1. Are you a
full-time professional real estate agent? How long have you
worked full time in real estate? How long have you been
representing buyers? What professional designations do you
have?
Knowing whether or not your agent practices full time can help
you determine potential scheduling conflicts and his or her
commitment to your transaction. As with any profession, the
number of years a person has been in the business does not
necessarily reflect the level of service you can expect, but
it is a good starting point for your discussion. The same
issue can apply to professional designations.
2. Do you have a personal assistant, team or staff to
handle different parts of the purchase? What are their names
and how will each of them help me in my transaction? How do I
communicate with them?
It is not uncommon for agents who sell a lot of houses to hire
people to work with them. As their businesses grow, they must
be able to deliver the same or higher quality service to more
people.
You may want to know who on the team will take part in your
transaction, and what role each person will play. You may even
want to meet the other team members before you decide to work
with the team. If you have a question about fees on your
closing statement, who would handle that? Who will show up to
your closing?
3. Do you have a Website that will list my home? Can I have
your URL address? Who responds to emails and how quickly?
What’s your email address?
Many buyers prefer to search online for homes because it’s
available 24 hours a day and can be done at home. So you want
to make sure your home is listed online, either on the agent’s
Website or on their company’s site. By searching your agent's
Website you will get a clear picture of how much information
is available online.
4. How will you keep in contact with me during the selling
process, and how often?
Some agents may email, fax or call you daily to tell you that
visitors have toured your home, while others will keep in
touch weekly. Asking this question can help you to reconcile
your needs with your agent's systems.
5. What do you do that other agents don't that ensures I'm
getting top dollar for my home? What is your average market
time versus other agents' average market time?
Marketing skills are learned, and sometimes a real estate
professional's unique method of research and delivery make the
difference between whether or not a home sells quickly. For
example, an agent might research the demographics of your
neighborhood and present you a target market list for direct
marketing purposes.
6. Will you give me names of past clients?
Interviewing an agent can be similar to interviewing someone
to work in your office. Contacting references can be a
reliable way for you to understand how he or she works, and
whether or not this style is compatible with your own.
7. Do you have a performance guarantee? If I am not
satisfied with your performance, can I terminate our listing
agreement?
In the heavily regulated world of real estate, it can be
difficult for an agent to offer a performance guarantee. If
your agent does not have a guarantee, it does not mean they
are not committed to high standards. Typically, he or she will
verbally outline what you can expect from their performance.
Keller Williams® Realty understands the importance of win-win
business relationships: the agent does not benefit if the
client does not also benefit.
8. How will you get paid? How are your fees structured? May
I have that in writing?
In many areas, the seller pays all agent commissions.
Sometimes, agents will have other small fees, such as
administrative or special service fees, that are charged to
clients, regardless of whether they are buying or selling. Be
aware of the big picture before you sign any agreements. Ask
for an estimate of costs from any agent you contemplate
employing.
9. How would you develop pricing strategies for our home?
Although location and condition affect the selling process,
price is the primary factor in determining if a home sells
quickly, or at all. Access to current property information is
essential, and sometimes a pre-appraisal will help. Ask your
agent how they created the market analysis, and whether your
agent included For Sale by Owner homes, foreclosed homes and
bank-owned sales in that list.
10. What will you do to sell my home? Who determines where
and when my home is marketed/ promoted? Who pays for your
advertising?
Ask your real estate agent to present to you a clear plan of
how marketing and advertising dollars will be spent. If there
are other forms of marketing available but not specified in
the plan ask who pays for those. Request samples or case
studies of the types of marketing strategies that your agent
proposes (such as Internet Websites, print magazines, open
houses, and local publications).
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