Questions to ask your Realtor about Selling a House –
- Are you a full-time real estate agent? How long have you worked in real estate? How long have you lived in the area? How long have you been representing buyers and sellers? Knowing the experience of a real estate agent does not necessarily reflect the level of service you will get, but it’s a good starting point for discussion. If an agent has lived in the area for many years and has dealt with numerous issues in the neighborhood where you are looking it can be quite helpful.
- Do you have a website that will list my home? Can I have your URL address? Do you respond to emails and return voice mails in a reasonable amount of time? Many buyers prefer to search for homes online because its available 24 hours a day and can be done at home. The social media is very important in today’s market and can set some real estate agents at a notch above others in this regard.
- How will you keep in contact with me during the selling process? Some agents keep in touch via e-mail, fax or direct phone calls. Asking this question will allow you to get to know how the agent works on a daily basis and how he/she handles their clients.
- What sets you apart from other real estate agents in getting my home sold? Marketing skills are learned and sometimes a real estate professional has unique methods of research that can make the real difference in getting your home sold.
- Will you give me the names of past clients? Contacting past clients can be a valuable tool in getting to know how the agent works. Is the agent still in contact with past clients and do they still have a relationship after closing is important.
- How will you get paid? How are your fees structured? May I have that it writing? In South Carolina the seller pays all real estate commissions. Ask for an estimate of costs associated with the transaction.
- How would you develop pricing strategies for our home? Although location, upgrades and condition of the home affect the selling process, price is the primary factor in determining if a home sells quickly, or at all. Sometimes getting a pre-appraisal will help with current market value.
- What will you do to sell my home? Who determines where and when my home is marketed and promoted? Who pays for your advertising? Ask your real estate agent to present you with a clear plan of how marketing and advertising dollars will be spent. The real estate agent will typically pay for all advertising and marketing costs.