Make
sure you choose a REALTOR® who will provide top-notch service and meet your
unique needs.
1. How long have you
been in residential real estate sales? Is it your full-time job? While experience is
no guarantee of skill, real estate — like many other professions — is mostly
learned on the job.
2. What designations
do you hold?
Designations such as GRI and CRS® — which require that agents take additional,
specialized real estate training — are held by only about one-quarter of real
estate practitioners.
3. How many homes did
you and your real estate brokerage sell last year? By asking this
question, you’ll get a good idea of how much experience the practitioner has.
4. How many days did
it take you to sell the average home? How did that compare to the overall
market?
The
REALTOR® you interview should have these facts on hand, and be able to present
market statistics from the local MLS to provide a comparison.
5. How close to the
initial asking prices of the homes you sold were the final sale prices? This is one indication
of how skilled the REALTOR® is at pricing homes and marketing to suitable
buyers. Of course, other factors also may be at play, including an
exceptionally hot or cool real estate market.
6. What types of
specific marketing systems and approaches will you use to sell my home? You don’t want someone
who’s going to put a For Sale sign in the yard and hope for the best. Look for
someone who has aggressive and innovative approaches, and knows how to market
your property competitively on the Internet. Buyers today want information
fast, so it’s important that your REALTOR® is responsive.
7. Will you represent
me exclusively, or will you represent both the buyer and the seller in the
transaction?
While it’s usually legal to represent both parties in a transaction, it’s
important to understand where the practitioner’s obligations lie. Your REALTOR®
should explain his or her agency relationship to you and describe the rights of
each party.
8. Can you recommend
service providers who can help me obtain a mortgage, make home repairs, and
help with other things I need done? Because REALTORS® are immersed in the
industry, they’re wonderful resources as you seek lenders, home improvement
companies, and other home service providers. Practitioners should generally recommend
more than one provider and let you know if they have any special relationship
with or receive compensation from any of the providers.
9. What type of
support and supervision does your brokerage office provide to you? Having resources such
as in-house support staff, access to a real estate attorney, and assistance
with technology can help an agent sell your home.
10. What’s your
business philosophy? While
there’s no right answer to this question, the response will help you assess
what’s important to the agent and determine how closely the agent’s goals and
business emphasis mesh with your own.
11. How will you keep
me informed about the progress of my transaction? How frequently? Again, this is not a
question with a correct answer, but it reflects your desires. Do you want
updates twice a week or do you not want to be bothered unless there’s a hot
prospect? Do you prefer phone, e-mail, or a personal visit?
12. Could you please
give me the names and phone numbers of your three most recent clients?
Ask
recent clients if they would work with this REALTOR® again. Find out whether
they were pleased with the communication style, follow-up, and work ethic of
the REALTOR®.
....provided courtesy of Nakia Evans, GRI, REALTOR
I am available to help you start your home search! As your real estate specialist, I would be happy to discuss your options and show you what's available that best suits your lifestyle. Please don't hesitate to call or email me if you would like to get together to discuss your choices.
Nakia Evans, GRI, REALTOR
Associate Broker
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
22 W. Padonia Avenue, Ste. A-100, Timonium, MD 21093
Office phone: 410.252.2111
Direct phone: 443-864-1358
Email: nakiaevans@cbintouch.com
Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage is owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. If you have a brokerage relationship with another agency, this is not intended as a solicitation.
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