents, be sure to ask about their marketing strategy. This will help you to get a better understanding of how they plan to sell your home and whether or not they’re using modern methods.
5. How do you handle negotiations with buyers?
The selling price is nothing more than a starting point in the negotiation process. In order to get the best possible price for your home, you need an experienced negotiator on your side. A good realtor will be able to handle negotiations with buyers in a calm and professional manner, always keeping your best interests in mind.
Most real estate agents are paid a commission based on the final selling price of the home. Because of this, there is a tendency for some agents to want to “low-ball” buyers in order to make more money. However, experienced negotiators know how to get buyers to pay close to the asking price without offending them or jeopardizing the sale.
The listing price is usually just a starting point in negotiations, so it’s vital to have an agent who knows how to negotiate effectively. When interviewing potential realtors, be sure to ask about their negotiation style. This will give you a good idea of how they’ll handle the process and whether or not they’re likely to get you the best possible price for your home.
6. What is your commission structure?
Commision is what drive most realtors. So it is essential to know how they make their money and how much they will be making off of your sale.
The industry standard for real estate commissions is between five and six percent, but that number is negotiable. In most cases, the seller pays the commission, which is then split between the buyer’s agent and the seller’s agent.
However, there are some instances where the buyer may be responsible for paying a commission. For example, if you’re selling your home through a real estate auction, the buyer’s premium (the commission) is typically paid by the buyer.
It’s essential to ask about the commission structure before signing a contract with a real estate agent. Otherwise, you could end up paying more than you expected. The listing agreement should outline the commission structure, so be sure to read it carefully before signing. As they say, the devil is in the detail, so be sure to read the contract carefully and ask questions if you don’t understand something.
☑️ Work with clear expectations. Here at Robin Hickman Realty, I have always made it an essential part of our business to set clear expectations regarding client-agent relationships. It is our gold standard!
7. Are you experienced in short sales or foreclosures?
If you’re behind on your mortgage payments or if you’re facing foreclosure, you’ll need an agent who is experienced in short sales or foreclosures.
A short sale is when the proceeds from the sale of your home are less than the amount you owe on your mortgage. In a foreclosure, the bank seizes your property and sells it at auction to recoup the money you owe on your mortgage.
Both situations are complicated selling processes and can be challenging to navigate without the help of an experienced agent. If you’re facing foreclosure, you should contact a HUD-approved housing counselor to get help before listing your home with a real estate agent.
While this may not be the most fun topic to think about, it is an important question to ask your potential agent. No one wants to go through the foreclosure process, but if you are in that situation, you’ll want an agent who knows how to navigate the process and can help you get the best possible outcome.
8. What are the necessary steps to take in order to prepare my home?
When you’re ready to sell your home, it’s important to choose a realtor who knows the ins and outs of your neighborhood. They should be intimately familiar with the local market conditions and be able to give you specific advice on pricing your home competitively.
Not only will this help you sell your home more quickly, but it will also ensure that you get the best possible price for your property. A good realtor will also be able to provide guidance on any necessary repairs or renovations that might help to increase your home’s value. By working with a realtor who understands the local market, you can rest assured that you’re in good hands and that your home is in the best possible position to sell quickly and for top dollar.
Preparing your home for sale can be a daunting task, but it’s worth it if it means getting a higher price for your home. Plus, your agent should be able to give you some tips on what to do (and what not to do) in order to get your home ready for showings. The most important questions to ask a realtor when selling is not about the realtor themself, but about your home and the selling process.
8. What are the fees associated with selling my home?
Most realtors will charge a commission, which is typically a percentage of the final sale price of your home. Sometimes, you may be able to negotiate this fee, so it’s always worth asking. In addition to the commission, there are also other costs associated with selling a home, such as repairs, renovations, marketing, and staging. The closing costs are also something to keep in mind – these are the costs associated with finalizing the sale of your home and can include things like legal fees, title insurance, and property taxes.
Your realtor should be able to give you an estimate of these costs so that you can budget accordingly. It’s also important to ask about any hidden fees or charges that may not be immediately apparent. By clearly understanding all the costs involved in selling your home, you can avoid any nasty surprises down the road.
Choosing the right real estate agent is as important as finding the right potential buyers. If you’re not comfortable with your agent or don’t feel like they have your best interests at heart, follow your gut and find someone else.
9. What made you choose the list price you suggested?
Notice how this question differs from asking, “What’s the highest price I can get for my home?”
The latter is a loaded question that will only result in your realtor inflating their estimate. On the other hand, asking them to explain their reasoning behind the list price gives you valuable insight into their thought process and helps you understand how they arrived at that number.
A good realtor will be able to justify their suggested list price with market data, recent comparable sales in the area, and an understanding of your unique situation. A comparative market analysis should back up what they say. If your realtor can’t provide a clear explanation or refuses to show you the data they used to arrive at the list price, that’s a red flag.
10. When can I expect to see results?
This is an important question to ask, especially if you’re selling your home in a timely manner. Real estate transactions can sometimes take months – even longer – from start to finish. If you need to sell quickly, be sure to let your agent know so they can put together a marketing plan that will help you reach your goal.
Keep in mind that the answer to this question will vary depending on the housing market’s current state. In a hot market, homes can sell within days or hours. In a slower market, it may take weeks or months to find a buyer.
☑️Note that results come when all expectations and precedents are communicated!
Final Thoughts
“The key to any successful relationship is communication.”
The same can be said for a real estate agent’s relationship with their client. By asking these ten questions, you’ll be opening up the lines of communication and setting yourself up for a successful home sale.
As an experienced real estate agent, one thing I pride myself on is being honest, transparent, and overtly interested in my clients needs. For many agents, these might just be words. However, it is how I operate.
Of course, always remember to do your own research, too. In addition to asking your realtor questions, be sure to educate yourself on the process of selling a home. The more you know, the better equipped you’ll be to make informed decisions throughout the process.
Just recognize, the best way to get the ball rolling is to contact an experienced real estate agent local to your area! If you are in Charlotte, NC you can reach out to me here or give me a call!
