If you are planning on selling your home, you should know that it is emotionally challenging and can be a time-consuming process. You have to make sure that you are making all the right decisions if you hope to be successful, and it begins with choosing a real estate agent to list your property. Make sure that you find a real estate agent who can effectively promote your home, educate you as a homeowner, and can gain your trust from the start. The real estate agent that you choose will have all the responsibility of selling your home, from engaging with prospective buyers to running open houses.
Before you make the decision to hire an agent, here are the five most important questions that you need to ask to ensure that you have picked the perfect candidate.
What experience do you have and what is your local expertise?
Experience is not always an indicator of skill but if a real estate agent that has years of experience, a proper education, and high reviews will have the appropriate skills to sell your home successfully. Inquire about whether your potential real estate agent is a part-time or full-time agent. Ask them how many sellers they're representing at the moment and how many sales they have made in the past year to verify that your possible agent is educated and trained properly.
Are you part of an agent organization?
It is important that you pick an agent that is licensed and has the right credentials. Ask the agent if they are a member of the National Association of Realtors or another similar organization. To be a member, they would've had to agree to follow the code of ethics of the organization.
You should also make sure to find out if they have any special certifications that could help in selling your home. If they are Certified Residential Specialist, they have taken extra classes and have been trained in residential real estate. Other certifications include Military Relocation Professional, Accredited Buyer's Representative, and Counselor of Real Estate which are all obtained through the National Association of Realtors.
What marketing approach do plan on using to sell my home?
Marketing online and offline will be critical to successfully selling your home. Ask the agent what their plans and approaches are to marketing your property. You should find out how many pictures will be taken and if a professional photographer will be used. Ask if a video will be included. Also, enquire about marketing materials, home staging, and what websites your home will be listed on.
Many homebuyers today find their new home online or begin by searching there, so the higher the quality of photographs can help to make a strong first impression. That is essential if you want your home to stand out from the rest. Ensure that they have an aggressive marketing plan prepared that you're confident will create some interest in your house from possible buyers.
Are there any service providers that you can suggest and manage on my behalf?
A real estate agent with experience will have many connections in the industry. Ask an agent for lenders that they work with and see if they can assist you in picking a mortgage company, contractors, handymen, home inspectors, and any other service providers you may need. Some agents offer help with setting up appointments, or will even offer to be there at your home to get an estimate if you are unavailable. This is a good time to find out how much assistance the agent is capable or providing. Having a relationship with individual service providers will relieve stress from the both of you during the marketing process.
Can you provide me with three past clients' references?
The best way to find out about a possible real estate agent is by asking recent clients what their experience working with them was like. Ask for a few references and make contact with them. These individuals will be able to answer any questions you may have about working with the agent.
It is key to be able to trust your real estate agent that you choose. These five questions will give you all the information you need to be able to make an educated decision on whether they are the perfect candidate for the job or not.
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