If you’re going to list your home with an estate agent, you should be prepared. Do you know what questions to ask? Do you know what questions not to ask? That’s why we’ve put together this list of the most important things for you (and your realtor) to discuss when it comes time for that first meeting.
Do you have a list of the properties available that fit my criteria?
It is an excellent question to ask your agent. If they still need to get a list of properties available that fit your criteria, they should be able to tell you how long the list has been up and how many properties are on it. It would be an honest answer if they said, “I don’t know!”
It is only a good sign if they have a list and can show you one when asked (they may be new at this).
How long have you been in the industry, and how much experience do you have?
It would help if you asked your estate agent how long they have been in the industry. Make sure that they have enough experience and training to deal with any situation that may arise during the sale process. For example, if a buyer makes an offer on your property, you must know how to respond. So make sure your estate agent is well-trained in what to do when faced with different scenarios such as this one.
You should also ask about any other skills or qualifications your estate agent might have; for example, do they understand construction? Again, it will help if there are problems related to building issues after closing on your home.
How are your fees structured?
Your first step in the process of finding your dream home is to select an agent. It is your most important decision, as it will impact every aspect of your sale or purchase, from price to timeframe.
Your estate agent is likely to charge a fee for their services, so it’s worth doing some research and asking the following questions:
- How are your fees structured? Do they work on a percentage basis or offer a fixed alternative?
- What exactly do you get in return for that fee? How much effort are you entitled to expect from them, and what level of service do they provide? For example, do they arrange viewings for prospective buyers at open houses or only show homes pre-approved by clients? Will they assist with sales reports and other paperwork? What kind of service do they provide when dealing with vendors who aren’t cooperating (for example, if there’s no response after repeated attempts at contact)?
What steps will you take to promote my house?
How will you market my house?
The average estate agent spends just 20 seconds on each property. More time is needed to impress a potential buyer, so finding out how they’ll get people interested in your house is essential. They should have a clear marketing plan which includes traditional methods like advertising and direct mail as well as digital strategies such as social media ads. And online listing sites like Rightmove and Zoopla.
Do you have references I can call?
The best agents will be happy to provide you with references. They should be glad to give you as many as you want! If one of the most critical aspects of your decision is finding an agent who has a high level of experience. And can guide you through this process, then you must have some way of checking that out for yourself.
It’s common for agents to have worked at multiple companies over time (or even currently). The more experienced ones may have even been in real estate for decades. At the same time, their current company might have been there since day one. If they had not worked in other areas like sales or management. It’s unlikely they can give the same quality advice on negotiating contracts. Or understanding market conditions as someone who has done so. It could mean higher costs when things don’t go according to plan!
How do we find out who else these agents might have worked? A simple Google search can usually turn up some helpful information about previous clients’ experiences working with them. But make sure those reviews aren’t just from friends or family members looking at their own houses first! It’s also good practice to ensure no negative comments about how responsive/unresponsive this person was during negotiations. Sometimes, these kinds of comments can raise red flags about whether someone will stick around long enough throughout negotiations once things get tough.”
How much experience do you have with selling houses similar to mine?
Knowing their experience with your particular property and its surroundings is an excellent way to gauge how much they know about the area. For example, if you live in a very specialized neighborhood, it might be worth asking if the agent has sold houses there. If they still need to, it might not be too helpful for them to try to sell yours.
Another way of asking this question is how long they have been in real estate. And what kind of things they have sold before. You want an agent who has experience selling properties similar to yours so that they can give you some realistic advice based on their experiences.
Are there any properties currently on the market that are comparable to mine?
“Are there any properties currently on the market that are comparable to mine?”
One of the most important things to consider when selling your property is how it compares with similar properties. For example, if you’re trying to sell a two-story house by the beach, it’s a good idea to see if any other homes on the same street have sold recently and got a picture of their prices. If one recently sold for $100,000 more than yours, it isn’t worth listing yours at that price!
The answer to this question can also help you understand how long it will take to sell your property. If there are no comparable listings (or very few), then buyers won’t know what price they should expect.
You Should Ask Your Estate Agent These Questions
It would help if you asked your estate agent these questions:
- How long have you been in the business? If the person you’re talking to has been in this industry for more than 15 years, that’s a good sign. You don’t want to hire someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing or isn’t familiar with the market.
- What is your fee structure? There are two main ways that agents get paid: either by commission or by salary and commission. A commission is when they get paid based on how much they sell a house for. If it sells under market value, they make less money than it would if it sold at its full price potential. A salary means that regardless of whether or not your property sells quickly. Or at a discount compared to others on the market. You will only ever pay one flat fee for their services (usually around 1% of its sale price). It makes salaries generally more expensive than commissions. Still, it can be worth it depending on how many other houses are selling in your area. If there aren’t many comparable properties listed elsewhere nearby. Chances are yours will be sold quickly without any discounts involved anyway!
With this information, you can be sure that your estate agent will have all the tools needed to sell your home. In addition, they’ll know what needs to be done and how much it will cost, so there won’t be surprises!
