15 CRITICAL QUESTIONS TO ASK A REALTOR® WHEN SELLING YOUR HOME
Q’s
TO ASK A REALTOR ®
Before you hire your next real estate agent to sell your home, asking the right questions is critical. The real estate market is constantly changing, so if you are going to get top-dollar for your home in any market, you need a professional who is ready to tackle these tough questions to ask a REALTOR® and provide some quality answers.
#1
What kind of online & social media exposure will you provide?
Social media and online exposure are critical to marketing your home in today’s market with so many buyers preferring to stay online for the bulk of their home search. Your agent should be active on social media and ready to roll out social shares for your property as soon as it goes live.
Q’s
TO ASK A REALTOR ®
#2
How will you publicize open houses for my property?
Given the full planning, strategy, and execution an open house deserves, your agent should have a theme and giveaway to attract maximum participation, full marketing collateral, social media shares, eBlast, and more.
Q’s
TO ASK A REALTOR ®
#3
Where will my listing be posted and syndicated to online?
The answer from your listing real estate agent should include a robust network of hundreds of syndication sites. Your property deserves an extended reach including international reach as well.
Q’s
TO ASK A REALTOR ®
#4
Do you have a comprehensive, stepby-step marketing plan for selling my property?
This should be a simple question - of course your agent should have a plan! At First Team, our plan begins with setting the perfect price for your home, and then moves onto exhausting all marketing opportunities including matching your home up with thousands of active buyers we’re already working with.
Q’s
TO ASK A REALTOR ®
#5
Can you show me examples of the photography and marketing you provide?
Professional photography builds buyer emotion, minimizes your days on market, and maximizes your home’s price. To ensure quality, don’t forget to have your agent show examples of their professionally printed marketing pieces.
Q’s
TO ASK A REALTOR ®
#6
Will you market my home through video so that buyers can tour it virtually?
Sometimes photography isn’t enough. You need to allow all buyers, no matter their location and comfort level, the ability to view your home. In fact, new 3D technology gives prospective buyers access to virtually walk through your home at any time.
Q’s
TO ASK A REALTOR ®
#7
What specific tactical steps will you take to ensure that I am pricing my home correctly?
You must be methodical and data driven when it comes to pricing your home. And your agent should be the one with a strategy for how to do just that using comparable homes in your neighborhood that have sold and other market trends.
Q’s
TO ASK A REALTOR ®
#8
Many agents are hard to reach. What is your availability and response time to answer a question or request?
If you like to text, make sure your agent does too. If you want a weekly check-in over the phone, let it be known. Remember, when it comes to selling your home, YOU should be the one calling the shots.
Q’s
TO ASK A REALTOR ®
#9
What should I do to get my house ready?
From staging to budget-friendly updates that attract more buyers, it’s important to talk openly and honestly about what can be done to set your home up for success on the market. And make sure your agent has the resources to help you complete any projects needed.
Q’s
TO ASK A REALTOR ®
#10
What happens if the appraisal comes in low?
This question has a lot of possible answers, and it’s important that your agent can speak about them all so that your home sale doesn’t hit a fatal snag.
Q’s
TO ASK A REALTOR ®
#11
How will new mortgage rules affect me?
Your listing agent needs to be a true expert with knowledge about every aspect of the transaction including mortgage rules that could affect your buyer. And if you will be selling your home and purchasing another, they can help with your new mortgage as well!
Q’s
TO ASK A REALTOR ®
#12
What will be your ongoing consultation role through completion of the sale – “until the check clears?”
A great real estate agent isn’t just there to help with one home sale, they are a guide and advisor for your financial future. You should be building a relationship, not being used for a commission check.
Q’s
TO ASK A REALTOR ®
#13
What happens if we get two or more offers at a time?
Set a plan for how to review offers together and what your top priorities are before the offers start rolling in. It’s important to know that your agent has a legal responsibility to present every offer and act in your best interest.
Q’s
TO ASK A REALTOR ®
#14
How should we respond if we get unsatisfactory offers or no offers at all?
If you get unsatisfactory offers your agent should know that negotiation is key! And if there are none at all, it’s time to stage, upgrade, or change the list price.
Q’s
TO ASK A REALTOR ®
#15
What can you tell me about your past customers regarding the results and reputation of your services?
Check their references! Treat this process just as any other employer would a job interview so that you find the most qualified person for the job.
Q’s
TO ASK A REALTOR ®
Q’s
TO ASK A REALTOR ®
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