Working with the right real estate agent can mean the difference between getting expert representation and feeling like you’re selling your home alone. Here are questions to ask when finding the right agent.
How long have you been in real estate?
Being a real estate agent is hard work and mastering real estate requires on-the-job experience and dedication. The more experience agents have, the more likely they’ll be able to handle any curveballs thrown during your home sale.
How many homes did you sell last year?
Don’t just measure your potential agent by their company’s success. An equally important question is how many homes they’ve personally sold in the past year; it’s an indicator of how active and aggressive they are.
How many days on average did it take you to sell homes?
Any agent has access to this data along with stats from their local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) so you can see how many days, on average, their listings were on the market compared to the average for all properties in the MLS.
How will you market my home?
The days of agents putting a For Sale sign in the yard and hoping for the best are long gone. Look for an agent who does aggressive and innovative marketing, including a personal website, social media mediums and listing tools to advertise your home.
How will you keep me informed?
If you want weekly updates by email, don’t choose an agent who plans to contact you only if there’s an offer. Your agent should provide weekly, bi-monthly or monthly reports.
Are you a REALTOR®?
Ask whether agents are REALTORS®, which means they’re members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR). NAR has been an advocate of agent professionalism and a champion of homeownership rights for more than a century.
