Guide to hiring the perfect realtor for you
Buying, selling or investing in a home is likely amongst some of the biggest financial decisions you will make over the course of your life. The process can feel overwhelming and confusing at times. Having a trusted real estate advisor is ever more crucial to help you navigate the many obstacles that inevitably arise. Having had a career that has spanned 19 years of experience I have compiled a list of 20 questions that can help you to hire the best agent for you.
Not all agents are created equal and my goal is to help you determine who will be the best fit for you.
There are a few factors to consider. Not only is it important to find an agent who can effectively market and price your home, you will also need an agent that can negotiate well and manage each stage in the process of executing the contract either for a purchase or a sale. The goal being confidence in making it to closing with minimal headache and stress.
20 Questions to Ask your Realtor
Below I have put together a list of 20 questions that can help you learn what to look for and how to gauge a realtor's expertise, experience, and compatibility with your goals. With these 20 questions, you'll know exactly how to spot the perfect match for a smooth and successful transaction.
- How long have been a licensed realtor?
- How many homes have you sold in the past year? Of those how many did you list?
- What is your average list-to-sale price range?
- How will you market my home to potential buyers and are you on any social media outlets?
- Can you provide reviews/testimonials from past clients?
- What is your pricing strategy for my home? Do you run some kind of comprables for a buyer?
- What do you do when coming up against a multiple offer situation?
- Do you have a team to work with or will you be handling all aspects of the sale?
- How will you communicate with me during the buying/selling process?
- What sets you apart from other realtors?
- How are you compensated?
- Are the buyer's agents compensated differently than listings?
- How do you handle home staging and professional photography?
- What is your traditional commission structure, but this question may be the same as what is your compensation?
- What is the days on the market average in the area I am selling or buying in?
- Do you have a detailed breakdown of the selling/buying process that you are going to apply?
- How do you typically handle negotiations with sellers/buyers?
- What is your cancellation policy if I'm not happy with your service?
- Are you familiar with the neighborhood and have you sold anything in this area?
- Are there any challenges you can see you may encounter in selling or purchasing my home and are there any specific ways we can overcome those concerns?
Of course I know that I compiled the list for you to use, and I am more than happy to meet with you and give you my answers to the above questions as well. With 19 years working for hundreds of clients, I am confident that I can help you achieve your buying, selling or investing goals.
Give me a call so I can help you start toward building your first or next real estate portfolio!