7 Questions Home Sellers Should Ask Agents Before Listing

SouthBeaches_18HiRezJPG

The top two questions that sellers ask real estate agents are how much money will we get from our property and what is the commission? While those are critical questions to ask the individual representing your investment, selling your home is a very sensitive transaction and requires further digging before signing. One suggested approach is to start off by treating that first conversation with the listing agent as an interview and ask the following questions prior to signing with them.

 

1. What is your experience in real estate? The take away here is not necessarily to focus on years in the business but to gauge the talent the agent has for the industry. Ensure that the agent has more than a few sales under their belt to ensure familiarity with the process.

 

2. How long do you anticipate it will take for our listing to sell? Realtors cannot predict the future, but they do have a steady pulse on the market. Having an idea for the length of time your home will be on the market can be a huge benefit to your future plans.

 

3. How did you determine the recommended list price? The best realtors practice due diligence and will confidently be able to provide you with a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA).

 

4. What would be the marketing strategy? It is very difficult to sell a home that is not marketed in some way. Question what the plan would be for cultivating interest among potential buyers, and while on the topic, ask about what kind of buyer the listing agent thinks is needed for your home. By asking for the potential buyer type, you are giving the agent the opportunity to demonstrate their industry intuition.

 

5. How will you and how often will you communicate with me? You are about to engage in a professional relationship and expectations need to be clearly set out. Perhaps you are happy to have a monthly check in over the phone, or instead would appreciate a weekly e-mail update. A considerate listing agent will turn this question back to you giving you the opportunity to express your preferred method of communication and frequency.

 

6. Have you sold a home similar to this one before? If so, then the agent can evaluate your home through a buyer’s eyes, which is incredibly useful insight for the person representing your property to have.

 

7. Have you ever represented the buying side? Having an agent who understands both the seller’s and the buyer’s side of the process will have a better overall understanding of the full market and not just half of it. This knowledge can be very valuable when it comes time to negotiate.

 

While these questions may seem obvious, industry research has proven that sellers typically go with their “gut” feeling and do not have an initial meeting before signing with a real estate agent. For many of us, buying or selling a home is the biggest financial transactions we will make, so be sure to have all your questions answered before signing with an agent. Additionally, check out our Seller Information page which provides helpful suggestions for preparing your home for sale.

 

If you have any questions, our qualified team of experts are ready to assist you and help address any queries you may have.

 

Contact Rego Sotheby’s International Realty today to get started.

Written by Rego SIR in Bermuda Real Estate, Rego Sotheby's International Realty, Sotheby's International Realty

BermudaBermuda HomesBermuda LandBermuda PropertyBermuda Real EstateSotheby'sWhere to Live in Bermuda

Leave a comment

Next Post

Meet the Agent - Britt Reiss, Rego Sotheby's International Realty

The top two questions that sellers ask real estate agents are how much money will we get from our property and what is the commission? While those are critical questions to ask the individual representing your investment, selling your home is a very sensitive transaction and requires further digging before signing. One suggested approach is to start off by treating that first conversation with the listing agent as an interview and ask the following questions prior to signing with them.   1. What is your experience in real estate? The take away here is not necessarily to focus on years […]

Continue Reading
Facebook
Google+
Twitter
YouTube
Pinterest
LinkedIn
Instagram