QUESTIONS TO ASK
WHEN INTERVIEWING REALTORS
WHAT IS YOUR LISTINGS’ AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET?
HOW DO YOU PLAN TO MARKET THE HOME?
Always ask to see how long their listings sit on the market. Compare it to other agents interviewed, and if theirs is oddly high, ask for an
Every Realtor should enter this partnership with a plan—period.
explanation. If they can’t attest to why, find another agent.
WHAT IS YOUR LIST-TO-PRICE RATIO? An agent can show the prices at which they list a home, but more important is to see how that compares to the price the homes actually sell—up to date, of course. A good list-to-price ratio will depend on the market and location, but be wary of percentages too far below 90%. Also, if an agents’ ratio is skyrocketing over 100%, be careful of their strategy of underpricing homes to pad the ratio. Request specific details about their motivation for the listing price.
15 questions to ask potential real estate agents.
WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION?
Price range can dramatically alter decisions for marketing and selling a house. Agents should understand the market, period.
Though a new real estate agent can certainly be motivated and eager to please, a pro with years of experience will have the knowledge and skill to face unexpected challenges. Taking continuing education courses shows a commitment to keeping up with changes.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A REAL ESTATE AGENT?
IS THIS YOUR FULL-TIME JOB?
Be cautious of new agents, but it’s not a deal-breaker if they have
Having another job shouldn’t necessarily cut a potential real estate agent out of the running, but you need to be aware if this is a part-time gig before committing. Someone who also works somewhere else may be harder to reach and could miss out on opportunities to show your house.
HAVE YOU SOLD HOMES IN THIS PRICE RANGE?
stellar referrals.
ARE YOU A PART-TIME OR FULL-TIME AGENT? Be far more cautious if an agent is part-time. Selling your home needs to be a full-time job, and they should be focused.
WHAT’S THE RATIO BETWEEN BUYERS AND SELLERS YOU REPRESENT? Listing agents need to be experienced in, of course, listing. If history shows far more experience on the buying side than the selling, it’s not a deal-breaker, but be comfortable with an agents’ answers for all of the other questions. It could benefit to have a network of eager buyers at the disposal.
WILL I BE WORKING WITH YOU DIRECTLY OR A TEAM? There’s nothing more frustrating than getting incredibly comfortable with an agent and then seeing someone new at every meeting. A small team is OK—it means more resources and assistance—but get introduced to everyone. Don’t allow your home to be another nameless, faceless listing.
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Selling your home is a big deal — so while it may be tempting to go with the first word-of-mouth recommendation you get, when it comes to choosing a real estate agent, it pays to do a bit more research. Your real estate pro will be responsible for setting the sale price, marketing your home, running open houses, speaking with potential buyers and ultimately, walking you through the selling process. To make an informed choice, ask friends and neighbors for personal recommendations, but also take the time to interview several of the best candidates before making a decision. Here are
SMITH HOME TE AM | WHY CHOOSE US
ARE YOU A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS? Membership in this professional organization is what allows a real estate agent to use the title Realtor. Being a Realtor means that the person has agreed to follow the organization’s ethical guidelines and to keep up with continuing education.
WHAT’S THE PRICE RANGE OF MOST OF THE HOMES YOU HAVE SOLD? You probably already have a ballpark figure in mind for your home’s price. Does the agent typically represent homes in that price range? If most of the homes the agent sells are in a far higher — or lower — price range, he or she may not be as familiar with how to market your home.
