Questions to Ask Real Estate Agents When Selling Your Home

Questions to Ask Real Estate Agents When Selling

Your agent can help sell your house

By Gilan Gertz

www.realtor.com

The real estate agent's role is to smooth the home sale process, from setting the price to closing the deal. Before hiring a specific real estate agent, interview several and ask the right questions to determine the agent's suitability for your transaction. The real estate agent whom you hire should be a good match for your style, your neighborhood, and the buying population you are trying to target. Once you have chosen an agent, he or she will help you determine your home's asking price. Knowing how much comparable homes in the neighborhood have sold for is important. Your real estate agent will also advise you about improving your house to bring you a higher selling price.

Find the best agent

Start your process by getting recommendations from friends and family. Ask them if the agent was attentive, answered their questions, and pursued all leads to help them sell their houses. Next, peruse local newspapers for advertisements. Those who sell in your immediate neighborhood are a good choice. Arrange interviews with three of four real estate agents. Important questions to determine suitability include:

• What are your credentials? At the very least, the agent you choose should have a state license. A higher level of reassurance comes from those who belong to the National Association of Realtors®, which requires ethics training and adherence to a code of ethics.
• How many sales did you make last year? Choose someone with a strong history of success. This does not guarantee your home's successful sale, but heads you in the right direction.
• Where do you usually work? Someone who sells in your neighborhood is likely to understand the target buyer, and market your house appropriately.
• Do you have a sales plan? The agent you choose should be able to provide a written marketing plan, including where the house will be advertised, and how the agent will help you prime your house for sale.
• Are commissions negotiable? Usually, the real estate agent takes a 3 percent commission from the seller. Ask each agent you interview about willingness to reduce the price. How often will you communicate? Your agent should update you just about every day.

Ask your agent how to sell your home

Once you have chosen a real estate agent, take advantage of his or her knowledge about houses and the market. Ask questions about your planned sale, such as: Is the home ready to be sold in its present condition, or are improvements absolutely necessary? How much have comparable homes in the neighborhood been selling for? Is now a good time to sell, or should I wait for the seasons, or the economy, to turn? Once I put the house on the market, how long can I expect to wait to sell? What is the home's current worth? What is the asking price that I should set? 

Question your real estate agent about upgrading your home

Your real estate agent's expertise will guide you to make the home repairs that bring the most bang for your buck. Ask the following:

• Which upgrades and repairs are absolutely necessary, and which would not make a big difference in the house price?
• Which upgrades are considered standard in your area's housing market? For example, is gutting and redoing your bathrooms necessary?
• Which home improvement jobs cost little, but improve a home's cachet?

Some experts say that a remodeled kitchen is always a draw, but ask your agent whether that's the case in your neighborhood. 

Inquire about staging

Before showing your house, ask your real estate agent about how best to stage your house. The agent will advise you about minimizing clutter, arranging furniture and infusing it with pleasing scents. Ask your agent what items you should get rid of, or hide, before potential buyers come to view your home.

Sell your home successfully

Proper preparation for a home sale is essential. If you choose the right agent, and ask the right questions, your home should sell quickly and smoothly, and for the right asking price.

Call Debbie Mignogna - 267-640-1120

To  help you sell your home