What questions do I ask a Realtor who is selling my home?

Answer 1

As a general rule of thumb, you are looking for an Agent who:
Has the experience, qualifications and abilities to sell your home.
Has in-depth knowledge of your area and the marketing, in general.
Will work diligently on your behalf.
Has resources to support the sales effort.
Will keep you well informed during the process.
Has a personality you are comfortable with.

By asking the following questions, you can dramatically improve your odds of having a successful home selling experience.

1. How long have you been an active, full-time Realtor®?
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2. What professional designations do you have?
GRI and CRS?
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3. How many homes have you sold in the past 6 months? The past year?
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4. How many homes have you sold in the past 6 months? The past year?
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5. What is the average amount of time one of your listings is on the market before it sells?
The average amount of time homes are on the market is 45 days.
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6. How does your average sales price compare to the original list price?
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7. What can you tell me about your share of the marketplace compared to other Realtors® in the area?
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8. What percentage of your business is based on referrals?
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9. Do you have a personal staff? How many are licensed? (A Realtor® who has a support team to handle office chores, and routine details can usually devote more time to the business of serving a client’s highest priority needs, getting the house sold.)
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10. How will you market my home?
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11. Do you have your own personal website?
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12. How will you help me stage my home?
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13. How will you keep me informed?
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14. What listing price would you recommend for my home? How did you arrive at it?
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15. What are your pricing/marketing philosophies 30/60/90 days down the road?
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16. What is your commission on a sale? What if I sell it myself?
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17. Can you provide me with references?
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18. Do you have any personal marketing materials I can review? (The qualities of a realtor’s own marketing pieces are a good indicator of how well he/she will represent you and your property.)
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19. Am I comfortable with this person? (This question is not for the agent – it’s for you!)
You Decide!

Answer 2

More than likely the property will actually be sold by another agent, through the Multiple Listing Service. The selling agent's personality is thus less important than a few other points:

-- the amount of the commission and whether it is negotiable
-- the duration of the exclusive arrangement (and whether there is an exception if you should sell it on your own to a friend or a friend of a friend
-- as others have said, open houses and similar promotion and advertising plans
-- the method used for pricing. You are bound to pay the commission if the Realtor (or for that matter, agent not affiliated with an organization entitled to use that service mark) finds a buyer ready, able and willing to buy. Be careful.
-- get some references of people whose houses have been sold -- preferably including a couple of investors -- and do your own due diligence.

Answer 3

Commission isn't everything. Why does it matter the commission if that realtor can't sell your home. The commission is an aspect of selling, but the goal is to sell your home. Almost all realtors work on commissions. If they don't sell, they don't get paid. Younger Realtors are just as good as veterans. They oldies will know more, but the younger ones are the "go getters" and are wanting to do as much as possible to become respected. So, Don't look at experience. Look at marketing ability and company/agent reputation.

Answer 4

For the most part these are all good questions to ask, but one more thing. Do not work with an agent just because they will put your house on the market at a higher price. When an agent suggests a price, make sure they have the market analysis to back it up. I have seen people go with the agent who will put their house on the market at a higher price with a lower commission only to have the house sit on the market for 6 months.

Answer 5

Lots.
1) How much commission are they making?
2) Are you required to have "Open Houses", if it's in the contract how many a month?
3) Ask for a market analysis of other homes in your area to make sure you are getting all you can for the value of your home.
4) Check with your state to see if the agent you are using is really licensed.
5) Ask them for any pointers as far as redecorating, etc, painting, repairs that need to be done before showing the home.

Good luck.

Answer 6

What commission is he/she charging.
How they will be marketing the property.
For a list of comparable sales in the area.
What documents do they want from you (warranty deed, permits etc)
Will the property be placed on a mulitple listing service.
How long have they been in Real Estate.
What will they do to ensure that it is a smooth transaction.
What designations they have? (GRI, CRS, ABR)

You want to make sure you are comfotable with your realtor as you will be working together on a big transaction. Make sure they understand any special needs you might have and honor those needs.

Answer 7

You should interview at least 3 agents. Discuss:
Commission for them and for the buyer's agent.
What they will do for you.
Promotional materials and events.
Will you allow them to represent the buyer as well?
MLS listing.
Their experience.
How long are their listings on the market versus the average.
History of their asking prices versus sale prices.
Their knowledge of prices in your neighborhood.
Any discount you can get if you use them to buy your next home.
Do you like and trust this person?

Answer 8

whatever you do, don't sign an exclusive agreement with the agent. Tha majority of the agents are lazy, their goal is to get the listing hoping that it'll sell

Answer 9

what their commission is, how they're going to market your home, if they will have open houses, if so how many, what will the policy be for showings (how much notice do you want), how long will the listing agreement be for, etc.