You’ve decided to sell your house, but you don’t want to deal with the admin yourself. You’d much rather hand over the job to a qualified real estate agent.
But where and how do you begin? It’s very risky to just call up the first real estate company in the phone book, asking them to represent you. You want to put the sale of your house in the right hands. If you don’t, things could go very wrong.
To help you decide on a real estate agent, we’ve compiled a list of five important questions to ask a realtor. They’re not in order of importance, as no one question carries more weight than the other - their answers will together help you make an informed decision.
Can you tell me more about the area my house is in?
This might seem like a silly question to ask, as you’re staying in the area and are more than familiar with it, but it’s a vital question to ask. If the estate agent doesn’t know a thing about your neighbourhood, how are they going to sell it to a potential buyer? They have to be able to list all facilities of importance, like schools, shopping malls or hospitals. They should also be able to share general information, which could range from how safe the area is to what type of neighbours you have. This is all necessary to give an accurate and fair sales pitch.
What is your commission and is it negotiable?
You want to talk money right upfront. The last thing you want to do is commit to a real estate agent before determining exactly how big their cut will be. Any agent worth their salt will be happy to answer your question. Obviously one that is open to negotiating their commission is a much better option than an agent that won’t be. Not only will you be able to save money – it’s also a sign of someone who’s willing to compromise. This is a trait you want in your realtor, as it is sure to benefit you in other ways as well.
Can I please have the names and contact details of your last three clients?
Don’t just ask for three references. Be specific about the fact that it should be the last three clients that listed with them. If you don’t do this, chances are you’ll only get references from people whose houses were sold. Then naturally the references will be glowing. But this won’t be the whole and accurate picture. That’s why it’s important to also talk to people who had unsuccessful sales or who struggled to get their house sold.
How will you market my home?
A good realtor will have a strategy in place and a list of contacts to make use of. You don’t want to list your house with someone who’s merely going to put a sign in your front yard. This is not completely futile, but you can bet your bottom dollar that it will take ages for your house to get sold.
What is detracting from my home?
Who better to share reasons as to why your home might not sell as someone who’s in the real estate industry? You might be able to pinpoint certain factors, like mould on the ceiling, but a realtor will be able to indicate problems that are much less obvious.
Even with the all of the right answers, it’s vital that you get along with your real estate agent. If you can’t communicate freely and openly, it won’t matter that your realtor is the best in town. You’ll still have a horrible time trying to sell your house and you don’t want this. The sale of a house is an incredibly stressful time as it is.
Featured images:
Terrence used to work in the finance and real estate sector. He helped many clients to secure
home loans and also assisted them with other general real estate problems.
License: Creative Commons image source
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