A home seller choosing your listing agent is one of the most important
tasks to do when putting your home on the market. It is easy to get
distracted in the process of selling your home especially if you are not
sure of the entire process.
Sellers should interview agents to see how they will sell their property
and how quickly. How well your property sell will greatly depend on
what all services your agent offers. You don’t want to end up with
someone who is inexperienced or lacks the knowledge to sell your home
quickly. Here are 5 important questions to ask a possible listing agent
before committing to them:
- 1. Do you work full-time or part-time as a real estate agent?
Full-time work means your property will get twice the attention as a
Part-time agent. Not that Part-time agents are good agents but they tend
to have other projects going. This may hinder the selling of your
property quickly. You want someone who can dedicate their attention to
the selling of your home.
- 2. How much can I expect to pay?
You will want to know upfront what you will be paying the agent for the
use of their services. Often this amount is negotiable depending on the
agent himself.
- 3. How accessible are you?
Its important to know how to reach your agent and how difficult it will
be. Are they available only during certain times of the day? How often
do they check their messages and how quickly do they return calls? Can
they be reached my office phone, cell phone, email, or any social
sights? It’s not only a good thing to know for you, but also lets you
know how well buyers can reach your agent.
- 4. Is your license in good standing?
Your state's Department of Real Estate can assist you in confirming the
agents’ license standing. Many states provide this information online.
As with anyone who carries a license you want to make sure it is still
active and when it expires. Also inquire if any complaints have been
made against the agent.
- 5. Can you provide me with the names and phone numbers of past clients who have agreed to be references?
By talking to former clients you can learn a lot more about the agent.
You can find out things the agent would not normally discuss with you.
The previous clients can give you the dirt as well as the praise. This
will help you to make a final decision on the agent.
If you decide you don’t want to list your home and you want to sell it
quickly. You might consider contacting us as soon as possible. We can
look at your home and possibly make an offer for you to sell quickly. We
can close within 7 days so that you can move forward with your plans
more quickly.