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).
